Used 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Consumer Reviews
Used SL-Class for sale
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.
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2003 Certified Used SL55
miles of smiles, 02/03/2007
2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL55 AMG 2dr Convertible (5.5L 8cyl S/C 5A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I purchased a 2003 certified Diamond Silver SL55 avoiding the $50K depreciation. What a car. Incredible looks and power, and a great sounding rumble. The car is truely amazing, yet the navigation is dated years compared to Lexus. I have no regrets in the first 2,000 miles. I have heard both positive and negative reviews for the car so I purchased the extended warranty to 100K miles. It appears to be hit or miss with some of the cars with the research I've done.
210,000 miles on my Mercedes R230 SL500 2003
Tony R, 11/17/2023
2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL500 2dr Convertible (5.0L 8cyl 5A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Upkeep is expensive, but it is a pleasure to drive. The Mercedes body style is timeless. The ABC can be problematic, and I have replaced one or more of struts multiple times over the course of twenty years. In addition to the following: 1. Power steering/ABC pump 2. Spark plugs 3. Spark plug cables 4. Coil packs 5. Valve cover gaskets (twice) 6. MAF sensor and associated gaskets 7. Vacuum lines 8. Water pump 9. Aux water pump 10. Radiator 11. Most coolant hoses 12. Thermostat 13. Batteries (twice) 14. ABS system (under recall warranty) 15. Brake pads and rotors 16. Flex discs on the drive shaft - front and rear 17. Control arms 18. Tie rods 19. Rear subframe bushings 20. Wheels to aftermarket 21. Several sets of tires 22. Fuel pump and filter 23. Inside door handle 24. Center console button assembly 25. Trunk vacuum lock (twice) 26. Trunk dampeners 27. Fuel cap 28. ABC accumulators 29. ABC hydraulic hose from pump to rear of the vehicle. 30. ABC valve block 31. Crankshaft position sensor 32. Catalytic converters 33. Oxygen sensors with the cats 34. Many oil changes over the years and transmission service twice. 35. Wheel bearings (front) 36. Window regulator - driver's side 37. Gears on the flaps on the trunk when switching to convertible mode. 38. Oil pan gasket 39. Air filters 40. Cabin filters 41. Visor - passenger side 42. Hydraulic fluid (multiple times) 43. Wipers 44. Engine mounts (twice) 45. Belts and pulleys 46. Coolant recovery tank cap. 47. Key 48. Newer BCU - Battery control unit located in the trunk (DYI job) The engine runs like a champ and the vehicle has a solid sure-footed ride. The convertible stopped working and is in need of repair, however, it's not a priority since I seldom have the desire to lower the top. Some of the engine work I perform myself, but I leave the ABC to the pros. A couple of the struts are now 7 and 8 years old respectively. Prior to that, some of the earlier failures were due to the remanufactured replacements that failed prematurely during the component's warranty period. I plan to change those two older struts as preventative maintenance in the coming week. We'll see if I can get to 500,000 miles on that engine with the frequent oil changes I do myself and with regular and thoughtful maintenance.
Milage makes no difference - starts breaking day 1
For ONCE in my life., 09/07/2023
2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL55 AMG 2dr Convertible (5.5L 8cyl S/C 5A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
If they got rid of the "untils" it would be all of what you could hope for in an automobile of this class. You will get that feeling each time you pull out of the dealers shop after sipping the most expensive "free" cup of coffee on the planet (about three times a month). Great ride - until the shocks fail suddenly when you hit a bump. Great top - until it gets stuck half way up. Great looks - until you pay for a $10,000 body scratch. Great mileage - until you drive it in the city. Comfortable ride - until you put 5000 miles on a new set of $3000 tires. Nice auto trunk opener - until the gas lift assist fails (monthly). Great open road drive - but you'll never know because the car is in the shop for the third time this month. Great road service - until you call the number and find out it's "no longer in service". Great 2 battery system - until you find out they fail without warning and must be replaced every year at $600 for the pair. Great way to attract a woman - until you find out that she wants to get married and take out a life insurance policy on you on the same day. I put 40k miles on the car - all under warrantee and the car was in the shop over 20 times. I now drive a Camry - 40k miles as of today, not a SINGLE problem. None! Zero! Zip! Nada! - and no troublesome women. Guess I'm just not as attractive as I once was.
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