SL/R230: 2003 and 2004 SL500
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SL500
2003 and 2004 SL500
This will be my first Mercedes. I've always been a BMW owner but I think it's time for me to transition myself into the better club. I've been wanting to buy a 2003 SL500 for a while now and I think it's time for me to buy an SL500 in a few days. I just have a few questions before I buy one.
1) I heard there were some major changes made on the SL500 in 2004 is that true? If so, what are the changes?
2) I also heard in 2005 they also made more major changes to Mercedes in general, not sure what that was but it had something to do with the material of parts I believe. Not quite sure.
Correct me if I'm wrong and I do apologize if my information is far from the truth.
3) Do you think I will regret ever financing the car or will I love my decision? (I know that question is hard to answer since it is a personal question, but I guess I'm aiming for your personal experience or a "put yourself in my position" position.) I'm afraid that a car with 100K+ miles may not be too good.
Thank you in advance for your help.
1) I heard there were some major changes made on the SL500 in 2004 is that true? If so, what are the changes?
2) I also heard in 2005 they also made more major changes to Mercedes in general, not sure what that was but it had something to do with the material of parts I believe. Not quite sure.
Correct me if I'm wrong and I do apologize if my information is far from the truth.
3) Do you think I will regret ever financing the car or will I love my decision? (I know that question is hard to answer since it is a personal question, but I guess I'm aiming for your personal experience or a "put yourself in my position" position.) I'm afraid that a car with 100K+ miles may not be too good.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Last edited by Dennis Bang; Aug 22, 2011 at 09:53 AM.
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Joined: Jun 2011
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2005 SL55 AMG
05 changes the command system. You get a larger nav screen and updated electronics, athough they still suck by today's standards.
In 04 they also stopped using the credit card transmitter for the keyless go.
Will you regret the prurchase? It all depends how you look at it? If the car is cheap and had a lot of miles it will probably break a lot and you may have a lot of headaches. You may find theis acceptable or not, only you know. these cars are not cheap to maintain so you should look longer and find one where you have a complete repair history and then have a good pre-purchase inspection completed.
Good Luck,
Z
In 04 they also stopped using the credit card transmitter for the keyless go.
Will you regret the prurchase? It all depends how you look at it? If the car is cheap and had a lot of miles it will probably break a lot and you may have a lot of headaches. You may find theis acceptable or not, only you know. these cars are not cheap to maintain so you should look longer and find one where you have a complete repair history and then have a good pre-purchase inspection completed.
Good Luck,
Z
Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 123
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From: Iowa
2022 GLC 300
I have the 2003 launch edition with design silver and alcantra leather headliner -- nice.
The interiors look the same from year to year, until about 2007, when the interior plastics look a little better.
The newer (2005) Navigation system is still pretty bad, so you're not missing much there.
Don't pay too much and budget for repairs...
The interiors look the same from year to year, until about 2007, when the interior plastics look a little better.
The newer (2005) Navigation system is still pretty bad, so you're not missing much there.
Don't pay too much and budget for repairs...
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Joined: Aug 2011
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SL500
Thank you for your responses guys.. they are greatly appreciated.
I found a 2004 SL on craigslist with 131514 miles for 19K. I'm going to just pay all cash.
There will be a lot of maintenance that I have to do? There is a high possibility that a lot of things will go wrong and I'd have to fix?
I found a 2004 SL on craigslist with 131514 miles for 19K. I'm going to just pay all cash.
There will be a lot of maintenance that I have to do? There is a high possibility that a lot of things will go wrong and I'd have to fix?
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Member
Joined: Jun 2011
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2005 SL55 AMG
That is a lot of miles for an SL, especially that body style. I think that 19 is too high for that car.
You really need to look at the maintenance history. If there are no records of ABC or breaks or other major repairs, it is better to assume that you will be fixing them.
I would say to pay a little more and get one with lower miles. You may save $5K in the cost of the car and then spend $10K on repairs. These cars really are very sophisticated and, in my opinion, not that reliable.
Best,
Z
You really need to look at the maintenance history. If there are no records of ABC or breaks or other major repairs, it is better to assume that you will be fixing them.
I would say to pay a little more and get one with lower miles. You may save $5K in the cost of the car and then spend $10K on repairs. These cars really are very sophisticated and, in my opinion, not that reliable.
Best,
Z
Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 123
Likes: 2
From: Iowa
2022 GLC 300
Thank you for your responses guys.. they are greatly appreciated.
I found a 2004 SL on craigslist with 131514 miles for 19K. I'm going to just pay all cash.
There will be a lot of maintenance that I have to do? There is a high possibility that a lot of things will go wrong and I'd have to fix?
I found a 2004 SL on craigslist with 131514 miles for 19K. I'm going to just pay all cash.
There will be a lot of maintenance that I have to do? There is a high possibility that a lot of things will go wrong and I'd have to fix?
A dealer can search for repair history as a starting point.
I wouldn't absolutely rule out based on high miles, but the value drops like a rock over 100K miles.
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Newbie
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SL500
Oh and I'm checking out an 04 SL500 black with 62K miles tomorrow for 29K from a private party. I'm hoping to lower it a little, good deal?
Last edited by Dennis Bang; Aug 25, 2011 at 06:20 AM.
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2009 SL 63 AMG
Ahh. Well I absolutely love this car. Love everything about it. I really want to purchase one but I'm very afraid of maintenance costing way too much. Is there a warranty I can get on a used one when I purchase it? If so, how much will I expect to be paying for the warranty? What year do you think I should get without worrying about major maintenance problems? My budget is 25-30K. I want something that will last me at least 5 years and running well without too many problems. This will be my daily driver.
Oh and I'm checking out an 04 SL500 black with 62K miles tomorrow for 29K from a private party. I'm hoping to lower it a little, good deal?
Oh and I'm checking out an 04 SL500 black with 62K miles tomorrow for 29K from a private party. I'm hoping to lower it a little, good deal?
Am also want to buy one
I found 02 SL500 light blue converted to 09 SL63 shape with over 123K miles for $16K and there is a problem with hard top it dosent open needs to be fixed
I dont know how much it will cost me to repair the hard top
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2014
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From: Tucson, AZ
'20 X5 M50i; '17 Ram 3500; Golf Cart; Bikes; Scooters
At a dealer? At least $1-2000 as they throw parts at it until it works. DIY probably $500, but it will take a bit of work to figure out.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 992
Likes: 245
From: Tucson, AZ
'20 X5 M50i; '17 Ram 3500; Golf Cart; Bikes; Scooters
I really want to purchase one but I'm very afraid of maintenance costing way too much. Is there a warranty I can get on a used one when I purchase it? If so, how much will I expect to be paying for the warranty? What year do you think I should get without worrying about major maintenance problems? My budget is 25-30K. I want something that will last me at least 5 years and running well without too many problems. This will be my daily driver.
Oh and I'm checking out an 04 SL500 black with 62K miles tomorrow for 29K from a private party. I'm hoping to lower it a little, good deal?
Oh and I'm checking out an 04 SL500 black with 62K miles tomorrow for 29K from a private party. I'm hoping to lower it a little, good deal?
I have a 2003 SL55 with 88K miles. I spent $4K after purchase changing fluids, adding 2 struts, accumulators, brake pads, shift linkage, battery, suspension bushings, motor mounts, valve cover gaskets, hoses, etc. All done DIY.
These items, and more, are known weak points and preventative maintenance is the only way to improve reliability for this car. Some are age related, some are mileage.
Without a knowledgeable inspection, or complete service records, expect to do all of the above on any R230 model with over 60K miles. However, once complete, it is good as new. I now have a daily driver and keep up with any issues that pop up.
Don't know about warranty...I never buy them.
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 127
Likes: 8
SL550
That is a lot of miles for an SL, especially that body style. I think that 19 is too high for that car.
You really need to look at the maintenance history. If there are no records of ABC or breaks or other major repairs, it is better to assume that you will be fixing them.
I would say to pay a little more and get one with lower miles. You may save $5K in the cost of the car and then spend $10K on repairs. These cars really are very sophisticated and, in my opinion, not that reliable.
Best,
Z
You really need to look at the maintenance history. If there are no records of ABC or breaks or other major repairs, it is better to assume that you will be fixing them.
I would say to pay a little more and get one with lower miles. You may save $5K in the cost of the car and then spend $10K on repairs. These cars really are very sophisticated and, in my opinion, not that reliable.
Best,
Z
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 606
Likes: 88
From: North Cali
2005 SL500, 2015 CLS400
its all about the miles - the more miles - more chances something will fail. Whatever makes you comfortable. Keep in mind these cars take about $2k per year in maintenance - unplanned service.
Besides that it's all about your budget. I got mine from a private party 2005 SL500 base model with 23k miles for $26500
so look around, you might find good deals
Besides that it's all about your budget. I got mine from a private party 2005 SL500 base model with 23k miles for $26500
so look around, you might find good deals
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 299
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From: HHI, SC
2002 C4 Cab, 2014 Audi A5 cab, 2017 X5 35d
