Used Mercedes-Benz SL-Class for sale near Burr Ridge, IL under $20,000

I purchased a 2008 CL 550 that I absolutely love. It drives almost like it’s brand new despite being 18 years old. My salesman Chris went above and beyond with getting me in this car and even fixed the air conditioner on another vehicle I drove there to buy this car! I’ve never had that happen before. My future car purchases will be with him and this dealership!

A few concerns to address, the first is ABC active body control is a concern for this car. I own Phone Doctor in Frederick Maryland and hardware tech is my passion so I want to give my feedback. I love the classy lines of the exterior. The interior is equally elegant and tasteful without gaudy disco lights. I was mesmerized into test driving a 2005 SL500 because my daily driver is a 2001 Mercedes s600. The audio system is lackluster, next weakness is the headlights, but the biggest problem is the ABC (active body control) hydraulic suspension. The audio system is disappointing and leaves me feeling flaccid but I’m used to twelve inches of JL systems shimmed into my high school hoopties. The audio system is not the deal-breaker for this $90,000 machine. And the mediocre headlights can be remedied with aftermarket auxiliary lights. The biggest weakness is the high performance suspension system. Mercedes likes to call it ABC (active body control). The hydraulic pump, seals, and mechanical moving parts gets weak and loses its performance anywhere between 80,000 to 150,000 miles. It’ll cost just as much to replace the ABC system than it does to purchase your 2nd hand sl500. If you’re in the market for one make sure you have an extra $20,000 in socked up before you drop your drawers and plop $15k on your first SL500. A dream ride with one last caveat: This car will draw a lot of attention from single ladies!

Julian is a wonderful sales representative. He was thorough and an excellent communicator. Management also was through and brilliant with their communication. One of the easiest purchases I've ever made

I bought my 2003 mb SL500 in 2023 with 30,000 original miles. It runs excellent has a bullet proof engine and design will always be IN vogue cuz of its sleek design. I got all the previous repair receipts from original owner which is great to know the history. As with any 21 yr old car there may be repairs. I have a great MB independent repair shop called Star Motors in Gainesville Fl who really knows these cars and they fix them right and for less than a dealer. Sure thing’s can go wrong and I have found repairs about 25% more than Honda or Toyota. One has to factor in repairs no matter what. I like the 5.0 engine and one thing is they last! They ride so smooth on the wide tires on the highways and there tight steering. Bose sound system still working great afte all these years. Buy one have it inspected if your worried. There in my view great cars. Depreciated a lot since new at $100,000 out the door. So paying 15k to 20k is a bargain. You’ll love it!

I purchased 2 used mini vans from Saint Charles Toyota. I had an excellent used car sales manager named Bob Pearson. He did a no pressure sale of the 2 mini vans. Bob did an excellent job showing us everything about the vans. Great dealership to purchase cars from. Jeff Genthe

I purchased a 1995 SL500 on eBay for $7000 + about $600 shipping. Car had just under 80,000 miles. Has been my good-weather daily driver since. Biggest problem is that the European environmentalist whakos used a biodegradable insulation on the wiring. New engine harness was just over $700 and about three hours to replace. The M119 engine, when running properly, is a smooth and powerful monster that makes the car really fun to drive. Wash and wax and it looks like a million bucks. I get a lot of comments - as a teacher folks like to ask how I can afford a car like that. When I tell them what it cost I get the strangest, amazed looks. It has been as reliable as any car I've owned once the wiring was fixed. It is comfortable, fast, fairly agile for two tons of metal, and really cool. It does help to be a little bit mechanically inclined, as shops think you can afford expensive repairs when you bring it. (Estimate for the wiring harness from above: $2800....$700 parts and 3 hours? Glad I could do it myself) The car does have 12 hydraulic cylinders that work the soft-top. Mine were replaced by the previous owner - something to ask as the seals in the originals weren't as good as the neoprene replacements. Cylinders are easy to rebuild, parts are cheap, but the labor to remove several of them makes the job a real pain. For the driver, this car will run up into the three digits very quickly. Look down and see 120 mph but feels like 60 mph. Smooth and very stable at speed, nothing like my old '70 Challenger that was really scary past 3 digits. It is a great machine and I can't imagine ever not driving one. I now have a couple - added a 40k mile 1999 to my stable a while back.

Come see, he is very frienly and attentive, a good place to buy and shop.

A car that can provide exhilarating performance, and comfortable highway cruising. It simultaneously provides top up solidarity and safety with top down panache with beautiful elegance. The “experts” say it is heavy. It is, but some right foot snaps away that illusion. They squabble about “dead steering” and brakes that are a bit numb. But If you toss it into a turn or need to stop it , be assured it will perform with aplomb, without the fussy twitching of a boy-racer. All cars, even ones with $100,000+ price tags, are compromises between performance and comfort, nimbleness and stability. This car is not aimed at a testosterone-fueled owner clawing up the ladder, but rather a confident owner that needs to prove nothing other than to show up. And for me, that makes this car the perfect compromise. It never fails to bring a smile. Few machines provide this level of comfort, performance, and design quality. And if a machine can bring joy along with performance, hasn’t really done its job In a spectacular way?

All was good. Came to close and hit With a &1500. Dealer fee! Sorry not on this planet!

My 2005 sl has been nothing but great! The inerior is just about perfect, and the exterior shines better than new. ONE notoriours problem is with the leveling system. Mine as others started to sink to the left when garaged..yikes! I was quoted around $3500 to fix it, but I found a great mechanic to do this for $800 including other maintenence. Thus car handles like a dream. Top up or down, it has great appeal and I cant tell you with way Iike it best. You can steal one of these cheap too..but make sure the owner kept it nice! My interior is perfect, yet Ive seen others quite shabby.

I've had my '03 SL55 since new. It was one of the 1st US delivery cars. 19 years later it still is a gem. Looks amazing, performance from the 500hp V8 is brilliant. I really haven't had very many problems during my ownership. The worst part is depreciation. Mine was $130K out the door. Since I am not planning to sell, I haven't lost a penny. The problem with depreciation is as they get cheaper to buy, the bottom feeders swoop in, but they can't afford to maintain the $130K car they just bought for $30K. This will leave fewer and fewer good cars. If the SL55 is on your radar, buy the best car you can afford, have it inspected by someone who knows these cars and be prepared to maintain it like the $130K car that it is and it will reward you like very few cars can.