'03 SL 500 - 10 years since I bought it new...
Discussion
Looking back at all of the cars I have owned, I have had older cars bought used, but never came close to 11 years of ownership with any car, and I expect to keep the car indefinitely. I never expected to when I bought it new in July 2003
It was always an occasional car, bought specifically to have some kind of touring convertible, ( I prefer performance cars to be coupes). I liked the convertible hardtop, fairly new in those days, and the comfort of the car. I saw no need to get the AMG version as did not need the performance.
Now at 11 years old, it has covered 18,000 miles, most of it on a few long-distance trips. It is basically as new. At the time I ordered the interior in red and deleted all the wood trim in favour of aluminium, which has aged very well and also the glass panorama roof. Of course, the electronics are now one step above clockwork, the nav system useless,the phone system useless and so on.
However,it drives very well, no sports car, but a relaxing car to loaf around in on a warm summer evening. My personal view is that the early R230 is one of the better-looking SLs, and a prettier car than the current one.
The only really expensive failure was the high beam in a bi-xenon light. THis necessitated replace the unit at $2300...not cheap.
Other than that, everything has been routine,all switches work, no electrical gremlins, nothing fell off. It was not a massively high-performance car new, and by todays standards quite a leisurely thing, but it is worth more to me to have a usable convertible permanently than to change for the sake of it. I trailer it to Arizona each Autumn and back to Canada in Spring, so it does not see much precipitation.
10 years. Hard to believe, really. I wonder if I will have it for 25...........
It was always an occasional car, bought specifically to have some kind of touring convertible, ( I prefer performance cars to be coupes). I liked the convertible hardtop, fairly new in those days, and the comfort of the car. I saw no need to get the AMG version as did not need the performance.
Now at 11 years old, it has covered 18,000 miles, most of it on a few long-distance trips. It is basically as new. At the time I ordered the interior in red and deleted all the wood trim in favour of aluminium, which has aged very well and also the glass panorama roof. Of course, the electronics are now one step above clockwork, the nav system useless,the phone system useless and so on.
However,it drives very well, no sports car, but a relaxing car to loaf around in on a warm summer evening. My personal view is that the early R230 is one of the better-looking SLs, and a prettier car than the current one.
The only really expensive failure was the high beam in a bi-xenon light. THis necessitated replace the unit at $2300...not cheap.
Other than that, everything has been routine,all switches work, no electrical gremlins, nothing fell off. It was not a massively high-performance car new, and by todays standards quite a leisurely thing, but it is worth more to me to have a usable convertible permanently than to change for the sake of it. I trailer it to Arizona each Autumn and back to Canada in Spring, so it does not see much precipitation.
10 years. Hard to believe, really. I wonder if I will have it for 25...........
My father has the same model and year. I know the performance figures at the time were 6.1 to 60 and about 15 to 100, however it does feel quicker than that when you push on. It's a hefty lump though and that ESP is what can only be described as 'lazy' 
His is finished in silver with the same alloys, it still gets looks today and I totally agree it's aged better than the facelift version. A few ABC gremlins and one or two costly parts but apart from that it's been reliable.
And you cannot argue with the noise of that V8 at full throttle
His is finished in silver with the same alloys, it still gets looks today and I totally agree it's aged better than the facelift version. A few ABC gremlins and one or two costly parts but apart from that it's been reliable.
And you cannot argue with the noise of that V8 at full throttle
daveco said:
My father has the same model and year. I know the performance figures at the time were 6.1 to 60 and about 15 to 100, however it does feel quicker than that when you push on. It's a hefty lump though and that ESP is what can only be described as 'lazy'
His is finished in silver with the same alloys, it still gets looks today and I totally agree it's aged better than the facelift version. A few ABC gremlins and one or two costly parts but apart from that it's been reliable.
And you cannot argue with the noise of that V8 at full throttle
Well..it does not inspire hooning in any way...more a relaxing jauntHis is finished in silver with the same alloys, it still gets looks today and I totally agree it's aged better than the facelift version. A few ABC gremlins and one or two costly parts but apart from that it's been reliable.
And you cannot argue with the noise of that V8 at full throttle
That front end looks remarkably fresh - I think it's the AMG kit that helps?
Also, I'd be tempted to fit the R230 facelift taillights just to freshen the rear up a tad.
Nice to see someone buying a car like this and keeping it for so long, these things get through loads of owners over the years - I remember reading an ad for an SL500 which stated it had had 16 owners in 11 years!
Also, I'd be tempted to fit the R230 facelift taillights just to freshen the rear up a tad.
Nice to see someone buying a car like this and keeping it for so long, these things get through loads of owners over the years - I remember reading an ad for an SL500 which stated it had had 16 owners in 11 years!
aspirated said:
That front end looks remarkably fresh - I think it's the AMG kit that helps?
Also, I'd be tempted to fit the R230 facelift taillights just to freshen the rear up a tad.
Nice to see someone buying a car like this and keeping it for so long, these things get through loads of owners over the years - I remember reading an ad for an SL500 which stated it had had 16 owners in 11 years!
Yes,,specified the AMG spoiler and wheels from new...(no fake badges of courseAlso, I'd be tempted to fit the R230 facelift taillights just to freshen the rear up a tad.
Nice to see someone buying a car like this and keeping it for so long, these things get through loads of owners over the years - I remember reading an ad for an SL500 which stated it had had 16 owners in 11 years!
...
haggishunter said:
Waste of a good car
al
Well. I can see the logic, but I drive a lot of cars in a year, and travel a lot. My 2008 Cayenne S has 70,000 milieus on it for instance. I did 20l on the E63 M6 in the same period, manbe 40k on the Touaregs, plus about 25k on the GT3s and the same on the Smart Add rental cars and stuff I drove elsewhere and it adds up. Still.. not real a waste ifI keep it permanentlyal
.RDMcG said:
El Guapo said:
This must be a typo, RD.
Nope..the right had light is a nightmare if its HD. You can go aftermarket but I hate doing that. Whole unit had to be done...Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff