Highlights
- Just under 27 thousand miles on the clock
- Accompanied by an impressive collection of Mercedes service history
- Powered by a legendary AMG V8 engine
- New 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, boasting a glorious AMG tuned V8, a quality interior and, a first for the SL range, a fully retractable electric hard top roof.
RX04 BVP is a rather excellent example of the model, displaying an astoundingly low 26 thousand miles on the clock this SL presents in near factory fresh condition and is accompanied by a thorough collection of Mercedes Benz service history.
Immaculate inside and out, incredibly low mileage, there may be no finer example of an R230 SL55 than the one we have here today.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered 13/04/2004
- Accompanied by a vast set of Mercedes Benz main dealer service history
- Leather bound folder containing Mercedes operating manuals and owners literature
- Mercedes service book with regular stamped services
- V5 registration document present with the car
- MOT valid with no advisories through until November
- Dry stored throughout its current ownership
The Interior
- Quality black leather upholstery
- High specification interior
- Massaging seats
Looking into the inside, we see a beautifully crafted black leather cabin, presented excellently as to be expected of a 26,000 mile car. The seats front and rear, draped in black leather are of an outstanding condition, with incredibly minimal wear they look almost as if they haven’t been sat in, and come with factory specified massage functions which are in great working order. The door cards and door furniture are of an equally great condition, as are the carpets, all looking as though they’re straight out of the factory in 2004.
At the front of the cabin sits a beautifully sculpted dash panel. Draped in swathes of quality leather, this is of an impeccable standard and houses a neat collection of switchgear and the great entertainment and navigation screen, all of which is in good order and reported to function fully. A retracting sun blind resides at the top of the cabin within the convertible roof panel, and in the rear one is presented with a sizable, neat and clean carpeted boot space.
Alongside its comfort and performance perks, the SL range has always been seen as an industry leader in terms of safety. For open top driving, Mercedes installed an electrically operated fold out leather roll bar to aid in the case of an accident, the bar still functions correctly and raises and lowers with just a push of a button stowed in the centre console.
The Exterior
- Fully retractable hard top roof
- Deep black factory paint work
- Excellent Mercedes Benz 18” alloy wheels
A long sweeping bonnet, timeless Mercedes styling. The SL simply oozes class and style.
A rich black hue drapes its way over the Mercedes’ elegant body lines, arguably the finest colour choice for a car of this calibre. The paintwork itself is of a marvellous standard and presents as such, distinctly lacking in wear, blemishing and signs of age, highlighting just how well this car has been cared for throughout its 18 year lifespan.
Of course a standout feature of the SL range comes in the form of the roof. The R230 era SLs were the first to come as standard with a full retractable hard top convertible roof system, to provide a brilliant open top experience with a more uniform look as opposed to the contrasting fabric roof of prior models and with the added security and waterproofing benefits of a hard top. With the roof up on the car, many wouldn’t even know it was necessarily a convertible.
The roof on this particular car works excellently and functions to its fullest extent, opening and closing quickly and quietly with just the push or pull of the interior mounted roof button.
At ground level sits a marvellous set of four factory 18” Mercedes Benz alloy wheels, these really are in amazing condition, and present with very little, if anything in the way of wear or the all too familiar kerb damage.
The trim, badging and glass work placed so well around the car is all of a great clean quality and all works to show the high standard to which this car has been upheld.
The Mechanics
- Outstanding AMG tuned Mercedes V8 engine
- Well maintained by Mercedes main dealers
- Paired with an excellent automatic transmission
A perfect, stylish and subtle GT that packs a brutish performance punch at the request of the driver and their right foot. The SL55 is a very special car indeed and so much of that comes down to the excellent power train nestled under the long sloping bonnet. A glorious 5439 cc AMG tuned V8 finds its home in the SL and it really can be seen as the perfect grand touring engine. When needed it can be quiet and sedate, but for those who enjoy a loud blast along a rewarding b road, it has you covered.
The example in this particular car is of a brilliant standard, and with 26 thousand miles on the clock, it is barely run in. These engines are famed for their longevity, and with this one having been subject to extensive and regular maintenance and servicing Mercedes dealers, buyers can rest assured this SL has many years and many more miles of life left in it.
On the road the SL is reported to provide an excellent drive, with the amazing automatic transmission cycling through the gears effortlessly and doing a wonderful job of getting all that AMG power down onto the road ahead.
Summary
Great as a GT, great as an outright sports car, the SL55 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.
With just 26 thousand miles on the clock this particular example can be seen as near new. Presenting beautifully, RX04 BVP wants for nothing and is ready to be enjoyed on a road trip and a country drive by a new loving owner for many years to come.
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