Highlights
- Low documented mileage of under 51,000 miles
- Rare RHD combination of Arctic White and Medium Red leather
- High specification 240bhp 5.0-litre car with factory rear seat and a/c
- Huge history file of maintenance and regular servicing
- Previously sold by The SL Shop for £65,000
- Now reserved very competitively
- Includes matching hard top, stand, luggage and wind deflector
- MOT valid to February 2027 with no advisories
The Appeal
From whichever angle you approach this 500SL, whether condition, mileage, maintenance or specification, it is one of the most appealing we’ve seen in a long while. Finished in rare Arctic White with evocative Medium Red leather, it has covered less than 51,000 miles from new and comes with a seriously vast history file. As one of the final facelift R107s it is a desirable galvanised model.
The 500SL was peak R107 for European buyers, delivering 240bhp from its M117 V8 and coming standard with LSD, cruise control and headlamp washers. This car adds a desirable factory rear seat and air conditioning to offer the buyer perhaps the ultimate transcontinental classic cruiser.
The previous keeper acquired the car in 2022 from specialist The SL Shop, which has been responsible for its maintenance during the majority of the last few years. Sifting through the large number of MOT, invoice, and other documents reveals a run of servicing stamps plus a recent dark red soft top, battery, interior recolouring and heater blower. A matching hard top with a stand, plus a wind break, and fitted luggage are included. Prior to sale the car received new brake pads and gearbox oil seal. It comes to market with an advisory-free MOT valid to February 2027.
Much as we love the 300SL, it’s hard to match the gentle beat of the 500SL’s V8. This low-mileage, cherished car has the specification, provenance and low mileage to rank amongst the best available.
History and Paperwork
- UK-market right-hand drive car
- Factory built around April 1988
- First registered August 1988
- 12 keepers from new
- Current keeper since September 2022
- SL Shop purchase invoice
- Large file of servicing records and invoices present as shown
- MOT and tax records dating back many years as shown
- History file best viewed in person due to its extent
- Hardtop with stand included
- Luggage set and windbreak from The SL Shop included
- Set of keys as shown
- Factory service book and handbooks as shown
- V5C
- Last MOT valid to 23rd August 2025 with single advisory to note
- Maintained by SL Shop and other specialists in recent years
- Current MOT valid to 25th February 2027 with no advisories
- Recent new brake pads and oil seal
Service history (further details in photos):
- 11/23 - c.49,000 miles - SL Shop
- 10/20 - c.45,000 miles - as above
- 06/19 - 43,633 miles - as above
- 04/17 - 42,491 miles - as above
- 05/16 - 42,344 miles - Mercedes-Benz Wirral
- 05/15 - 42,086 miles - as above
- 06/14 - 41,209 miles - SL Shop
- 05/13 - 39,497 miles - George Frazer (marque specialist)
- 05/12 - 37,282 miles - as above
- 11/06 - 21,451 miles - Steve Redfearn (marque specialist)
- 08/05- 20,569 miles - Mercedes-Benz Bath
- 04/92 - 11,209 miles - Evans of Leicester
- 02/91 - 6,768 miles - as above
- 09/88 - 1,055 miles - Callardes Mercedes-Benz
- 08/88 - PDI - as above
Notable recent maintenance (further details in photos):
- 02/23 - new battery - £141 - John Moore Auto Repairs
- 09/22 - rotor arm, ignition lead etc - £516 - Sl Shop
- 09/22 - matsa, luggage, hard top stand, wind deflector - £1,751 - SL Shop
- 08/22 - PDI and other pre-sales checks - SL Shop
- 10/20 - heater blower and other work - £482 - SL Shop
- 08/19 - clean and colour seats - £714 - D Class
- 07/19 - new soft top and related parts - £1,655 - SL Shop
The Condition
- Rare Arctic White with matching hard top in very good condition
- Originally supplied with black roof but fitted with red roof in 2019 as above
- Roof in very good condition with clear rear screens as shown
- Matching hard top in good order with stand included
- Exterior chromework is bright and well kept
- Usual R107 check areas such as arches, door bottoms and front wings present well
- Underside as shown with no structural advisories on last MOT
- Well kept ‘Gullideckel’ alloys in very good condition with matching spare
- Matching white banded Michelin tyres fitted with white showing slight discolouration
- Attractive burgundy ‘Medium Red’ leather interior in very good condition
- Seats were recoloured in 2019 and have been little used since
- Fitted with desirable factory rear seat option
- Factory fitted with a/c and cruise control (untested)
- Slight bolster wear note to driver’s seat in photos
- Bright and well kept red carpets through cabin and boot areas
- Carpets appear to be clean and little worn
- Attractive dark walnut wood veneers to dashboard and console
- Veneers do not suffer obvious cracking and age typical of this model
- Fitted with modern quality Alpine Bluetooth stereo
- Heat-insulating glass all around with heated rear window and band filter
- Heated exterior mirrors, electrically adjustable on the right
- Fire extinguisher fitted
- Some age-related marks may be present, as is to be expected of a car of this vintage
- Supplied with wind break and a hard top stand
Some colour combinations flatter the handsome R107 shape and white is one of them as these photos. It accentuates the chromework and suits the car’s neatly underplayed aesthetic. This car’s Arctic White is factory correct and is in very good condition. The car comes with a matching hard top with a stand.
A previous keeper has leaned into the style theme by switching the original black fabric roof for a red item that suits the Medium Red interior. It suits the style and is in very good condition, as shown in the photos. The exterior is completed by a set of factory ‘Gullis’ with white-banded Michelin tyres.
Inside the red leather adds a touch of sumptuousness to an interior that can look austere in other hues. It is very well kept, the reds trim and carpets, and the desirable optional rear seat, all in great condition. The seats were recoloured a few years ago - slight bolster wear is visible on the driver’s side, but does not detract. The walnut veneers are also in good order.
The Mechanics
- 5.0-litre M117 240bhp V8 engine
- Four-speed 4G-TRONIC automatic transmission
- 500SL with factory standard rear axle with limited-slip differential
- Well maintained by main dealers and specialists throughout its life
- Serviced by SL Shop in 2023 with few miles since
- Other recent maintenance noted above
- Recent new brake pads and oil seal
- Current MOT with no advisories
Has just been serviced prior to sale which included new brake pads
While later cars got the well-regarded straight six engine, the R107 was designed to be V8-powered. The M117 5L 240bhp V8 was the top specification car for European buyers and firmly suits the car’s unruffled, mile-munching vibe.
This car’s low displayed mileage is supported by the large history file, MOTs and service book. It is hard to overstress just how much history this car comes with - you can see it displayed in the photos. We’ve provided a breakdown of the servicing above and a summary of recent maintenance too.
The vendor bought this car intending to keep it, but circumstances have changed. He tells us that it runs and drives very well. As a serial SL owner, he considers this the best he has seen.
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:
✓ The seller of this vehicle is registered as a business seller. And you are covered by Car & Classic’s Terms and Conditions.
✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted. Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
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