2003 SL350 - Buyers advice

[jezzaaa]

Hi All - my beloved mother currently has a 2000 E320 CDi. It's needing to be changed cos it's getting a bit long in the tooth. I was intending to go and buy a year old previous shape E220CDI for her. However, she's always wanted a Mercedes Sports, as she calls it. In other words, an SL. So I was having a look at autotrader to see what could be had for the same money as the aforementioned E220CDI. It seems we're looking at a 2003/2004 SL. I think it should be the SL350 because she doesn't need the power of the 500 and the fuel economy might be a bit better. It's going to be doing less than 5000 miles a year and it will need to be able to get a set of club golf bats in the back.

Questions: -

- Any major things to look for? I've done some surfing and I gather the roof and boot seals need to be checked as well as general dampness in the footwells and boot carpet. Anything else?
- Do they all have little kiddy seats in the back? Are they actually of any use for small kids?
- Is the 3.7 a decent engine? I know it won't be that quick, but is it sufficient to overtake etc?
- Is the 3.7 the smallest engine available for that year?
- Is the air suspension a standard feature, and is it a problem if it has got it?
- Are the roof mechanisms a problem?
- Any major recalls that we need to check?

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Cheers all,
J.

[Orb the Impaler]

Those aren't seats in the back. At all.
The 350s don't come with the active suspension; just normal springs (better IMO - my suspension has a fault and it's going to be expensive...). No idea if it was an option on the 350.
The 350 should be pokey enough.

[woansleftpeg]

I've got an '04 SL350 (up for sale shortly, depending on how soon you need to buy). I'm no expert, but my findings are:

- Any major things to look for? I've done some surfing and I gather the roof and boot seals need to be checked as well as general dampness in the footwells and boot carpet. Anything else?

Definitely check boot seals - they're prone to failing, and that can result in water getting into the electrics and the pump that drives the soft close mechanism.

- Do they all have little kiddy seats in the back? Are they actually of any use for small kids?

They have seat belts for some reason, but even if you could fit your child into them you wouldn't.

- Is the 3.7 a decent engine? I know it won't be that quick, but is it sufficient to overtake etc?

You won't be chasing Scoobys down country lanes and you won't be racing 911s on the A13, but there's plenty of grunt for overtaking.

- Is the 3.7 the smallest engine available for that year?

Yes

- Is the air suspension a standard feature, and is it a problem if it has got it?

Dunno, think the poster above has answered that better than I can. Mine certainly doesn't have air suspension, I've got nothing with which to compare it but I've certainly no complaints about the ride. Can't speak for high speed handling, but again that's not really what the car's designed for.

- Are the roof mechanisms a problem?

Not from what I can tell - the only issue I've found is that it runs off a second battery and when left for a week or longer that battery can run flat, meaning that non-essential electrical services can take a few minutes before they work. Suspect that's a problem with my battery, though.

- Any major recalls that we need to check?

Dunno.

Good luck, they're great cars. I would definitely recommend that you look out for one with a panoramic roof, it was a £1500 option at the time of sale and makes a huge difference to the feel of the car.

[mercedes tech]

they are not seatbelts, they are luggage straps,

[jezzaaa]

Chaps - many thanks! On a complete reverse of what she was originally talking about, she's bought a CLK Sport instead! But thanks again for all the advice.

Cheers,
J.