Used 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Consumer Reviews
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Oh damn its broke again.
Seems like this car has been in the shop more than it has been on the road the last 2 years I bought the car 2.5 years ago with 80,000 miles on it. It now has 100,590 It has a ton of service records on it. If its not the ABC going down its the SRS system or this week its the SOS flashing and then the trunk will not open and now the AC has quit and the shop says its going to be expensive to fix. Its just one thing after another. Thinking about parking it in the front yard and filling it with dirt and making it a very expensive planter.
SL500 is a dog
3 years and 20K miles of nothing but trouble. brakes and battery/electrical problems constantly. Been towed in 4X. Gave up on it so it now looks great sitting in the garage!
Makes a GREAT PLANTER
The concept was fabulous.The exterior fabulous.The fun driving fabulous. However it looses its appeal after the 9th time it is in for repairs within a few months. It really lost its appeal when the Designo edition $103,000 began to smell. A pungent cat urine (as described by dealer- I don't have a cat) odor so foul it burned your eyes & throat. Six months more of repairs and interior replacements...it still stinks. Numerous calls to the manufacturer (because the dealer CANNOT? do anything except let me BUY my way out of the car) still no response!
It's all about appearances.
This is the most beautiful car I have owned...really turns heads. Interior would score equally high but for the use of too much hard, cheap plastic. Handling and power are just okay, hampered by the excessive weight of the car. Problem is, such a striking exterior design and the high price raise expectations of super performance and quality materials. Not the case. Leather is cracking and discoloring. Paint seems thin; chips easily Also, lots of noise coming from under the car, like gears whining, bearings grinding, yet everything is okay. Noise level is unacceptable in car of this rank. Dealer service has been great, but parts are ridiculously expensive. Not a great drive.
Style and performance
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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