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Mercedes SL55 AMG

Mileage: 21,320 Top Speed: 155 Year: 2003 0 - 60: 4.5 MOT Expiry: 12 months BHP: 493 Tax Expiry: 6 months Transmission: 5-speed automatic Exterior Colour: Silver Engine Capacity: 5439cc Interior Colour: Grey Engine Configuration: V8

Mercedes SL55 AMG | £Sold

Mileage: 21,320

Model History

The Mercedes SL range was already a well established and a respected series in the manufacturers line up. The R230 SL was the fifth generation of the hugely successful line up which had started way back in 1954.  The designation SL derives from the German Sport Leicht, or Sport Lightweight and was first applied to the 300SL 'Gullwing' named also after its gullwing or upward-opening doors.

 

The R230 version replaced the R129 which had run from 89-02. Produced from 02-11 the fifth generation SL, R230, featured a folding hard top named by Mercedes as the Vario Roof. Initially the car was only available with a 5L V8 in 500SL format followed shortly after with the mighty SL55 AMG version featuring a tuned supercharged version of the 500SLs V8 engine.

 

AMG used the M113 V8 engine from the SL500 however significant work has gone into the redesign of the engine for its AMG application, The hand-assembled engine is stroked from 84 millimeters to 92, increasing displacement from 4966cc to 5439, and the forged aluminum pistons drop the compression ratio from 10.0:1 to 9:0:1. There are heavy-duty bearings with cross-bolted mains at the bottom end, plus a new sump and a more powerful oil pump. Top-end mods include double valve springs, reprofiled cams, and bigger intake and exhaust plumbing taking the power of the engine to a whopping 493bhp.

 

The AMG engineers also adapted the brakes, axles, wheels and tyres along with subtle styling modifications such as dynamic AMG-style bumpers, side skirts and 18" multi-spoke alloy wheels. The options list was endless and included Panoramic roof, Keyless go, Parktronic, Exclusive Leather, Multicontour seats with Massage, Mobile phone prep, TV Tuner and Distronic.

 

The SL55 AMG was the preferred choice for the FIA safety car in the 2002 F1 Grand Prix season.

Equipment

Parktronic system, SAT-NAV command, CD Changer, TV-Tuner Analog, Mobile phone system, Key-less go,  Exclusive Leather - Black/Anthracite, Multi-contour heated seats, ABC Suspension (active body control), Designo Alcantara Alpaca grey roof interior trim, Bi-xenon headlamps, High capacity battery, Electric folding mirrors, Heated screen wash system, AMG styling package.

Exterior

The metallic silver paintwork on the SL55 is simply stunning with a striking shine and only a few minor stone chips to be found anywhere on the car. The rest of the bodywork and trim remains in excellent undamaged condition, as do smaller details such as badges, door handles and grilles along with the window seals still retaining their colour. The remote vario panoramic roof is again undamaged and in great condition, working perfectly folding neatly away in just 16 seconds with no leaks or creaks.

Interior

Once inside the SL you are cocooned with soft grey leather. Both seats are in wonderful condition still looking and feeling like new, on closer inspection the only negative to be found is some very minor wear to the drivers seat bolster. Both door panels are completely unworn with no scuffs or marks as are the dash and centre console which is clad in extended leather. There is also very little wear to frequently used parts such as the steering wheel, gear knob and switchgear. All of the high tech electrics in the car operate as they should.

Engine & Transmission

The car starts and runs perfectly via its keyless go system or with the conventional key and ignition system. With a full Mercedes service history it wants for nothing and has been maintained to the highest standard with the most recent AB service 500 miles ago.

Wheels, Tyres & Brakes

The 18" AMG turbine alloy wheels have recently been correctly refurbished with the polished lip so are in as new condition and are shod in matching Pirelli P zero tyres the rears showing plenty of tread and the fronts brand new at the last service. The 8-pot vented disc brakes show little wear and feel very powerful pulling the car up quickly in a straight line.

History File

This SL55 was first registered in October 2003. It has a full Mercedes service history, the last being an A and B service at 20k miles. 

 

The car has had 2 previous owners and comes with the original owners handbook and manuals.