2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Review
2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Review
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Used SL-Class for sale
Appraise This CarMercedes-Benz SL-Class model years
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class types
- Convertible
- SL55 AMG
See Edmunds pricing data
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Seductive style, retractable hardtop, commendable performance, ride and handling.
Cons
- Heavy for a "sports car," limited cargo capacity, nav system is old-tech CD-ROM format.
What’s new
Everything. A new SL debuts to replace the previous version, which dated back to 1990.
Edmunds says
The most technologically advanced two-seater currently sold (despite its navigation system).
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL500 2dr Convertible (5.0L 8cyl 5A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $5.73 per gallon for premium unleaded in California.
Monthly estimates based on costs in California
$429/mo for SL-Class SL500
SL-Class SL500
vs
$246/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
Model History/Marketing Philosophy: Introduced in the mid-1950s, the first SL was the 300SL "Gullwing" coupe, so nicknamed for its doors, which swung upward. The Gullwing was joined a few years later by a convertible version. The model's letters stand for Sports Leicht (translated: sports lightweight) and the number(s) refer to the engine size (e.g. 300 means 3.0 liter). The 300SL was the first car to be fitted with fuel injection and, with the proper axle gearing, could hit 160 mph. Pretty impressive for a car of that era -- propelled by a six-cylinder engine, no less! As the years went on, the SL got more luxurious and heavier with each successive redesign. The 1960s brought the 230/250/280 SL roadsters. A V8 replaced the straight six when the car was revamped in the early 1970s and this version (the car Steve Austin drove in "The Six Million Dollar Man") continued through the 1980s. After a lengthy run of 18 years, that car was replaced in 1990 by the sleek 300/320/500/600SLs of the 1990s, which once again offered six cylinder as well as V8 and V12 power. The newest SL continues the tradition of an open-air, two-seat grand touring (GT) car with the typical Benz virtues of luxury, safety and capable performance. At 4,000 pounds, the newest SL sure isn't a leicht-weight, but having nearly all of the latest high-tech features to optimize handling, safety and comfort tends to add weight, as does a new, retractable hardtop.
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options: Initially, the 2003 SL series will consist of the SL500 (5.0-liter V8) and the AMG-tweaked SL55 (5.4-liter supercharged V8). The V12 SL600 will join them some time in the near future. The SL500 will, as expected, come loaded with luxury, safety and convenience features such as xenon headlamps, Bose audio system with CD changer, navigation system (though it uses less-efficient CD media as opposed to DVD), stability control, electronic braking and TeleAid communications service. The SL55 adds a few upgrades of its own, such as 18-inch alloy wheels, massive brakes with eight-piston front calipers, unique sport seats and instrumentation, lower body sculpting and a quartet of exhaust pipes poking out from the rear valance panel.
Several options are available to personalize the SL, such as a Sport package for the SL500 that gives it the look of the SL55 (by way of 18-inch AMG wheels, high-performance tires and lower body sculpting), Parktronic (electronic parking assist), bi-xenon headlamps and even ventilated seats that can massage one's lower back. A few other gee-whiz options include "Distronic" cruise control (which automatically keeps the Benz a fixed distance from the car ahead of it on the freeway) and "Keyless Go", a credit-card-like device that lets you access and run the car without a conventional key.
Powertrains and Performance: The same 5.0-liter V8 that served in the previous SL500 is used in the new model. That's certainly not a bad thing, as this engine pumps out 302 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque while running super clean (early estimates indicate Ultra Low Emission Vehicle class status). No manual gearbox is available, but the five-speed automatic features M-B's TouchShift selector that allows manual-style gear changes when the mood strikes. With performance stats that include a 0-60 mph sprint of 6.1 seconds and a (electronically limited) top speed of 155 mph, the SL500 can boogie if it wants to. If that's not enough, the 493 horses and 516 lb-ft of torque produced by the SL55's force-fed V8 will slingshot that Benz to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. In addition to the increased thrust, the SL55 also has those big wheels and brakes mentioned earlier, performance-tuned suspension, a faster "SpeedShift" automanual gearbox, full dual exhaust, sport seats and special instrumentation.
Safety: The latest active and passive safety features are included in the SL series. The more notable features include a slew of acronyms that stand for performance- and safety-enhancing technologies such as ABS (antilock brake system), ASR (traction control), ESP (stability control), ABC (body roll control). And the new SL is the first car to have electronic braking, which replaces the conventional brake pedal-to-hydraulics interface with a sophisticated electronic setup that can react much quicker and even selectively adjust braking force to each wheel when cornering. Should an accident be unavoidable, there's a multitude of airbags to protect the occupants, including side bags that cover the head and torso areas and a knee bag for the driver. As with the previous version, the latest SL has a pop-up roll bar that will deploy if a rollover is imminent. Interior Design and Special Features: A power-operated, retractable hardtop, much like that seen in Mercedes' SLK sports car, is standard as is most everything one could want in an automobile. The metal top replaces the old canvas job (with its plastic rear window) and offers the integrity, insulation and security of a coupe when raised. A simpler climate control system debuts, with easy-to-understood knobs and dials that replace the previous unit's annoying array of confusing buttons. A wide choice of exterior colors and interior trims are offered, including four different types of accents for the cabin (three woods and one metallic).
Driving Impressions/Opinions: Improved dynamically and functionally, the newest SL handles better and is more user-friendly than the car it replaces. It's also comfortable, luxurious, faster and packed with the latest technologies and safety equipment. If you're in the market for a luxury roadster, the 2003 SL should be high on your list.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class.
5 star(76%)
4 star(11%)
3 star(5%)
2 star(7%)
1 star(1%)
123 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
2 out of 5 stars
POORLY BUILT CAR
HERB, 07/16/2015
2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL500 2dr Convertible (5.0L 8cyl 5A)
Just sold my 2003 SL 500 Designo had it for 7 years too many trips to the dealer for repairs a car with only 3300 miles had more problems than it should have had for a supposed quality car.Dealer told me don't keep this car without a warrantee at cost of $6800.00 The car lost to much value when sold.This car is a money pit needs expensive repairs every month. Great looking but not … reliable stay away.
2 out of 5 stars
Please, stay away!
Chris, 12/04/2015
2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL55 AMG 2dr Convertible (5.5L 8cyl S/C 5A)
Seeing the price of these cars on the used market is a tempting purchase. When everything is working it is overall a fantastic car, fast, good looking, comfortable, etc.
HOWEVER: REGARDLESS of what anyone tells you, I doubt there is a more complicated and unreliable car on the market. In under one year, I have spent over $8,000 on unplanned repairs. This is not because the car wasn't … maintained, they are just chronically unreliable. Suspension issues, getting stuck in park, trunk leaks, rattles, motor/transmission mounts, supercharger intercooler pump, alarm siren, trunk struts, this is a partial list of the problems that I've had.
Most of the reviews on here are overwhelmingly positive, but you need to see the dates - many 10+ years ago when the car was newer. Most recent reviews will attest to my warning: DO NOT LET THE LOOK/DRIVE OF THE CAR TEMPT YOU.
The car moved from a "love/hate" relationship to a "mostly hate" relationship after being in the shop at least once a month.
Oh, and as a daily driver over 14k miles it has averaged 13.5mpg in the suburbs, but you should know that going in - it costs to go fast.
In summary, there is no such thing as a cheap MB SL, you're paying in depreciation or you're paying in maintenance, pick your poison.
3.5 out of 5 stars
Electrical Gremlins Abound
Nero, 02/03/2010
2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL55 AMG 2dr Convertible (5.5L 8cyl S/C 5A)
Car has left me stranded and in need of towing 5 times now in 3 years. It has so many electrical problems that no one can figure out, the last time I took it to the dealer for the same thing and spent $3,000 with no real fix. Looks good, is very fast but too heavy to be a real sports car, it drinks gas, and is very unreliable and expensive to own. Another thumbs down for Mercedes' … recent product offerings, do you research and you'll find many reports of their shoddy quality in their modern cars.
5 out of 5 stars
It's Been a Great Car to Own
Vincenzo, 11/02/2017
2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL55 AMG 2dr Convertible (5.5L 8cyl S/C 5A)
I have owned this car for almost a year now, and I was expecting it to cost 3-5k a year to maintain. I had an emergency fund in place fully funded and so far it's been in the shop for some ball joints in the suspension, an intercooler pump (which is upgraded so it shouldn't break for a while) and couple of new rims because the 2 left got bent. I've replaced the alternator, crank shaft … position sensor, engine and cabin air filters, a few pulleys and a valve cover gasket. It's going to need trunk struts, accumulator spheres, engine/transmission mounts and a few cosmetic touch ups (but overall my car is in really good shape). This car has costed me $2,000 in the first year to get caught up on maintenance which is cheap for a car like this at 14 years old. The engine was shutting off on it when it got warmed up not too long ago. I was able to diagnose the problem in less then 15 minutes at a cost of less then $28. It was the CPS and it was a breeze to install once I got it (took 10 minutes) and every local auto part shop had it in stock. I replaced the alternator myself on it as well and once you know the procedure it's easy to replace. You need to remove the fan shroud and it will make it easier but it was a breeze as well. This is a very easy car to work on. The hood opens 90 degrees and theres a lot of room to work almost like an old muscle car. The struts and brakes cost a lot retail but you can find them so cheap to nothing if you shop around so the parts are usually very cheap and sometimes free in my experience if you send the old ones in. The engine parts are almost all metal and you don't have to worry about anything breaking unless you over tighten stuff. The car gets terrible overall fuel economy but it's very fast and the acceleration is brutal in a way. There are a few quality problems but they're very small and the average person wouldn't be able to find them. The quality of materials and build quality is overall extremely high for this vehicle especially when you consider it's from the DaimlerChrysler era. It's got a tank like Mercedes-Benz build quality to it. It feels very solid and heavy and the doors are very heavy. The transmissions in these vehicles shift very slow and are a bit cumbersome but are basically the same as you'd find in a Sprinter van or almost any other Mercedes in this time period and is found in almost every V12 Mercedes until 2014 or so. You can also find it in many Chrysler vehicles like V8 Grand Cherokees, 300's, Chargers, Challengers, Durangos, you name it. It's even in some Jaguars and 911's. It's a very heavy duty unit and can run for 100's of thousands of miles. When you need to replace it just make sure it has the correct torque converter and you're golden. The unit should be pretty cheap. This is a very intuitive car. I am not a technician or expert and I can easily diagnose anything in this car in 15 minutes or less. Make sure the hydraulic fluid has been getting changed though before you buy one because the car rides on a fully active hydraulic suspension and one pump runs the suspension and steering. If the fluid is not changed before 50k miles at least, the pump will fail, the lines will get clogged and it can ruin your struts. It can total out your car if someone is careless about this and should be done every 30k along with the transmission fluid or even 20k if you can. This is the only thing you have to worry about. The engine mounts go out early because they're filled with fluid and are soft to make the car ride and settle better so that's normal. Supercharger oil should be done every 20-30k as well and make sure you lubricate the seals and the top. Overall if you listen to what Mercedes tells you to do and do more than what is expected and are good to your car you will be rewarded with one of the most reliable vehicles on the market. 1,000,000 miles on one of these is not uncommon and can go possibly 2,000,000 miles between rebuilds. It's a very solid and simple single overhead cam engine. It's not hard to maintain. Make sure you have an emergency fund in place though. You should have one anyways and it should have at least $12,000 in it.
2003 SL-Class Highlights
Convertible
SL500
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $85,990 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 16 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $429/month |
Seating | 2 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 10.1 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the SL-Class include:
- Alarm
- Stability Control
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintAcceptable
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