The UK magazine EVO, which is quite highly respected, has just featured "Modern Classics for around £15k/$22k" which is the level early SL55s have now sunk to here.

Under a side bar "£15k Villains", they say this about the car: "The problem for today's buyer is that it's a horribly complicated car, with trick anti-roll suspension (including computer controlled spring platforms) and a space shuttle's worth of electronics. The result is a constant stream of expensive problems and our advice is to steer well clear".

A fair or unfair assessment? My Sept 2002 (MY 2003) SL55 has hardly been a paragon of reliability even though it has covered only 18k miles and has suffered hydraulic leaks, total brake failure and various squeaks and creaks. The areas where hydraulics meet electronics are a predictable minefield.

The car did move the game on when first introduced with much more electronics than before, something like 47 separate control units and it's only a matter of time for us all before something needs replacing - expensive not just in terms of obsolescent parts but the time taken to locate the problem with the rudimentary diagnostics which were standard at the time the car was first designed, starting 1998.

So... the question is, if you have an early SL55, how many miles has it covered and is it proving to be a maintenance nightmare?

[The other villain they speak of is the Aston Martin DB7 which I can imagine is a real horror. At least the SL doesn't rust...]

 

I have a 2003 SL55 with 50K miles that I bought a year ago (33K) and have had no issues other than a warning light that came on for a day. After charging the battery by driving it, it has never come back on.

Mine is fully loaded (pano, distronic, Parktronic, keyless go, phone,etc...) and is a beautiful car that runs fantastic!

 

Hard to believe you are asking if that is a fair assessment when you have had many issues with your own car. The magazing is generally correct. The level of electronics means the car is bond to fail slowly or quickly. That is why I am not hesitating to put miles on my car. I am at around 93K for a 2005 and not stopping soon. I have a feeling I am headed for an expensive trip one of these days, but might as well enjoy the car until then. :^)

In terrms of if it is a good buy, if you can stomach the repair costs then what other hard top convertible with about 500 HP is available anywhere in the same range? Nothing.

Z

 

I have an 03' 55 with 50k on it. My dad was the original owner. I have had no major problems except for the ABC recently, and the convertible top flap a few years ago. It has actually been the least "nightmarish" car I have owned. (Probably because I didn't modify it).

 

I also agree with zaddick, I have an 2003 sl and would never have another car no matter what!!
Mine driven only 42' km with no problem.
It's the most beautiful cabriolet with the best sounding engine out there, and you live only once. Take the deprecciate hit, repair cost and take good care of it, and you have a dream car that you'll cherish as long as you have it.
I'll bet you would lie awake in the night regretting it if you sold it.
It all comes down to "if you gonna play you have to pay", i'll anyway gonna keep mine forever :-)

 

I have a 2003 that I purchased in 2005 with 7,000 miles. I'm now up to 78,000 miles and my costs have been mostly gas, tires, and maintenance. Well, that and engine mods.

 

My 04 SL55 was purchased 3.5 years ago with 21k miles; I drive the car mainly on the weekends and the occasional roadtrip. I now have 28K miles. Sofar, the only issues I have had were a transmission temp sending unit seal going bad, and when i got the car the COMAND gateway needed replaced. I did install a new supply battery. Other than that...no issues other than regular maintainence and a pothole-bent front rim.

 

It's good to hear better experiences here than the stories in EVO would suggest. There's no way I would sell mine, so much better to look at than the latest generation SL.

 

I can agree somewhat, my car always needs something and the something always cost hundreds of dollars. Purchased my 2003 at 26,000. I believe it was a flip of a coin if you have a well running 2003, 04, or one of the more problematic ones.

Mine currently has 71,000m 2003.

ABC problems around 57,000m,
gas tank baffle around 65,000-
pulley 68000m
PSE pump 47,000

But I must say when everything is working you will love the car.

 

"....so much better to look at than the latest generation SL.[/QUOTE]

I could not agree more....

 

This is in fact the biggest problem with the car in my opinion. When the beast is running properly it is an absolute dream car with power, luxury and looks that still turns heads. When the MFD starts flashing RED warnings, it is an absolute nightmare.

 

I've got an 2003 Dec F1 spec, had her from new and she's treated with kid gloves, not even going out in the rain :-) . She's only done 25k miles but I've had the following go wrong.

2x airpump relays (inc one supposed to be modified).
1x airpump. (but after the last relay went another airpump is needed)
1x Alarm sensor
now the bit that really hurts is 3x 19" split rim wheels, they start making a loud clicking noise at the split, and I fully expect the 4th original to go the same way.
1x CD changer.
1x Climate control computer.

If it wasn't for the wheels I would say I would have been happy with the damage so far, AMG weren't interested in helping with the wheels in anyway.

 

Mine has 180'km on the clock, it's a 2003, I have had it since 2008 and it worked well so far, only normal service.
As I always says, cars are built to be driven, not parked, so you out there use it as often you can.

In the end of last season I got problem with the Left headlight that doesn't lit up at start, I think one of the control units in the engine bay has to be replaced. That will be sorted out April 2nd when it's out of winter storage.

Can't complain on that, a car that is so advanced in all aspects, and far more beautiful then the new R231

 

So far these are what I have replaced

1. AC compressor
2.Starter
3.Radiator Fan
3.Front and rear battery
4.Secondary Air injection ( I think I got fu@#K by the dealership) just a relay would do
5.EIS
6.IC Pump (thanks to forum member here)
7.Trunk flap ( Thanks to Nick forum member here)
8. CD Chnager is fu@#K up too haven't fix it yet

so far from what I can remember but i do enjoy every moment driving it

 

i had a 2003 sl55
just bought it last year in july

which has very low mile only done 17590 when i pick it up

from that

it just had a keyless go computer replaced
cost $4000usd included labour from the dealer
the dealer provide one year warranty for it.......

so far only this things happen in my car............

 

$4000 for the keyless go controller? Gosh...

 

I have a 2003 SL55 with 43,000 miles on the clock.

I have had the following problems:

1 - Alarm sensor failed
2 - The apparently all too common "baffle in the fuel tank coming loose" I have not had the tank replaced as it costs around £1500. It sounds like a tin of paint rolling around in the boot. I used to be able to get over this by turning up the music. I cannot do this anymore, however, as:
3 - The CD changer has stopped working.
4 - As I write this reply my SL55 is in the garage having all the suspension joints replaced at a cost of £1000.

It looks like mine has suffered the same problems as many other owners and has cost a few quid BUT.... I love the car and wouldn't change it.

 

interesting that you needed a new air pump on a car with a hydraulic suspension.

 

I have a 2003 with 160.000 km. on it ..... have the whole history from the previous owners --- you could have bought a new Toyota for the money spent on repairs for years back only .... and I pik-up the relay ...... if we talk rational and you just want to get from A to B; then buy the Toyota .... but if it means more in WHAT you get from A to B - no matter the costs - then a SL55AMG is a good choice to throw money into (red. away)

 

+1

I have 2003 getting ready to turn 60,000...

• at least 3 trunk batteries
• I/C pump
• last year (about 5,000 miles ago) ABC pump
• about a month later ABC front lines

There have been some other misc repairs through the years but would have to look at records.

My biggest gripe(expense) is the ABC suspension repair cost the rest isn't that bad & I have at least doubled the repair cost in mods now...
I won't be getting rid of mine either & I would do it all over again in a second... no other car like it PERIOD

 

Well I think I have most of you beat:

2005 that I purchased with 76K miles on it for $29K. Owned it for just under a year when the Supercharger decided to let go which in turn shot metal shavings down into the engine.

So $10k later I will be picking her up tomorrow with a 40K mile engine in her....

Good thing I put $7K away for my "warranty" so really only 3K out of my pocket??? lol ;-)

Can not wait to drive her again and it will be getting warm again soon!!

 

My SL600 has been in the shop quite a few times, but it has been for all the usual stuff AND the aftermarket warranty covered everything.

I've had to do:

ABC repairs
Engine mounts
Trunk latch
Command unit
Heat exchanger pump
Coil packs
High voltage ignition
Gas tank (baffle went out)

If you can find a used SL with these common issues resolved, then it might be a good deal.

 

Buddy, you have had the worst possible luck of anyone I have ever seen.

Here is hoping your new engine gives you 100k of enjoyable trouble free miles.

 

+100000000000000000

 

04 SL55 63000 miles. So far replaced both front and rear batteries, one rear struts, one trunk struts, no complaint.