2004 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK

Here at Quick and Big Ltd we are proud to be able to offer for sale, this appreciating modern classic, the legendary Mercedes SL55 AMG (R230) “F1” Performance Pack.

The R230 was and still is a technical and performance “tour de force” the Supercharged AMG delivers hard top comfort, soft top cruising and super car performance. Jeremy Clarkson bought one, given the SL55 AMG is so good at many thing he described his as a “Swiss Army Knife.”

The best SL55 AMG’s values are climbing fast, as those of us who wanted one when they were new (basic price was over £90k plus our examples many extras) can now own one of our early motoring icons.

Any AMG with the Supercharged V8 (M113K) engine, is an increasingly desirable thing, after all engines like this will never be seen again! As with all modern classics, the advice from forums and magazines is to buy the best you can afford.

At “Quick and Big” we specialise in finding rare and desirable cars, the type we all wanted in our youth. Just like our super rare, low mileage, 493bhp / 700 Nm, SL55 AMG, made all the more desirable by the addition of its factory P30 “F1” Performance Pack. We also have a face lift 2006 SL55 AMG 517 in preparation, please enquire.

The SL55 AMG, at launch was Mercedes fastest and most powerful production car, standard 55’s without the Performance Pack achieving 0-60mph in under 4.5 seconds and go on to an electronically limited 155mph, that’s before the “F1” upgrades.

The Performance Pack cars were rumoured to have more power and be even quicker than “standard” SL55, this was never confirmed by the factory. We have been lucky enough to have have also sold “basic” SL55’s examples and the “F1” pack cars feel quicker. The “internet” speculation is, the officially published power and performance figures of the rare “F1” Pack cars were under exaggerated, so they didn’t get too close to the contemporary SLR McLaren super car.

Car Magazine back in the day, are alleged to have got a standard but derestricted SL55 AMG to 60mph in 3.9 seconds and on to 202mph. Mercedes engineers claimed if derestricted the SL55 could hit 208mph! Quick now, but rocket ship quick 20 years ago.

The rare P30 Performance Pack, was an expensive and rare option and adding over £8,500 to the cars new price, it added the following spec:

The desirable high-performance version of the roadster is closely derived from the official FIA Safety Car for 2002. The enhanced dynamic characteristics relate to an extensive range of revisions to its body - engine cooling system, brakes, and suspension. Larger cooling-air intakes and an additional engine-oil cooler. The SL55 AMG with the Performance Package also draws on its Formula 1 counterpart when it comes to the chassis set-up, together with the choice of wheels. The Mercedes-Benz AMG engineers based the configuration on the active body control set-up used by official FIA Safety Car driver Bernd Mayländer on the contemporary F1 Grand Prix circuits. The performance pack cars also benefit from the F1 safety cars bigger 390mm composite front brakes, 19 inch hollow spoked AMG split rim alloy wheels, smoked lights, AMG Alcantara-trimed flat bottom steering wheel with “F1 style” paddle shifters. F1 Pack cars speed limiters were also raised to 186mph.

SL55 AMG’s are becoming rarer by the day, “F1” pack ones are rarely available, those with low mileages, beautifully presented, completely original and with great histories are rarer still.

CX04BLZ has only covered 63,672 miles, that’s an average of around 3000 miles a year, backed up by comprehensive service and MOT history. It was registered on 18/5/2004, and therefore benefits from being only £415 per annum road tax.

In our view, our modern classic muscle car is beautifully presented inside and out, and benefits from a number of factory upgrades in addition to the Performance Pack. It also has: desirable panoramic roof, keyless entry / start / stop, BOSE hifi, and heated / cooled massage seats. These rare options along with the “F1” pack, would have pushed the original price of our example well over £100k.

The SL55 AMG was loaded with standard equipment (even by modern day standards). Its spec is exhaustive, but here’s some of the highlights: Active body control, variable ride heights (for speed bumps etc), paddle sequential gear shifts on steering wheel, electronic steering wheel adjustment, auto dip rear view and door mirrors, cruise control, power fold door mirrors, soft close boot, climate control, front and rear Parktroninc, command sat nav / linguatronic, memory seats, auto bi-xenon head lamps, cooled glove box, head lamp washers, multiple air bags and electronic stability program (you can turn it off, not sure I’m that brave). This list goes on and on.

Since I first saw and heard one of these SL55 AMG back in the noughties, I’ve wanted one. At the time, I was working in Central London and our Managing Director drove one into his private car park on Oxford Street every day, the sound as the exhaust note bounced off the tall buildings as he approached is still etched on my mind.

Our rare SL55 AMG comes with a comprehensive service history, a large history file accompanies the car. There are records of 10 Mercedes Main Dealer / specialist services, most recently for us at 63,138 miles.

In the extensive history file, for the last decade its been maintained at MB Gatwick and there are around £25,000 worth of Mercedes Benz Gatwick receipts, including routine servicing, plus work on the power steering, engine mounts, exhaust, sensotronic brake control, air pump, central locking, and crucially replacement front brake discs / pads. We have also just had about £2k worth of work done to the ABC system at AMG Specialists PMW Auomotive. Anybody looking at a R230 should start in the boot! We have also just had the notoriously troublesome rear window seal replaced, and the hood water proofed by specialists Cayman Auto’s, inside the boot its as beautiful as the outside.

Our muscle cars service history is summarised below:

8/2006 – 10k miles Mercedes Benz Llandudno

5/2008 – 23k miles Mercedes Benz Llandudno

6/2011 – 35k miles Mercedes Benz Stafford

6/2013 – 44k miles Mercedes Benz Redhill

2/2014 – 50k miles Mercedes Benz Gatwick

1/2015 – 53k miles Mercedes Benz Gatwick

1/2016 – 56k miles Mercedes Benz Gatwick

4/2019 – 60k miles Mercedes Benz Gatwick

11/2020 – 61k miles Mercedes Benz Gatwick

9/2024 - 63k miles MB Medway.

Its MOT history is excellent, and backs up its low mileage as genuine, the most recent test was passed with no advisories and does not expire until 07/11/2025. There are numerous old MOT’s in the cars file.

The “F1” pack, optional AMG split rim alloys, have just been professionally dipped, stripped, powder coated and diamond cut, they present beautifully and come shod with new Michelin Sport 4S 255/35/19 front and 285/30/19 rear tyres.

Our rare SL55 AMG comes with book packs (including the rare Performance Pack supplement), wallet, fitted wind deflector, jack, tools, 1st aid kit, Mercedes tyre inflator pump, sat nav discs, and 2 working keys (plus a 3rd spare).

For the big Merc’s lucky new owner, it will also come with an independent 90+ point pre delivery inspection. It is of course HPI clear. A copy of the PDI and full HPI report will be available to potential purchasers.

Many thanks for wading through our lengthy description, we believe it’s better to describe our cars fully. It is not in our interest to waste your time or ours, with inaccurate or incomplete descriptions. It does of course have the odd age related imperfection (which used car doesn’t), but for its age it really is excellent.

Our SL55 AMG “F1 Pack”, really does tick all the Quick and Big Ltd boxes, very quick, beautifully presented, fabulously original, comprehensively maintained, super rare and appreciating in value.

Please visit the photographs again as they form part of the description,(there are many more online at "Quick and Big"), familiarise yourselves with our terms and conditions (also online at "Quick and Big") and contact us” via Pistonheads or call Peter on 07860691960, to arrange a viewing / test drive by appointment. Any inspection is welcome. Part exchange particularly if it’s quick, big or interesting a pleasure.