AMGSport

Perhaps I'm not very adept at using the search function, so if this is a re-hash of other threads, my apologies on the front end.

I have a 1998 SL500 with the Sport Package. I have enjoyed the R129 very much, but am ready to move forward. To that end, I drove a 2005 SL500 and while a much more "modern" car compared to my 1998 model, it didn't blow me away...so...I have an SL55 in my future.

In looking at various sources (eBay, Autotrader, threads here, etc) it appears that the 2003 cars are most plentiful (a piercing look at the obvious, to be sure) and many are available with low-ish miles for mid to upper $40's.

My question is this: What differences are there between the 2003, 04 and 05 models, and what concerns are there concerning any of those model years? I have always been hesitant to purchase the first model year of any vehicle, especially one as complex as the SL55.

Thanks in advance for your input, and again, if I missed some threads during my search function, my bad...

kokanee

Apparently the 03 was the first model year and had a few bugs, many of which may have already been addressed by MB. By 05 small changes made the car feel better and solved many of the "issues". I think the 05's were given higher reliability ratings. The command is a big change in 05 as it went DVD that year I believe but lost the auxiliary input.

Ferri

I would stay away from 03 SL55's, simply because it is the first year of production. Kompressor failures must be expensive as heck to repair, but also the electronic trickery has been known to give problems. And definitely, definitely, check roof operation by opening and closing several times (and trunk as well, to test both hinges--affects how top opens).

bltserv

The best advise for the R230 is to buy the latest model you can afford.

AMGSport

Thanks for the comments thus far...I appreciate your advice above; but l have always looked at it as "buy the best example you can find". To illustrate, would it be better to buy a 15k mile well kept 2004 or a 75K mile 2006?

Stricks

Our 03 has given us ZERO problems. but then again, if we had NOT bought the after-market warranty, then . . .

bltserv

Personally I would go with a 2005 or later.
By then most of the bugs had been resolved. And it has the DVD based
nav and command. I love being able to burn hundreds of songs on a DVD MP3`s and stick it the command slot in the dash. Almost as good as an Ipod jack. Try to find something with warranty is excellent advice.

Lincoln

I've been driving an 03 SL55 for the last 6 months and it's nearly perfect (it has a flaky headlight igniter and the supercharger squeak). for 3 weeks I've had an 05 SL65 and it's also nearly perfect (ABC leak). I frequently drive an 05 SL500 as well. I don't really notice much difference between the 03 and 05 models EXCEPT for the new style head unit. The problem is the 05+ stereo is terrible (sounds like a clock radio) where 03 and 04 (old style HU) sound almost as good as the systems in the R129s. Originally, I thought my dad's 05 had a problem with the stereo but now that I have another 05 in the garage I can see the problem is systematic. I want an 030 package SL55 so I'm going to have to buy a newer model to get this...for me, that means the entire stereo will have to ripped out and replaced with aftermarket where with an 03 or 04 I could live with the stock system.