2005 Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG

Those of you regular readers of GCFSB probably know that I mostly write about Porsche 928’s. Today I have something different, albeit quite similar. Much like the 928, the SL55 is ostensibly a grand tourer and is powered by a V8 of the same displacement as the 928 GTS. Both cars also share a very similar interior layout, with most of the controls located in a sloping and raised center console. Both cars are also beloved by Jeremy Clarkson, who spoke favorably of the 928 in one of the final episodes of Top Gear, and who personally owned an SL55. Describing his SL as a swiss army knife, Clarkson pointed out that the SL can act as a grand touring car if so desired, but can also be turned into a roadster in 16 seconds thanks to a retractable hardtop.

This Designo Graphite 2005 SL55 stood out to me for multiple reasons. The beautiful Designo color combination and interior upgrades, the unique Alphard wheels, and the low mileage differentiate this SL55 from the others currently on the market. The Designo options on this car would have likely added an extra $8,000 onto the $120,000 base price for the SL55. Such options would include a full leather interior (dash, door panels, rear storage compartment, roll bar, and top lid), alcantara headliner, suppler leather on the seats, and black birdseye maple wood trim. This was a huge improvement over the mostly MB Tex and vinyl interior on a standard SL55. Basically, it is a combination of the higher quality finishes available on the SL600 with the more flashy design of the SL55, a win-win in my opinion.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG at Greater Chicago Motors

Year: 2005
Model: SL55 AMG
Engine: 5.5 liter supercharged V8
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Mileage: 33,039 mi
Price: $30,995 Buy It Now

2005 Mercedes-Benz Sl55

Rare Designo Graphite On Graphite
Super Clean Garage Kept
Only Driven On Perfect Days
Always Serviced
1 Owner Vehicle

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT LIST:

ACTIVE VENTILATED SEATS ($1240.00)
Heated & Cooled Seats

BI-XENON HEADLAMPS ($770.00)

KEYLESS GO ($1060.00)

5.4L V8 Engine
493 Horsepower

Bose Premium Audio
Navigation
Pulse Seating
GRAPHITE EDITION DESIGNO
Rare Turbine Wheels

Carfax Certified
1 Owner Vehicle
100% non smoker
100% adult Driven
No Dings, Dents or Curb Rash
All Services up to date

INCLUDES:
*2 Remote Master Key*

Outside, this car sports beautiful Designo Graphite paint, which is rarely seen on an AMG SL. This color can be differentiated from non-Designo grey colors by additional metal flake and a deeper greenish tint. Adding to the rarity, the original owner specified a set of Alphard wheels over the basic AMG wheels worn by most SL55’s. All of these unique options combine to make one of the most stunning SL55’s I’ve ever seen.

With 33,000 original miles and one previous owner, there aren’t many obvious flaws that I can identify on this car. There is some apparent wear on the interior, particularly on the driver’s seat, steering wheel, and navigation screen. Otherwise, the car looks to be in respectable cosmetic condition. At over $100,000 less than the original MSRP, this car seems like a steal at $30,000. Despite relatively high maintenance costs, this car would make a great weekend fun car or daily driver, especially when considering the far lesser alternatives that are available for the same price.

-Andy (Cap’n Clean)

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