• Extensive history file, including full service and MoT history
• Very original car with no apparent modifications.
• Top-down motoring in comfort and style.
The Background
The Mercedes-Benz R129 SL is a roadster which was produced by Mercedes-Benz from 1989 until 2001. Styled by Bruno Sacco, the car was launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1989, with sales of left-hand drive models commencing in the summer of that year. Right-hand drive models appeared in the autumn. The car was runner-up to the Citroën XM for the coveted European Car of the Year accolade in 1990.
The R129 was offered as a two-door roadster with an automated (electro-hydraulic) fabric convertible roof, and a colour-matched, automated tonneau cover. Also supplied was a manually detachable hardtop that could be fitted over the stored fabric convertible roof and tonneau. The cars are well-known for their timeless design and great build quality.
The R129 replaced the R107 in 1989 and was in its turn replaced by the R230 SL-Class in 2002, for the 2003 model year.
This car was first purchased in 2001, from a dealership in Sunninghill, Berkshire. The service books come with the car and show that the car has been serviced at the appropriate intervals throughout its life, right up to the last service which was carried out at around 80,000 miles. The MoT test records appear to show that the recorded mileage is accurate.
The car comes with a large file of paperwork and receipts. The vendor has owned the car for the last six years and has enjoyed using it, but has recently retired and he and his wife intend to spend more time travelling. The owner is a member of the R129 section of the UK Mercedes Benz Owners’ Club and research suggests that UIL 2131 is the second-youngest example of the car in the club.
The bodywork and paint appear to be in largely excellent condition for a car of this age. The colour, although called ‘Black Opal’, is a subtle and very dark pearlescent green, which appears almost blue in some lighting conditions.
There is a small scratch on the rear nearside wheel arch (shown in photographs), and a minor dent is visible on the nearside door. There are some minor scratches above the driver’s door handle, and the front numberplate surround has a small crack. Also, the part of the front grille that covers the towing eye is missing. The owner believes that these are readily available but he has not replaced it, as they are prone to falling off.
The car comes with a hard top that has been stored, covered, in a shed; this has a scratch on the top (see photos) and the front edge has some minor damage where it has been stored upright.
The soft-top is in excellent condition with no visible damage, and the mechanism for raising and lowering this works well. The window panels are clear with very little ‘misting’ and few scratches. The (switched) mechanism for raising and lowering the automatic rollover-bar also works well.
The wheels are in very good condition, with some minor corrosion next to the valve-caps on a couple of them. The tyres are Continental Sport Contact 5s, which were purchased in Nov 2017 and have plenty of tread left on them.
The bars on the front radiator grille have faded.
The car comes with its current registration number, UIL 2131.
The beige leather seats are generally in very good condition, but there is a small tear in the side bolster of the driver’s seat (see photo). The owner suggests that this is the sort of damage that is caused by rivets on jeans! The driver’s seat belt is also a bit grubby.
The rear ‘seats’, such as they are (the car is very much a 2+2), appear to have been hardly used. The seat backs fold down to create a more usable load space.
The carpets are in excellent condition and have been protected by Mercedes-Benz branded overmats.
The dashboard appears to be in fine original condition. In particular, the top of the dash shows little sign of the sun damage that can be a common problem. The radio/CD player works and the automatic aerial rises smoothly and quietly when the radio is switched on. The switches are in good order and all seem to work as they should.
In the centre console’s storage aperture are the car’s service books, original owners’ manual and the instruction book for the radio/CD player.
On the driver’s side, the cover for the vanity mirror has detached but is supplied with the car.
The kick-plates in both door apertures are in very good condition with few signs of wear. Both door panels are in excellent condition.
In the boot is a spare wheel which looks unused, complete with tyre. Also in the boot is the detachable wind-deflector; this is a big plus as these are often missing from this model. The wind-deflector lives behind a clever panel, which is all intact, as are the retaining straps. There is also an original tool roll, complete with tools, and an original jack.
The car starts at first turn of the key and the engine sounds healthy. It accelerates well and drives smoothly. It corners well with no apparent suspension issues.
As outlined above, all of the electrics seem to work quietly and smoothly. The vendor has always preferred to use the car with the roof down and so has not used the air-conditioning, therefore we cannot confirm that this works as it should.
The R129 became a modern classic almost as soon as it launched, and the cars are still highly regarded and sought-after today. With a timeless design and sound craftsmanship, the car’s looks belie its age. UIL 2131 appears to be in largely original condition and shows few signs of its 84k+ miles. With only minor bodywork and interior issues to be rectified, this is an excellent example of the model and the subtle paint colour is a big plus.
With good support from owners’ clubs and specialists, the R129 is a practical and enjoyable classic car and UIL 2131 would seem to be a clean and tidy, unmolested example that should provide many more years of wind-in-the-hair top-down motoring.
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.
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2001 Mercedes-Benz SL 320 ‘R129’
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