Mercedes-Benz - SL55 AMG - Glass Sunroof - NO RESERVE - 2003

Mercedes-Benz SL 55 AMG R230 – 2003 – 5.5 V8 Kompressor – 493 hp – Glass Sunroof

The Mercedes-Benz SL has been one of the most prestigious model lines from Mercedes-Benz since the fifties. With the introduction of the R230 generation in 2001, Mercedes-Benz raised the concept of the luxury roadster to a new level. The model combined the performance and appearance of a sports car with the comfort of a Gran Turismo and could, thanks to the fully electrically operated metal Vario roof, in a short time be converted from an open roadster to a closed coupé.

The absolute sporting lead within the early R230 series was reserved for the SL 55 AMG developed by Mercedes-AMG. Under the hood lies the now legendary M113K: a 5.5-liter V8 with a mechanical supercharger. In this American specification, the engine delivers 493 hp. The direct character of the compressor, combined with the large displacement, ensured that the SL 55 AMG was among the fastest open GT cars in the world at its introduction.

This example dates from 2003 and is finished in the classic combination C040 Black/Schwarz with a black/anthracite leather interior. The car has an indicated odometer reading of 99,502 miles and features its matching-numbers 5,439 cc V8 engine.

The car was originally delivered new in the United States and is sold with American title and Dutch/European import documentation. All import duties and VAT have already been paid.

What’s special is that both the original window sticker and the Mercedes-Benz datacard are present with the car. The original US retail price was $121,465. With a similar equipment level, the car at the time represented a Dutch new price of €195,955. On top of the already extensive standard equipment, this example was ordered with $7,495 worth of additional factory options.

Among these options are the COMAND navigation system, Multicontour Dynamic Seats for driver and passenger, the Bose Premium Sound System, CD changer, heated front seats and the particularly beautiful Designo Alcantara Anthracite headlining.

BODYWORK/PAINT:

The body of this Mercedes-Benz SL 55 AMG is finished in C040 Black/Schwarz, a classic color that suits the muscular design of the AMG version particularly well.

The R230 is distinguished by its long hood, relatively short rear end and wide, low body. In the SL 55 AMG this is further emphasized by the specific AMG Styling Package, which includes, among other things, an AMG front spoiler, side skirts and a matching sporty rear end. The various body panels align neatly, and the black paint gives the car a powerful and timeless appearance.

The paintwork is well presented and has a beautiful deep gloss. For a car of this age and mileage there may of course be locally normal light signs of use. The extensive photo report provides a detailed picture of the current condition.

One of the most important features of the R230 is the electro-hydraulically operated aluminum Vario roof. With one system, the car thus combines the characteristics of a full-fledged open roadster with the comfort and insulation of a coupé with a metal roof.

The other exterior features are also notably complete. The car has automatic Xenon headlights, heated headlamp washers, halogen fog lights, an infrared rain sensor and electrically adjustable and heated exterior mirrors. The driver's mirror is automatically dimming and the mirror settings can be stored via the memory function.

A subtle detail of this particular example are the optional chromed exterior door handles, option code U27, which were ordered at $250 extra at the time.

The whole presents itself as a SL 55 AMG from this period was intended: understated when desired, but clearly recognizable as the powerful top model thanks to the AMG details, wide wheels and low body.

TECHNICAL:

The technical centerpiece of this car is undoubtedly the 5,439 cc M113K V8. Mercedes-AMG paired the large eight-cylinder engine with a mechanical compressor, yielding 493 hp in American specification.

This is the matching-numbers motor that comes with the car. The M113K is known for its very characteristic power delivery. Unlike many modern turbo engines, the compressor is mechanically driven, so the extra boost is available almost instantly. This gives the SL 55 AMG its characteristic direct acceleration and impressive power reserve.

The V8 is paired with the AMG Speedshift five-speed automatic transmission. In addition to fully automatic shifting, the driver can operate the transmission manually and the system has a dedicated Speedshift program. Drive is to the rear wheels.

Equally special is the Active Body Control system, confirmed on the datacard with option code 487. Instead of a conventional suspension, ABC uses a combination of springs, electronically controlled hydraulic cylinders and AMG-specific dampers. The system is designed to actively counter body movements during acceleration, braking and cornering, while maintaining the high level of comfort expected from a Mercedes-Benz SL.

The front suspension uses an independent four-link design and the rear features a five-arm independent suspension. The speed-sensitive steering gear provides a balance of high-speed stability and relatively light steering at lower speeds.

The braking system was also advanced for its time. The SL 55 AMG features Sensotronic Brake Control, Brake Assist, ABS, ESP and ASR. The four large brake discs are both ventilated and perforated. Brake Assist can automatically apply the maximum brake pressure in an emergency stop, while ESP and ASR continuously monitor the car’s stability and traction.

The original datacard also confirms the M113 V8 gasoline engine, M001 compressor version, 5.5-liter displacement, five-speed automatic transmission, Active Body Control and the specific AMG Styling equipment.

This combination of the M113K V8, rear-wheel drive, AMG Speedshift transmission and Active Body Control made the SL 55 AMG a particularly versatile car: comfortable enough for long-distance Gran Turismo travel, yet with performance that at introduction belonged to the absolute top tier.

INTERIOR:

The interior is finished in black/anthracite leather, interior code 281A, and together with the black body forms a particularly stylish and timeless combination.

The R230 was developed not only as a sports car but explicitly also as a luxurious Gran Turismo. This is evident in the number of high-quality materials used throughout the interior. Not only the seats, but also the headrests, parts of the dashboard, center console, door panels, armrests, roll bar, rear interior panels, steering wheel and selector lever are trimmed in leather.

This example is additionally equipped with the optional Multicontour Dynamic Seats. The separate datacard codes 404 and 405 confirm multicontour seats for both driver and passenger. The package originally represented an extra cost of $1,495.

The electrically adjustable sport seats offer extensive adjustment possibilities, memory function, lumbar support and heating. This allows the seating position to be set very precisely, suitable for both sporty use and long distances.

One of the most special interior details is option Y83: the Designo Alcantara Anthracite headlining. This expensive option originally carried a price premium of $1,100 and gives the interior, when the metal roof is closed, a significantly more luxurious appearance.

In terms of audio and navigation, the car was also extensively equipped. The optional COMAND navigation system carried an original premium of $2,090. In addition, the Bose Premium Sound System with AudioPilot and eight speakers was ordered for $1,190. A factory CD changer was added for another $440.

The interior also features automatic dual-zone climate control with fabric/pollen filter and REST heat function, cruise control, a multifunction leather steering wheel, an electrically height- and reach-adjustable steering column, an automatically dimming rearview mirror and double illuminated vanity mirrors.

Other features such as the integrated garage door opener, central locking with remote control, power windows with one-touch operation, illuminated and cooled storage compartments and retractable cup holders illustrate how complete the SL 55 AMG was standard at the time.

The car also features a windscreen for more comfortable open-air driving and an automatically deployable roll bar as part of the safety system.

EQUIPMENT ACCORDING TO THE ORIGINAL WINDOW STICKER:

The original American window sticker is present with the car and provides a very complete picture of the equipment with which this SL 55 AMG was new.

In terms of safety, the SL is equipped with an automatically deployable roll bar, integrated three-point seat belts with pretensioners in the seats, head and torso airbags in the doors, driver and passenger airbags and BabySmart automatic child seat recognition. In addition, Sensotronic Brake Control, Brake Assist, ESP, ASR and ABS are present.

The interior was factory-equipped with Tele-Aid, dual illuminated vanity mirrors, an automatically dimming rearview mirror, automatic dual-zone climate control, cruise control, a universal integrated garage door opener, electric central locking, remote keyless entry and electric windows with express- and one-touch operation.

The window sticker also notes the extensive leather finish of the seats, headrests, dashboard, center console, doors, armrests, roll bar, rear cabin panels, steering wheel and selector lever. The sport seats are 12-way power-adjustable and feature multicontour backrests, three memory positions and lumbar support.

Externally, the car is fitted with aerodynamic wipers with heated rest position and infrared rain sensor, heated electrically adjustable mirrors, Xenon HID headlights, high beam, heated windshield wipers, fog lights and the distinctive AMG body panels.

The electrohydraulically foldable aluminum hardtop is, of course, one of the most important features of the R230. This allows the car to be used both as an open roadster and as a fully closed coupé.

Mechanically, the original equipment specification includes the 5.5-liter SOHC 24-valve V8 with mechanical compressor, five-speed AMG Speedshift automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive, Active Body Control, independent four-link front suspension, five-arm rear suspension, speed-sensitive steering and large ventilated/perforated discs.

FACTORY OPTIONS:

Although the SL 55 AMG was already richly equipped as standard, this example was ordered with a total of $7,495 in additional factory options.

The COMAND navigation system, option code 352, was one of the major extras with an original price of $2,090. The multicontour seats left and right, codes 404 and 405, formed the Multicontour Dynamic Seats Package worth $1,495.

For the audio system, the Premium Bose Sound System, code 810, with an original price of $1,190 was chosen. The additional CD changer, code 819, cost $440.

The heated front seats left and right, code 873, represented an extra cost of $750. The Designo Alcantara Anthracite headlining, code Y83, cost $1,100.

Finally, the car was equipped with chromed exterior door handles, code U27, for $250 and the three-piece luggage nets set in the trunk, code U44, for $180.

The total original value of the additional factory options amounts to $7,495.

The original US retail price of this SL 55 AMG was $121,465.

With this equipment, the car at the time represented a Dutch new price of €195,955.

MERCEDES-BENZ DATACARD:

The original Mercedes-Benz datacard confirms the model in C040 Black/Schwarz with black/anthracite leather, interior code 281A. The car was produced as a US specification and accordingly has instrumentation with mile markers and English inscriptions.

The datacard also lists the COMAND system, the multicontour seats left and right, the metal Vario roof, the five-speed automatic transmission, Active Body Control, AMG Styling Package, Premium Sound System, CD changer, heated front seats and heated windshield washer system.

The key technical details are also confirmed here, including the M113 V8 gasoline engine, M001 compressor version and M55 5.5-liter displacement.

The full datacard coding reads:
212B – User manual and maintenance book – English for USA/Canada
221B – Coolant/tank label – English
232 – Garage door opener with 284–390 MHz frequency
236B – Without customer service station index
349 – Emergency system preparation
352 – COMAND
404 – Multicontour seat left front
405 – Multicontour seat right front
415 – Hardtop
423 – Five-speed automatic transmission
461 – Instruments with mile markers and English inscriptions
487 – ABC Active Body Control
494 – American specification
524 – Paint sealant
634 – Without first aid kit
636 – Without warning triangle
668 – Transport protection with mounting hooks
673 – High-capacity battery
772 – AMG Styling Package with front spoiler and side skirts
7XXL – North and South America
803 – Model year change code
810 – Premium Sound System
819 – CD changer
873 – Seat heating left and right front
875 – Heated windshield washer system
986 – Different VIN with model year
989 – Identification label under the windshield
F230 – Model series 230
GA – Automatic transmission
HA – Rear axle
L – Left-hand drive
M001 – Engine with compressor
M113 – M113 V8 gasoline engine
M55 – 5.5-liter displacement
N52 – Factory Bremen control code
N60 – Factory Bremen control code
N79 – Factory Bremen control code
N91 – Factory Bremen control code
N98 – Factory Bremen control code
U27 – Chromed exterior door handles
U44 – Three-piece luggage nets in trunk
VL – Left front axle half
VR – Right front axle half
Y83 – Designo Alcantara Anthracite headlining

DOCUMENTS:

The Mercedes-Benz is delivered with the American title and Dutch/European import documentation. All due import duties and VAT have already been paid, placing the car within the European Union with the corresponding import documentation.

In addition, both the original US window sticker and the Mercedes-Benz datacard are present. This allows the original configuration of the car, including the valuable additional factory options, to be well verified.

The window sticker also documents the original retail price of $121,465 and provides a comprehensive overview of the standard and optional equipment with which this SL 55 AMG was delivered new.

With an original US retail price of $121,465, $7,495 in additional factory options, the 493 hp strong M113K V8 Kompressor, Active Body Control, AMG Speedshift transmission, Designo Alcantara headlining, Bose Premium Sound System and the presence of both the original window sticker and Mercedes-Benz datacard, this is a particularly complete SL 55 AMG from the early years of the R230 generation.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

Brand: Mercedes-Benz
Model: R230 SL 55 AMG
Year: 2003
Color: C040 Black/Schwarz
Interior: Black/anthracite leather (281A)
Engine and power: 5.5-liter (5,439 cc) V8 with compressor, 493 hp (matching numbers)
Fuel: Gasoline
Transmission: Automatic, AMG Speedshift 5-speed
Drive: Rear-wheel drive
Odometer (read): 99,502 miles
Registration: American title and Dutch import documentation

EXTRA INFORMATION:
- This Mercedes-Benz is offered with an American title, meaning the car is currently not registered and not road-ready.
- Photos are part of the description.
- Upon request, a walk-around video with running engine can be provided.
- The seller can assist with worldwide transport.

The car can be viewed and collected in Schiedam, the Netherlands. All technical inspections, test drives and viewings are possible before making an offer. For any questions you can contact the auctioneer.