Overview & Reviews

Everything. A new SL debuts to replace the previous version, which dated back to 1990.

• Seductive style, retractable hardtop, commendable performance, ride and handling.

• Heavy for a "sports car," limited cargo capacity, nav system is old-tech CD-ROM format.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 113.00

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  Brakes Dont Work - 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By JC Powell - March 29 - 10:00 am

  This hi tech car does not have the bugs worked out yet. The new electronic brakes are not reliable. I ran into a car because the brakes would not work. MB sent someone to investigate but were unable to replicate so said drive it until it happens again! I am not their test dummy. Wait until they get the bugs out.

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  FALLING APART - 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By MIKEXXX2 - March 23 - 2:00 am

  THE CAR HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS. HERE ARE A FEW, BRAKES, TRUNK NOISES, SMELLS, ROOF NOISE AND MANY OTHERS.

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  POORLY BUILT CAR - 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By HERB - October 3 - 10:49 am

  Just sold my 2003 SL 500 Designo had it for 7 years too many trips to the dealer for repairs a car with only 3300 miles had more problems than it should have had for a supposed quality car.Dealer told me dont keep this car without a warrantee at cost of $6800.00 The car lost to much value when sold.This car is a money pit needs expensive repairs every month. Great looking but not reliable stay away.

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  Please, stay away! - 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By Chris - March 16 - 4:38 am

  Seeing the price of these cars on the used market is a tempting purchase. When everything is working it is overall a fantastic car, fast, good looking, comfortable, etc. HOWEVER: REGARDLESS of what anyone tells you, I doubt there is a more complicated and unreliable car on the market. In under one year, I have spent over $8,000 on unplanned repairs. This is not because the car wasnt maintained, they are just chronically unreliable. Suspension issues, getting stuck in park, trunk leaks, rattles, motor/transmission mounts, supercharger intercooler pump, alarm siren, trunk struts, this is a partial list of the problems that Ive had. Most of the reviews on here are overwhelmingly positive, but you need to see the dates - many 10+ years ago when the car was newer. Most recent reviews will attest to my warning: DO NOT LET THE LOOK/DRIVE OF THE CAR TEMPT YOU. The car moved from a "love/hate" relationship to a "mostly hate" relationship after being in the shop at least once a month. Oh, and as a daily driver over 14k miles it has averaged 13.5mpg in the suburbs, but you should know that going in - it costs to go fast. In summary, there is no such thing as a cheap MB SL, youre paying in depreciation or youre paying in maintenance, pick your poison.

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  Makes a GREAT PLANTER - 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By lemonade - June 7 - 10:00 am

  The concept was fabulous.The exterior fabulous.The fun driving fabulous. However it looses its appeal after the 9th time it is in for repairs within a few months. It really lost its appeal when the Designo edition $103,000 began to smell. A pungent cat urine (as described by dealer- I dont have a cat) odor so foul it burned your eyes & throat. Six months more of repairs and interior replacements...it still stinks. Numerous calls to the manufacturer (because the dealer CANNOT? do anything except let me BUY my way out of the car) still no response!

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  Looks good. But thats it. - 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By WritrguyLA - September 5 - 2:00 am

  In the shop every month since I bought it. Too many electronic features I guess, because something is ALWAYS breaking. And speaking of brakes, be ready to replace them within the first year. And its not covered. And the ride is not sporty, its more luxury.