Highlights
- Fantastic condition throughout
- Excellent specification
- Strong history
- Hard top included
The Appeal
With its silky-smooth inline-six engine, legendary Mercedes-Benz build quality of the early 1990s and timeless Bruno Sacco styling, the R129 remains a strong choice for driving enthusiasts looking for an easy-to-live with, enjoyable and genuinely useable modern classic, safe in the knowledge that both main dealer and aftermarket specialist support is plentiful, and a strong enthusiast base will help home mechanics tackle almost anything they can show a spanner to.
Whilst later face-lift cars may boast more gadgets and slightly more updated styling cues, these early-build, pre-facelift (>1995) examples are coveted by enthusiasts, who state these particular years are when Mercedes were at their best, with a well-deserved reputation for over-engineering their vehicles.
This particular example is a pre-facelift 300SL, with a lovely laid-back M103 inline-six engine, two-tone pearl blue bodywork over a biscuit leather interior, and remains in factory condition throughout, save for a (slightly) more modern stereo unit.
Ready to use and enjoy, could this be your ticket for some summer motoring fun?
Ready to use and enjoy, could this be your ticket for some summer motoring fun?
The History & Paperwork
- Excellent history folder, comprised of OE M-B and independent specialist works
- V5 registered keepers document, showing just six former keepers
- Old MoT certificates to verify mileage
- Handbooks, stamped service record and numerous manuals
- Two sets of main keys, plus a set of spare ‘emergency’ manual keys
First registered in October 1991, this pre-facelift example is finished in the desirable and delightful shade of Pearl Blue (348) with contrasting lower body sections and a ‘Biscuit’ leather interior, and has evidently lived a charmed and cosseted life, as it’s 82,000 miles of use appears to have barely troubled the vehicle’s aesthetics or mechanics.
Purchased by the current owner in September 2021 as the latest in a long list of ‘bucket list’ vehicles owned over the years - including numerous MGs, Triumphs, E-Types and the like - this R129 has proven itself to be dependable, comfortable and effortless in its nature, exactly as Mercedes-Benz intended.
Included with the vehicle is an extensive history of servicing and maintenance, with over 50 separate invoices, a stamped service record, miscellaneous bills and the full complement of original handbooks and manuals, along with two key fobs.
It is also worth noting that this is a ‘matching numbers’ example, with no recorded or known accident history.
Now, having been further cherished by its current custodian, the decision to put this R129 up for sale has come about somewhat reluctantly, due to lack of on-site parking at the owner’s residence, and a recent operation which has dissuaded the vendor’s children from letting him drive!
As a result, this 300SL is ready for a new adventure, could it be with you?
As a result, this 300SL is ready for a new adventure, could it be with you?
The Interior
- Biscuit ventilated leather interior
- Lovely condition throughout - minimal wear
- Folding mohair roof looks like-new
On the inside, this 300SL is every inch the grand tourer, and remains in excellent shape throughout the cabin, with no signs of heavy wear-and-tear that bely the age or mileage of the vehicle.
The seats remain in great condition, with only a few small creases and minor scuffs giving any hint of the fact they are now over 30 years old. As far as we could see, there were no rips, tears or any damage visible on the seat bases or backrests.
The carpets and over mats, too, present very well indeed, with minimal signs of life noted by our photographer.
Up above, the inner lining of the soft-top and the headlining of the detachable hard-top are in equally good condition, with only a few small blemishes visible, which would likely clean up with a deep valet or steam clean.
Importantly, the mechanism for both the removable hard-top and the folding mohair roof is in full working order, with no hesitation, faltering or issues experienced during our time with the vehicle.
In the boot, the carpets look mostly untroubled by the passage of time, and the roll-up tool kit is present, along with the OE first-aid kit and warning triangle.
The vendor notes that the stereo does not work correctly, though otherwise all systems are behaving as they should be.
The Exterior
- Two-tone Pearl Blue (348) paintwork
- No accident damage or history
- Presents fantastically
- Soft-top windows are free from any damage
With its squared-off Sacco lines, 90’s styling and elegant proportions, the R129 still looks excellent to this day in our opinion, and is ageing like a fine wine.
Thankfully, the Sacco-penned lines of this example are undisturbed, with no signs of any impact or accident damage present on the bodywork, and lovely even shut-lines visible throughout.
Up front, the side indicator lenses are different colours due to the offside item having been replaced due to a crack, though this does not affect their operation.
The paintwork is also in excellent shape, wearing only a few small commensurate usage marks such as stone chips and minor blemishes, but nothing that is visible from afar, and on the whole this R129 looks absolutely fantastic for its age.
The aforementioned removable hard top is in equally fantastic condition, as is the folding mohair roof, which displays only a few creases as a result of long-term stowage.
Importantly, all three of the plastic windows on the folding roof are free of damage, cracking or discolouration, and the vendor suggests that the roof may well be a recent aftermarket item, as there are no M-B logos on the window panes.
Importantly, all three of the plastic windows on the folding roof are free of damage, cracking or discolouration, and the vendor suggests that the roof may well be a recent aftermarket item, as there are no M-B logos on the window panes.
All four wheels remain in very good shape, with only a few small kerb grazes and imperfections noted.
The Mechanicals
- Three-litre M106 inline-six engine
- Automatic transmission
- Mechanically strong
- Recently serviced (by mileage)
Under the bonnet, the inline-six M106 engine at the heard of this 300SL presents very well indeed, with no signs of any obvious issues, faults, damaged or defective parts that we could see, nor any major oil or fluid leaks / staining.
Starting with ease, the car behaved faultlessly out on the road, with the oil pressure registering well throughout the temperature and rev range, and no issues noted from the transmission during the short journey between the vendor’s home and our photo shoot location.
Being super particular, there was a very slight ‘flutter’ on hot idle, but otherwise no issues that we noted.
The car was last serviced in August 2020 at 80,875 miles, with a major service carried out including plugs, gearbox oil change, brake fluid change, coolant flush and all filters changed.
Finally, the most recent MoT exam - dated 05 May 2022 - shows a pass with advisories for both rear tyres cracking/perishing, and the vendor is not aware of any mechanical or electrical faults with the vehicle.
Summary
Timelessly styled, effortlessly cool and eminently useable, these R129 SL roadsters remain popular to this day, and with the rising costs of fuel, the often lesser-coveted six-cylinder engines (such as this example) may become the favoured choice, thanks to their more palatable fuel consumption, and the silky-smooth power delivery complimenting the SL’s nature perfectly.
Presented in excellent condition throughout and with no need for any immediate mechanical intervention, this pre-facelift 300SL is ready to simply jump in, turn the key and drive off into the sunset.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
