SL/R129: my 2003 SL500 is a lemon what should i do?
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Joined: Nov 2004
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my 2003 SL500 is a lemon what should i do?
I have a 2003 SL500, Picked up Nov 2002. My car has been nothing but problems, always at the dealer for repair. I have only been able to put on 15,000 miles because my car is alway broken.
I have over 30 pages of problems the dealer(s) have fixed.
What is most disturbing was today when i was going to sell sell the car to a friend. I told him it was a 2003 and he looked at the manufacturer date and it showed Dec, 2001. He said how can you have a model year 2003 made in 2001. If felt like I had been scammed by mercasdes.
It seems like I got some kind of prototype because everything is not right, from squeeks, to mechanical failures. Is there any legalities that anyone thinks mercades has broken here. I am wanting them to replace or refund most of the car.
I have over 30 pages of problems the dealer(s) have fixed.
What is most disturbing was today when i was going to sell sell the car to a friend. I told him it was a 2003 and he looked at the manufacturer date and it showed Dec, 2001. He said how can you have a model year 2003 made in 2001. If felt like I had been scammed by mercasdes.
It seems like I got some kind of prototype because everything is not right, from squeeks, to mechanical failures. Is there any legalities that anyone thinks mercades has broken here. I am wanting them to replace or refund most of the car.
Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 178
Likes: 13
Easiest way is to trade it in for something else. You'll take a loss in depreciation but if you really are that dissatisfied, you should look into it. SL gets good resell value since there aren't many used for sale.
If your dealer is able to fix things eventually, I'd keep the car. Cars are often manufactured 6-10 mo before getting onto the sales floor. Sounds like your SL is an earlier production so the problematic nature explains it. I'd never buy a new remodel car during intro year.
If your dealer is able to fix things eventually, I'd keep the car. Cars are often manufactured 6-10 mo before getting onto the sales floor. Sounds like your SL is an earlier production so the problematic nature explains it. I'd never buy a new remodel car during intro year.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 49
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From: Chicago
1997 SL500
What is your VIN. If you post it I will do a Vehicle history check and tell you what the Govt vehicle data base has it as. You may have to pursue this more with MB depending on the outcome of the search... Did you buy it new?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,447
Likes: 14
From: UK
SL55 AMG
I assume you have an R230 (in which case you are posting in the wrong forum but never mind). Demand for the SL has always been such that the cars do not sit on the lot waiting for a buyer. If it was made in 2001, it was one of the very early early cars - it was only launched on 2 August 2001 in Germany. Look at the last few digits of the VIN number, that will tell you how many they have made before yours.
And yes, if you have an early car, you do run the risk of buying a car with problems, though yours seems to have been worse than many.
And yes, if you have an early car, you do run the risk of buying a car with problems, though yours seems to have been worse than many.
