1998 Mercedes-Benz SL500 Cabriolet

Although first registered in August 1998, this fine example of the R129 breed is a 1999 facelifted car with the more modern M113 V8 engine. By this stage, of course, the early and rather recalcitrant four-speed automatic transmission had been replaced with a vastly better five-speed unit. As such, this car represents one of the first MY99 cars and, consequently, a definite sweet spot for the enthusiast and purist.

The registration document details two former owners, but there is more to it than that. The first owner acquired the R129 from Macclesfield Mercedes in August 1998 and kept the car until October 2001. During that period, he covered roughly 15,000 miles.

In 2001, the current owner’s husband bought the SL500 as a car they had always hankered after and something to enjoy in the rare lulls in their busy farming and equestrian working lives. The Mercedes was regularly but lightly used, too, with most years seeing between two and five thousand miles added on average. In 2010 the SL500 was signed over to the owner’s wife at approximately 55,000 miles.

With the subsequent passing of the current owner’s husband, opportunities for enjoyable road trips have dwindled and, with regret, she has decided to sell. The car is regularly cleaned, regardless of use, and is dry stored and kept on a battery conditioner.

There are a few external clues to this car’s MY99 facelift status. The pre-facelift cars’ wing mounted vents consisted of three apertures with the facelifted cars having just two. The signature ribbed rear lights featured three ribs for MY99 as opposed to four ribs previously.

To our eyes the Mineral Green of this car represents a real highlight. It’s a less often seen shade and it contrasts perfectly with the “dark green” fabric hood. Its protective panels along its flanks and over its bumpers, the so called “Sacco” panels after Mercedes design chief Bruno, are finished in the same hue, paint code 812. The overall effect is as pleasing as it is eye-catching.

The design of the R129 was quite a departure and instantly cut a modern and contemporary dash in comparison with the more traditional R107. Much of this was down the almost complete absence of brightwork with only the grill providing a modicum of chrome. The design won Mercedes Benz both the international Car Design Award for 1990 and the admiration of a generation of autophiles. The condition of both paint and bodywork is excellent overall. Only a very limited patch of early surface corrosion was noted ahead of the offside front wheel arch.

The SL sits on its modest but original Albali, 17-inch alloy wheels. These are in a decent condition overall and finished in metallic silver. Some surface corrosion was noted with the offside rear being most affected. A set of 245/45 configuration Dunlop tyres are fitted. The fronts date from 2011 and the rears from 2017 so they may benefit from professionally checking for age related deterioration.

Naturally, our SL features a robustly engineered removeable hard top which anchors firmly and securely atop the car once the fabric hood is safely stowed under the electrically operated hard tonneau. The paint finish on the hard top appears to be as equally well presented as the rest of the car. The folding dark green fabric hood looks to be in great overall condition and there is no apparent cracking or fogging to the rear windows. The hood folded faultlessly during our visit and deployed quickly in around the 20 seconds originally specified by Mercedes.

The gentle wedge shape of the R129 remains surprisingly contemporary and is built to military grade standards, the standards of which are impossible to find in cars of today.

The interior of the SL500 is an object lesson in premium sports car cabin treatments that very few have seemed to equal. The quality of the fixtures and fittings used and the way in which they are screwed together remains exemplary and somewhat of a lost art.

This cars’ cabin is trimmed in soft and supple Helios Nappa leather (239A). The seats are finished in the later un-perforated leather hides and both front seats are electrically adjustable, heated and featuring the first production appearance of seatbelts built into the seat backs. Just one of the 20 individually patented parts featuring in an R129 front seat. There are three setting memory functions for both seats too. The token rear seats are trimmed in matching leather and fold forward to provide additional carpeted storage for bags and other rod trip related paraphernalia.

The beige, woollen carpets seem to have been protected by carpet, over-mats and present in excellent condition throughout. In fact, the car consignor’s holy grail of “mats on mats” are in evidence here, with both sets being official Mercedes Benz items, too! Impressive! The dashboard is finished in a mushroom hued upper panel and the familiar VDO gauge set sits behind the stitched leather and burr walnut steering wheel. The large centre console is finished in a dark burr walnut veneer and houses the period-correct, Bose engineered, and Mercedes Benz branded “Audio 30” cassette head unit. A CD changer is fitted in the glove box.

Door cards are finished in Helios leather with accents of dark burr walnut veneer. The cream headlining of both hard and soft tops look to be in a fine, unmarked condition. The well-shaped boot is trimmed with its original light carpet and the spare wheel and tool set are housed under the floor. Even the original Mercedes Benz first aid kit and warning triangle are still present.

This fine sports tourer is fitted with the potent and well-proven M113.961, 4,973cc V8 naturally aspirated petrol engine. With hindsight these engines have become considered as very robust with regular maintenance. Despite dropping around 20bhp compared to its predecessor, it is popular in R129 circles as providing a winning blend of power, torque and reasonable economy. Power is fed to the rear wheels via a smooth changing five speed automatic gearbox.

The under-bonnet presentation is a little neglected currently and would benefit from a deep clean and professional detailing. There is nothing other than superficial attention really required, however, with no leaks or obvious issues noted. The under-bonnet insulation has given up the ghost and will need replacing at some point.

The underside of the car appears to be very good. The often-vulnerable areas, such as the wheel arches, seem to be in good order with just that one small patch of corrosion noted. During our visit the car started promptly, idled smoothly and no smoke or unexpected fumes were noted.

This SL comes with a strong paperwork archive providing some valuable provenance. This includes the current V5 and hard copy MOT. The latter is valid until November 2023. There are numerous previous MoTs on hand too, documenting the mileage history.

There are a number of invoices present covering the car’s entire history. The original book pack is present complete with owner’s manual and all-important service booklet. This documents inspections at regular intervals. The original build card is present. This lists some of the car’s key features which include massage seats, memory pack, CD changer, headlamp cleaning system and heated seats.

If ever there was a classic somewhat in waiting, then the R129 must surely be it. It follows a long line of illustrious forebears that are already highly desirable and becoming increasingly valuable. In this context he R129 still represents incredible value. That’s especially true in this M113 V8 form where 300bhp plus performance met improved efficiency and economy in a compelling exquisitely engineered package.

This is a lovely and well-loved example which is both original and honest in equal measure. It has been regularly and diligently maintained and, until recently, regularly but lightly used. The condition is excellent overall with only a couple of minor areas that could be further, yet easily, improved. Of all the cars we see and write about, this vintage of R129 Mercedes are the ones we can most easily imagine still be around in 100 years’ time. For a long term, useable classic convertible GT car you will do no better than a R129 SL500.

We estimate this vehicle to fetch between £12,000 - £15,000 in auction.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Hawksworth, United Kingdom. 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’.