Description
2001 Mercedes (R129) Designo SL280 Auto
I have owned this car for 9 years - it has had 3 previous owners.
MOT until 28 Jan 2026.
As production of the R129 was coming to an end in 2001, Mercedes made some very special editions of their legendary and sought-after sports car.
This is the rare Designo Edition, first registered in September 2001.
In the final year of production, Mercedes launched a very limited number of the SL Designo cars. The Designo offered something very special and in limited numbers. The. Cars were available as an SL280 or an SL320 - only 50 of each combination.
This is the SL280 in Almandine, finished in Bordeaux Leather with 6 hole lightweight two piece 17” alloy wheels, spun aluminium instrument binnacle and gear selector surround, Designo embroidery, Walnut bur trim, matching floor mats, electric (heated) memory seats, cruise control and rear passenger seats.
This 204hp, 2. 8ltr, SL280 is accompanied by an impressive folder of service and maintenance documents.
Service book
27/ 09/ 02 - 10090 miles
24/ 09/ 03 - 15185 miles
31/ 01/ 05 - 20751 miles
14/ 09/ 07 - 30241 miles
12/ 02/ 10 - 37091 miles
14/ 02/ 12 - 39815 miles
04/ 08/ 16 - 41763 miles
21/ 04/ 18 - 44805 miles
09/ 08/ 19 - 46976 miles
01/ 06/ 22 - 48842 miles
During my ownership, the car has been very much a Sunday drive, only ever taxed for 6 months of the year (from April to September), and was bought primarily for summer European road trips. The car has run faultlessly on our trips to the Alpes, the Pyrenees, Switzerland, South of France, Germany and Italy.
This is an extremely reluctant scale of a very original and very desirable car.
