SL55/63/65/R230 AMG Thinking of a 2003 SL500

Sep 27, 2010 | 07:54 PM

drawfs7

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Joined: Jul 2009

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Thinking of a 2003 SL500

I am thinking of getting a 2003 SL500 with about 40k on it:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

I am wondering, what should I be really looking for in a 7 year old SL500?

Do they have any known maintenance issues?

How much does the 60k service cost?

Sep 27, 2010 | 09:33 PM

Rook3300

Member

Joined: Dec 2008

Posts: 244

Likes: 1

From: Louisiana

2005 SL500

Quote:

Originally Posted by drawfs7

I am thinking of getting a 2003 SL500 with about 40k on it:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

#1, you may want to post this in the SL (R230) forum. This area is for the AMG versions.
For not much more than that price, you can definitely get a more recent model year (05-06), which comes with updated nav system (DVD instead of CDs you have to swap), 7-speed transmission (totally great), and just other minor updates and refreshes over the 03-04.

Quote:

Originally Posted by drawfs7

I am wondering, what should I be really looking for in a 7 year old SL500?

Since it is the first model year, there have been a few problems. Nothing specific to point to except that with a car that old, the conv top hydraulics could suffer problems (dry hoses, etc) as well as could the ABC syspension system. There are good examples of the breed and bad examples. Hopefully this is a good one. (It goes that way with all used car purchases.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by drawfs7

Do they have any known maintenance issues?

The ABC suspension system struts or pump is known to fail at some point, but consider those part of the maintenance cost of these cars. It's like buying new shocks/struts for any other vehicle, except waaay more expensive. They can last for a long time or a short time. There's no way to tell really.

Quote:

Originally Posted by drawfs7

How much does the 60k service cost?

I'd have to look it up but I believe mine was about $580 or so. The labor costs here may be a little different though.

-ROOK

Sep 28, 2010 | 03:16 PM

Sunir

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 1,615

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From: Maryland

SL55 AMG

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rook3300

#1, you may want to post this in the SL (R230) forum. This area is for the AMG versions.-ROOK

Actually several SL600 guys post here also, they aren't amgs but they have some fast modded cars and some of them have put things like amg taillights and exhaust and related parts on their cars as enthusiasts sometimes do. Same goes for some SL500 guys that sometimes post here as well.

Sep 28, 2010 | 07:30 PM

Rook3300

Member

Joined: Dec 2008

Posts: 244

Likes: 1

From: Louisiana

2005 SL500

Ya, I know. It's just that more people in the R230 forum would lay eyes on it regarding the SL500 model. Heck, I'm only a 500'er and I post here too.

Sep 29, 2010 | 02:37 PM

Sunir

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 1,615

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From: Maryland

SL55 AMG

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rook3300

Ya, I know. It's just that more people in the R230 forum would lay eyes on it regarding the SL500 model. Heck, I'm only a 500'er and I post here too.

yeah that's a good point...

lol there's nothing bad about an SL500 they are great cars...I think it's more about the people who are enthusuasts rather than the cars...we all love the R230 no matter what engine is in it

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SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Thinking of a 2003 SL500

SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Thinking of a 2003 SL500