SL/R230: Having major problems with my 03 SL500
Almost a Member!
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
2003 SL500 Sports Package
My 03 built in May 03 Delivered June O3
I have 16K miles. Once I saw the ABC warning light come on and it told me to drive below 55. Then it went out. The dealer did some fairly major work, I don't remember exactly, but the control unit for the ABC was replaced.
The only other thing I have had problems with is at times I get an oil level too high type of indication. When I have been driving over 80 mph for a sustained amount of time. It's kind of strange - I don't know what that one is , the dealer of course changes the oil so it's hard to imagine the level being wrong.
Other then that the car has been trouble free, with one more exception now that I think about it. I also had the problem with the rear boot sensor interfering with the top going down. This was also fixed by the dealer free of charge.
I have had the car for about two years and still really enjoy driving it, the problems have not cost me a cent, the dealer in Seattle; Barrier has been great.
I am happy that my 03 was built in May 03 - not a launch edition, it is garaged and I put the wheels from a new SL600 on it - the car looks sweeeeet with the new wheels.
I still really like the car.
The only other thing I have had problems with is at times I get an oil level too high type of indication. When I have been driving over 80 mph for a sustained amount of time. It's kind of strange - I don't know what that one is , the dealer of course changes the oil so it's hard to imagine the level being wrong.
Other then that the car has been trouble free, with one more exception now that I think about it. I also had the problem with the rear boot sensor interfering with the top going down. This was also fixed by the dealer free of charge.
I have had the car for about two years and still really enjoy driving it, the problems have not cost me a cent, the dealer in Seattle; Barrier has been great.
I am happy that my 03 was built in May 03 - not a launch edition, it is garaged and I put the wheels from a new SL600 on it - the car looks sweeeeet with the new wheels.
I still really like the car.
Last edited by markbsl; Aug 3, 2005 at 05:59 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 308
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From: UK
I have 14K miles. The ABC warning light has come on twice, the airbag light once, the engine management diagnostics light 4 times. Its about to go into the dealer again to fix (hopefully finally) items 1 and 3!
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 337
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From: Hong Kong
2013 G63, 2015 S500, 2016 C63 coupe
SRS- we've had it fixed more than 10 times, hopefully it wont come on again. I now hate the letters SRS combined...
Had to replace the side door sills as they were "Cracked" according to our merc service.
Boot won't open
Had to replace the side door sills as they were "Cracked" according to our merc service.
Boot won't open
Junior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: PA
2003 SL500 Sport Package
SL500 2003 Model Year -- 65,400 miles on it now ... no problems ... except for one at ~ 55,000 miles when they had to replace one of the struts I believe. They covered it under warranty ... even though it was past it ... also they've covered it either ways as I had the extended warranty, etc. No cost to me ... either ways ... they gave a loaner for 3 days ...
- raj
- raj
Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 209
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04 SL55 (sold),05 SL55, 09 SL63, 07 C2S cab Porsche,
call the regional rep
I had an 04 with multiple problems similar to the ones you described. The car was bought back. Not for full price, but a reasonable one none the less. I was so pleased with MB standing up that I bought an 05.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 0
From: Memphis
SL500 and A-CLASS
Originally Posted by Xeron
I had an 04 with multiple problems similar to the ones you described. The car was bought back. Not for full price, but a reasonable one none the less. I was so pleased with MB standing up that I bought an 05.
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Newbie
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 22
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03' Carlsson SL55 (585HP)
Originally Posted by Sql
In my car there are some problems with driver's side airbag sensor - it indicates that there is something wrong with SRS on the dashboard, and my steering wheel and driver seat doesn't always get back to my memorized position after gettin into the car. But some days ago i have been to my local MB dealer and they told me that it is a problem with almost all new SL's and they are working now in Germany to solve it and that surely they will call me to bring the car to the service to change something in my seat in next couple of weeks. Maybe some of you guys have the same problem?
Maciek
Maciek
I have a May/03' build... I'm getting the same issue in my memory seat. good to know that the dealers are aware of this issue...
