1997 MERCEDES-BENZ (R129) SL 500

KEY FACTS

• This facelift R129 Mercedes-Benz SL 500 is a powerful yet refined modern classic, presented in good overall condition.
• Under the bonnet is a 322bhp 5.0-litre V8 engine, coupled to a five-speed automatic transmission.
• It is finished in the lesser-seen Tourmaline Green with contrasting anthracite AMG alloy wheels, and with a smart Mushroom beige leather interior.

 EQUIPMENT AND FEATURES

• This SL 500 is fitted with the orthopaedic heated front seats and has dark walnut trim including on the gear lever, centre console and steering wheel.
• Fitted to the car are 18-inch AMG split-rim alloy wheels, a near £5,000 option when new, which have been refinished in anthracite grey.
• The car was supplied new with approximately £12,000 worth of optional extras including the electronic stability program and adaptive damping system. Cruise control was fitted as standard.
• This car has retained its factory ‘Exquisit RDS’ radio cassette player with Alpine six-disc CD autochanger and has a period-correct Nokia mobile phone installed (untested). The car also has the original cassette storage (complete with some cassettes) in the centre console and was specified with rear seats.
• The car comes with the factory hard top finished in body-matching Tourmaline Green paintwork.
• The original book pack and a good service history file are present along with the original bill of sale for £94,285, stamped service book and an A4 ring binder of receipts and previous MOT certificates. The owner’s manual is missing, but the vendor can supply one in PDF format if desired. There are two keys with the car.

CONDITION

• No known body damage.
• The front bumper has benefitted from being resprayed due to minor scuffs. Its paintwork is in generally good order with no visible dents or corrosion, although there are some light marks indicative of the vehicle’s age and mileage. A machine polish would probably improve most of these. There is a small area below the nearside rear light that would benefit from touch up paint.
• The vendor points out that some of the photos of the nearside rear quarter are showing reflections of trees and not marks on the paintwork.
• There is some minor damage and surface wear to the driver’s seat outer bolsters, but the rest of the upholstery is in very good condition. The interior trims are generally very presentable, though there is some heavier wear around the driver’s door pull handle and electric seat adjustment switches.
• The electrics are currently in good working order except for the remote central locking – though this does still work with the keys. There is some wear to the digital display of the radio head unit.
• There is a leak coming from the windscreen washer tank which produces a warning light on the dashboard.
• The alloy wheels would benefit from being refurbished, and the vendor has received a quote for £350 as an indication of the cost for the next owner.
• The last MOT was carried out 29 July 2021 at 95,472 miles, which resulted in a first-time pass, with a damaged steering link rubber joint cover noted as a minor defect. Advisories included some corrosion on the front suspension arms and three suspension pipes, plus the offside front brake pipe, and some damage to the nearside tyres.

SERVICE HISTORY

• The most recent full service was carried out in January 2017 at 90,422 miles by Rainton of Ashby. However, the SL500 also had fluid checks, top-ups and inspections in March 2019, September 2020, and July 2021 at 95,472 miles.
• During the most recent inspection in 2021, the under-bonnet sound deadening was renewed, and a new battery was fitted.
• In September 2020, the soft top roof was serviced, and the electric aerial was replaced.

Dates and mileage (stamped services):

• 27/02/1998 – 6,767 miles – Mercedes-Benz Woking
• 07/10/1999 – 15,007 miles – Mercedes-Benz Woking
• 07/11/2000 – 32,378 miles – Sterling Mercedes-Benz of Worcester
• 23/03/2001 – 35,728 miles – Sterling Mercedes-Benz of Worcester
• 18/02/2003 – 45,094 miles – Drayton Mercedes-Benz of Stafford
• 26/01/2004 – 51,827 miles – Drayton Mercedes-Benz of Stafford
• 11/06/2005 – 55,621 miles – K D Autos Ltd
• 15/07/2007 – 65,314 miles – K D Autos Ltd
• 03/02/2011 – 80,152 miles – H & L Garages Mercedes-Benz Specialist
• 12/04/2013 – 82,211 miles – Haden Birmingham Mercedes-Benz Specialist
• 31/03/2014 – 84,166 miles – Haden Birmingham Mercedes-Benz Specialist
• 20/04/2015 – 86,096 miles – Haden Birmingham Mercedes-Benz Specialist
• 09/01/2017 – 90,422 miles – Rainton of Ashby

SUMMARY

This timeless R129-era Mercedes-Benz SL500 boasts an impressive factory specification and remains highly original. While the interior would benefit from some minor attention, and there are a few MOT advisories to fix in due course, the powerful ‘M119’ 5.0-litre V8 engine delivers a refined but exciting drive, and the addition of the factory hard top gives this roadster year-round usability.

The description of this auction lot is, to the best of the seller's knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Collecting Cars requests a range of detail about the lot from the seller, and performs a level of due diligence. However, bidders must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description, and conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to a bid. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details.

All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.