2003 Mercedes Sl55 Amg, Convertible, Black, Excellent, 96k Miles on 2040-cars

I have owned this car for approximately 4 years, purchased used from a dealership in KY,  and have greatly enjoyed driving it. Comfortable and elegant, it switches easily from smooth city driving to a road-hugging sports car. The seats heat you in winter and massage you at the push of a button (no kidding) . The Bose stereo with its 10 speakers (wherever they are) sounds simply superb. So too does the engine, for the hand assembled AMG engine (the guy who built it, signed it!) produces a low powerful sound. Frequently friends say, "I love the sound of your car".

The car has required very little maintenance aside from regular service for oil, filters and etc. When I purchased it, I bought a 48 month warranty, and essentially never needed it. I have carefully maintained the car, mostly at MB dealerships. I also have driven it gently, never raced it and have not "souped it up". But it is wonderful to have the power to overtake another car, and when you want to accelerate this supercharged, 493hp, 516 lbs-ft torque car is scary fast. Also impressive is its ability to stop quickly. The oversize brakes (14" front, 13" rear) have NO fade according to Road and Track. The transmission is a 5-speed automatic with lockup torque converter, but the push of the button allows you to shift manually using either push buttons on the steering or using the shift. This is fun, but truthfully the automatic mode is smarter and faster than I am. On the highway, I routinely get about 21 mpg.

As far as I know, everything works fine. The dual zone climate control is great, keeping me cool and my wife warm. The trunk size is ample (even with the top down) and carries enough luggage and extra junk for a comfortable long drive. The car has a CD based navigation system that works fine for us. But, should you find yourself going the wrong direction, like most MB's, the car can make a surprisingly small U-turn. The top has the optional panoramic glass sunroof and the convertible works flawlessly and is fun to watch.

I would like to pass this car on to someone who understands and appreciates this superb automobile. The title is clean and the car has had no accidents. The exterior is clean, shiny, with no major defects whatsoever. There are a couple of minor scratches on the front bumper. The interior is in excellent condition.

This was the high end Mercedes in 2003 and cost approximately $120,000. I have based the price on KBB private party sale for a car with 96,000 miles. A Car and Driver review in 2003 said "It's the most potent Benz ever offered in North America, according to the manufacturer, and also the quickest factory Benz we've ever tested: 0 to 60 in 4.5 seconds, 0 to 100 in 10.9, the quarter-mile in 13 seconds flat at 110 mph". I do not recommend testing this hypothesis and I never have.

The minor odometer discrepancy, mentioned in the report, happened before I owned the car, and was a surprise to me.  There are two discrepancies, both associated with warranty reporting by a dealer.  The total miles involved is about 7,000.  The car-fax people suggested this was probably human error in reading the odometer, since the car must be turned on and the digital odometer is difficult to read.  And why would anyone change the odometer just 7000 miles?  Anyway, I believe the actual odometer reading is accurate, but I can not prove this.

If you are seriously interested, please email me and we can discuss this further. I will respond quickly.  Please, no low ball offers.  I expect a downpayment of $1,000 through paypal, the balance to be paid in 7 days.  I accept cashier's checks on US banks, personal checks which must clear, and/or cash.

Thanks for looking at my car.