A good review which, as an owner of a 2003 SL500, I would agree with. Certainly the most beautiful of the SL models and, if you take into account what is now a very low purchase price, then the overall costs, (even with the possible repair costs) are incredible value for money. You get to drive a very expensive GT car for less than the cost of a run of the mill saloon. My car still turns heads when ever I take her out 😊
I owned one of these an 03 SL, it is a beautiful car. I actually purchased it for my wife on her birthday. The engine in this vehicle has an amazing sound. I had to part ways with this car last year. The maintenance costs on this baby is expensive. With age comes health issues, both of us could not enjoy sitting so low in a vehicle. I hope she found someone that could appreciate her as much as we did.
I’ve had many many automobiles, but the experience with my 03 SL500 is the greatest. It’s so much fun to drive, you never want to get out of it. It’s just a wonderful, well built automobile.
I bought my SL500 R230 on a warm summer's day in 2003. Over the last couple of decades, it's been a love/hate relationship with that car. It's just shy of 200,000 miles and the engine is smooth and purrs like when I first bought it. Ive always kept up with maintenance. Over the years, aside from the scheduled maintenance, the "unscheduled" upkeep included two new catalytics to pass smog, the replacement of the ABC components incl. that pricey pump, minus the lines, two addl strut replacements about 7-10 years after that, with another within the last week, trunk vacuum lock twice, trunk flap repair, brake system upgrade under warranty way back when, radiator replaced once, water pump & thermostat twice, all the cooling system hoses once, valve cover gaskets will be twice (gotta do it again in the coming days incl. EGR hoses), brakes and rotors a number of times, and now that the roof stopped opening all the way, ive got all next summer to check/replace the 8? hydraulic valves and n number of switches. Always check/clear the drain holes around the car...and there are a number of them. Update: got a new BCM. Ill get around to gettin' that installed at some point in the near future. Cheers! Update: Hydraulic line burst last month. Replacement was 15 hours of labor at an independent Mercedes mechanic who was able to replace the entire line w/o having to fully remove the engine. Now to worry about the other 3(?) original lines. 2024 update: Had to replace the rear bushings which required dropping the rear subframe and the removal of the hydaulic lines. Decided to replace the 7 year old shocks in the rear with Arnott which came with a 2 year warranty. Replaced one of the two in the front which was also long in the tooth and showed signs of leaking. This was all completed in January. Four months later, a short coolant hose developed a pin-hole leak.That was easy to replace. It is located at the very back of the engine near the firewall. Was told at the time that there were only like 2 or 3 Mercedes OEM hoses left in the entire USA, but any properly-sized coolant hose would've sufficed, once trimmed to size. She's been back on the road and driving well. New rear suspension bushings made a real difference in smoothness and handling. Current miles: 216K.
No not unless it was a desirable model SL 600 65 or 63 the 55 and 500 are not worth it. The engines them selves don't take much to maintain its the suspension and convertible top. You'll pay regardless of what r230 you pick so pick one that holds more value
@MrAPM316 Well, that's a very good question. The Designio series was showcased in late 2002/early 2003 and it looked gorgeous at the time. However, it still looks pretty good I must say.....even today with 216k mile at 22mpg freeway miles 🙏... but like they say, looks aren't everything. As I understand it, many models at that time were designed with the hydraulic suspension. Well, come to think of it, I could have bought another Toyota Supra back in late 2002. But the SL series attracted one heck of a lot of smoking 🔥🔥🔥🐱🐱🐱 in those early years. And I have to admit, those memories are phenomenally priceless. In a nutshell, I think that answers your question. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Growing up my grandparents had a R107 560SL and a 2008 R230 SL550. Funny how we share a similar story of how we got into cars. Today I still have the R107, never giving it up!
I have a 2005 SL 500 and love it. Not cheap to maintain but then again, not to many cars these days are. I decided to replace the outdated “command center” with a top of the line Kenwood stereo system with Garman aviation and total Apple everything. It was a great investment since I had a difficult time reading the aviation on my iPhone while driving…..and made the car much more road worthy and safe. I drove from San Francisco to Marina Del Ray and got around 35 mpg. It’s a sweet ride.
1955 300SL Gulwing ...............fast forward to 2001-2011 : The R230 SL500, a gorgeous design to actually make Fredrich Geiger proud, two of the most beautiful & elegant cars on the road today in 2022.
I think with this SL gen is like with porsche 996... A lot of people hated, because "modern era" from air cooled to water it was something different in classic model. Nowadays 996 is getting more popular as a classic car. I think it is about people generations. When they were lets say 10-18 yo when those came, now they can afford them and thats why those are getting more popular.
Thanks, well-made video and yes, this is the most beautiful SL ever build. I love my SL 55 AMG, and believe me, you don't need the power of the M113K... About the ABC system: Convert it, if the trouble begins...
“It not the fastest but it’ll put a smile on your face because of that sound” I drive a focus ST and I try to explain that to people… you can have fun in a 4 cylinder🤷🏾♂️🤣
Good Review missed one thing Gas tank noise It's a baffle 2 magnets fix that issue, it's on TH-cam easy fix. Had R129 and R230 both SL 500 Tandem pump replaced, Harmonic Balancer, it started to Runout If not replaced it will ruin your crankshaft bearings.
Love my 2003 SL500 when it's not in need of repair, which now is a rarity. The ABC and electronic code system has been a chronic and costly problem for me since the 65,000 mile point.
@@JamesSalvatore That doesn't appear to be true based on the owners experiences I'm reading about. 220lbs of pumps, blocks, struts ect off the front end makes for a much lighter feeling car apparently.
Informative vid of your superb car!😊👍 as a car enthusiast and car collector I would much liked to have an SL500/55 AMG, the look is awesome and it goes like stink!!! Looked at a mint conditioned vehicle last year, with only 40000 km since 2004.(ended up buying a 2010 Mustang Roush Stage 3 550 hp/700nm 8600 km instead) But All the faults these kind of high tec Merc's have, it puts me away of buying one, the CL500/55 AMG is also a beautiful car, it costed HUGE money when new.... think it was something like € 270 000!!! Back in early 2000 Bought a 2006 Gelandewagen G55 AMG in 2021, looks like a new vehicle with 31000 km done. Same engine/gearbox as all MB 55's have. No ABC to go wrong on the Gelandewagen thankfully😊🙏 cheers from me in Norway
@brendanmcgee9680 I When I bought it, it needed new accumulators and things were leaking and I said screw it. Got the adjustable coils from Amazon, paid a buddy 1k to put em in. Nothing is ever as good as ABC but the coils are fine and I never have to worry again.
Unfortunately I didn't do with this as soon as I bought it but I did it recently within the past half of a year oh my gosh I did the hiro coil lovers and they're fantastic
That engine is bullet proof. Mine over heated because the fan wasn't working and I didn't know it. I started to charge the battery. It blew the hose off and nothing was damaged and I don't know how long it had been sitting and running like that. I would start it and walk away.
To do a muffler delete you should take it to a shop that does exhaust systems and ask them to remove the muffler and resonators as he said in the video but to keep the original tail pipes so they can be welded onto the new exhaust pipes you’ll have running.
In regards to ABC and other stuff... is it mileage and/or years that is the problem.. in the country where I live, it is some SL's/CL's with very low mileage, 35000- 60000 km(equivalent to 20000-40000 miles). Cheers from me in Norway
If you want to save a little bit of money with the exhaust mud cut off your resonators with a sauce all take it to an exhaust shop and have them finish it up it'll cost you about a 100 bucks
I have same car but, unlike you, I enjoy quietude over muffler delete. Plus I don't want to use foam ear plugs on long road trips, like I use in my Civic Type R.
James please respond if you see this. I drive an R230 like you and I'm seeing that you advocate for the muffler change in the video but some recent comments from you are stating not to do it. Should I get the muffler delete if I want the V8 to sound better or does the drone truly get that bad? Thanks!
I had an S430 4matic and let me tell you that car will definitely get you into trouble quickly. If 300 horsepower or not it's way faster than mile 2003 Cadillac Seville STS.
@@JamesSalvatore I think the German TÜV (prescribed revision every 2 years) would not like that and would send me home... I think about buying a r230 for longer trips, because my Corvette with the (magnificent) Magnaflow exhaust is making me def... ^^
I completely disagree with the cost the cost is always higher 30% higher in than SL55. Pretty much the Engines & Transmissions are bulletproof. The SL55 almost has too much power even by todays standards
I recently went with a coil over conversion. Wow that handling is definitely there And I think it is faster? I drove my SL in the ssport mode anyway And it's slightly Firmer I guess! No you don't need the sways bars. I drive aggressively Within reason! I love driving with the top down.. Do not Go with the Strut Masters There is a whole bunch of different companies out there making adjustable Coil overs.. Hiro Is one of them that's where I got
A good review which, as an owner of a 2003 SL500, I would agree with. Certainly the most beautiful of the SL models and, if you take into account what is now a very low purchase price, then the overall costs, (even with the possible repair costs) are incredible value for money. You get to drive a very expensive GT car for less than the cost of a run of the mill saloon. My car still turns heads when ever I take her out 😊
I owned one of these an 03 SL, it is a beautiful car. I actually purchased it for my wife on her birthday. The engine in this vehicle has an amazing sound. I had to part ways with this car last year. The maintenance costs on this baby is expensive. With age comes health issues, both of us could not enjoy sitting so low in a vehicle. I hope she found someone that could appreciate her as much as we did.
I’ve had many many automobiles, but the experience with my 03 SL500 is the greatest. It’s so much fun to drive, you never want to get out of it. It’s just a wonderful, well built automobile.
I bought my SL500 R230 on a warm summer's day in 2003. Over the last couple of decades, it's been a love/hate relationship with that car. It's just shy of 200,000 miles and the engine is smooth and purrs like when I first bought it. Ive always kept up with maintenance. Over the years, aside from the scheduled maintenance, the "unscheduled" upkeep included two new catalytics to pass smog, the replacement of the ABC components incl. that pricey pump, minus the lines, two addl strut replacements about 7-10 years after that, with another within the last week, trunk vacuum lock twice, trunk flap repair, brake system upgrade under warranty way back when, radiator replaced once, water pump & thermostat twice, all the cooling system hoses once, valve cover gaskets will be twice (gotta do it again in the coming days incl. EGR hoses), brakes and rotors a number of times, and now that the roof stopped opening all the way, ive got all next summer to check/replace the 8? hydraulic valves and n number of switches. Always check/clear the drain holes around the car...and there are a number of them. Update: got a new BCM. Ill get around to gettin' that installed at some point in the near future.
Cheers!
Update: Hydraulic line burst last month. Replacement was 15 hours of labor at an independent Mercedes mechanic who was able to replace the entire line w/o having to fully remove the engine. Now to worry about the other 3(?) original lines.
2024 update: Had to replace the rear bushings which required dropping the rear subframe and the removal of the hydaulic lines. Decided to replace the 7 year old shocks in the rear with Arnott which came with a 2 year warranty. Replaced one of the two in the front which was also long in the tooth and showed signs of leaking. This was all completed in January. Four months later, a short coolant hose developed a pin-hole leak.That was easy to replace. It is located at the very back of the engine near the firewall. Was told at the time that there were only like 2 or 3 Mercedes OEM hoses left in the entire USA, but any properly-sized coolant hose would've sufficed, once trimmed to size. She's been back on the road and driving well. New rear suspension bushings made a real difference in smoothness and handling. Current miles: 216K.
Thanks for sharing your experience nice to hear what others have gone through
Way to commit
Knowing what u know now, would u do it over again?
No not unless it was a desirable model SL 600 65 or 63 the 55 and 500 are not worth it. The engines them selves don't take much to maintain its the suspension and convertible top. You'll pay regardless of what r230 you pick so pick one that holds more value
@MrAPM316 Well, that's a very good question. The Designio series was showcased in late 2002/early 2003 and it looked gorgeous at the time. However, it still looks pretty good I must say.....even today with 216k mile at 22mpg freeway miles 🙏... but like they say, looks aren't everything. As I understand it, many models at that time were designed with the hydraulic suspension. Well, come to think of it, I could have bought another Toyota Supra back in late 2002. But the SL series attracted one heck of a lot of smoking 🔥🔥🔥🐱🐱🐱 in those early years. And I have to admit, those memories are phenomenally priceless. In a nutshell, I think that answers your question. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I just bought a 2006, same color, and I LOVE it .
Growing up my grandparents had a R107 560SL and a 2008 R230 SL550. Funny how we share a similar story of how we got into cars. Today I still have the R107, never giving it up!
Thanks for sharing your story
great,, Especially older Mercedes 2000 and 8 past I did not like them Since they moved to a buggy ears headlights
I have a 2005 SL 500 and love it. Not cheap to maintain but then again, not to many cars these days are. I decided to replace the outdated “command center” with a top of the line Kenwood stereo system with Garman aviation and total Apple everything. It was a great investment since I had a difficult time reading the aviation on my iPhone while driving…..and made the car much more road worthy and safe. I drove from San Francisco to Marina Del Ray and got around 35 mpg. It’s a sweet ride.
What was you avg speed?
1955 300SL Gulwing ...............fast forward to 2001-2011 : The R230 SL500, a gorgeous design to actually make Fredrich Geiger proud, two of the most beautiful & elegant cars on the road today in 2022.
very cool video. Love my 02 500, and yes cost is high but so is the joy. Cheers man and thanks for the good content.
I think with this SL gen is like with porsche 996... A lot of people hated, because "modern era" from air cooled to water it was something different in classic model. Nowadays 996 is getting more popular as a classic car. I think it is about people generations. When they were lets say 10-18 yo when those came, now they can afford them and thats why those are getting more popular.
Thanks, well-made video and yes, this is the most beautiful SL ever build. I love my SL 55 AMG, and believe me, you don't need the power of the M113K... About the ABC system: Convert it, if the trouble begins...
I agree I'm 16 k into it
I feel this is the best looking SL ever !! I wonder if this could ever become a classic ?
“It not the fastest but it’ll put a smile on your face because of that sound” I drive a focus ST and I try to explain that to people… you can have fun in a 4 cylinder🤷🏾♂️🤣
Good Review missed one thing
Gas tank noise
It's a baffle 2 magnets fix that issue, it's on TH-cam easy fix.
Had R129 and R230 both SL 500
Tandem pump replaced, Harmonic Balancer, it started to Runout
If not replaced it will ruin your crankshaft bearings.
cost per years is a very hard information to get,thank you well done
“It’s not the fastest car ever” but yet it sounds so beautiful 😍😍😍😍
Also with the suspension watch TH-cam there's plenty of tutorials on how to change out the pumps and pretty much everything else
Good review. Very accurate and to the point. Peak SL in my opinion especially after seeing the new cloth roof models.
I agree the newest I'll go is the 2020 which I drive and it's amazing
@@JamesSalvatore The R129 is the peak SL.
Had one of those too that was my first car a 92 500 SL can't hold a candle to the r230 I had both
@@jamesreckling6697 aside from design, what makes an R129 peak SL in your opinion?
@@LawrenceMarkFearon Higher quality of materials. It was the last of Mercedes engineers designing the car uninhibited by the accountants.
Hey, bro.
relly like your video. just bought a SL55, and I live in Boston. Love the car(after fixing the ABC system)
Thanks man, 😂 key words after fixing abc
Absolutely amazing video! And confirmation💯💯💯💯
Love my 2003 SL500 when it's not in need of repair, which now is a rarity. The ABC and electronic code system has been a chronic and costly problem for me since the 65,000 mile point.
Can’t you just get another suspension system to avoid that ABC problem?
You can but after you do you've ruined the car honestly. If you don't want to pay you just get another car
A Rolex isn't a Rolex if you put different parts in it
@@capolato3212 Yes, you can put on coilovers and lose about 220lbs of ABC parts.
@@JamesSalvatore That doesn't appear to be true based on the owners experiences I'm reading about. 220lbs of pumps, blocks, struts ect off the front end makes for a much lighter feeling car apparently.
Informative vid of your superb car!😊👍 as a car enthusiast and car collector I would much liked to have an SL500/55 AMG, the look is awesome and it goes like stink!!! Looked at a mint conditioned vehicle last year, with only 40000 km since 2004.(ended up buying a 2010 Mustang Roush Stage 3 550 hp/700nm 8600 km instead)
But All the faults these kind of high tec Merc's have, it puts me away of buying one, the CL500/55 AMG is also a beautiful car, it costed HUGE money when new.... think it was something like € 270 000!!! Back in early 2000
Bought a 2006 Gelandewagen G55 AMG in 2021, looks like a new vehicle with 31000 km done. Same engine/gearbox as all MB 55's have. No ABC to go wrong on the Gelandewagen thankfully😊🙏 cheers from me in Norway
Did coils on mine asap when u bought it. Best decision ever.
Hey I just bought one and have considered doing coils do you have any advice?
@brendanmcgee9680 I
When I bought it, it needed new accumulators and things were leaking and I said screw it. Got the adjustable coils from Amazon, paid a buddy 1k to put em in. Nothing is ever as good as ABC but the coils are fine and I never have to worry again.
Unfortunately I didn't do with this as soon as I bought it but I did it recently within the past half of a year oh my gosh I did the hiro coil lovers and they're fantastic
Best looking sl500 r230
Very nice review! BTW, do you have any problem with SBC brake system, cause I hear that is a very complex system at all?
Actually the only one that I haven't had issues with really it's all suspension. Since making this video I am 18 k into maintience in 3 years
That engine is bullet proof. Mine over heated because the fan wasn't working and I didn't know it. I started to charge the battery. It blew the hose off and nothing was damaged and I don't know how long it had been sitting and running like that. I would start it and walk away.
It was considered to be one of Mercedes most reliable engines, the rest of the car tho is very questionable 😂
@@JamesSalvatore yeah everything else is a circus act
Great review - this car should never sound like a mussel car .
Your not the only one to hate in that but I love it
@@JamesSalvatore Hate is a little strong - I don't hate it - I just think it's a very mean thing to do to a classy car !
@@research1747 not if your in your 20's haha, I have my s coupe to be quite and classy this is fun
@@JamesSalvatore I would have done the same thing at your age - but I had a 1967 Charger with a Hemi - to make the noice !
Brilliant, thank you for the review
Great video mate
Thank yoy
Nice! 107 500 SL series 🧿
Hi I have a 06 mercedes benz and I wanted to get that same exhaust system. Can you please provide me with a link or the of that muffler delete system.
To do a muffler delete you should take it to a shop that does exhaust systems and ask them to remove the muffler and resonators as he said in the video but to keep the original tail pipes so they can be welded onto the new exhaust pipes you’ll have running.
Dont do it I regret it
I'm legit getting a stock system off of eBay because it ruined the car drone is bad
@@JamesSalvatore damn I was about to get it in like a week 😭
In regards to ABC and other stuff... is it mileage and/or years that is the problem.. in the country where I live, it is some SL's/CL's with very low mileage, 35000- 60000 km(equivalent to 20000-40000 miles). Cheers from me in Norway
Mercedes SL500 ABC Suspension 5. My Final Decision and the Results of Removing Weight and Worry
The sound 🥰
If you want to save a little bit of money with the exhaust mud cut off your resonators with a sauce all take it to an exhaust shop and have them finish it up it'll cost you about a 100 bucks
what did you do for the sound of the mufflers?
Muffler delete
I have same car but, unlike you, I enjoy quietude over muffler delete. Plus I don't want to use foam ear plugs on long road trips, like I use in my Civic Type R.
Also change the 13 pin connector on the transmission very cheap
James please respond if you see this. I drive an R230 like you and I'm seeing that you advocate for the muffler change in the video but some recent comments from you are stating not to do it. Should I get the muffler delete if I want the V8 to sound better or does the drone truly get that bad? Thanks!
I did 2nd cat delete and it sounds fantastic.
thanks!@@gerrypalms5147
Other than that outstanding review. I don't have a windscreen should I get one
Thank you and yes go on ebay, should be cheap makes a huge difference
I had an S430 4matic and let me tell you that car will definitely get you into trouble quickly. If 300 horsepower or not it's way faster than mile 2003 Cadillac Seville STS.
Very pleasent review! Did I understand correctly - You removed the muffler? Thanks and best regards from Germany! :)
Greetings yes you understood correctly just the muffler use Stock tips it makes a difference
@@JamesSalvatore I think the German TÜV (prescribed revision every 2 years) would not like that and would send me home... I think about buying a r230 for longer trips, because my Corvette with the (magnificent) Magnaflow exhaust is making me def... ^^
I completely disagree with the cost the cost is always higher 30% higher in than SL55. Pretty much the Engines & Transmissions are bulletproof. The SL55 almost has too much power even by todays standards
Guess it just depends what breaks haven't driven an SL 55 I think my next will be an r230 SL 63 I love that motor
@@JamesSalvatore I figured from all the SL55 owners the power that car has is almost uncontrollable
Great video 🙏 thank you
Terrible drone with the muffler deletes. But it sounds good out of the drone.
make sure to get a 550, the different engine makes a world of difference, esp with paddle shifters and sport mode, r129 had none of that.
Mercs should be silver :) awesome vid!
Black looks better i've had a silver before
@@thedoo777 They all look awesome. Red interior is the one thou! Black or silver with red, I will have one soon God willing!
Always surprised that someone would take the trouble to make a video but not clean out the car (trunk) beforehand.
I recently went with a coil over conversion. Wow that handling is definitely there And I think it is faster? I drove my SL in the ssport mode anyway And it's slightly Firmer I guess! No you don't need the sways bars. I drive aggressively Within reason! I love driving with the top down.. Do not Go with the Strut Masters There is a whole bunch of different companies out there making adjustable Coil overs.. Hiro Is one of them that's where I got
Your cost are way too high I own an SL too. I'm have mine done Mercedes specialist not the dealership. You can save 60% easy.
there are specialist that know these cars well and charge fair prices. I had a similar experience with my SL.
Does the muffler delete give you any Xtra HP?
No
What a shooting!
With any car the noise that sounds great from the drivers seat is annoying as hell to everyone you go by. JMO
😂 so true but I gotta enjoy it before we all wind up in soulless electric cars
It's even louder now, the secondary cats split and I just deleated them
It's even louder now, the secondary cats split and I just deleated them
"Expect to spend at least 3 to 5 thousand dollars a year to keep these cars going"? That is too much. Did you mean thousands or hundreds???
Nice
Thank you
Muffler delete = low class
Go drive an electric car then
nope, are you 80?
No apparently google is stupid why don't you learn to work on your own car?
Because I make enough money not to 😂
Why don't you learn to work on your own car? Mercedes are very cheap 2ownifyoulearntoworkonyourowncar
The noisy exhaust is so useless. Think of noise pollution.
You just sound lame
Spoken like a true Nancy