Used 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Consumer Reviews
Used SL-Class for sale
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Do your homework before buying this car!
Elmar Jaust, 05/24/2020
updated 05/26/2022
2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL500 2dr Convertible (5.0L 8cyl 5A)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
We bought a 2003 SL500 in 2013 with a relatively low mileage at a reasonable price. Boy, we’re we in for some unpleasant surprises... The vehicle has ABC (active body control) and this is a nightmare. Not long after we had purchased it, it began to leak hydraulic oil near one corner. Cost of repair: about $4,000 to $5,000. Not too long after that, the same happened at another corner. Same problem, same repair cost. Now the leaks have stopped, but after the car has been parked for a few minutes, it lowers itself on the front right corner, looking rather disabled. Fortunately, when the engine gets cranked up and we shift it into R or D, it raises itself back up and then drives normally and beautifully...until it gets parked again. We’ve been observing this for nearly two years now and it hasn’t gotten worse. Hopefully, it’ll keep running (without leaks) for many more years. Looking back, I feel foolish that I did not do enough research on this vehicle and its associated ABC problems prior to purchasing one. If I had, I would have known about it because it seems to be a very common problem for this model. In summary, the car is comparable to a super model who has an incurable disease.
Beautiful but unreliable
CPRCPR, 05/11/2004
2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL500 2dr Convertible (5.0L 8cyl 5A)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
I bought my SL500 in Jul-03. But ownership is blighted by consistent unreliability and visits to Mercedes service. SL parts are often not available, so your car sits, un- drivable, in the repair shop waiting for parts. In 10 mths I spent a month in loan cars, whilst waiting for parts & repairs. Mercedes paid for everything, but that does not take away the irritation. This weeks fault is the seat-belt (unsafe to drive, 10 day for parts); previous failures were hydraulics (undrivable), exhaust (illegal to drive) and electric seat adjustment stuck in fully forward (couldnt enter seat). So buy an SL500 as a third car, but not if you want something reliable.
My Retirement Gift
Ray's Dream Car, 09/20/2007
2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL500 2dr Convertible (5.0L 8cyl 5A)
9 of 11 people found this review helpful
I could not be happier with the purchase of my 2003 500SL. Its performance, luxury appointments, and over all wow factor is amazing. I never thought that a retired school teacher would be fortunate enough to own a car of this quality.
Wow, but it stinks
jcj001, 12/08/2003
2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL500 2dr Convertible (5.0L 8cyl 5A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
This is the latest in my car habit. Before this I had an 02 Carrerra, an 02 M3 convertible, an 01 Vette Coupe, a 99 430E, and a 97 540i. This is by far the best car that I have owned. The interior is great, and the command system is quite useful. The exterior is simply marvelous. I have the smell problem as mentioned in other reviews. MB of Annapolis sold it to me knowing it, then promised to fix it (had the car three weeks after I only had it a week), and it needs to go back in. They refused to give me my money back. MB of Annapolis has seen its last dollar from me, and I would recommend anybody else staying away from them too.
Amazing to drive & horrific to own
Richard Hill, 01/12/2010
2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL55 AMG 2dr Convertible (5.5L 8cyl S/C 5A)
21 of 28 people found this review helpful
I have owned over twenty Mercedes and this has been the most exciting to drive and yet the worst for reliability. The quality of the cabin components are cheap and tacky and a disgrace to the badge and the electronics are a complete nightmare. I cannot trust any of the onboard warning systems and my repair bills to try and get them sorted is like paying off the national debt. The depreciation on this vehicle has been alarming and I am so disappointed that this will probably be the last Mercedes Benz I will purchase.
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