--- title: "2005 Mercedes SLR McLaren Bidding at Over $185,000 Even After Being Crashed" description: "Between its flood damage and smashed-up rear-end, this supercar clearly needs some work. The question is, how much?" date: "2023-10-11" modified: "2023-10-11" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/2005-mercedes-slr-mclaren-bidding-at-over-185000-even-after-being-crashed" categories: - "Mercedes-Benz News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "Mercedes-Benz" - "Supercar" --- # 2005 Mercedes SLR McLaren Bidding at Over $185,000 Even After Being Crashed ![]() *Copart* Car YouTubers all across America are going to be dueling each other, wallets in hand, when they see this 2005 [Mercedes]() SLR McLaren on [Copart](). I can already see the cookie cutter headlines: "I Bought America's CHEAPEST Mercedes-Benz [SLR McLaren]()!!!" As nauseating as that outcome may be, this sale does offer a unique opportunity to obtain one of the rarest and most interesting supercars of the 2000s for far cheaper than usual. This SLR McLaren currently lives at a junkyard in Sun Valley, California and wears a salvage title for its flood damage and obvious rear-end trauma. The Copart listing doesn't say if there's any major structural damage to the chassis, but it all looks mostly cosmetic from the photos. If that's the case, depending on the severity of the flood damage and the condition of its electronics, this could be a pretty simple fix. ![]() ![]() ![]() *Copart* If you want to find out just how simple—or *not* so simple—that fix will be, you have a few hours left to bid. The current bid is already up to $187,000, so be prepared to drop big bucks on this beat-up SLR. Even that could work out to be a steal, provided the problems aren't too severe. While SLR values vary, they typically range from $300,000 to $500,000, depending on the body style, spec, condition, and mileage. The most recent SLR coupe to sell on [Bring a Trailer]() went for $357,000 back in May, and that one only had 8,000 miles on it. Copart's listing neglects to mention mileage, so it's hard to tell how fresh this one is. In truth it looks decently clean, considering it's in a junkyard with a smashed rear end, broken rear window, and flood damage. ![]() ![]() The Mercedes SLR McLaren was an oddball of a supercar, and one that car nerds tend to either love or hate. It was the result of a partnership between then [Gordon Murray]()-led McLaren Automotive and Mercedes-Benz while the two entities were still racing together in [Formula 1](). Although the final product [didn't turn out exactly how Murray hoped it would](), the SLR was still among the most impressive performance cars of its day. Under that long hood is a hand-built, all-aluminum 5.4-liter supercharged V8, making 617 horsepower and 575 lb-ft of torque. Despite criticism for employing a five-speed automatic transmission, the coupe was still capable of 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 207 mph. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Is this SLR McLaren worth risking six figures on, in hopes that you can fix it? That's a dangerous gamble, given that the SLR has a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) monocoque chassis and, if it's damaged, it might not be repairable. However, if the blemishes merely consist of some wrinkled body panels and flooded carpets, the YouTuber who buys this is bound to get a billion clicks. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()