Uses the M113K engine, often rated as one of the best Mercedes Kompressor engines
493bhp V8 supercharged engine
£10,000 spent at Mercedes main dealers during last five years on suspension, roof mechanism, ABS and brakes
Just serviced in March 2023 with 15 miles since
Private plate included in sale, which Seller states is valued at £2,500
High specification with satnav, heated seats, heated screen wash, bi-Xenon headlamps and Activity Body Control suspension
The world’s fastest automatic car in 2002
Mercedes DATACARD VIN check confirms specification and V5 details
The Appeal
At its launch in 2002 the SL55 AMG was the fastest automatic car in the world, delivering 60mph in just 4.5secs and 100 in a shade over 10secs. This was all thanks to Mercedes’ superb M113K 5.4litre V8 supercharged engine, considered by enthusiasts to be one of the firm’s best.
This low mileage 2003 SL55 finished in tasteful Obsidian Black has clearly been cared for. It has full service history - all except one by Mercedes Benz - and invoices in the history file for significant work by Mercedes Benz dealers. It was little used between 2018 and 2023 but has recently been recommissioned with a full service and has a full 12 months MOT with no advisories. Fast, comfortable and both coupe and convertible, the SL55 is the solution to many motoring dilemmas and this one looks very tempting.
The History And Paperwork
First registered 17th October 2003
Delivered by factory on 26th September 2003
Nine service stamps, all except one by Mercedes main dealers
Last serviced in March 2023 at 72,660 miles by local specialist
Full 12 months MOT with no advisories 14 miles ago
Just 2,000 miles since 2018
£10,000 spent at Mercedes Benz in 2018 on brakes, suspension and ABS
Older bills back to 2008 showing ongoing routine and preventative maintenance
Four former keepers, current owner since 2018
Original bill of sale shows this car cost £93,345 in 2003
Full set of Mercedes Benz manuals and service books
Black Anthracite leather interior with AMG multi-contour seats
Optional telephony package
Heated and electric seats with memory and massage functions
Heated screen wash
Alcantara trim around main dials
Bi-Xenon headlamps
Infotainment system with Bose sound and satnav
The interior of this R230 fits into the tradition of SL cabins, which neatly combine comfort and luxury with a purposeful, sporting feel. The SL55 had a particularly high standard specification, to which the original owner of this car added a telephony package and Parktronic system. Standard features include an infotainment screen to manage the satnav and Bose premium sound system, heated and electric multi-contour AMG seats and even heated screen wash.
The Black Anthracite leather seats are complemented by grey trim and carpeting. There are dashes of Alcantara on the top of the main dials and door trims. The grey trim on the driver’s door is discoloured and has a couple of scuffs mark, all of which look like they would improve with a valet.
The AMG seats are in good condition, just the driver’s seat showing light age creases and some wear on the side of the backrest.
The switchgear appears to be in very good condition, with none of the scuffs and marks that can be typical of 20 year old cars. The Seller tells us that everything works correctly as it should with no warning lights.
The carpets are good throughout and there is even the original Mercedes tyre inflator in the boot.
The Exterior
Obsidian Black metallic paintwork in generally good condition
Optional 18inch AMG alloy wheels
Quality Pirelli tyres on the front, Bridgestones on the rear
Electric folding hard top that appears to work correctly and without issue
Optional Parktronic front and rear parking obstacle alert system
The SL55 may have been devastatingly quick but Mercedes took care to ensure that there were few clues to differentiate it from the rest of the R230 range. Just discreet badging and those pretty AMG alloys give the game away to the initiated.
The Obsidian Black paintwork of this 2003 SL55 is in generally very good condition. Black can be an unforgiving colour but there are only minor indications that this is a 20 year old vehicle.
There are various stone chips on the front bumper and leading edge of the bonnet and the underside of the front spoiler is scuffed across its length.
On the nearside of the car there are two small marks on the front wing above the arch and light scuffs on the arch itself. Some of these may respond to a professional machine polish. The front bumper corner is also scuffed at its base.
There is a chip on the edge of the door along the swage line, and close by a scuff on the rear arch.
On the offside of the car there is a small scuff on the driver’s door mirror.
The pretty 18inch AMG alloys are fitted with Pirelli rubber at the front and Bridgestones at the rear. The nearside front wheel is lightly kerbed on the rim. The offside rear wheel has a small area of corrosion in the centre and the front offside wheel has two chips on the spokes.
The underside of the car appears very solid from the photographs, in particular the catalysers and suspension components. The MOT contains no structural advisories.
The carries a Mercedes related private plate that is included in the sale. The Seller states that this plate has been valued at £2,500.
£5,654 spent in 2018 on brakes and suspension work at Mercedes Benz dealer
£3,356 spent at Mercedes Benz on ABS pump replacement work
Older bills back to 2008 for ongoing maintenance and service work
14 miles since last MOT in March 2023
12 months MOT with no advisories
Two new batteries fitted in March 2023
The M113K supercharged 5.4litre engine in this SL55 is considered by enthusiasts to be one of the best Mercedes ‘kompressor’ engine. Extremely powerful and very quick, it transforms this comfortable, relaxing GT car into a real autobahn stormer.
The SL55 is equipped with a 5spd automatic gearbox with semi-automatic ‘tiptronic; function via the lever or wheel-mounted buttons.
The service book shows nine stamps, most recently in March 2023 at 72,660 miles. We are told by the Seller that all servicing work has been carried out by Mercedes main dealers except the most recent one which was completed by a local specialist.
There are various invoices for significant sums dating back to 2008 in the photographs. These include around £10,000 spent with Mercedes Benz in 2018 on suspension, brake and ABS work. The car has covered around 2,000 miles since this work was carried out.
The MOT history suggests that the car was off the road between 2018 and 2023, during which time it was not MOT’d and covered only a couple of thousand miles. We understand the car was recommissioned just prior to the current MOT being undertaken.
The car has 12 months MOT to March 2024 and there were no advisories.
Summary
The R230 represented a significant rethink of Mercedes’ long tradition of SL sports cars. Both coupe and convertible, it broadened the car’s appeal whilst staying true to the ethos of high performance with luxury and comfort.
The SL55 was the devastatingly quick version of an already capable car and this one cost close to £100,000 when new. It has covered just 2,000 miles since £10,000 was spent improving its mechanicals and running gear. It looks very presentable, clearly cared for and ready for a summer road trip.
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2003 Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG (R230)
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