Highlights
- Thumping 476bhp V8 AMG engine
- Comprehensive history and paperwork
- Only 85,541 miles from new
- Valid MOT until September 2025
- Private registration not included
The Appeal
When Mercedes-Benz replaced the R129SL in 2001, they had a hard act to follow, and a new Millennium's expectations to meet. Thankfully, they proved very much up to the task with the sleek, stylish and tech-loaded R230. Introducing the Active Body Control system, the car also featured a trademark electric hard top, which had debuted four years earlier with the already well-reputed SLK.
When it was new, the car was an expensive beast - but none more so than the supercharged flagship model, the SL55 AMG. This retailed new for £95,000 - before you even looked at the options list. As a result, a car with a little custom spec would easily top over the £100k park.
This 2003 example has covered less than 90,000 miles from new and is accompanied by an enormous paperwork file - as well as a valid MOT until September 2025.
History and Paperwork
- Registered in 2003
- Initially a company car for a managing director in the North-West
- Serviced every 10,000 miles by Mercedes-Benz main dealers or specialists
- Current owner since 2020
- Valid MOT until September 2025 with some advisories
- Includes a stack of invoices from 2013 to present
- Original Mercedes-Benz book pack with handbook, service book, and audio guides
- Indicates only 85,541 miles from new
The Condition
- Silver paintwork in very good condition with minor scuffs and marks
- Some blistering and early corrosion towards the arches
- Some slight damage to the windscreen, though this isn't intrusive
- Chrome AMG-branded exhaust tips and two-tone alloy wheels
- The MOT highlights some warping to the wheels
- Panoramic roof in working order
- Red and black interior in good condition
- Minor scuffing and cracking to the bolsters, commensurate with age
- Gear selector leather shows slight wear
- Air conditioning and radio are reportedly in good order
- Multi-way electric seat adjustment operational
- AMG badges woven into seat fabric and distinctive red seat belts
The Mechanics
- 5.5-litre Supercharged V8 engine
- Regularly serviced
- Starts smoothly and idles well
- Over £3,500 spent on renewing the ABC system in recent years
- Some advisories on the MOT for play in the rear bushes
- Other than this though we understand the car to be in fine order
- We've informed that the car drives as an SL should with no warning lights on the dashboard
- Ultimately, this looks to be a fine, solid prospect
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic
Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following: ✓ The seller is registered as a
private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own
Terms and Conditions..
✓ We request that a
non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful
FAQs and
T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.
✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection
or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand..