Highlights

The ultimate version of the excellent R230 cruiser
Low mileage car in very good condition
Only three registered keepers
Over £16,000 invested since 2008
Recent £2,500 improvements across car
Enthusiast-owned as part of a small collection
Long MOT to March 2026 with no advisories

The Appeal

If you want the best, buy the best. That applies equally to the specification of this top-of-the-range R230 SL600 V12 as to its very high level of presentation.

In the early Noughties Mercedes-Benz found itself in a technological race with BMW. That meant V12 engines, which we can now see as the high water mark of the fossil-fuelled era. In the SL600 it meant 500bhp, assisted by a pair of turbos. The result? A beautifully engineered, carefully built and highly appointed long distance express.

This low mileage Cubanite Silver SL600 has had just three keepers in its life, all of whom have clearly cherished it. The current keeper acquired it last year to join a small high end collection, but has now chosen to thin that down. It wears its age and usage very lightly, helped no doubt by over £16,000 being invested since 2008 in servicing and maintenance.

Since the seller bought the car he has spent £2,500 on it, attending to whatever needed done, however minor. We’ve listed the work below - the level of detail shown is indicative of this qualified engineer’s approach to maintenance. The result is a car that arrives on the market in rude mechanical and cosmetic conditon ready for the buyer to enjoy. That is a point underlines by the long, advisory-free MOT. With its versatile folding hard top, this great GT is ready for European sunshine or more British summer climes!

The vendor says:

“Perhaps it is good to mention that I'm in my 70s. I was 46 years at Rolls-Royce Aerospace as a manufacturing specialist/quality manager so I'm used to keeping things correct. I own two other performance cars, an SL55 and a Bentley Continental, and I just sold an Arnage; they are all toys. I have an Audi four-wheel-drive as my daily driver.”

History and Paperwork

First registered 21st August 2003
Very early SL600 production model
Three registered keepers from new
Current keeper since September 2024
MOT with no advisories to 26th March 2026
Recent maintenance includes investment in key components detailed below
Current keeper has experience in maintaining high-performance vehicles
£14,000 spent since 2008 according to detailed provided by seller
Previous keeper elderly gentleman
Various invoices as shown
Factory handbooks

Recent work since September 2024 totalling £2,500:

Replace main battery
ABC Suspension strut completing full set of replacement during car’s life
Two lower control arms
Main water pump
Electric water pump
Vacuum pump motor and vanes
Antifreeze refreshed
Replenishment of air-conditioning system
Full strip of all four wheels back to bare metal refinished and new alloy valve stems
Radar dome Mercedes emblem in the front grill replaced for the active cruise control
All rubber seals around the boot and roof have been treated
Roof mechanism lubricated at all pivot points

Mercedes-benz Datacard:

Fin Wdb2304762f060388
Model Sl 600
Engine 275951 40 006137
Transmission 722649 04 671088
Order Number 0 3 537 28670
Order Location Great Britain And Northern Ireland
Production Number 3310464
Interior Exclusive Leather - Black/Anthracite (501a)
Paint 1 Cubanite Silver - Metallic (723u)
Release Date 2003-07-29
Delivery Date 2003-07-30
205b Owners Manual And Service Record - English
219 Proximity-Controlled Cruise Control
220 Parktronic System (Pts)
221b Sign Coolant/Refueling - English
236b Without Customer Service - Station Index
250b Mobilo Life/Europe Service Package
284 Selector Lever, Wood
289 Leather Steering Wheel With Trim Insert
352 Comand
390 Linguatronic-Englich(British)
401 Front Seat Climate Control
404 Multi-Contour Seat, Front Left
405 Multi-Contour Seat, Front Right
423 5-Speed Automatic Transmission
443 Heated Steering Wheel
461 Instrument With Miles Ind. And English Legend
475 Tire Pressure Control
487 Abc Suspension (Active Body Control)
500 Electric Folding Outside Mirror
500a Exclusive Leather Trim
5xxl Europe
618 Bi-Xenon Headlamps For Left-Hand Traffic
668 Product Prot. F Freight Packag. W Tie-Down Hooks
669 Spare Wheel / Folding Wheel
673 High-Capacity Battery
736 Trim Pieces - Ash Tree Wood Black (2a70)
803 Change Of Model Year, The Last Figure Showing The New Model Year
810 Premium Sound System
819 Cd Changer
854 Rear Entertainment Plus
860 Tv-Tuner Analog
875 Heated Screen Wash System
882 Sensor System And Antitheft Alarm System
889 Keyless - Go
984 Coc Doc., Deletion Of Vehicle Registration Doc.
989 Identification Label Under Windshield
F230 Series Production 230
Ga Automatic Transmission
Ha Rear Axle
M275 V12-Gasoline Engine M275 Bi-Turbo
M55 Capacity 5,5 Litre
N99 Control Code Bremen Plant
R Right-Hand Steering
U12 Floor Mats - Velour
Y83 Designo Alcantara Anthracite Roof Interior Trim

The Condition

Rare and attractive Cubanite Silver metallic (723U) paintwork in very good condition
Few indications of age or use visible in photos or reported by seller
Bodywork presents very well no reported dents, dings or accident damage
Folding metal hard top in very good order and reported to work correctly
All rubber seals around the boot and roof have been treated
Roof mechanism lubricated at all pivot points
Underside in good order with no structural advisories on last MOT
Factory standard car with five spoke alloys which have been recently refurbished
Alloy rims and Michelin tyres in very good order with no notable damage and good tread
Fitted with factory space saver spare wheel and compressor kit as shown
Bi Xenon headlights appear clear and unmisted and work correctly
Exclusive charcoal leather interior (201A) appears barely worn due to low mileage
High specification car as detailed above including heated wheel, memory electric seats and high end stereo
Ash Tree Wood Black veneers and Alcantara headlining in good order
Switchgear, trim and carpets show no noticeable wear in photos
No reported electrical, lighting, switchgear or dial faults
No dashboard warning lights notified

The Mechanics

M275 5,513cc V12 twin turbo 500bhp engine
5spd automatic gearbox with sequential functionality
0-60 mph in 4.7secs
Innovative ABC adaptive suspension system working correctly
Over £16,000 invested since 2008
£2,500 spent on mechanical and other repairs since September 2024
Maintenance overseen by qualified engineer who owns other high end classic sports cars
List of work above and summarised below
Full set of ABC suspension struts replaced
New main and electric water pumps installed
Vacuum pump motor and vanes replaced
Air-conditioning system replenished after water pump replacement
Well maintained car with no reported faults or issues
No advisories on current MOT

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..

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