Highlights

Just over 49 thousand miles displayed
Fresh Hong Kong import, fully UK registered
Rare and high specification SL500
Long advisory free MOT

The Appeal

Consistently leading the pack when it comes to luxury high performance roadsters, the Mercedes SL needs little introduction. The fifth generation R230 continued that motif and quickly gained a reputation as the last word in performance convertibles, most notably the SL500, which proudly boasted a glorious V8 engine ripe for touring, a quality interior and, a first for the SL range, a fully retractable electric hard top roof.

With just over 49 thousand miles on the clock, this incredibly well specced Hong Kong import is a wonderful example of Mercedes' beloved touring cabriolet.

These fifth generation R230’s are quickly becoming appreciated as the perfect choice to be an all round, highly usable open top tourer and as such good examples are being snapped up in an instant. Clean, low mileage cars such as this simply do not come to market that often, so if you’re in the market for a truly excellent R230 generation Mercedes SL, now may be the time.

The History and Paperwork

First registered 11/07/2005
Originally a Hong Kong car where it has spent the majority of its life
Imported into the UK in mid 2023
Fully UK registered with V5 document present
Dry stored and well maintained throughout its time in Hong Kong hence the low mileage displayed
Accompanied by the Mercedes Benz book pack
Collection of invoices also present from Mercedes Benz main dealers in Hong Kong including the most recent “Service A” undertaken by Zung Fu Company LTD in 2022
Current MOT valid with no advisories until June 2024
Just one UK keeper
Speedo and odometer converted to miles

The Interior

High specification interior space of the utmost quality
Draped in impeccable cream and beige leather throughout, exceptionally well presented and highlighting very little in the way of wear or signs of age
Heated and vented electric memory seating presented in fine form, with strong bolstering and just some very light scuffing on the driver's seat base
Well upholstered door panels in a mix of cream and beige leather, smartly embellished with quality door furniture and trim
Lashings of wonderful wood trim used throughout the cabin, in excellent order, displaying with a deep gloss shine
Comes fitted with the rare factory optional extra wood trim steering wheel
Upgraded android touch screen head unit
Factory BOSE sound system
Interior switchgear is in fine fettle and all understood to be in good working order
Plush cream carpeting in clean, highly presentable shape
Well sized black carpeted boot area with space saver spare wheel and tool set
Clean well fitting headliner on the electric hard top roof

The Exterior

Timeless exterior styling which still presents as fresh today
Finished from the factory in a rare deep blue hue we understand to be Mercedes Tanzanite Blue
Paintwork is of a remarkably high quality and is a testament to the quality to which the car has been upheld in Hong Kong
Some light age related marks commensurate with age but certainly one of the finer preserved examples on the roads today
Electronically operated hard convertible top unlatches, and operates smoothly and with ease
Glass work, trim and badging all present exceptionally well
Panel gaps are consistent throughout
Sits on four upgraded 19” WEDS Kranze Bazreia alloy wheels, in good presentable form with just some light blemishing focused around the front wheels
Wheels shod in premium Pirelli tyres with significant tread

The Mechanics

Thunderous 5.0 litre Mercedes V8 situated under the bonnet
A truly excellent engine. Powerful and incredibly capable without being brash or excessive
Paired to a wonderfully smooth factory upgraded seven speed automatic transmission, ideal for touring or every day usage
Well maintained throughout its time in Hong Kong by Mercedes Benz dealers
The vendor informs us that the heater may need some attention as it has never been brought into use due to a life in the Hong Kong climate
Most recent “Service A” undertaken in 2022 around 1900 miles ago
The car is reported to fire into life quickly and comfortably provide a driving experience that is nothing short of excellent
Advisory free MOT until June 2024 for added mechanical peace of mind
Underside looks clean and solid upon inspection

Summary

Great as a GT, great as an outright sports car, the SL500 is the perfect choice for someone looking for a fine piece of German engineering that really can do it all. The R230 SLs represented a great leap forward in design and engineering both for the marque and for the model range itself. With more modern styling, equipment and running gear, these are most definitely the SLs to get into.

Low mileage,exceptionally presented and beautifully specced. This 2005 SL500 must surely be one of the best on the market today.

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