When Mercedes-Benz replaced the R129 generation of SL in 2001, it brought the model bang up to date and created one of the most desirable cars of the early 2000s at the same time.
The new R230 model was not only sleek and stylish, but it also added new technology, modernised styling and a much more modern cabin. It also introduced the company’s trademark electric folding hard top – or VarioRoof - to the model, which had debuted four years earlier on the SLK.
It was a strikingly handsome car but also a very expensive one. At launch, it was offered only as the 386bhp SL500 but in 2002, Mercedes-Benz introduced an ‘entry-level’ SL 350 – at just under £55,000, the 242bhp V6 was hardly pennies, but it was a more affordable option to both buy and run.
The R230SL set new standards for Mercedes-Benz in terms of dynamics and handling, too. The company was competing in Formula One in conjunction with McLaren at the time and the British company played a hand in helping develop the new SL, which was dynamically leagues ahead of its R129 predecessor.
This 2002 example has covered just 53,307 miles from new and has been impeccably well maintained, with a full service record.
THE HISTORY
This is a genuine low mileage, backed up by a comprehensive history record. In its early years it generally covered less than 1,500 between annual MOTs and has covered around 4,000 miles a year since.
It has a superb MOT history with no reference to any corrosion advisories or major issues.
The car has a valid MOT. It also has two sets of keys.
THE PAPERWORK
There is a fair bit of paperwork available to back up the Mercedes-Benz’s pedigree. These include a full V5C in the name of the vendor and the original manufacturer wallet, containing the owners’ manual, audio manual and dealer directory as well as the service book.
THE EXTERIOR
Finished in Ice Silver, it’s by far the best and most popular colour for an R230SL, especially with this model’s optional five-spoke alloys.
All of the paintwork is original and there are no scuffs, marks or dents. Indeed, it has all the hallmarks of a car that had been properly looked after throughout its life. There are no signs of corrosion on top or underneath the car and it still looks bright and clean despite being over 18 years old.
The electric ‘VarioRoof’ is a work of art and folds at the touch of a button, taking just 30 seconds to go from fixed-head coupe to full-on convertible, while it also features an electric windbreak/rollover bar. It’s a wonderful looking car in exceptional order, and with good tyres all round.
THE INTERIOR
The dark leather is smart and well-presented, giving the car an air of upmarket luxury. It’s in excellent condition, the only minor fault we could find being some damage to the plastic side trim on the driver’s seat. Easy enough to replace if it bothers you, but not visible once you’re seated.
All of the dials and controls appear to operate as intended and the factory-standard Mercedes COMAND system operates as it should, controlling the air con, radio, sat nav and a few other of the car’s features. This was the height of technology back in 2003 and it’s still quite impressive today.
THE MECHANICS
While the V8 500 is the flagship of the SL range, the 350 is by no means the poor relation. Under the bonnet, it has a 3.7-litre V6 with 242bhp on tap – enough for 0-60mph in 7.4 seconds and a top speed of 155mph, so more than enough to keep up with modern traffic.
This one is in fine fettle thanks to its low mileage and impeccable service record. It fires up on the button (quite literally, as it features a start/stop button on top of the gear selector) and settles to a smooth and steady idle. There’s no excessive smoke and it operates smoothly through all of the gears. The vendor reports that the suspension, steering and brakes are all fine.
Critically, unlike the V8-powered SLs, this one doesn’t feature Mercedes’s Active Body Control. The hydraulic system may have given the SL unbeatable dynamics when new, but it is notoriously fragile and expensive to maintain so its absence will help keep the next owner’s running costs down by virtue of it being a much simpler car, yet one that’s still just as rewarding to drive.
THE APPEAL
We probably don't have to explain the appeal of an SL that hard, as you only have to look at it to appreciate its finer points.
When it was new, it was one of the best cars in the world and in many ways it still is. It looks sensational and is still a delight to drive, while in 350 flavour it’s also going to be the most economical way into SL ownership.
Right now, the R230 SL represents incredible value and we can't see them getting any cheaper . Indeed the colour, specification and maintenance record of this example make it as much of a sensible investment for the future as it is a sports and touring car that you can get in and enjoy every day.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the sellers discretion.
Please see our FAQ's here and our Terms & Conditions here
Consulta le nostre FAQ
qui
e i nostri Termini e condizioni
qui
Il modo più sicuro per acquistare un'auto d'epoca online
Il sistema di pagamento sicuro di Car & Classic protegge acquirenti e venditori. Al termine dell'asta, l'offerente vincente trasferisce il pagamento su un conto vincolato di terzi. Una volta completato il trasferimento del veicolo, entrambe le parti confermano di essere soddisfatte della vendita e il denaro viene rilasciato al venditore.
Maggiori informazioni su come acquistare con noi
2003 Mercedes-Benz (R230) SL 350
Come funzionano le offerte massime
Il processo di offerta massima ti permette di fare offerte senza preoccupazioni.
Inserisci la tua offerta massima e il sistema farà offerte automaticamente per assicurarsi che tu sia il miglior offerente - fino all'ammontare da te stabilito come tetto massimo.
Anti-sniping
Car & Classic contrasta il fenomeno dello “sniping”, ovvero il fenomeno dei rilanci all'ultimo secondo per vincere l'asta.
Se viene fatta un'offerta nei 3 minuti prima della chiusura dell'asta, la scadenza di questa viene automaticamente estesa di 2 minuti per permettere agli altri offerenti di reagire e, se lo desiderano, di rilanciare.
Incrementi di offerta automatica
Se la sua offerta massima è uguale o inferiore al prezzo di riserva, la sua offerta massima sarà applicata per intero se lei è il miglior offerente.
Se siete il miglior offerente e fate un'offerta massima superiore a quella di riserva, la riserva verrà automaticamente inserita come prima offerta.
Una volta raggiunta la riserva, Car & Classic si assicurerà che tu sia il miglior offerente utilizzando solo gli incrementi di offerta indicati di seguito.
Vi terremo in testa fino alla vostra offerta massima O all'incremento più vicino alla vostra offerta massima, a condizione che la vostra offerta massima sia sufficiente a coprire il valore dell'incremento.
Ammontare dell'offerta
Incremento
Da £0 a £9,999
£100.00
Da £10,000 a £49,999
£250.00
Da £50,000 a £99,999
£500.00
£100,000 +
£1,000.00
Superamento immediato dell'offerta
Quando piazzi un'offerta massima e questa viene immediatamente superata, questo significa che un altro offerente ha impostato una soglia di offerta massima superiore alla tua.
Puoi fare nuovamente un'offerta o impostare una soglia più alta di offerta massima e il nostro sistema rilancerà fino alla nuova soglia, cercando di portarti a essere il miglior offerente.
Offerte massime di pari ammontare
Quando ci sono due offerte massime di pari ammontare, quella impostata per prima è quella che viene considerata “migliore offerta”.
Pre-autorizzazione
Potremmo trattenere un piccolo importo di pre-autorizzazione sulla tua carta fino alla fine dell'asta, quando quest'ultimo verrà poi stornato. Se vinci, verrà prelevata una caparra che verrà detratta dal pagamento del prezzo di vendita per il veicolo e non comporta costi aggiuntivi per te.
Cosa sono le Offerte pre-asta?
Offerte pre-asta significa che avete la possibilità di fare offerte prima dell'inizio ufficiale dell'asta.
Verrà comunicato se si è il miglior offerente o meno all'inizio dell'asta.
Problema con l'offerta
Le offerte sono contrattualmente vincolanti. Per tutelare l'utente, sono previste alcune regole nel caso in cui si ritenga che sia stato digitato in modo errato. Si prega di controllare e modificare quanto inserito.