Mercedes-Benz SL500 Roadster

Click Here for Full Screen Image - Click Here to Download Image

Some five years in development, the R230 Series SL Roadster was a replacement for the tank-like R129 Series which had won so many fans for its superb build quality, performance and refinement.

Painstakingly modelled on a state-of-the-art supercomputer which enabled the designers to analyse every curve and line, it looked utterly sensational with an air of barely contained aggression that gave it huge road presence.

Packed full of sophisticated electronic driver aids which made it immensely safe but also fun to drive, it was an instant hit with press and public alike and is widely considered to be the best-looking Mercedes since the legendary 300SL Roadster of the late 1950s.

The power-operated aluminium folding roof was particularly admired and would disappear into the top of the boot at the press of a button in just 16 seconds, yet still leave enough room underneath for 206 litres of luggage space.

Pick of the range was the mighty SL500 whose 306bhp could propel the car to 60mph in just 6 seconds with the top speed of 155mph (limited, of course) comfortably achieved on the right stretch of autobahn. The only snag was the £70,000 price tag which restricted ownership to a privileged few.

Dating from January 2003, this SL500 looks extra-cool in menacing dark blue with AMG alloys – a refreshing change from the default silver that these cars usually come in. It has covered some 85,800 miles and comes with a duplicate service book and several bills which show that it has been serviced five times to date, the last at 68,851 miles in June 2010.

The vendor acquired the car in March this year from Runnymede Motor Company in the Thames Valley as a surprise birthday present for his father (lucky man!) who is fortunate enough to also own a classic Mercedes 190SL Roadster. Although dad was very grateful for this generous gesture, he really does not have room for two fancy Mercs in his life and, guess what? He only likes them in silver, like his beloved 190SL…

And so, regrettably, the well-meaning son has been tasked with offloading his generous gift, hence its appearance in our sale today. Said to drive well with an MOT until November 2015 (the only advisory being worn front tyres), it comes with its original owner’s handbook in the original wallet, the aforementioned service history and a print out of the old MOTs to warrant the mileage.

Looking seriously good value at the sensible guide price suggested, all it needs now is a more grateful new owner who will no doubt enjoy it immensely in the remaining summer months ahead. Not only is it seriously cool, it also looks seriously good value at the sensible guide price suggested. As no less a personage than Quentin Willson is keen to point out, these superb machines are ridiculously good value at the moment and no-one has a bad word to say about them. Neither he, nor we, can believe that they will stay at this humble price level for much longer, so…