2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class consumer reviews

This is such an amazing piece of auto engineering. If you want a sports car feel in the ultimate luxury then this is the car for you. Yes, you will pay a steep price but it is worth every penny and then some. You have to drive it to know for sure.

Never owned a nicer, cooler, most comfortable car ever. The convertible option works great. Drives amazingly. Best handling. Looks gorgeous.

Where do I begin .. the 2003 has plagued with issues, ABC Leaks, Gas tank baffle comes loose, Trunk pump bad.. I paid 28k for this and getting 13k in trade because of the $5000 repairs I am not willing to make to it for the KNOWN issues with the ABC system. At some point I need to stop putting money into something that has not held its value! This was my first and LAST mercedes... Come on Mercedes this was a 90k car new, 8 years later a toyota ford festiva is more reliable!!!

After months of looking cars.com got me in touch with a seller in Fortworth TX. On the internet it was a beauty. When I got to see and drive it it was everything I had hoped. The body was flawless. It drove well and it had every option you could want in a luxury sports car. The leather was in good shape and the mileage was low (54,000)for the age. Car.com you came through for me!

This is the second Mercedes Benz SL500 that I have owned. My first one got crunched in the Joplin tornado, but I knew I had to have another. The performance, reliability and ride are like no other. Big thumbs up.

I purchased my SL55 2003 four years ago with 20k miles recorded and that was the time I became totally disillusioned with M.B. reliability. With the exception of the engine and body the car has been a living nightmare and money pit. I would not be exaggerating if that car had cost more than the value of it in repairs when I eventually sold it for under $5k of Trade in Book value with a modest 45,000 recorded miles. M.B. needs a lesson from the Japanese in electronics as their quality control is a disgrace to the automobile industry. The SL55 is a stunning performer (when not in the garage) and the exhaust note under throttle is captivating. Never buy the first model of a new production and I learned the hard way.

The sl period in 2003 was a money pit. Issues with struts, the active body control pump ,transmission and motor mount problems and the motor for convertable goes. The Navigation is terrible. Yes the car is wonderful to drive and actually was surprised it was not a bumpy ride. It has power and can handle as good as a car can handle. I still feel today it is one of the prettiest cars on the road and you will get head turns.. If you want the sl 500 please buy 2004 and higher. The 2003 was the first model and you will run the risk of putting major dollars in to fix it.. Strut alone is $900, ABC Pump is $1400, the entire Abc system $4000. I recommend buying sl55 if you have the money..Stronger engine ..I also recommend paying for extended warranty for 3 years. Full coverage will cost you $2000 for all 3 years

As my nick name suggests, I'm into Porsche, but find that they don't answer all my needs. When a little restraint is called for or a business presence id required I always drive an SL and have for years. The SL 55 that I bought used three years ago is far and away the fastest Benz I've had. Finally some real performance in a gorgeous body. Best to have a friendly mechanic that knows these cars though as they can get expensive on repairs. Struts being a problem. About 7,000 in repairs and maintenance over three years, plus cost of tires . Not great with twenty inch rims as rubs tread on bumps. Bad in potholes and rough surfaces. Easy cruiser that you seem to drive as though born in it. Don't expect all the gizmos to work for very long. Tire pressure always on, seat controls like vibrate etc. never seems to work. Nav system sucks but always end the drive with a smile.

The 2003 Mercedes SL500 that I recently purchased is in mint condition. It had one owner and only 25,000 original miles. The body and paint are perfect and it runs like a charm. (The original owner never took the car out in the winter and strictly followed the maintenance schedule.) As far as I am concerned, I have a "new" car that drips with special features and is a joy to drive. Thanks to the retractable hard top, this convertible has a sleek look when the top is up and is great fun in the summertime. I would not hesitate in recommending this car; however, I would also suggest purchasing a maintenance plan just to be on the safe side.

I've been a MB enthusiast for over 20 years. I've owned eight within that time encompassing five different models. The 2004 SL500 I owned for one and a half years cost me in excess of $20,000 in maintenance and repairs alone!!! There came a point after the second time I forked over more than three thousand dollars to my dealer to get SOMETHING fixed within three months that I realized that this car needed to go. I am still a steadfast believer in Germany automobile manufacturing & technology. The 1972 B250 I own and drive offers zero problems outside the expected minor problems one would expect with an almost 40 year old car.