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Used 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Consumer Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
37 reviews

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We have a limited number of reviews for the 1997 SL-Class, so we've included reviews for other years of the SL-Class since its last redesign.

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Pros
Cons
5 out of 5 stars

Great car for the money

rh716, 06/17/2017
updated 06/27/2022
1997 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL500 2dr Convertible
3 of 4 people found this review helpful

I bought this 1997 SL500 with the optional panorama roof in 2012 with 46.000 miles for a great price and since that I have driven it about 12.000 miles and had absolutely no huge issues. The only items i had to repair were 4 hydraulic cylinders for the top. These fail over time but I was able to have them rebuilt and did the work myself cost was about $500.00. I love the way this car drives (I only drive it in the summer) the handling is superb and it has plenty of power and it is definitely a car I can and will take on a longer road trip. I had absolutely no major issues just the regular maintenance costs. If you can find a car in good shape I can only recommend it prices will never be lower than they are now. Just make sure you stay away from older models (90-96) as they have bio degradable harness and the SL600 unless you have a lot of extra cash.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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4 out of 5 stars

19 yrs and going strong

Ed H, 09/09/2016
updated 09/13/2017
1997 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL320 2dr Convertible
3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Purchased this Maroon SL 320 in Colorado and drove it to Spokane, WA immediately at 80 MPH I managed 25.7 MPG, I was quite surprised. At 102,000 miles it has a few issues and they will be more expensive to repair but the wife and I shop around for missing items and repair parts. We have not taken the hardtop off yet, hoping to do so before it gets cold so far it is a lot of fun to drive.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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1997 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class for sale near you
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3.75 out of 5 stars

What else can go wrong?

walt, 09/17/2010
1996 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL600 2dr Convertible
4 of 6 people found this review helpful

After replacing almost all sensors, catalytic converter, conv.top oil cylinders, and $4,000 in charges, it looks like it will make beautiful planter!

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5 out of 5 stars

excellent

falko, 06/16/2003
1996 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL320 2dr Convertible
8 of 17 people found this review helpful

this is it!!!it is the best on a planet! euroquality & comfort - what else? it is a fun to drive!

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3.38 out of 5 stars

Bittersweet

MBS, 03/02/2002
1995 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL320 2dr Convertible
4 of 8 people found this review helpful

Although I loved this car, we have since parted ways. I could not have been more dissapponted with my SL experience. For the 3 years I owned the car I found that there is a huge cost of ownership that comes with maintaining this car. Service costs were more than the payments. I was always told that these cars would run very high mileage, but that mileage comes at a heafty cost. I would not buy another unless it was under the Starmark warrantee.

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