Highlights

• A nicely presented R129 having covered a shade over 2,000 miles a year on average
• Offering a highly original condition and presenting in Amber Red over Helios leather
• Maintained diligently despite the low mileages recently covered

The Appeal

This example has a lot going for it. It is in a highly original condition in a popular and eye-catching colourway. It has been lightly used and has been through the hands of a low number of owners for this age and type of car. The condition appears to be excellent, and the maintenance has clearly been well catered for and documented.

The History and Paperwork

• This R129 is a UK supplied and specification model
• It hails from the first year of SL320 production featuring the 3.2L straight six engine
• The car was first registered in February 1994
• Four former owners covered the period up to July 2019
• This included a lengthy period of tenure by the previous owner of 16 years
• The current owner acquired the car in July 2019
• At that point the car had covered around 51,000 miles
• In this four-year period of ownership, the current owner has covered roughly 8,000 miles
• There is a solid paperwork trail included with the car
• Firstly, there is the current V5 in the name of the owner
• The current MOT, valid until July 2024 is also present
• A handwritten MOT and associated mileage record is included and photographed
• The original service book is also included with stamps up to 51,423 miles in 2019
• The remainder of the archive consists of numerous maintenance and repair invoices
  
  

The Interior

• The superb interior is predominantly finished in Helios hued leather
• The front seats feature perforated centres with solid bolsters
• The front seats are fully electrically adjustable via controls in the doors
• There is just the right amount of age and use-related patina to the front seats
• The rear seats are of the very “occasional” variety
• They do fold, however, to provide a useful carpeted shelf for additional storage
• The condition of the rear seats can be considered as very good
• The complimentary light-hued woollen carpets appear to be in a good overall condition 
• These have been preserved with protective mats
• The dashboard is finished in black with light coloured carpeted lower sections
• The centre console is finished in dark walnut veneer
• The original four-spoke wheel is finished in black
• The familiar VDO, white on black gauge set sits in a hooded binnacle behind the wheel
• A modern Pioneer multi-CD control head unit is fitted
• Door cards are trimmed in Helios ruched leather and carpet with accents of dark wood veneer
• Both hood and hard top’s headlining looks to be in good order
• The boot is neatly carpeted in its original, cabin matching carpet set
• A full-sized spare is housed under the boot floor with tools
• The original, boot-lid mounted warning triangle is present
  
  

The Exterior

• This example is finished in the lovely, eye-catching and popular Amber Red shade
• The paintwork presents in a fine, overall condition
• It appears to exude a deep and lustrous shine throughout
• The bodywork appears very straight and original too 
• The 16-inch original “eight hole” alloy wheels are fitted
• There are some marks and imperfections noted but they appear minor
• The rims are shod in a matching set of Michelin Primacy 225/55 tyres
• Cabin glass and light lenses all appear to be in great condition and original
• The black fabric hood looks to be in great order overall
• The rear, Plexiglass window set is clear and free of creases or cracks
• The original hard top is included and is in a fine, overall condition in keeping with the car
  
  

The Mechanics

• This ultimate sports tourer is fitted with the well-proven M104.991 3.2L petrol engine
• This is a straight six engine with 24-valves and DOHC 
• This unit was originally rated 228bhp at 5,500 rpm
• Power is fed to the rear wheels via a smooth changing five speed automatic gearbox
• The under-bonnet presentation is in keeping with a well-maintained car
• What can be seen of the underside looks clean and straight for a car of this age 
• Much mechanical maintenance appears to have been undertaken throughout the car’s history
• Two oil changes have been performed in the last 8,000 miles or so
• A full service was performed at about 51,500 miles at a cost of just under £1,000
• No known mechanical issues were reported with this robustly engineered Mercedes
  
  

Summary