1999 Mercedes-Benz SL 500

Who doesn’t love a convertible? True roofless aficionados know there are many reasons for having one on your driveway but, bragging rights aside, most are sensory…exposed as you are to nature’s elements. There is the heightened sense of motion as scenery rushes by and the fragrance of fresh open air as dappled shade dances across your Ray-Bans. Bliss!

This fine, low-mileage R129 example received its first UK registration on 8th September, 1999. It was enjoyed by just three former keepers prior to its acquisition by the current keeper in May, 2011.

Along with the V5C, there is the MoT certificate to 14th July, 2022 which records a clean Pass with no advisories. The car is currently SORNed.

There is a full service history backed by an up-to-date service book and two sets of keys along with an expansive file of parts, service and maintenance records. The vehicle received its most recent service on 15th July, 2021 with the mileage recorded at 57,153. Since that service, the car has been driven just 306 miles.

The car is offered for sale to make way for an evolving collection of Mercedes-Benz models.

The condition of the exterior is indicative of the love and care afforded the car during its cossetted 22-year life. The front and rear light lenses are clear and show no hint of fogging. The removable hardtop features a full panoramic roof which lets in swathes of natural light when fitted.

The little brightwork that exists around the car is in exceptional condition and a cursory glance down each flank of the car shows no evidence of collision damage with both doors in alignment. The car rides on an original set of handsome 17-inch alloys, shod with a healthy set of ContiSport Contact tyres.

With yings invariably come a few yangs…but don’t fret - there are very few on this car but we are duty bound to bring them to your attention. There is a small tear at the fold line on the left edge of the soft top rear window. Cosmetically, there is a blemish ahead of the nearside front wheel arch, a slight scrape over the same wheel arch, the alloy of which exhibits a small scuff to its centre.

All are pictured in the accompanying gallery and should be considered as minor issues. Any body shop or detailer worth their salt will remedy those in a jiffy.

While a tad short of concourse standard, the interior of this SL 500 presents in exceptional condition and the writer, in the absence of any interior blemishes whatsoever, was frequently having to remind himself that this is a twenty-two-year-old car.

The veneered wood trim on the centre console and door inserts are pristine, as is the condition of the black leather upholstery, carpets and roof liner. The boot is very tidy and the liner appears in original condition – like nothing has ever been placed in there. All the electrics are in good working order, as are the instruments, dials and switchgear.

The custodian reports the car to be excellent mechanical condition with steering, brakes and V8 engine and transmission performing as well as their respective German engineers intended.

The state of the mechanics is backed up by a spotless engine and engine bay. The under-workings of the car are clean and tidy and the suspension and running gear look to be in very good order which, given the low mileage, will come as little surprise.

It is evident that V941 JJN has enjoyed a cossetted life so far with its full service history, low mileage and low ownership being particular attractions. Its condition is exceptional all round and it is hoped that the new keeper will care for this graceful fräulein in the manner to which she has evidently become accustomed.

If you’d like to inspect the car prior to placing a bid then please use the Contact Seller button to arrange an appointment.

1999 brought us cinematic treasures such as The Matrix, The Green Mile, The World is Not Enough, American Pie and Notting Hill. It also brought a full-blown global meltdown about Y2K ruining computers, the introduction of the Euro and PayPal was deemed one of the worst business ideas of the year.

In August of that year, this lovingly and lightly used example of the Mercedes-Benz SL 500 V8 rolled off the production line at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen, north-west Germany.

The Mercedes SL has long stood for refined elegance and continent-crushing ability and the V8 version of the R129-era SL matches superb styling with touring credentials and plenty of power.

At its launch in 1999, it cost a hefty £58,045 (about £150,000 today) and of the nearly 205,000 R129 SL examples sold, a little under 80,000 wore a ‘500’ badge. We think it’ll fetch between £18,000 - £23,000.

Designer Bruno Sacco’s instantly recognisable angular silhouette, with its long, low bonnet and cab-backward stance, looks all the more purposeful on this V8 variant, which is widely regarded as one of Stuttgart’s finest designs and is quickly approaching classic status.

G’won…because you’re here, pop on a cheeky bid. You know you want to!

Viewing is always encouraged (within Government guidelines, of course) and this particular car is in our care at The Market HQ near Abingdon. We are open 9am - 5pm weekdays. To arrange an appointment, please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.