Highlights

One of only 2,000 Launch Edition cars
$9,500 of factory options when new
Bespoke Designo Silver with black leather and walnut trim
300bhp 5L V8 with 5spd automatic gearbox
Clean Carfax with 21 service records supporting mileage and damage-free history
RETAIL PRICE (ORIGINALLY NEW): $97,455.00 (or over € 140,000.00 with these options in the Netherlands)
All import duties and VAT have been paid

The Appeal

The R230 evolved the familiar profile of Mercedes’ SL, but it was perhaps the biggest step change in the model’s history, mostly due to the clever ‘Vario’ folding hard top. To mark its launch, Mercedes offered 2,000 lucky buyers the chance to acquire the limited ‘Designo Launch Edition’ (DLE) model. Finished in Designo Silver metallic with wood-trimmed black leather and smart 18in Avio five-spoke alloys, these exclusive cars added $9,500 to the standard SL500’s already high price.

That option pushed the purchase price of this 2003 DLE to nearly $100,000. It remains presentable and largely standard, save for black paint on the alloys. The bodywork presents well, with some variation in paint finish to note in photos. It comes with a clean Carfax report documenting 21 service records and confirming a damage-free past. It retains its matching 5.0-litre V8 and comes with the original window sticker and Mercedes-Benz datacard, detailing the extensive factory specification. Originally delivered in the United States, it has since been imported to the Netherlands with all duties and VAT settled. The full list of features and equipment is detailed below.

Key Information

Mileage: 84,053 miles indicated (supported by Carfax report with 21 service records)
Technical specs: 5.0-litre V8 petrol, 302 HP, five-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Paperwork: USA title, Dutch import documentation, original window sticker, Mercedes-Benz datacard, and clean Carfax report

This vehicle is sold with its original US Title. Please note that it has not yet been road-registered or safety- inspected within the EU. As a US-market vehicle, it is offered without a European Certificate of Conformity (COC). Registration will likely require Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) or National Homologation, depending on your country. We recommend checking your local regulations prior to purchase

Mercedes-Benz datacard information:

Interior Leather - Black/Anthracite (201a)
Paint 1 Designo-Silver Paintwork (029u)
200a Leather
212b Op. Instruct. And Maint. Booklet-Engl. For Usa/Can
221b Sign Coolant/Refueling - English
231 Garage Door Opener
236b Without Customer Service - Station Index
264 Shifting Gate For Automatic Transmission
289 Leather Steering Wheel With Trim Insert
349 Prep. For Emergency Call System
352 Comand
401 Single Seats
404 Multi-Contour Seat, Front Left
405 Multi-Contour Seat, Front Right
423 5-Speed Automatic Transmission
461 Instrument With Miles Ind. And English Legend
487 Abc Suspension (Active Body Control)
494 U.S. Version
524 Paintwork - Preservation
614 Bi-Xenon Headlamps For Right-Hand Traffic
634 Deletion - First Aid Kit
636 Deletion - Warning Triangle
660 Amg Double-Spoke Wheels 18" With Mixed Tires
668 Product Prot. F Freight Packag. W Tie-Down Hooks
669 10 Liters Of Fuel And Mode Of Packing Ve I
673 High-Capacity Battery
731 Trim Pieces - Wood Burred Walnut Veneer
7xxl North And South America
802 Aej 01/1/X
810 Premium Sound System
819 Cd Changer
875 Heated Screen Wash System
M113 V8-Gasoline Engine M113
M50 Displacement 5.0 Liter
N98 Control Code Bremen Plant
U27 Outside Door Handle In Chrome
U44 Luggage Net Set In Luggage Compartment (3-Piece)
X00 Leather, Designo, Uni-Color
X11 Leather, Designo-Black, Uni-Color
Y83 Designo Alcantara Anthracite Roof Interior Trim
Y86 Launch Edition

The Detail

Extra option that come with this car (from factory):

Y86 – Designo Launch Edition Package — $9,500

029U Designo Silver Metallic paint
X00 / X11 Designo Black leather interior
Y83 Designo Anthracite Alcantara headliner
660 18-inch AMG double-spoke / Launch Edition alloy wheels with staggered tires
404 / 405 Multi-contour front seats
Ventilated front-seat function associated with the Launch Edition specification
614 Bi-Xenon headlamps
289 Leather/wood steering wheel with trim insert
Special Designo / burred-walnut interior treatment
Launch Edition exterior and interior detailing

Gas Guzzler Tax: $1,300
Original destination/delivery charge: $665

Factory option list:

Safety

Illuminated emergency interior trunk release
Pop-up roll bar
Adjustable seat-mounted 3-point front shoulder belts with height adjustment and emergency tensioning retractors
Door-mounted head and body side-impact airbags
Babysmart automatic child seat recognition system
Driver and front passenger front airbag supplemental restraint system
Sensotronic Brake Control
Brake Assist System – applies full braking power automatically when needed
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Automatic Slip Control (ASR)
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)

Interior

Tele-Aid, including 24-hour contact with Mercedes-Benz for emergency aid, information and roadside assistance
Dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors
Rearview mirror with auto-dimming feature
Bose sound system with AudioPilot
Anti-theft-coded AM/FM stereo
Weather-band radio
CD player/CD-ROM drive
CD changer controls
8 speakers
Navigation system
COMAND system
Rear window defroster
Automatic dual-zone climate control
Dust filter
Residual-heat REST mode
Anti-theft alarm system with starter interlock and tow-away protection
Cruise control
Dual reading lamps
Universal integrated garage door opener
Remote illuminated entry
Selective/programable locking/unlocking
Remote keyless entry, including doors and trunk release
4 inside storage compartments
Window closing
Power door locks with central locking system
Power windows with express-down control and 1-touch up/down for all windows
Multi-function steering wheel
Power tilt/telescoping steering column
Parcel net in right footwell
Velour carpeting and floor mats
Illuminated/climate-controlled glove box and armrest storage
Dual retractable cup holders
Hand-polished wood trim on console and doors
Hand-fitted leather seat trim
Hand-fitted leather head restraints
Hand-fitted leather dashboard
Hand-fitted leather console
Hand-fitted leather doors
Hand-fitted leather armrests
Hand-fitted leather roll bar
Hand-fitted leather rear cabin panels
Hand-fitted leather steering wheel
Hand-fitted leather shift knob
12-way power/heated front bucket seats
3-position seat memory
Lumbar support

Exterior

Dual aero-blade windshield wipers
Heated parking position
Infrared rain sensor
Dual heated power mirrors
3-position mirror memory
Auto-dimming driver's mirror
Red rear fog lamp
Halogen front fog lamps
Automatic-on Xenon high-intensity-discharge low-beam headlamps
Halogen high beams
Heated headlamp washers
Attachable mesh wind deflector
Electrohydraulic retractable aluminum hardtop

Mechanical

Brake Assist System
Sensotronic Brake Control
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Front cross-drilled disc brakes
Rear ventilated disc brakes
Rack-and-pinion vehicle-speed-sensitive power steering
17" x 8.5" 7-spoke aluminum wheels
Compact spare tire
P255/45WR17 all-season high-performance tires
Active Body Control (ABC)
Coil springs
Electronically controlled hydraulic cylinder with gas-pressurized shock absorber at each wheel
Independent 4-link front suspension
Independent 5-arm rear suspension
Anti-dive suspension technology
Fully electronic ignition system
Knock sensor timing control
Rear-wheel drive
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Automatic Slip Control (ASR)
5-speed automatic transmission
5.0L SOHC SMPI 24-valve V8 engine

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 of this vehicle is registered as a business seller. And you are covered by Car & Classic’s Terms and Conditions.

✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted. Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.

✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.

✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.

✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.

✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it's always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer.

✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection

or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it's worth checking beforehand. It is the bidders responsibility to confirm import eligibility prior to purchase.

✓ Unless stated otherwise, you must assume that any cherished, personalised, or heritage vehicle registration is not included in the sale of a vehicle.