Used 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Consumer Reviews
Used SL-Class for sale
This Car is incredible
bigmirsh, 05/03/2005
2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL500 2dr Convertible (5.0L 8cyl 5A)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
Imagine a car that has everything one could ask for. This car was built for someone who wants a daily driver that is fun as hell and fits like a glove. Driving this car is like eating the perfect meal.
Looks good. But thats it.
WritrguyLA, 11/26/2003
2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL500 2dr Convertible (5.0L 8cyl 5A)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
In the shop every month since I bought it. Too many electronic features I guess, because something is ALWAYS breaking. And speaking of brakes, be ready to replace them within the first year. And its not covered. And the ride is not sporty, its more luxury.
2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class for sale near you
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Style and performance
Michael altman, 06/29/2016
updated 12/29/2016
2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL500 2dr Convertible (5.0L 8cyl 5A)
15 of 17 people found this review helpful
If you have the 18 sport wheels with performance tires they will only last about 10,000 miles in the tears. Every where I go with this car it's still a head turner for a 2003 with a style that will always look new. Update 70,000 miles abs light came on and checked fluid it was low, added fluid OEM and all is good, thought I might need pump but I believe due to heat evaporation there was some loss. Added jdm front tower strut bar for less flex, k&n air filters with improved power and saved gas by 4 mpg. Lowering links dropped car 2 1/2 inches. Now will be installing new exhaust! Truly a great driving machine and a head turner!
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No more ABC headaches!
Elmar Jaust, 05/24/2020
updated 05/27/2025
2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL500 2dr Convertible (5.0L 8cyl 5A)
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
Well, after about 11 years of ownership of a now 21-year old beautiful car, we decided we had had enough of the ABC headaches and did the research that we should have done 11 years earlier. We found that the troublesome ABC suspension can be converted to a mechanical “coilover” one. At a significant cost, of course. Needless to say, M-B dealerships would not do it, and there aren’t many independent service stations that would do it. But fortunately we found one. It took a few days and about $7,500, but the headaches are gone, and that’s priceless. The suspension feels a little harder on rough roads, but considering that the car is now nearing the age where it can be considered “antique”, it’s acceptable. Otherwise the car keeps running great and generates a much-better-than-advertised gas mileage of 20-21 Mpg in mixed hwy/city driving with a light foot and occasional sprints. In its Magma Red color it continues to be a beauty to look at as well. Hopefully, it’ll stick around much longer…
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- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
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foul smell in mercedes
jjzachs, 07/24/2003
2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL500 2dr Convertible (5.0L 8cyl 5A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
my car has been in shop for over 120 daysin one year.now there foul smell from a defect in the door design in the designo version. it supposidly leaked glue and caused a foul smell.we heard of other cars with same problem.mercedes has to date not told the exact nature of the problem or the chemical that leaked.my car still stinks