Description
2000 MERCEDES-BENZ S55 AMG V8 – 129K – HUGE SPEC – OLD-SCHOOL AMG MADNESS
There was a period around the turn of the millennium when Mercedes apparently gathered its engineers into a room and asked:
“How much equipment can we possibly fit into one car?”
Someone replied:
“Yes.”
And this is basically the result.
An early Mercedes-Benz S55 AMG, powered by a proper naturally aspirated AMG V8 and fitted with so many electrically operated things I’m surprised the glovebox doesn’t have memory settings.
It has covered 129, 000 miles, although looking at it you genuinely wouldn’t think so.
Then there’s the colour.
It originally left Mercedes in black. A previous owner looked at a perfectly respectable black S55 AMG and thought:
“No. This needs to be BLUE.”
Not navy blue. Not discreet blue.
BLUE blue.
And frankly, I think they were right.
More importantly, this wasn’t a cheap exterior blow-over. The car was properly stripped and professionally repainted throughout, including the door shuts and inner areas. The result looks fantastic and gives the car enormous presence.
THEN YOU OPEN THE DOOR...
And discover Mercedes fitted virtually everything.
Electric memory front seats.
Heated front seats.
Cooled front seats.
Electric rear seats.
Heated rear seats.
Cooled rear seats.
Because apparently arriving somewhere with a warm backside was considered unacceptable in Stuttgart.
There’s also front and rear electric lumbar adjustment, electric headrests, Alcantara headlining and pillars, wood-trimmed grab handles, double glazing, factory tinted glass including the windscreen, electric sunroof, electric rear blind, BOSE, climate control, electric steering column, Airmatic and soft-close doors and boot.
Even shutting your own door properly was considered beneath you.
Then there’s the original Nokia 6310i.
And yes.
IT WORKS.
Meaning this car contains a telephone whose battery will probably survive longer than human civilisation.
The original Mercedes satellite navigation works too, although nowadays it’s probably best regarded as an interactive historical exhibit.
AND THEN THERE'S THE ENGINE.
A proper AMG V8.
No fake exhaust noise through speakers. No computer deciding how sporty you'd like to sound today.
Just a large V8 at the front.
As God and AMG intended.
Around town it behaves like an enormous leather gentleman’s club: quiet, comfortable, double-glazed, with everyone’s backside maintained at precisely the temperature requested.
Then press the accelerator and the gentleman’s club suddenly remembers it was built by AMG.
CONDITION & HISTORY
Despite the mileage, this is an exceptionally clean car. Obviously it’s a 26-year-old performance Mercedes rather than something stored inside a nitrogen-filled glass cube, so there are naturally some age-related imperfections.
Overall, though, it presents remarkably well.
It has been fully serviced and recently received a brand-new battery and new soft-close pump.
It comes with two keys, original booklets and comprehensive service history, along with original carpets and first-aid kit.
SPECIFICATION INCLUDES:
Factory Xenon headlights
Automatic headlights/ washers
Factory tinted glass including windscreen
Double glazing
Electric glass sunroof
Full leather interior
Electric memory front seats
Heated & ventilated front seats
Electrically adjustable rear seats
Heated & ventilated rear seats
Front & rear electric lumbar support
Electric headrests
Full Alcantara headlining & pillars
Wood-trimmed grab handles
Electric rear windscreen blind
Electric steering column
Dual-zone climate control
BOSE sound system
Working factory navigation
Working Nokia 6310i
Airmatic suspension
Soft-close doors & boot
Genuine AMG wheels
Two keys
Comprehensive history
And probably another seventeen things I’ve forgotten because reading an S-Class options list eventually becomes a full-time job.
SO WHAT IS IT?
Is it economical?
No.
Is it small?
Obviously not.
Will your neighbour’s 1. 0-litre crossover have cheaper road tax and Apple CarPlay?
Almost certainly.
But your neighbour owns a 1. 0-litre crossover, so they’ve already lost the argument.
This is from an era when Mercedes engineers seemingly had an unlimited budget and absolutely no adult supervision.
A big naturally aspirated V8. Rear-wheel drive. Double glazing. Airmatic. Alcantara everywhere. Four people can electrically adjust their seats while simultaneously heating or refrigerating their bottoms.
And there’s a Nokia telephone.
What more could civilisation possibly have achieved?
Gloriously unnecessary, beautifully over-engineered and from an era of Mercedes we're simply not getting back.
And every time you park it, you’ll turn around and look at it.
Mostly because it’s bright blue and roughly the size of Belgium.
Serious enquiries welcome.
“£2, 500 cash tonight mate” will unfortunately have to continue searching for a diesel C-Class with three warning lights and an MOT until Thursday.
