*** Interested parties should note, this vehicle was subject to a CAT D insurance loss in 12/2008 ***
Highlights
- Nicely presentable car that has had £8,000 spent on paintwork
- Low mileage example of these appreciating and very appealing SLs
- Mechanical overhaul including arms, bushes, links, suspension and brakes
- Long MOT with no advisories
- Very capable modern classic offering hard top, soft top or open top motoring
The Appeal
The evergreen R107 Mercedes was a hard act to follow but Mercedes put its famed designer, Bruno Sacco, on the case and the result was the svelte R129. More luxurious and even more upmarket than the car it replaced, it also offered effortless 5litre V8-powered wafting for buyers with the deepest pockets.
This attractive Imperial Red SL500 has received a recent £8,000 worth of paintworking according to the owner plus a comprehensive overhaul of the suspension and brakes. A low mileage, nicely presented car with a long MOT it looks like a very rewarding way to travel in style.
The History and Paperwork
- First UK registered on 31st December 1997
- Mercedes DATACARD records indicate:
- This car was originally sold into Cyprus
- Build date March 1997
- Delivered on 28th April 1997
- Finished in Imperial Red
- Service book and original handbooks included
- Registered as Category D on 18th December 2008
- Good history file of MOTs and maintenance work by independent specialists
- Seller states that he has spent £8,000 on the paintwork and invested in overhauling the car’s suspension and brakes
The Interior
- R129 interiors are a Mercedes masterclass of quality and style, combining leather, wood and fabrics to great effect
- Generally very presentable interior albeit with some scope for light improvement
- Original factory-supplied audio system with optional boot-mounted CD multichanger
- Beige leather seats in generally good condition
- Optional rear seats fitted
- Some discolouration of the seats, wear to the driver’s seat bolster and mark on the offside rear seat to note
- Front seats electrically operated with memory function
- Light scuffs to the driver’s door card including around the seat switches, on the grab handle and at the base of the trim
- Attractive leather and wood steering wheel in good condition with only light signs of use
- Some wear on switchgear and gear selector typical of age of car
- Carpets throughout in good condition with no holes but may respond to valeting
- Hard top headlining in good condition but sagging in places
- Soft top headlining in similarly good condition but with some marks visible
- Original factory tool kit and roll
- Wind deflector
- Fitted car cover included
The Exterior
- Lustrous Imperial Red paintwork which we understand has been resprayed at a cost of £8,000
- Projector lens HID headlamps
- Bodywork in very good condition, only the slightest of marks noticeable including a chip on the nearside rear sill end, dimple on the passenger door edge and possibly two small stone chips on the bonnet
- Front bumper has a small crack low down on the offside, delaminating paint on the nearside grille and a light scuff on the nearside
- Factory standard 16inch alloys in very good condition and appear to have been recently refurbished
- Matching spare wheel with some deterioration and fitted with older Pirelli tyre
- Fabric soft top in generally good condition but would benefit from a clean and reproof to restore the colour
- Soft top rear windows slightly discoloured and show small cracks where the roof has folded when lowered
- Hard top in very good condition with good paintwork and trim
- The underside continues the impression created by the bodywork being in good condition with no structural issues
- Long MOT with no structural advisories
The Mechanics
- Reliable 5litre M119 engine developing 306bhp and providing smooth, effortless performance
- Later 5G-TRONIC 5spd Mercedes Benz automatic gearbox
- Good history file showing ongoing expenditure with independent specialists
- The seller tells us that the car has had the suspension arms, bushes, links and brakes replaced
- These are big, heavy cars and the owner’s investment in the running gear will help ensure this car rides as it should
- Sparing use since 2020 and MOT history supports the low mileage
Summary
Classy and handsomely styled by Mercedes supremo Bruno Sacco, the R129 is emerging from the R107’s shadow as a very relaxing, smooth and luxurious car for short or very long cruises.
This low mile SL500 has been lavishly invested in by its enthusiast owner, including a respray and suspension overhaul. Looking and driving as you would expect from these great cars, it comes with the reassurance of a long MOT.
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ If the seller is registered as a private seller, consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not apply. Car & Classic’s return policy applies.
✓ A non-refundable deposit will be payable if you are the winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for details.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is, Where Is’ basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase and bidding is highly recommended. Photos and descriptions are for guidance purposes only.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check, to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection or delivery.
