Highlights

Very low mileage R230 with lovely specification in excellent condition
Desirable Brabus mechanical and cosmetic modifications help this car really stand out
Full Mercedes main dealer service history
Capable and quick with coupe or convertible versatility and sumptuous luxury features

The Appeal

The R230 Mercedes effortlessly evolved the firm’s SL lineage, offering the high levels of performance, comfort and luxury that buyers of these expensive cars expected. For owners who wanted to individualise their cars there was the high end tuning firm Brabus which provided an array of ways to bespoke these cars.

This very low mileage SL500 has benefitted from that process, tasteful Brabus cosmetic and mechanical upgrades creating a machine that offers something a little extra and different to the bidder. With full Mercedes service history, sumptuous luxury specification and the versatility of graceful coupe or convertible driving, it looks tailor-made for indulgent weekend getaways longer summer road trips.

The History and Paperwork

Mercedes DATACARD show that this car was built at the firm’s Dusseldorf factory on 20th January 2003
First UK registered with DVLA on 1st December 2004
Continuous DVLA MOT history verifies the low mileage
Full Mercedes service history with 11 stamps, most recently on 28th July 2022 at 23,859 miles
Thick history file shown in photographs

The Interior

High luxury specification including Exclusive Nappa Leather black anthracite electric multi-contour seats with memory, heating, ventilation and massage functions
Burr walnut veneers throughout
Aftermarket infotainment system fitted but original factory sound system and CD multi-changer supplied with car
Parktronic and Comand navigation system factory fitted
Optional Alcantara Alpaca Grey roof trim
Leather and wood steering wheel in good condition
Brabus mats and carbon entrance sills

The R230 Mercedes leaned into the SL’s traditional theme of understated luxury with an interior that neatly blended opulence with function.

The SL500 was already a highly appointed car but this one left the factory with some useful and desirable options, including high specification electric front seats with heating, ventilation and massage functions. They remain in very good condition, just some light wear to the driver’s seat bolster to note. The door trims are excellent as are the many switches and quality fittings around the interior.

Optional Alcantara Alpaca Grey leather roof trim is also fitted. Elsewhere the beautiful burr walnut trim is in very good condition. There are Brabus floor mats and carbon entrance sills.

An aftermarket high end infotainment system is fitted but the seller states that the original sound system with its CD multi-changer is with the car as is a Nokia car phone set up.

There is a useful set of Roadsterbag fitted luggage with the car and optional keyless entry.

The Exterior

Factory Green Black metallic paintwork code 189U in excellent condition
Tasteful Brabus enhancements including front and rear bumpers, badges and VI multi-piece alloy wheels
Brabus quad-exit sports exhaust
Handsome R230 lines with purposeful vents and skirt trims

The R230 is unmistakably a Mercedes SL, long, low and taut with clever and tasteful detailing. This car is finished in Green Black metallic, a beguiling colour that is, as the name suggests, either green or black depending on the light. The paintwork is in very good condition, with just a handful of inevitable stone chips on the front to note.

This car benefits from Brabus enhancements such as the front and rear bumpers and those lovely VI multi-spoke alloy wheels which are in unmarked and uncurbed condition. It also has Brabus badges.

The underside matches the bodywork and is typical of such a low mileage car. There were no structural advisories on the current or MOT.

The Mechanics

Powered by Mercedes-Benz’ trusty M113 - a 5.0L V8 power plant
Automatic 5spd 5G-TRONIC transmission
MOT to August with two minor advisories for two front ball joints
Brabus ABC suspension lowering kit
We understand from the seller that the car also has Brabus tuning but at the time of writing we do not know any more details
Full Mercedes main dealer service history including most recently in July 2022 around 1,000 miles ago

Mercedes’ M113 engine gives the SL500 swift, effortless performance, its gentle burble enhanced here by a Brabus four-exit exhaust. Power is delivered to the rear wheels through Mercedes’ 5spd automatic gearbox with semi-automatic function.

This low mileage 2004 car has full Mercedes Benz service history with 11 service book stamps, most recently in July 2022 around 1,000 miles ago. There is a thick history file to support the impression of careful stewardship by its three owners.

To back up the intent promised by the Brabus cosmetic enhancements we understand from the vendor that this car has been Brabus-tuned, although we do not have any further details.

Summary

The R230 Mercedes offered buyers a typically SL combination of comfort, pace and luxury. The V8-engined SL500 added power and a gently burbling soundtrack that this Brabus-enhanced car plays further into.

It is a low mileage, low owner car with a raft of history and full set of Mercedes dealer servicing stamps. Add in the tasteful Brabus enhancements and surely this is an enticing prospect for any collector.

Notice to bidders

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