rodin66

I test drove a 2003 SL500 a few days ago and it had a few issues that the MB dealer tried to gloss over — I know about ABC / BCM / Soft close trunk / PSE but I haven't heard about these — (1) the display characters (odometer , etc ) were very very difficult to read ( not just in the sun but in shade also ) - It was as if there was a rheostat turned to minimum — Is this a R230 thing ? - II did see on Youtube some gent replace the UV film but I don't think that was the same problem — Ive seen some dash photos on auction sites and the numbers / chars are vivid - Mine were anything but (2) Although then car had a start/ stop button on top of the gearshift - it didn't seem to work and you had to turn the ignition key to stop/start the engine - Is that a "simple and well known issue " — I apologize in advance for my noobiness but I'm drinking from a firehouse on SL500 issues — Thanks ! Mark

MikeJ65

US market 2003's with keyless go came with cards, the key itself does not enable the button. They can be upgraded, but is expensive and probably not worth it for most people. Dash displays do have a brightness adjustment, but they do tend to have brightness issues. I would either have it fixed before you buy, or plan to live with it.

Tom Manning

Did you try to rotate the little knob in the dash fully CW? The display is very dull with it turned down.

as.thompson

Mark, I have the same issue on my 05 SL. As it got worse I changed the sensor and control with minimal improvement. I haven't wanted to spend the additional cost of replacing the clusters so I just live with it. Since the car is at a MB dealer, and he seems to want the sale, perhaps he will change the clusters as a condition of the sale. Good luck!

MBCO

OP: read this, the failed LCD parts can be replaced if you are handy:
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...l-lcd-diy.html