Highlights
- Attractive and very well kept Ruby metallic
- Matching factory hard top with panoramic roof
- Low mileage of only 50,209 miles
- Just five keepers with one keeper for 23 years
- Over £6,500 of investment since 2023
- Paint detailing and ceramic coating in 2024
- Servicing and other work by Mercedes specialist 2026
- Recent paintwork rectification and new windscreen
- Recently inspected by marque specialist Edward Hall Classic Mercedes
- MOT valid until September 2027 with no advisories
The Appeal
It’s easy to understand why the previous keeper of this lovely Ruby metallic SL500 kept it for 23 years, maybe less so how he managed to keep the mileage so low for so long. These carefully engineered, very capable cruisers tend to get under the skin, especially when fitted with the unburstable 315bhp 5L V8 M113 engine.
This facelifted car was first registered in 1997 and has had just five keepers since. The vendor acquired it in 2023 in Spain, where it had enjoyed the warm climate for many years, before re-registering it in the UK. Since purchase, he has invested over £6,500 in maintenance and improvements, including a service and inspection in 2026 by Mercedes specialist Edward Hall. That work totalled over £2,200. Other work has included a new windscreen, paint rectification and ceramic coat treatment and over £2,500 of work by The SL Shop. Perhaps not surprisingly, it comes to market with a lengthy and advisory-free MOT.
The ‘mid period’ facelift R129s like this one benefit from updated aesthetics, improved specification and a 5spd 5G-TRONIC auto box. With its attractive paint colour, matching hard top with panoramic roof and nicely preserved beige leather and walnut cabin, this is a particularly fine example of Mercedes’ well-regarded GT.
The vendor says:
“Excellent, low-mileage, well-looked-after example of a R129, ready to enjoy. Reluctant sale as my Mercedes W113 Pagoda is completing its three-year restoration soon, with space needed at home.”
Key Information
- Mileage: 50,209 miles indicated
- Country of registration: United Kingdom since 1998 (imported from Spain in 2023)
- Technical inspection status: MOT valid until 20th September 2027 with no advisories
- Technical specs: 315bhp M113 4,973cc V8 petrol, five-speed automatic
- Paperwork: handbooks, wallet, folder of invoices and MOTs, V5C
- Private registration plate S5 OSL included in the sale
Recent maintenance:
- 09/26 - £2,218 - Edward Hall Classic Mercedes - servicing, electrics, wiring, checks
- 09/24 - £889 - Cotswold Classic Car Restoration - bodywork and paintwork
- 06/24 - £944 - The SL Shop - not stated
- 05/24 - £1,643 - The SL Shop - not stated
- 02/24 - £550 - Cotswold Valet - paint detail and ceramic coating
- 11/23 - £858 - Classic Motor Hub - fit windscreen, lighting repairs
- 09/23 - £292 - The SL Shop - new windscreen
The Detail
- Recently inspected by marque specialist Edward Hall Classic Mercedes with no concerns noted
- Attractive Ruby metallic paintwork with matching hardtop featuring panoramic glass
- Paintwork recently detailed and ceramic coated in 2024
- Few signs of age to paintwork but buyers should be realistic based on the age of the car
- Bodywork presents well with arches, sills and underside appearing in good order
- Exterior described by the vendor as presenting well with very few minor scratches and no visible dents
- Small crack (c.1.5 cm) noted at lower edge of right-hand side of front bumper
- Underside reported to be virtually rust-free with only minor surface corrosion
- No structural or other advisories on MOT
- Factory alloy wheels in very good condition with few signs of marks or kerbing
- Black folding roof is factory correct and in very good condition
- Folding roof reported to operate without fault and with no cylinder seal leakage
- Beige leather interior presents well with only light wear to usual high traffic areas
- The vendor states the engine runs very smoothly
- Interior leather reported to be free from rips with minimal wear for its age
- Recent maintenance detailed above
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..
✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
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Comments
jeremy.••••
Not the M113 engine which is 306 bhp
LeonMal••••
SellerM119 ( 1989-1998 )
kg••••
Hi, does the car have the standard steel suspension or the optional Active Damping ADS suspension?
1516933••••
I see the First date of registration in the uk is September 1998. Why is this listed as a 1997. Please correct me if im wrong.
LeonMal••••
SellerHi I do not know is the simple answer, sorry?
kg••••
Hi again. can i ask what import documentation you have ? thanks.
LeonMal••••
SellerHi I have all the invoices from MyCarImport who dealt with the import and they should have all the paperwork.
kg••••
Hi. just to check my understanding. the car was originally UK registered. then taken to spain by previous owners and registered there. then purchased by you and returned to UK and re registered in UK. would that be correct ?
LeonMal••••
SellerYes, that is correct and I was able to use registration S5 OSL again on the car.
Kir••••
Hi, I see that most of the service documents are in Spanish; have you been able to verify the mileage against those and/or any available MOT's? Thanks
LeonMal••••
SellerHi Mileage is correct and linking with 3X MOT tests since 2023 in the UK. Please see photos. Regards
STEPHEN••••
Hi. I am going to bid on your SL and if successful I will be reimporting it back to Spain. Do you still have the left hand drive headlamps? Is the air conditioning fully operational? Regards. steve
LeonMal••••
SellerHi Yes, still have the European headlamps. Aircon fully operational. Regards
STEPHEN••••
Thank you
kg••••
hi. is the service history independently verified at all? and can it be inspected at a viewing ? thanks.
LeonMal••••
SellerHi Service history is from Mercedes dealer in Spain and also from the UK. Several Inspection documentation from Spain as the car spend most of the time there. Can be inspected at a viewing. Couple of images included. Regards