2003 Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG

At 20 years old (bet you feel ancient now, don’t you?) this Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG has weathered the past two decades better than anyone in our office.

Finished in the classic colour scheme of Brilliant Silver Metallic coachwork with a black leather interior, it’s had six previous keepers and has been in the owner’s hands since November 2017.

It comes with a good service history and maintenance record and is only for sale because he’s moving abroad.

The SL is renowned for its build quality but even so, there are a few areas where the dreaded tin worm can take hold like the rear wheelarches, which is why we’re delighted to see that both were professionally treated in July 2022. Both they, and the rear bumper, were repainted, so it all looks great. The SL’s other vulnerable spots were checked and found to be clear.

Everything else is as you’d expect of a car with such a low mileage. Tight and consistent shutlines join forces with great panel alignment to form a taut and effective canvas for the Brilliant Silver Metallic to shine - and this a great colour and as much a part of Germany’s racing heritage as BRG is to the Brits.

The headlamps and other light lenses are bright and clear and free of damage. It’s the same story with the window glass and windscreen.

The 18-inch ‘Turbine’ alloy wheels are not only rare but they’re in a good condition - and they’re also fitted with a set of matching Pirelli P-Zero tyres. You know, the ones the factory specified when the car was new.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

Flaws? Well, those rare alloy wheels could do with being refurbished as they’re a little corroded and dull (#11) but that’s the extent of the stuff that would bother us.

Having only just passed 70,000 miles, you’d have every right to expect the SL’s bombproof interior to be in great shape – and it is. With only the very gentlest of creasing and colour loss to the driver’s seat (e.g. #169), the AMG seats are as figure-hugging and comfortable as you’d expect to find in a car that’s as happy on the autobahn as it is the race track.

They’re heated and electrically adjustable too, and both front seats get memory settings. They’ll massage you too, and the underside of the passenger’s seat plays host to the first aid kit.

The panoramic roof offers what is effectively a sunroof inside a sunroof, which means the SL’s cabin is either flooded with light or completely open to the elements. It’s a clever combination and one that ensures every journey is bright and airy and free of the sort of gloom so many German sportscar suffer. Of course, it opens and closes as it should.

There’s a gold Mercedes-Benz-branded Nokia mobile phone under the armrest too, which is such a brilliantly period accessory it’s been designated a World Heritage Site and is now under the protection of UNESCO.

The good news doesn’t end there because the instrument cowl and binnacle are covered with black suede to prevent reflections and a wind deflector helps keep your hair tamed even at the sort of three-figure speeds the AMG revels in delivering.

The boot might not be vast but it’s impeccably trimmed and lifting the carpet shows only solid, rust-free metal underneath.

Flaws? Well, the steering wheel has had a repair made to it (#55), the passenger’s netting pocket is loose (#205), and the sunblinds are a little frayed (#193). We can see the new owner will want to sort the former issue but the latter two are nit-picking of the highest order.

The supercharged engine bursts into life with enthusiasm, and while the engine note might lack some of the drama we’ve come to expect from a V8, there’s little to complain about the exhaust note.

Nor the way it drives. The SL isn’t a big car, so the 476bhp engine has the square root of not-a-lot to haul; the result is vastly entertaining and guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Every. Single. Time.

The underbonnet area is clean and tidy, which is the same condition as the underside, even if the latter does have a few minor scuffs (e.g. #243 and #246).

This is a well-fettled car that’s utterly fit for purpose without being so overly prissy you’ll be afraid to actually use it.

The supercharged engine bursts into life with enthusiasm, and while the engine note might lack some of the drama we’ve come to expect from a V8, there’s little to complain about the exhaust note.

Nor the way it drives. The SL isn’t a big car, so the 476bhp engine has the square root of not-a-lot to haul; the result is vastly entertaining and guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Every. Single. Time.

The underbonnet area is clean and tidy, which is the same condition as the underside, even if the latter does have a few minor scuffs (e.g. #243 and #246).

This is a well-fettled car that’s utterly fit for purpose without being so overly prissy you’ll be afraid to actually use it.

Time has been kind to the R230 Mercedes SL55 AMG; initially viewed with suspicion by the secondhand market, they’ve moved seamlessly up through the ranks to become genuine platinum-coated, diamond-encrusted jewels, offering performance, reliability, and enough everyday usability for them to be the coolest daily driver you can imagine.

All of which means that prices are on the march. While you used to be able to buy the very best examples for less than £20,000, you’ll have to pay around twice that for a very good one now, which makes our guide price for this car of between £14,000 and £18,000 look like outstanding value.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.