The Mercedes Benz model 230 appeared in 1964 in a 6-cylinder Roadster as the Mercedes-Benz 230 SL. It was the replacement of the 190 SL and with 2306cc engine it has a top speed of 200 km per hour. Aside the performance, style, and character, the Mercedes Benz 230 SL became popular with its removable hardtop or the "pagoda roof" that later became the identity of the entire SL-series.

Actually, the 230 model was not limited to the SL series. In fact, the 230 name was carried throughout three generations of different Mercedes Benz vehicle series. One of these is the Mercedes-Benz W110/ W111 or the "Fintail" cars that were produced from 1961 up to 1968. The Fintail replaced the W120 Ponton models beginning in 1961. 230 joined the Fintail MBs "190", "200", and "220" as model names.

Then, in 1968, the Fintail models were replaced by the W114 Stroke-8 series beginning in 1968. The Mercedes-Benz W114 "Stroke-8" midsize cars which were also similar to the W115 went into production through 1976. The W114 also used the 230 model name with the "250" and "280" completing the line. The W114 chassis used straight-6 engines while the W115 used straight-4 and straight-5 engines and were sold in "200", "220", "230", and "240" model names. The "Stroke-8" were used in 1968 as a designation to the W114 and W115 which had an informal "W114/8" and "W115/8" name respectively.

The next 230 was used in the a small luxury 2-door roadster, the SLK-Class. As a 1998 model year, the R170-platform SLK was introduced in 1997. The SLK 230 that was powered by a 185 hp 2.3 L supercharged I4 engine coupled with automatic transmission were used as the model in that year to compete with Porsche Boxster and BMW Z3.