2002 Mercedes SL55 AMG

£ 17 995

There are fast SLs, and then there are Kompressors.

And among them, the Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG stands apart as one of the last truly unfiltered expressions of AMG’s golden era - a time before turbocharging softened the edges, when performance was delivered with a supercharger whine, rear-wheel drive, and unapologetic intent.

This example presents exactly as you would hope.

Finished in Brilliant Silver over a full grey leather interior, and showing just 79,000 miles, it carries that unmistakable early-2000s AMG presence - restrained, purposeful, and quietly menacing. The proportions of the R230 SL remain as elegant as ever, but here they are sharpened by AMG styling: deeper front spoiler, side skirts, and those signature five-spoke alloys filling the arches just right.

Under the bonnet lies the heart of the matter - the hand-built 5.4-litre supercharged V8, producing 476bhp. It is an engine that defines an era. Instant torque, relentless acceleration, and that characteristic Kompressor surge that builds with a mechanical intensity modern cars simply cannot replicate.

On the road, it delivers exactly what you want it to: devastating pace when called upon, yet entirely composed and usable. The ABC (Active Body Control) suspension keeps everything flat and controlled, while the car remains effortlessly comfortable when cruising - very much a grand tourer with serious intent.

Importantly, this is a car that has been mechanically well cared for and maintained to a high standard. It presents as a genuine, honest example that drives exactly as it should.

It is also clear this car has been deeply cherished by its previous custodian, who went so far as to store it within his home - a rare and telling detail that speaks volumes about the level of care and affection it has received.

Now, she is looking for a new custodian - someone who will appreciate and cherish the car in the same way, understanding exactly what it represents.

The specification is extensive, as you would expect:

KEYLESS GO
Panoramic glass roof with sun blind
Bi-Xenon headlights with dynamic bending
COMAND APS with navigation
Premium sound system (Sound2Light)
Heated and climate-controlled multicontour seats
Front and rear Park Assist (Parktronic)
Distronic adaptive cruise control
Exclusive Nappa leather
TV tuner
Electric memory seats and steering column
Full AMG styling package
18-inch AMG alloy wheels

It is a car that was specified properly when new, combining performance with luxury in a way Mercedes did so well during this period.

The current MOT runs through to October 2025, and the car is described as driving superbly - exactly what you would hope from a well-maintained example of this calibre.

Market Perspective

The SL55 AMG sits in a particularly interesting place today.

For years, these cars were overlooked - seen as complex, perhaps misunderstood. But the market has begun to recognise what they really are: one of the last analogue-feeling AMG V8 roadsters, combining old-school engineering with modern usability.

Values remain compelling relative to performance, but that window is narrowing. Good, honest examples - particularly those that haven’t been modified or neglected - are becoming increasingly sought after.

This is not just a fast Mercedes. It is a car from a moment in time when AMG still built machines with a sense of theatre.