2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG

Highlights

• 5.4-litre AMG V8
• Seven-speed automatic transmission
• Low mileage
• Long MOT
• New brakes all round

Overview

The design team at Mercedes-Benz showed an impressive amount of determination when they launched the R171. And the object of their determination came in the form of a 5.4-litre V8 engine, which they would stop at nothing to fit into the engine bay of this small roadster.

The M133 V8 engine, tuned by AMG, was squeezed and pushed and shoved and crowbarred until — after liberal application of elbow grease — it fit perfectly under the low bonnet of the SLK. Huzzah! And it proved a recipe for sales success, with customers liking the combination of V8 soundtrack and the option of driving in the open air or under a metal roof.

Our example comes with mileage gently just over the 50,000 mark, and a good number of stamps in the accompanying service record. It was most recently serviced in June 2024, during which it received new brake discs and pads on all four wheels.

Amusingly, this enormous V8 remains permitted to waft its way through the centre of London. And once you get out onto the open road you can really open it up and see whether its official 0-62 mph time still stands at 4.3 seconds.

If a V8 is non-negotiable but you can never quite trust the weather forecast, then this SLK 55 AMG is ready to keep you entertained.

History and documentation

• Registered 4 January 2005
• In current ownership since Nov 2023
• Stamped service book with services as follows: Jun 2006 @ 3,703 miles, Dec 2007 @ 6,673 miles, Jan 2009 @ 8,622 miles, Oct 2011 @ 22,391 miles, Mar 2014 @ 29,271 miles, Apr 2019 @ 43,417 miles, Mar 2020 @ 44,528 miles, Mar 2021 @ 45,429 miles, Apr 2022 @ 47,037 miles, May 2023 @ 47,665 miles (fluid levels inspection), Jun 2024 @ 49,130 miles
• Original documents
• Collection of invoices and old MOT certificates
• Two keys
• Current MOT with no advisories expires 4 Jun 2025
• V5 present in owner’s name
• Four former keepers
• HPI clear
• London ULEZ compliant

Interior

• Smart black interior with silver accents
• Leather upholstery throughout, with AMG branding on the seats
• Alcantara panels on the seat backs
• The upholstery is showing very few signs of wear or damage
• Even the driver’s seat bolster is in good condition
• Electrically adjustable seats with memory function
• Heated seats for chilly days when you fancy lowering the roof
• AMG branded brushed aluminium sill plates
• Carpets in good shape, with fitted overmats in the footwells
• Door cards well presented
• Leather-trimmed steering wheel with audio controls
• Cruise control
• Dual-zone air conditioning
• Onboard computer with centrally-mounted screen
• Bold, analogue instruments
• ‘Parktronic’ system
• Harman/Kardon stereo system with CD player and phone connection
• Electronic roof raising/lowering
• Spacious boot to the rear

Exterior

• Finished in Obsidian Black, this SLK looks like it means business
• Long, low bonnet, and folding hardtop
• The paint remains in very good condition throughout
• Body panels well presented, with only one small dent reported in the nearside rear wing
• Factory-fitted AMG styling pack, including front spoiler and side skirts
• Some small stonechips and light scratches, but nothing unusual
• The 18-inch AMG alloy wheels
• Wheels refurbished in Jun 2020
• Proudly displaying their ‘Affalterbach AMG’ wheel badges
• The seller informs us that the tyres are in very good condition
• Chrome badges front and rear
• Bi-xenon headlights were polished in Jun 2020
• The folding hardtop roof is well presented, and features a heated rear windscreen
• Quad exhaust tips
• The underside of the car appears to be clean and tidy

Mechanical

• 5,439 cc M113 V8 engine
• 350 bhp and 376 lb ft
• Top speed 155 mph, 0-62 mph in 4.3 seconds
• Seven-speed automatic transmission
• Rear-wheel drive
• The large V8 engine is shoehorned into the engine bay
• The engine builder’s name is stated on a plaque on the engine cover
• Underneath, the suspension components feature a little surface corrosion
• In Jun 2024 the car was serviced, including new brake discs and pads all round, and an oil change
• The seller informs us that the car starts readily and the recently-fitted new brakes mean it stops excellently
• The brake wear warning on the dashboard is no longer showing; this was due to a faulty sensor which has been replaced with an OEM item
• No mechanical issues reported
• No MOT advisories

Summary

A tuned V8, and your choice of open or enclosed motoring. Has so much ever been offered in a car so surprisingly compact?

This one has a suave Obsidian Black paint finish, low miles and a recent service and we don’t mind admitting that we’ll be a bit jealous of the winning bidder.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire.