The SO wants to get rid of our E39. We currently have our eyes on two SLs. The 2003 has 24k with an asking price of $21k. The 2007 has 23k and comes with a $27k asking price. Both have clean titles. My question is what do you guys think is a better deal? Is the 2007 more reliable since its newer and is not a first year model? Which one would you buy and what would be a good buying price? Thanks for reading.

2003
+ Cheaper price, super clean, one owner, nice color combo.
- Older motor and tranny, 1st year model.

2007
+ Newer, updated motor and tranny, glass roof.
- More money, color: black exterior with tan interior, two owners, has been in fender bender.

 

Personally I'd go for the 07 over the 03. It's a 4 year newer car, has the upgraded engine and 7spd auto, the slightly refreshed front end (bumper/grille/fogs) and tail lamps, profoundly better dvd based navigation system, and for me the panoramic glass roof was a requirement - I wouldn't wa t an sl without it.
03s do have more bugs, and being the oldest US r230s problems are of course more apparent on them. The ABC suspension, often a source of tremendous headache and expense for owners of aging r230s, also had some revisions with '07 which supposedly improved reliability. The ABC electronics and software were also enhanced which allow for substantially faster corrections/operation - this alone improves ride quality and vehicle handling.

 

the extra maintenance you will experience n the 03 oin the next couple of years will be more than the price difference of the two. get the 07. the engine is way better, the ABC was improved and is more reliable. The 03 price seems high for a regular sl500. I bought my SL55 for less than that, though it did have more miles.

 

I bought an 07 R230 two years ago and (assuming it is in good shape) would definitely recommend it over the 03. For your situation I am looking at the price difference like this: For six grand you are jumping four model years.

The 03 has 3 valve 5 liter motor with 300 hp
The 07 has 4 valve 5.5 liter motor with 390 hp
The seven speed tranny on the 07 will give you better gas mileage.

If I were you, I would make darn sure the ABC system isnt trashed, does it sink (more than a little)? Is the fluid clear green or dark?
If you can convince yourself the ABC isnt ready to give up the ghost, I would jump on it. Of course you should work on the price if possible. If you can wave the cash in their face, they usually wont let the cash out the door.

 

Let me just tell you that this 2003 SL500 has been an absolute nightmare and I will never buy one of these cars again, Since April 2013 when we bought it with 39k miles on it the following repairs have been done:
- ABC pump had to be replaced (covered by warranty after a fight)
- A/C stopped working, couldn't find leak with dye, twice ($200 x 2)
- cooling fan had to be replaced (covered by warranty, $200 deductible)
- fuel cap had to be replaced ($80)
- ABC pressure hose had to be replaced ($900)
- Now the shifter is being replaced and the alternator too ($700, alternator hopefully covered by warranty)

You won't be able to get a warranty for a 2003 model.

 

My 03 has been the most trouble free SL I've ever owned and I 've owned most SL models over the years.
Cheers.

 

Dude you are getting ripped off beyond belief by whoever is doing work on the car for you. A fuel cap is $29.90 from a dealer & I don't know of a single ABC hose that can't be replaced for less than $150. The shifter is $149 to upgrade from the plastic that does break to the metal kind. A reman alternator can be gotten for under $350 from a local auto parts store, so watch out getting raped there too!

 

First, thank you for all the feedback everyone.

But the black SL550 sold

Anyways, moving on. Still looking for a car. We ran across this 2004 E55 AMG. It has 22k and the dealer is asking $25k. What you you guys think.? Thanks again

 

The E55 is a much funner and more practical car than an SL500. The airmatic suspension on the E55 usually has less problems and it is less expensive to fix than the ABC on the SL. If you drive both you'll likely quickly decide to go with the E55.

 

The thing is the SO really wants a 2 door drop top. If we do go for the 2003 SL500 what do you guys think would be a good price? The dealer is asking $21.8k. I know, way too high. KBB has it at $19.9k as a fair purchase price, and with $18.4 on the low side.

 

I just paid $20k for my SL55 with 75,000 miles on it (I know this one has way less miles, but most problems on these cars are age related rather than miles related). If you're going to go through the possible maintenance headaches that comes with having an SL, you should opt for the AMG model (at least that was what my reasoning was). A 2003 you'll probably need to look at doing the following maintenance items b/c of age & regardless of mileage:

coolant flush (15 year coolant was original)
ABC fluid flush (easy DIY and about $150 in fluid. The shelf life of the fluid is only 5 years according to the manufacturer, so this needs changed every couple of years regardless)
abc accumulators (about $600 in parts for all 4- the rubber deteriorates with age & these are what keep the system properly pressurized)
power steering fluid flush (same fluid as ABC system)
upgrade to 010 intercooler pump (if you go AMG model)
upgrade shifter mechanism from plastic to metal
swap out hydraulic top fluid (similar fluid to ABC system, but it is a kind that doesn't smell as bad in case it spills inside the car from a component going bad)
condition all seals/weather strips (use this )
transmission fluid flush/filter/plug (if you don't change the electrical plug the fluid can wick up into the transmission computer and ruin it)
crank position sensor
differential fluid change
supercharger fluid change (if AMG)
brake fluid flush (if brakes on it are more than 2 years old, which is likely given the low mileage of the car)

after about 10,000 actuations you'll have problems with the at least one top solenoid (most likely the one that latched to the windshield) or the pump. There is a place you can have everything rebuilt with upgraded components for way cheaper than replacing them with factory parts that don't last. http://www.tophydraulicsinc.com/en/21-r230-sl

It may also not be too long before you'll need to replace the engine mounts/transmission mounts/& flex discs (these go on the end of the driveshaft) as these rubber components are going to deteriorate with age & take a beating at least on the AMG model.

Of course these types of fluid changes are a good idea with any new to you car, but especially an SL of that age. You'll save a lot of headache doing that preventative maintenance on the front end. I have a friend that bought an Sl500 brand new in 2003 & hasn't done these fluid changes even though he's over 115,000 miles. I keep telling him he's got a ticking time bomb on his hands.

You'll also want to get a Star tool if you have a mercedes. It lets you diagnose any problem without having to go to the dealer. It also gives you step by step instructions on how to fix the problem (exact same thing dealers use). You can get one from shardul here on the fourm.

 

03 has 300 hp
The 07 390 hp

Thats 25% more HP, what else do you need to make your decision!

 

I bought an '03 SL55 with 83K for $18.3K, and did everything on this list above, plus suspension bushings, a couple struts, valve cover gaskets, crankcase vent hoses, a smaller SC pulley with belt wrap, and a few other DIY things for a total all in of $23K.
Basically addressed everything I learned on this forum that could potentially leave me stranded, or improved the car.

I'm confident the car will be reliable and a joy for years with proper maintenance. Drive the supercharged version and you will never look back.

 

since find getting one for $18.3k

 

Ok, so I guess E55 it is. What is a good price? Dealer is asking $25k, but KKB shows $20k as a fair purchase price.

The black SL550 already sold.