Description
*** Deposit Taken***
2003 Mercedes R230 SL350 Auto (5)
Superb Example - Detailed History - All Jobs Done
Classic 744 Briliant Silver with 208A Grey Leather
M112 V6 - 5 Speed Auto - Conventional Suspension - The Most Reliable Variant of the R230 SL
Cheaper Tax Bracket & ULEZ/ CAZ Compliant
THE CAR
Date of Registration: 9th April 2003
VRM: RV03 LYR
MOT Expiry: 12th April 2026 (12 Months MOT on Sale)
Mileage: 95, 000 Miles
Service History: Stamped service book mostly MB Dealership/ Specialist accompanied by a very large file of supporting paperwork) + Sales Brochure / Price list
Keys: Two Working Remote Keys
Unused First Aid Kit/ Warning Triangle/ Tool Kit
Previous Keepers on V5: 3 (Last owner since 2018)
HPI Status: 100% Clear (Report Included)
Service History as follows:
Date Mileage Dealership
04/ 09/ 2006 8, 414 Mercedes-Benz of Harrogate
22/ 09/ 2008 18, 824 Mercedes-Benz of Bishops Storford
23/ 11/ 2010 26, 306 Waterhouse Mercedes, Chelmsford
18/ 05/ 2012 29, 777 Waterhouse Mercedes, Chelmsford
23/ 01/ 2014 35, 087 Waterhouse Mercedes, Chelmsford
18/ 08/ 2015 37, 499 Waterhouse Mercedes, Chelmsford
13/ 04/ 2017 47, 131 Stratstone Mercedes, Wilmslow
12/ 03/ 2019 57, 709 Star Motors, Reading (MB Specialist)
22/ 07/ 2020 65, 158 Star Motors, Reading (MB Specialist)
15/ 07/ 2022 78, 966 R M Walsh LTD
22/ 05/ 2025 92, 936 Star Motors, Reading (MB Specialist) + Brand New SBC Pump
Notable Work Done Since 2018
27/ 05/ 25 92, 936 miles: STAR Motor Services: New SBC pump, rear discs, pads and calipers, sensors, brake fluid change, new auxiliary water pump, coolant change and oil and filter. Front discs and pads good. (£3703. 68)
13/ 02/ 23 82, 707 miles: Cayman Auto Services: Roof repair and service inc two new rams fitted (£1, 512)
09/ 11/ 22 82, 374 miles: STAR Motor Services: Permanent Park lever repair (£249. 60)
12/ 08/ 22 78, 966 miles : Full service including oil, all filters Mercedes drilled discs and pads, Bosch Platinum spark plugs, rear shock absorbers, OEM Thermostat and radiator cap (£888)
22/ 07/ 20 65, 158 miles : Full service including new front brake pipes, new headlamp washer jets, rear pads, rear diff oil, rocker cover and oil filler gaskets (£740. 46)
14/ 05/ 19 56, 327 Miles: New crankshaft position sensor (CPS)
12/ 03/ 19 54, 709 miles : STAR Motor Services Full service, new wheel speed sensor, miscellaneous other jobs (£981)
Rear wheel arches completely and thoroughly stripped of all traces of rust in 2023 (Done properly at considerable expense)
Rear trunk lock and roof flap repair by STAR motors
Drivers seat bolster replaced with an immaculate RH seat bolster from a LHD USA car
Both Batteries recently replaced (Genuine MB Batteries)
FEATURES
Electric folding "Vario" Roof
Rool Over Protection
Wind Deflector
Multiple Airbags
Grey Leather Interior (High Quality Nappa Leather)
Wood Leather Steering Wheel
Electrically Adjusting Memory Seats
Heated Seats
Electrically Adjusting Steering Column
Easy Entry/ Exit (Steering Column Automatically Lifts)
Memory Package (Seats, Mirrors & Steering Column)
Walnut Capping
Xenon Headlamps
Auto Lights
Headlamp Washers
Auto Wipers
ABS/ EBD/ DSC
Cruise Control with Speed Limiter
Dual Zone Climate Control Air conditioning & Residual Heating
Auto Dipping Rear View Mirror
Electric Heated/ Folding/ Mirrors
Phone Pre-Wire System (a separate accessory is available to convert to full Bluetooth connectivity)
Front Armrest
Front Cup Holder
Electric Windows
Remote Central Locking
Remote Boot Opening
Mercedes Anti Theft Alarm with Interior Protection
Multifunction Steering Wheel
Driver Information System
Variable Rate Power Steering
Front Fog Lamps
Mercedes Comand with CD Changer
Navigation
Bluetooth Connectivity (with optional clip in accessory)
Front Illuminating Vanity Mirrors
Complete Boot Tool Kit
First Aid Kit
Genuine MB Velour Overmats Mats (not shown in pics)
Optional OEM MB Staggered Alloys (wider on rear) with excellent General tyres
DATA (BUILD) CARD
General Data
FIN WDB2304672F047777
Model SL 350
Engine 112973 31 520231
Transmission 722644 04 361649
Order Number 0 3 537 04104
Order Location GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
Interior LEATHER - GRAY (208A)
Paint 1 BRILLIANT SILVER METALLIC (744U)
Release Date 2003-03-20
Delivery Date 2003-03-20
Code Description
200A LEATHER
205B OWNERS MANUAL AND SERVICE RECORD - ENGLISH
221B SIGN COOLANT/ REFUELING - ENGLISH
236B WITHOUT CUSTOMER SERVICE - STATION INDEX
250B MOBILO LIFE/ EUROPE SERVICE PACKAGE
289 LEATHER STEERING WHEEL WITH TRIM INSERT
352 COMAND
423 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
461 INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND
500 ELECTRIC FOLDING OUTSIDE MIRROR
5XXL EUROPE
617 XENON HEADLAMPS, LEFT-HAND TRAFFIC
668 PRODUCT PROT. F FREIGHT PACKAG. W TIE-DOWN HOOKS
669 SPARE WHEEL / FOLDING WHEEL
673 HIGH-CAPACITY BATTERY
731 TRIM PIECES - WOOD BURRED WALNUT VENEER
803 CHANGE OF MODEL YEAR, THE LAST FIGURE SHOWING THE NEW MODEL YEAR
819 CD CHANGER
873 SEAT HEATER FOR LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEATS
875 HEATED SCREEN WASH SYSTEM
882 SENSOR SYSTEM AND ANTITHEFT ALARM SYSTEM
984 COC DOC., DELETION OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION DOC.
989 IDENTIFICATION LABEL UNDER WINDSHIELD
M112 V6-GASOLINE ENGINE M112
M37 DISPLACEMENT 3. 7 LITERS
N53 CONTROL CODE BREMEN PLAN
SUMMARY
Collected from the factory by its first owner in Spring 2003, this beautiful R230 is finished in 744 Brilliant Silver with Grey leather. Unlike the majority of R230’s of this age out there, this car is only showing three previous owners on the V5 and has not been through a succession of neglectful owners, who invariably just use it for the summer, then pass it on to the next owner, who does the same. In stark contrast each owner of this car has looked after it and adhered to the service schedule.
I bought this car from a fellow MB Club member late last year, and drove it 260 miles home from Essex, a trip I really enjoyed albeit with the roof up as it was November! He had acquired it back in April 2018 at just 47, 000 miles, it now shows just over 95K. During his seven-year ownership he covered 48, 000 wonderful miles (his words, not mine) mainly using it for summer tours in England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Jersey, The Netherlands, France. Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro etc, storing it over the winter months.
As it was used for such lengthy continental trips, it had to be reliable, so it’s been looked after properly, and a small fortune has been spent in its upkeep. Every point of concern you could possibly ask about when it comes to the R230 has been covered. This including replacement of the all important SBC unit with a brand new genuine part at a cost of over £2K in May 2025. To put into perspective how well this car has been maintained, a quick look through the history file, reveals that during the last seven years, more has been spent on its upkeep, than I’m actually asking for this car!
Notwithstanding the high level of maintenance this car has enjoyed, this is also undoubtedly the most reliable variant of the R230 SL, with conventional suspension (No expensive to fix ABC) and is powered by the legendary stoic M112 V6 coupled to the reliable 722. 6 5-Speed auto box. Later cars had the M272 V6 which was basically a ticking time bomb, thanks to the balance shaft sprocket issue, which could wear prematurely; to fix the problem is a £6K engine out job, but if it lets go, it destroys the engine, and the car is a write off. None of that hassle here, the M112 is one of MB’s best engines in a very long time.
So, if you’re looking for one of these fantastic Roadsters (and they are fantastic, it's an "SL" after all, the benchmark Roadster) but are weary of all the scare stories, and you’re trying to navigate the minefield of R230 purchase and ownership, then this one is undoubtedly for you. I’ve even thought about keeping it myself as its quite unlikely, I’ll find such a well sorted example, and one that also ticks all the reliability boxes i. e M112 engine, 722. 6 ‘box and conventional suspension.
THE MTSV DIFFERENCE
Unlike some, I don’t just simply go out, buy any old car, give it a good clean, then advertise it for more than the purchase price, disregarding any issues the car may have in the hope the new buyer won’t notice…I just couldn’t do that. The cars I source are carefully selected and I work very hard so that when my cars leave me, I have the satisfaction of knowing they are as good as they possibly can be within the constraints I have. As such I have many repeat customers and new customers that have been recommended via word of mouth…the ultimate accolade for anyone in business. To read more, see my website at - details above
Any other questions, please feel free to contact me at using the button below or on the details below. I'm a firstly and foremostly a true car enthusiast of many, many years, and a Mercedes Club Member, so it's a pleasure to meet and speak to like-minded people.
Finally, I'm situated in Keighley, West Yorkshire (Postal Code Area BD21) which is approximately 11 miles from Skipton, and 20 miles West of Leeds.
All major debit/ credit cards accepted.
