Enthusiasts single out the facelifted 2007-2008 SL550 as the R230 to buy, citing the revised M273 5.5L V8 (382hp, up from the earlier 5.0L M113 302hp) plus improvements to the ABC system and other hardware. There is some disagreement over exactly when the improved 'ABC 2' hardware arrived (2007 versus 2008), but the 07/08 window is the recurring recommendation.
The 2007-2008 cars as the sweet spot
Mercedes-Benz SL (R230) · buying