Looking at a couple of very nice '03 SL55's. One with only 12k miles and wondering if I'm just asking for trouble considering that the car has sat dormant most of it's life. Yes, it's in perfect condition but I wonder if the ABC struts are an expensive malfunction just waiting to happen and I've heard that the trans and motor mounts go due to age and not miles. The other has 70k +/- miles but is still in very, very good shape.

My primary issue is that there is approx. $10k difference between the two cars and I could easily find one with 30k-40k miles for a number right in the middle of the two.

I figure that I will need to get an aftermarket warranty regardless of which I pick and figure that the cost of that plus all the cool mods that I want to do would still be way under $10k. So is the 12k mile car really worth the extra $10k or am I smarter looking for something in between?

For reference, both have virtually every option available and both have very clean service histories. Both are same color combination and to 99% of the population, would never know the difference. I would expect to keep this car for 4-5 years and then want to upgrade to something newer but while I have it, it would be limited to weekends only and maybe 2-3k miles a year.

What do 'ye old wise ones say?

Is it worth 16 cents per mile? I think so. I would be curious to know how much it has been driven lately, or over the last year or so. My local dealer charges $360 to do a complete check up on a car. Sounds like a lot but for the piece of mind it is worth it. I would go with the low mile car if the 10k isn't an issue.

The 03 will probably have all original abc parts. Shocks, valve blocks, hoses will be the old design and prone to (expensive) failure.

I would be wary about an 03 with very low mileage.

I've had an '03 SL55 since new and it has been brilliant and virtually bullet proof. Don't believe everything you read on line. Usually the only people who speak are the ones with trouble.

I'd take a good look at the 12K mile car. Have it thoroughly inspected, buy it and have fun.

If the shocks are bad, there is a company that sells refurbished ones with a lifetime warranty for ~$600/each.

That was kind of my thought. It has not been driven enough for any of the common issues to come up yet. Almost wondering if waiting for an '05 with semi low miles would be a better choice? Would probably be about the same price as the '03 with 12k miles.

That is a very good point you make. I used to own a C6 Corvette and the corvette forum was ablaze with all the issues with the 2005 C6. I purchased one in spite of the comments and never, ever had a single issue with the car and I drove it like I stole it. It was a great vehicle and worked flawlessly. So far my 2003 SL500 has been a complete joy to own and a pleasure to drive. Not as fast as the vette, but much more refined.

It's both for and against low mileage ...... I generally think mileage is not the biggest issue on a MB car since their engines are made to run for a very long time .....
I will be more concerned about the maintains on the car from the previous owners ..... one first-time check should be going to MB with the VIN and get the cars history - you will see if all maintains has been taken care off together with all issues made on warranty - this check-up will not cost you a dollar.

A 03 will have issues - the question is - are they taken care off or not.

PS - if the sellers don’t want to give you the VIN, then walk away

Should have also included that the 12k mile car is at a Mercedes dealer that sold it new and was the servicing dealer for the cars entire life. Traded in to the same dealer on something new. I know that this still doesn't indicate that it will be any better than another example but does add some credibility.

IMHO above is an important factor.

As far as low mileage. Many bought these cars not as a primary transportation, but as a second or even (in my case) a third car. I have my '03 SL500 since new (will be 10 years this August, one of the very latest production cars - 7/03 - that first model year). It still looks and feels/smells absolutely brand new with just over 3K miles (under 3400 to be exact). The only issues I had with the car was over 3 years ago (when it was over 6.5 years old). The problem was a fuel pump that needed to be changed due to ethanol in gas (with time if the cars sits 4-5 months without driving that causes gas to go "bad" which in turn ruins the fuel pump). I'm using a fuel stabilizer since then and have no issues, even the baterries are original (negative cable is always disconnected on Consumer one).

I would not think twice about an 03 with 12k on it. I have an 04 with 8500 miles on it and have had zero issues with the car. I bought it brand new and it's been maintained regularly. Especially considering its at a dealer that sold it brand new and serviced it would make me a lot more comfortable with that car.

The issue is not where it as serviced. The issue is that there are (outdated) pieces in this car that will break and at that low mileage they have not had the chance to do so yet.

Without a warranty and if you are not a strong DIY it will be expensive.

That is simply based on assumptions. Every SL without a warranty can run up the price.

It is a pretty safe assumption that abc consisting of outdated parts albeit new will have worse reliability than one with updated (improved) parts. Trust me. If I had a dollar for every quart of pentosin I have seen spilled in my face, on the shop floor or discarded- I would be a very rich man

When were the ABC parts improved?

They have been continuously improved, but the significant bump was in 07-08.

i have an 03 with 40k miles. had it for about 1.5yrs, and only drove it abt 1500 miles. alredy replaced battery + one of the abc shocks, and did an abc flush or sum **** like that. it cost me bread, and now recently the car is leaning to one side. like wtf??? i dont even drive the ***** and it still gives me problems.

I have an MY03 (titled oct 2002) SL55 since oct 2004. Drove from 17k miles since to 80k miles today. I've spent a lot of money on this car, in part on MBenzNL upgrades, and in part on maintenance. Especially because of the latter costs I would never, ever recommend a second hand SL55, especially one from before the ABC2 facelift in 07/08. Unless you can DIY maintenance, even the regular non ABC catastrophic kind, will cost you a lot.

Mind you that I really love this car and probably will keep it till I can't drive/afford no more (whichever comes first). You just really have to want an SL55 badly to own one without getting really pissed about it when it develops its quirks.

Just my view on the matter.

If you have had no major issues with your SL, you are in the minority. The ABC issues are not a matter of if they will pop up....but when....because they will pop up sooner or later. I've had 2 SL's and 1 CL over the last 10 years and all have had ABC issues...it's a faulty design in the early cars.

I really like my SL....but just picked up a new CLS and will be selling my 55 once I can find another car with options I like (likely a Cayenne). I'm tired of paying maintenance on a $140k car that's now 10 years old....money can be better spent elsewhere.

I have an 04 with just under 15,000. Bought it nearly 2 years ago with just under 11K. Last week the roof quit working and Im waiting until Im back from vaca to deal with it. Im sure its not going to be easy or cheap, but you have to expect some maintenance on a 10 year old car.

I haven't had any suspension problems though. IMO I'd go with the lower milage car and pay the extra $$.

Double post.

sorry.

Last couple of days have had me thinking that with my budget of +/- $35k, I would be much better off getting an '07 SL550 with the sport pkg. No, it won't have the raw horse power of the AMG but it won't put a strain on the wallet for repairs either. It will have all the looks and most of the feel of an AMG and once I get the mods done that I want, will be close enough for now. Once I can truly afford an '07 - '08 AMG, it will be easy to upgrade. I realize that most in this forum will think this is a bad move, but as I mentioned before, I have a limited budget and it just makes more sense to me.

Get the Amg and upgrade abc parts as they fail.

The 550 is a very different car and you always will be wondering if you should have gotten the Amg.

you mean upgrade to arnott suspension?

save the 10k and buy a warranty with that money. both cars will need it anyways.

Arnotts, upgraded valve blocks and hoses (mostly the front one)