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thoughts on SL500 Designo trim (2003)
Written by: chaddyd on Jul 25, 2006 11:39:59 AM
Hi, I'm thinking of buying the above, but have read in the past that there are problems with this model. Specifically, I've heard that there are problems with odors coming from the glue Mercedes used for the side panels. Any truth to this? what are your thoughts about the 2003 sl500? i love the car, and i love the trim, but i'm not about to drop $70K on a car that ... Read More
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1999 SL 500 40,000 miles
Written by: law4you on May 13, 2004 8:11:28 AM
I now own three Mercedes (1999 SL 500; 2002 S 430; & 2003 CLK 430 Cabriolet)and sold a 1993 300 SE with 40,000 miles on it 2 1/2 years ago. I had so much trouble with the '93 on things that should never go wrong starting around 35,000 miles and costing $6000 to fix the next 5000 miles that I thought I just had a lemon. Now the '99 SL 500 ... Read More
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Re: Mercedes Nut [shoes]
Written by: clk430c on Jun 11, 2005 3:34:32 AM
Hi, I'm new to this forum and would appreciate your help. I'm in the market for a 2004 SL55. I've got the brochures from 2003-2005. I know, starting in 2004, they went to a 7-Speed Automatic Transmission. And I know, starting in 2005, the Nav. System is done as a DVD. But, what I'm really trying to learn is what the differences are among the 3 years. In other words, what ... Read More
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Re: Problem free? [shoes #487]
Written by: dwcolt on Apr 27, 2004 2:12:41 PM
Hey Shoes, I've got a 2003 SL55 with that fuel tank problem you described and it drives me nuts. Do you know of anyone who successfully had this problem fixed by Mercedes?
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SL55 fuel tank noise
Written by: dwcolt on Apr 27, 2004 2:10:04 PM
I have a 2003 SL55 with a very persistent crackling, popping sound coming from the fuel tank behind my head. Has anyone else experienced this problem? Has anyone had any luck with Mercedes coming up with a fix or repair for this problem? Thanks for the input!!
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Re: Mercedes Quality [shoes #577]
Written by: merebenz on May 13, 2004 11:42:59 AM
I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH MY 2003 SL 500. IT IS ALWAYS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND IT SEEMS THEY DO NOTHING. I PAID A 104,000 FOR IT AND ALL I END UP DRIVING IS LOANER CARS! PROBLEMS: BRAKING PROBLEMS, GAS TANK NOISE, TRUNK NOISE, BRAKES SLIPPING AND KNOCKING, NAV GOING OFF, ROOF LEAKING, CAR NOT STARTING, KEYLESS GO NOT WORKING, KEY IS GETTING STUCK IN IGNITION (I USE WHEN ... Read More
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Mercedes Quality
Written by: shoes on Mar 24, 2004 3:45:17 PM
I too have had good luck with Mercedes and have owned 14 of them. The 2004 SL500 I have now is just about perfect. I must admit though that the early SL500 and SL55 had some teething pains with the brakes. My 2003 E55 also seemed to be developing problems right around 6,000 miles.
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I flipped one too
Written by: shoes on Feb 9, 2004 11:15:03 AM
I think people are flipping the SL55 because the build quality on the early ones is not great. The 2004 SL500 I now own is much better than either the 2003 SL500 or the 2003 SL55 that I used to own. Problem areas were brakes and fuel pump noises. Mercedes has made it clear to me that they won't be bringing any AMG wagons to the US where wagons don't sell ... Read More
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Keeping my E55
Written by: shoes on Jan 20, 2004 8:03:41 AM
I am keeping my 2003 E55, it is the best Mercedes and the best overall vehicle I have owned (I am up to 92 at this point). I will tell you something that might shock some. The E55 is so good and spoils you with the addictive power, that it is hard to drive cars with less than 400 horsepower. In December, I picked up the new CLK55 Cabriolet, with the ... Read More
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Anyone with some real world experience out there?
Written by: shoes on Jan 19, 2004 9:40:29 AM
I have owned both the 2003 SL500 and the 2003 SL55. In response to Mr. Shiftright's question about why not the SL500- the answer is performance. The SL500 is too pedestrian, almost boring. I also drive a 2003 E55 and once you get used to this level of performance, driving a normally aspirated V-8 doesn't cut it. I read an article in one of the car magazines stating that you owe ... Read More
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SL500 versus SL55
Written by: shoes on Nov 18, 2003 9:38:36 AM
I have owned both of these cars. I picked up a very early SL500 in Germany in April, 2002 then got an SL55 in April of 2003. I feel that the SL is having early teething pains. I had problems with both relating to a clicking sound coming from the area of the fuel pump behind the seats as well as brake related problems on both (loud squealing and modulation difficulty). ... Read More
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no title
Written by: merc1 on Dec 25, 2002 9:49:25 PM
The "Domestics" have always had the Viper and Corvette and they still haven't dented the Euro crowd's supercars' appeal or anything else. The Viper is too hot, literally. The Vette is well a Vette, it gets no respect from that crowd. Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martin, Lamborghini aren't in the least bit worried. As far as the Japanese doing anything, Toyota is the one to watch. There maybe a SC500 to truly ... Read More
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For Sale
Written by: ejerod on Dec 10, 2002 9:12:48 AM
I ran into a gentleman locally who has a 2003 SL500 with all options excluding the wood steering wheel and shifter knob( keyless go, tire pressure monitor, parktronic, distronic, etc). According to him he has only 900 miles on it. He wants to sell it for 105k which is MSRP ( about 101k ) plus all applicable taxes. If anyone is interested post a message and I'll have the gentelman contact ... Read More
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Sound Quality - Mercedes SL500 2003
Written by: uksl500 on Nov 18, 2002 4:09:20 AM
Hi! I'm thrilled to bits with my new SL500, but dissapointed with the sound quality on the standard (UK it's not Bose) system. It sounds "tinny" without much bass even though I've cranked up the bass in the sound control area. I'm just checking with any other owner who has the standard non-Bose system to see whether theirs sounds un-bassy? Ta. J
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Oil Changes
Written by: ejerod on Nov 12, 2002 9:48:18 AM
I have both the 2003 SL500 and the 2002 S500 with AMG Sport Package. I've owned a 2001 S500 that I traded for the 2002. It's been my experience that one can safely follow the computer diagnostic screen that one can scroll to on the dashboard to monitor service intervals. The car monitors one's driving habits, temperature etc and will actually tell you when service is due . This includes oil ... Read More
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I'm just happy to own two
Written by: ejerod on Aug 31, 2002 7:05:57 PM
Guys.. Guys.. gentlemen.. I'm not a mechanical engineer so I don't know which of you is right. All I know is I own both the 2002 S500 with AMG Sport Package and the 2003 SL500 with the same. All the toys...distronic, tire pressure monitor, parktronic, keyless go, yada yada yada. I'm just happy and feel blessed to be the owner of two of the world's greatest examples of automotive engineering for ... Read More
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Shoes, et al: Know what your getting yourself into
Written by: habitat1 on Jun 30, 2002 9:28:12 AM
Shoes, I am not surprised to hear your complaints on the SL500. Not to rub salt in the wound with 20/20 hindsight, but look at past and recent history: (1) The SL has never driven like a sports car or even as precisely as a BMW 5-series. It's always been overweight. Suspension improvements have not eliminated the "detached" impression you, me and others I know have experienced. (2) Mercedes has gotten ... Read More
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CL Cabriolet!!!!!!!!!
Written by: merc1 on May 12, 2002 10:21:25 PM
I knew it would happen, I predicted it in 2000!!! Mercedes-AMG is building a limited run of 2003 CL55 AMG Cabrios, at 132K a piece. Mercedes has not ruled out having the CL Cabrio as a regular model in the MB lineup. Autoweek May 13th, issue. M
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Good stuff, guys!
Written by: toyotas1 on Mar 11, 2002 3:31:19 PM
Way to stay on top of it!! And Sphinx makes an exellent "pirnt". The SL will go from "icon" to "also ran" if their product cycle is as long as the last one. When there is more competition, you have to get off your "toukas" a lot more often. Mercedes will change with the times, or else become the next Cadillac (may they struggle in peace!). The C&D article did expose ... Read More
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no title
Written by: sphinx99 on Mar 10, 2002 3:27:59 PM
What's really startling here is that 'kdude' is the only person here who hasn't spouted off about things he doesn't know. (Yes Merc that includes you too, unless you've done some serious seat time in the '03 SL500... please let us know... and yes you too toyota1... how was your testdrive of the SL.... and yes, me too...) I'm willing to allow that the SC430 might be a better car than ... Read More
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Two Final Points....
Written by: toyotas1 on Mar 10, 2002 10:33:13 AM
Shiftright........ the two probable factors in the price difference of the Sc and the SL are one, lower labor cost/efficiencies, and two, the extra safety/engineering technologies added in the SL. Obviously, if JD Power has a worthy opinion, Lexus vehicles are built to last as long and as reliable (if not more so) than any Benz....... and you seemed to miss the criticizm by C&D. They're saying that Bex TOOK HYUNDAIS ... Read More
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Yeah, let's START with the NAV and CD player!
Written by: toyotas1 on Mar 9, 2002 7:29:49 AM
Where does Benz get off NOT offering in dash changers and DVD NAV? Where is the extra $5-10k premium going, anyway? I'd give some of the over-the-top safety systems back for a more functional car with more useful features. When I look at a $60-80k car, I don't want to see ANYTHING that REEKS of cost-cutting, period!!! Do you disagree? To Mr. Shiftright, Lexus being only 12 years old, still has ... Read More
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Sorry I'm about 20 entries late.....
Written by: toyotas1 on Mar 8, 2002 3:43:31 PM
This is what I was saying. The current generation CLK was the Benz response to the original Lexus SC. All I'm saing is that Mercedes introduced the car 5 YEARS after the Lexus, and it STILL was a weaker car as far as luxury, design and styling, while exceeding it in safety features and only matching it in performance. The current CLK doesn't move me AT ALL, and the 2003 CLK ... Read More
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Current Market Rate for 2003 SL55
Written by: jstyle on Mar 7, 2002 2:52:33 PM
I just talked with an associate in CA and we were discussing the new SL. He said his dealer told him that those with early allocation of the SL55 AMG are going to ask close to $US180,000 because this is what some people are offering for the car. I guess it really is a competitor for the Ferrari 360 in more ways than just performance. Mercedes is allowing these mark ups ... Read More
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Don't we have....
Written by: toyotas1 on Mar 4, 2002 1:23:51 PM
enough Benz SL boards up????? Let's talk about something else that is overpriced like the Volvo C70....uh...I mean the new 2003 CLK.......
