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

• 

  Red - 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By TommyA931 - November 2 - 6:13 am

  This is my 7th red SL in 25 years, so Im pretty well pre-sold. I really loved my 97 SL500, but the 2003 is really a joy, and no more messing with the tops. On a 50+ mile trip at 65MPH it clocks better than 24MPG, goes to 15-17MPG when "romping" on it, but hey, thats why we buy red sports cars, isnt it? The CD-based NAVI stinks compared to my 2007 ML AMG, but you cant get lost in an SL anyway. As always, gets lots of eyeball, and is fun to drive! Ive also owned Porches and Jags, but like the SL best. Worth every penny!

• 

  Near Flawless Vehicle Even 14 Years Old! - 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By Jason Coon - October 2 - 7:30 pm

  Not sure about all the negative comments. I bought this car for my wife as she has always wanted a convertible and geez you just cant go wrong with MB. I bought it over a year ago. It was a 2003 with 29,000 miles on it! I bought it in 2016. The car has never been in accidents and appears to have regular maintenance from records. We have put 8000 miles on it since owning it and almost all the original components are on it and have not failed with one exception (see further below). We do not drive it in the Minnesota winter. The car has been near flawless, fun, reliable, extremely comfortable, and surprisingly a good handling car. Its the whole deal. While it does not have the power my RS6 does, nor equal the cornering and braking of my Porsche or RS6....the comfort and styling just cant be matched. I would rather drive this car than the others. I was so impressed with this car I bought an AMG MB days after. The only thing that does not work is the lumbar control in the drivers seat. We are still on the original brake pads and only have had to do one oil change.

• 

  I love my mercedes benz - 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By Kerry - September 4 - 10:00 am

  My first car was a 1998 Mercedes SL450. I didnt like it too much so i decided to get something smaller. My AMG is the greatest car ive ever owned. The milage is a +. I would definetly recommend this vehicle to anybody.

• 

  KEEP REACHING TILL YOU GET THIS FAR. - 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By BOBBY RISHTY - August 29 - 2:00 am

  I AM A CAR NUT. I ALWAYS HAVE BEEN. I STARTED DRIVING CELICAS,SUPRAS.JEEPS,CORVETTES,PORSCHE S,AND THEN A CONVERTIBLE CLK430,.I STILL WASNT SATISFIED. NOW I HAVE THE 2003 SL500. I AM VERY HAPPY. IT HAS LUXURY AND SPORTS CAR ALL IN ONE,.EVEN BETTER NOW WITH THE RETRACTABLE MOON ROOF. DONT BUY THIS CAR WITHOUT IT.THE ONLY THING THIS CAR IS LACKING FOR ME,.IS THE THRUST OF POWER I HAD WITH THE CORVETTE,.BUT IT IS A HEAVIER CAR AND WILL LAST LONGER.

• 

  Launch Edition 2003- Outstanding Vehicle - 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By giffSCPA - July 29 - 10:00 am

  After 13,400 miles and 14 months of driving in all kinds of weather - snow, ice, sun, I find the car performs in an outstanding manner. The cars brake by wire is great. Also, all traction features make car fun to drive. Total reliability in first 14 months is outstanding!

• 

  stupid blue lights - 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By richard davis - July 23 - 10:00 am

  nice car BUT if the top is down in the daytime the baby blue lights disappear from the dash board and all vital info is lost. The GPS is a throw alway, absolutly worthless. The top has come apart with only 30 uses and the trim is absolutly from K mart. I have owned many MBs and if they only spent a little more attention to details and got that cheap plastic out of the interior and exterior maybe sl500 can make a come back. Just not the car that it used to be and I still had to spend $1.00 to get one of those little mirrors to eliminate the blind spot.

• 

  Simply the best - 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By Catlover - July 4 - 10:00 am

  My 5th SL in 15 years and by far the best. An awesome car with technology that others will take years to catch up to. Braking power is incredible, the ABC feature is the best automotive invention since disks breaks (I experienced it first in my S55). I have a Ferrari 360 and Aston DB7 who, in my opinion, are vastly inferior in technology, safety, road holding and braking. No contest, besides, when the SL55 comes out they are toast anyway. Great looks and while not a real exotic, it is the first exotic SL coming out of Stuttgart. A marvel.

• 

  My Retirement Gift - 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By Rays Dream Car - July 4 - 7:56 am

  I could not be happier with the purchase of my 2003 500SL. Its performance, luxury appointments, and over all wow factor is amazing. I never thought that a retired school teacher would be fortunate enough to own a car of this quality.

• 

  about my experience - 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By Charlie - June 25 - 2:43 am

  this vehicle is a thunder for curbes. this vehicle is safe when comes to brake question. this vehicle is otherwise a fast,quality,safe,reliable,but the interior is getting lame... its out of style and needs something new...to beat other concurents

• 

  ok - 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By leighton - June 11 - 10:00 am

  i love it. it has the best driving abiliy in the world. this is my favorite of all of my cars