2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG

Highlights

• 355bhp 5.4-litre V8
• Desirable AMG Sport upgrade pack
• Full service history
• Stylish and comfy Nappa leather interior
• Folding hard-top in perfect working order

Overview

The SLK55 AMG is a car with enormous capacity to surprise. Hidden within those diminutive proportions resides a hysterical amount of horsepower, every iota of the car crammed to the gills with as much performance-oriented tech as can be physically squeezed in. Peer between the spokes of the front wheels and you’ll see it’d be impossible to fit a larger set of brakes, the gap between caliper and rim is impressively tight. See that generously stuffed engine bay? You could sprinkle a handful of paperclips over that and there’s a good chance not a single one would make it to the ground. This is an SLK like no other in the range; angry, shouty, straining at the leash to scamper for the horizon.

It's tremendously civilised too, of course, when you want it to be. SLKs of this era have sumptuously comfy cabins and agran turismo ethos, as well as genuinely useful luggage space and an incredibly clever folding hard-top mechanism. It just so happens that Mercedes-Benz also opted to kit it out with a 355bhp 5.4-litre V8, good for 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds.

What’s more, the car we have here includes the 030/P30-code Sport Pack option. That means it has the upgraded Nürburgring-spec suspension, uprated brakes with 6-pot fronts and composite discs, carbon fibre interior trim, staggered AMG split-rims (the same design as those on the Formula 1 safety cars in period), the smaller and fatter AMG steering wheel, and – just for fun – a delimited top speed. So if you find yourself on a derestricted section of autobahn with nobody about, you don’t have to headbutt the limiter at 155mph… the Sport Pack lets you trebuchet on to 176mph.

The current owner has had the car since mid-2023, having previously owned an SLK 280 and hankered after the full AMG55 experience. He was very careful to track down just the right car, and found one with the aforementioned factory Sport upgrade along with a full service history and an impressive paperwork file (including all of the original instruction packs, price lists and dealer brochures). It’s evident that the car has been lovingly looked after, and the condition inside and out is very pleasing indeed. A wolf in sheep’s clothing? Not quite, there’s nothing sheepish about those motorsport-flavoured alloys and imposing quad tailpipes… but the SLK55 AMG has plenty of potential to wipe the smiles off the faces of people who foolishly sideline it as ‘just an SLK’. A delightful example of a fabulous car – how can you resist?

History and documentation

• Registered 01 Oct 2009
• V5 present in owner’s name
• Full service history
• Original books and manuals
• Invoices for services as follows: 2012 @ 19,229 miles, 2014 @ 31,580 miles, 2015 @ 43,730 miles, 2018 @ 56,042 miles, 2018 @ 56,369 miles (transmission), 2019 @ 58,262 miles, 2020 @ 59,634 miles, 2021 @ 60,735 miles, 2022 @ 61,611 miles, 2024 @ 64,161 miles, 2024 @ 73,121 miles
• Additional invoices as follows: 2016 – ballast unit & headlight ignitor, 2017 – brake discs, pads, sensors & wheel bearing work, 2022 – gear shifter, 2023 – passenger seat recognition emulator, 2024 – battery, 2024 – Michelin CrossClimate tyres
• Large sheaf of MOT certificates
• 2x keys
• Current MOT to 03 Apr 2026

Interior

• Black Nappa leather seats in lovely condition (with just a very little wear to the driver’s seat)
• AMG flat-bottom steering wheel
• Folding metal roof in perfect working order
• Dynavin double-DIN Bluetooth head unit with Apple CarPlay (controlled via steering wheel)
• Carbon fibre Sport-spec trim
• No visible wear to steering wheel or gear shifter
• Air-con recently re-gassed – blows nice and cold
• Tidy dashtop and doorcards
• Clean carpets with overmats
• No warning lights illuminated
• Amplifier repaired with new chips by specialist to cure battery drain (another replacement amplifier is also included)
• Clean and tidy boot

Exterior

• Sport-spec AMG split-rims in staggered widths – 7.5x18” front, 8.5x18” rear (fronts could perhaps do with a refurb at some point)
• Michelin CrossClimate tyres recently fitted
• Factory AMG bodykit
• Chrome-accented trims
• Quad exhaust tails
• Few minor age-related marks, but no dents or dings
• Plastic trims on C-pillars showing slight signs of age (although these are easy to repaint, and new replacements are available from Mercedes-Benz)
• Correct badging and trim all in place
• Light lenses and window glass all in good order
• Private plate included in sale

Mechanical

• Minor service will be carried out before sale
• 355bhp 5.4-litre V8
• Optional Sport Pack with delimited top speed
• Uprated AMG brakes with 6-pot calipers and composite discs
• Recent Bosch battery with 5-year warranty
• Nürburgring-spec AMG suspension
• 7-speed SPEEDSHIFT 7G-TRONIC transmission
• 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds

Summary

The seller is moving the car on after a few very enjoyable years simply because he knows what he wants to own next. But we sense a hint of regret in his voice as he gazes lovingly over this wonderfully muscular little machine. “The sound of a cold start never gets dull,” he says, “and it always pulls like an absolute train. With the benefit of the Airscarf system, top-down motoring is not limited by the sun, all you need is for it not to be raining and you can listen to the V8 all day long in comfort. I prefer to drive it in Sports mode – accelerating keenly from 4th gear you get the full roar of 355bhp which is just incredible.” You’d probably better get your bid in before he changes his mind!

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. The seller is located in Richmond, Surrey.