**The photos in this listing have been provided to us by the seller**
Guide Price: £7,000 - £10,000
Highlights
﹒Very low mileage 5.0L Mercedes V8 ﹒Well maintained example with no expense spared ﹒Good working order mechanical roof ﹒Plenty of paperwork
The Background
Mercedes-Benz’s SL model line has always represented a keen and effervescent mixture of luxury, style and sporting prowess, right back to the elegant Pagodas of the early 1960s. (And, of course, the iconic gull-wings that came before.) And with the R230 generation of the early-2000s, this heady formula was bolstered by some unprecedented next-gen booksmarts. With design and development taking place through the late-1990s, the R230 SL was formed via two parallel methods – alongside the traditional clay models, there was also the introduction of ‘CAVE’ (Computer Aided Virtual Environment) supercomputer technology, allowing designers and engineers to minutely scrutinise, hone and refine every single element. And this attention to detail is evident throughout every R230 SL; quality machines, built solidly, and fabulously well appointed.
The SL 500 is truly a thing to behold, as the brawny profile is backed up by thunderous performance: under the bonnet resides a 5.0-litre V8, serving up a supremely muscular 302bhp and 339lb.ft. Monstrous prowess, for sure – but this car was no hooligan; with a refined and cosseting interior, and a beautifully supple ride, this was as much as a grand tourer as it was a backroad toy. And today these cars represent incredible value for money – twenty-first century engineering, high levels of equipment and, naturally, stellar performance, all for a fraction of the price of a modern-day SL. It’s an attractive proposition, isn’t it?
The current owner knew what he wanted when he was looking for this car, and he was willing to go the distance for the right one. So when this example came up for sale in Kingston-upon-Thames in the spring of 2018, he thought nothing of making the journey down from Scotland to collect it – after all, the right car is the right car. It was in immaculate condition, had always been garaged, and never came out in the rain. A lovingly maintained SL, he’s continued this tradition by taking a true no-expense-spared approach – this car has wanted for nothing, and the condition it’s presented in now is just as immaculate as when he got hold of it.
The documentation demonstrates the care with which this SL has been looked after. During this owner’s tenure it’s been correctly attended to by specialists, and we can see that the first thing he did upon receiving his new pride-and-joy was to treat it to a full service at Mercedes Edinburgh, along with a new near-side wing mirror, wiper blades, air conditioning service, and a thorough waxing to prevent corrosion.
In June 2019, Howard Selby Auto Services replaced the fuel pump and ancillaries, then in August replaced the hydraulic pump, timing belt and fluids. In September 2019, Mercedes Edinburgh replaced the crank position sensor, and in July of this year they recalibrated the settings for the tyre pressure sensors and renewed the NSF lower ball joint, gaiter and supporting joint. The most recent work was to replace the gear selector module in August, and all of this is documented in the file – as is the fact that everything has been replaced with genuine Mercedes-Benz parts.
The R230’s interior is a beautifully designed thing, with each seat existing in a sort of capsule created by the shape of the wraparound dash. And as you’d expect of a car that’s been so well looked after, it’s all in tip-top condition here. The seats (which are heated, and feature all manner of electric adjustment options) are in excellent condition with no rips, tears or bolster wear. The only minor blemish – and it is a very minor one – is a little wear on the top of the gear knob around the start button.
All of the switchgear works as it should, and the SL boasts an impressive spec: it’s got keyless entry, with the start/stop button on top of the gear lever, and the roof is electric and happily goes up and down just as it should with no issues. The boot lift struts were also replaced in December. The sat-nav works and comes with the correct disc, and the car is equipped with fold-in mirrors, and a switch for summer/winter traction. Everything’s here, everything works. The inside of the boot is similarly tidy, and under the boot floor resides a space-saver spare and quality battery.
It’s an imposing and attractive design, and once again it’s obvious that this car’s always been looked after. There’s absolutely no rust anywhere on the body, it’s pristine from bonnet to boot, and the paintwork has a fabulous lustre to it. All of the lights are in A1 condition with no crazing or misting, and the fog-lights (which are often prone to stone chips) are free from cracks or damage.
The underside is equally impressive – there’s no evidence of accident damage or corrosion, and this should continue to be the case as the owner’s had it treated with wax. The door shuts and inside the roof mechanism all look brand new, as befits a cherished car of such low mileage. The only blemish to note is some minor kerbing to the front near-side alloy wheel, which would be a simple thing to sort. Overall, it’s evidently a very straight and honest car.
This 2004 car has only covered 36,831 miles, and it shows. As the paperwork and the history attests, this is a car which has been maintained regardless of cost, with any perceived issue immediately addressed and fixed correctly with official Mercedes-Benz parts.
The SL is all in original factory-standard spec with no aftermarket modifications, and the engine reportedly runs like a dream and pulls strongly through the revs. It always starts the first time with no issues, the transmission is strong and shifts cleanly when it should, and there are no issues with the brakes or steering.
The suspension features three-way height adjustment, and this is all operating correctly. The tyres were new in 2018 and the car hasn’t covered a lot of miles since, so they’re still in excellent condition. The exhaust system and catalytic converters all look good, and the car runs beautifully. There’s no to-do list here, it’s all doing what it’s meant to do in fine style.
These early-2000s SLs are very much in demand right now, as they offer a truly desirable combination of performance, comfort, equipment and dependability, at a pleasingly affordable price-point. Indeed, it’s unlikely that they’ll be this inexpensive for long, given the huge demand we’re seeing for SLs across the ages; R107s are massively sought-after right now, this enthusiasm is building in the R129, and it’s inevitably bleeding through into its successor, the car you see here.
If you’re looking for a collector-grade R230, you’re on the right track here as this one has been maintained with incredible love and care. Similarly, you’re also in the right place if you’re considering one for regular use, commuting, high days and holidays, as the mechanicals in this car have been thoughtfully maintained and renewed with impeccable fastidiousness. This SL 500 really is the complete package: quality, style, provenance, it ticks all the boxes.
**The photos in this listing have been provided to us by the seller**
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 before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. 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.
Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
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2004 Mercedes-Benz SL 500
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