SL/R230: 2003 CPO SL500, reliablity? overall is it worth it?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: NYC
S550
2003 CPO SL500, reliablity? overall is it worth it?
Well my CLK will be heading to a new owner shortly, and i have been debating a new 2006 CLK350 convertible, or for around the same money an 03 SL500 (cpo from the dealer which i believe has only 12 months warranty)
How do these 03 models hold up? will i have any issues? I want to finance the car and keep it for a few years before selling but i dont want to deal with any of the hardships of a hard to maintain vehicle.
Thanks in advance
How do these 03 models hold up? will i have any issues? I want to finance the car and keep it for a few years before selling but i dont want to deal with any of the hardships of a hard to maintain vehicle.
Thanks in advance
Newbie
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 24
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From: Atlanta, GA
SL55, 360 Spider, NissanTitan
I have an 03 that has just gone out of warranty, and I have decided to keep it and extend the warranty. I have read about problems with 03's but, knock on wood, I have had good luck with my car. Yes it has been in the shop for a few things over the years(worst was a blown rear shock), but is now well sorted, and I have a dealership that seems to keep on top of things. With the car in the condition it is in and with only 27K miles, I cannot justify buying a new one until they do something that takes the SL to the next level. Although a 600 or 65 would be nice 
.
Bottom line, check the history of the car and get it inspected. However with any mechanical device, something can always go wrong without warning - even newer cars.
.Bottom line, check the history of the car and get it inspected. However with any mechanical device, something can always go wrong without warning - even newer cars.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Covington wa
05 SL500, 02 BMW Z3 (Mrs. VF), 05 FJR1300, 91 ZX-11
I've been wrestling with the same decision, used SL or new CLK550 cab? I've decided that I don't want to own an Mercedes out of warranty. The CPO extends the factory by 1 year and out to 100k miles. For most cars, the warrany times out well before the mile limit is reached.
The 2003 model SL came out in early 2002 so check the in-service date to make sure you know exactly how much warranty is left. The dealer should also offer you a MB extended warranty on top of the CPO, probable priced in the 3-5K range depending on the lenght of the extension.
The 2003 model SL came out in early 2002 so check the in-service date to make sure you know exactly how much warranty is left. The dealer should also offer you a MB extended warranty on top of the CPO, probable priced in the 3-5K range depending on the lenght of the extension.
Member
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: So CAL
2003 SL500, 2003 Honda Metro
Hey guys, I purchased a 03 CPO SL three months ago. They offered me extended warranty for 3500. Half an hour later, it was offered for 2700. It was for like 2 or 3 years. I forgot the specific details. I didn't get the extended warranty. So far, the car has been in service three times. The first time, the sensor for my key to control the top did not work. They fixed that under warranty. The second time, my car did not start at all with keyless go. I was stuck in the parking lot for half an hour. All I had was my keyless go card. I called mbz roadside assistance but was put on hold for over half an hour. While on hold I disconnected the battery and put it in back. That seemed to do the trick. I brought it in and they did not find anything (go figure). The third time, the little leather part that pops up along with the top did not go back down when the top is in the trunk. It seems like the plastic hinge broke off. That was not covered. They quoted me $900 to replace it. I think that should be under warranty, so I did not pay for it. I will try to fight to get that fixed under warranty, if not, bubble gum and tape, here I come. Yea, that’s been my experience with this car. I came from a brand new 2004 w211 which had a lot of problems too. So I am pretty much used to it. But all and all, I am happy with the car.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: NYC
S550
thanks for the advice, i will look into the cars history and maintnance records (once i find a good candidate)
also i hear the mercedes cpo program is something like 4 years or 100k miles? was i mistaken? i will try to locate the link...
also i hear the mercedes cpo program is something like 4 years or 100k miles? was i mistaken? i will try to locate the link...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Ann Arbor
'03 SL55
Originally Posted by clkcadet
also i hear the mercedes cpo program is something like 4 years or 100k miles? was i mistaken? i will try to locate the link...
It's an additional year + 50,000 miles on top of the standard 4 year/50,000 warranty.
FWIW, I bought a 2003 CPO SL 8 months/6,000 miles ago and it's been flawless. YMMV, as they say.
