2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500

The Vendor has had this dark blue 2003 example for three years. ‘I really wanted the five-litre V8,’ he admits; ‘the drive is so smooth and powerful.’ He reflects on how it’s a great cruising and long distance machine - he’s been down to the the south of France in it twice - but also how it makes sense in the English countryside too; ‘with the active suspension, it still handles flat.’

The Mercedes previously belonged to a pro golf caddy who used it as his tour/work car. (So yes; the boot does have room for a set of golf clubs.) With both owners it has been garaged, and, over the lest six years, it has covered around 3000 miles per year.

Mercedes’ flagship convertible has always looked good in sober colours and this 2003 car is no exception. It looks dramatic while somehow managing to remain understated in dark metallic blue over light sand leather. The colour and paint finish remain strong, unbleached, and retain a good, deep gloss. 

A studied look around the R230 reveals a more complex shape than you at first think, with some intricate compound radius curves in the flanks and nose - plus the melding of small inset panels (of different materials). Even so, the joins between both planes and materials maintain consistently even and narrow panel gaps with no signs of warping (in the plastics). And the colour and finish across both plastics and alloy retain a consistent match. Surface alignment between the bigger components too - bonnet, boot and those long, heavy doors - is also good.

Understandably for a car of this age (is it really already 17 years!?), there are blemishes. There are small stone chips to the nose, and Also, there is a slight discolouration in the black panels on either side of the rear window.

There are two very small area of rust; a tiny rust bubble on near-side windscreen pillar (in line with the upper edge of the wing mirror), and a small patch behind the off-side rear wheel arch, in the panel gap leading towards the rear bumper.

As stated, these are very small areas and give no real cause for concern. Far more reassuring is the clean finish to the underside of the doors (the cavities are very clean too) and the total lack of grime in hinges and door/boot catches.

The driver’s side wing mirror glass has also discoloured but finding and fitting a replacement would be a pretty trivial mornings work.

Like the outside, the inside suggests a car that, although used, has definitely been cared for. The overall impression of the light stone hide is very good.

The seat leather has a gentle patina, with some slightly deeper creases to the edge of the driver’s seat. Stitching and seams around the cabin look tight and even. Likewise, the wood veneer is in fine condition, retaining a nice if gentle figuring in the grain, and showing a good (crack-free) shine in the lacquer. This colour scheme can easily be marred by fingernail/ring scratches to the wood and scuffs and blemishes to stowage bin, but that is not the case here. Door pocket lids are very straight and clean, and there are no scuffs or creases in that little rear parcel shelf. The Merc’s medical kit remains perfectly stowed under the seat.

There is some wear to the (plastic) edge of the steering wheel plastic (around four o’clock) and there are some small specks and stains in the carpet, predictably more so on the driver’s side, but nothing that should deter a genuine enthusiast.

Looking up, there are one or two small marks in the headlining. All the roof struts and controls retain their black powder coating and look to be in very good order. The Vendor assures us that the roof goes down and back up smoothly and without squeaking. The rubber roof seals are also intact and there are no signs of water ingress around the car. Another vulnerable leak point on these cars is around the rear roof/boot seal, but again, the boot carpets and floor are stain and corrosion free. The battery and its compartment are likewise good and the car retains its space-saver spare wheel. (By the way; the boot strut will need replacing - a long piece of dowel is keeping that lid up when needed at the moment). Being picky; there is some very light corrosion around the screws (one each side) at the sides of the boot cavity, but nothing that can’t be very easily remedied.

As with so many cars of this period and beyond, opening the bonnet reveals a lot of black plastic. Looking beneath this, there certainly doesn’t appear to be any signs of leaks or overheating and the worst that could be said is that it needs a good wipe down with a damp cloth. As usual, there is some slight oxidation on one or two surfaces, though certainly no surface corrosion on ancillary components.

The wiring looks good, as do the rubber seals between sections. Bolts, screws and clips (all but a couple) look clean and eminently serviceable. Suspension towers remain strong and free of cracks.

The sound/heat insulation beneath the bonnet is in good condition.

Moving underneath the car, the suspension components appear strong and straight - behind clean alloy wheels that are largely in very good condition - a few small (and expected) scuffs notwithstanding. The SL has had two front suspension legs replaced (As documented in the history).

Generally, the underside of the car is better than you might expect for almost two decades on the road. There is understandable light wear and mild scouring to surfaces, but no signs of part failure or fatigue, nor collision or pothole damage.

When the car arrived with us the rear battery would not take a sufficient charge to power the roof and other consumables. At the owners request we have replaced the battery and all is now working as it should, except a dashboard error message remains recommending a trip to the workshop to see to the battery.

With some marques you expect a whole sheaf of papers to accompany almost 80,000 miles driven - everything from incessant servicing to replacing what was either underdeveloped at launch or simply failed along the way. That’s unlikely to be the case with a Mercedes SL, which, for the said 79,000 miles, has really just been taking care of business. Hence, the service record is modest but sufficient. The service book shows stamps at correct intervals - moving from main dealer addresses through to local but very competent specialists in the later years. All fluids changed at the right times. The front suspension leg swap came in 2016 (as did a replacement cam shaft sensor) and the car has covered some 8000 miles since.

The car comes with its old MoT certificates and retains all its handbooks (so you can read up on the ‘Command’ system), all contained in the correct black leather wallet.

Also remember - this car has lived indoors.

Mercedes has always poured everything it had into its marque-defining flagship; the SL. They have always been hugely desirable, over-engineered, high performing automotive masterpieces. And the five-litre is always the daddy of the range, no matter what other engines - bigger or smaller - have come along. Coupled with that, this feels like a very honest and sound car in a great colour scheme.

A beast like this is never going to be a cheap animal to run and anyone considering it needs to be realistic about possible maintenance. However, nearly all the depreciation is probably gone out of this car - and where else will £5,000 - £7,000 buy you this much poise, panache and performance? Think about it.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abindgon; 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’.

If needed, please remember we have a network of trusted suppliers we work with regularly and can recommend: Classic & Sportscar Finance for purchase-financing, Thames Valley Car Storage for storing your car, AnyVan for transporting it, and Footman James for classic car insurance.

BORING, but IMPORTANT: Please note that whilst we at The Market always aim to offer the most descriptive and transparent auction listings available, we cannot claim they are perfect analyses of any of the vehicles for sale. We offer far greater opportunity for bidders to view, or arrange inspections for each vehicle thoroughly prior to bidding than traditional auctions, and we never stop encouraging bidders to take advantage of this. We do take a good look at the vehicles delivered to our premises for sale, but this only results in our unbiased personal observations, not those of a qualified inspector or other professional, or the result of a long test drive.

Additionally, please note that most of the videos on our site have been recorded using simple cameras which often result in 'average' sound quality; in particular, engines and exhausts notes can sound a little different to how they are in reality.