1999 Mercedes-Benz SL500 R129

First registered in April 1999, this late-model, post-facelift SL500 benefits from all of the various revisions made to the chassis, cabin and engine throughout the R129’s production run. This includes the revised M113 V8 engine, independent front struts, upgraded speed-sensitive power assisted steering, ventilated front brake discs, digital instrument cluster display and face-lifted interior.

Generously specified from the factory, this SL500 boasts the following options:

- Electrically adjustable front seats, with memory function

- Auto-dimming rear view mirror

- Cassette compartment

- Glass panoramic hard-top

- Alarm / anti-theft system

- Rear seats

- Xenon headlights with cleaning system

- Wood trim - Burred Walnut root

- Black soft top

- CD Changer

- Heated front seats

- Leather interior (Grey)

Fastidiously maintained both prior to and during the vendor’s current ownership, the current owner purchased the vehicle from renowned marque specialist the SL Shop, who provided the vehicle with their warranty and customary intensive check-over prior to sale.

Since purchase, the car has been used sparingly on good weather days and weekends, cosseted, cherished and maintained irrespective of cost.

Part of this fastidious nature of ownership was due to the current owner’s intention for this car to be a ‘forever’ vehicle and long-term investment, hence the decision to attend to any minor flaws, faults or issues regardless of cost.

Alongside other work, including regular servicing and fettling, an extensive round of bodywork totalling over £4,000 took place in 2019, which was completed to an exceedingly high standard, whilst the gearbox oil was serviced and changed in November 2021, along with the V-belt, spark plug change, valve cover gaskets, and other small items.

Sadly, due to a change in personal circumstances, our vendor has chosen to downsize his car collection, with the result being the very reluctant sale of this lovely and cherished Obsidian Black SL500.

Finished in Obsidian Black, this SL 500 remains in very good condition throughout, having been cherished by its current keeper and benefiting from recent bodywork and paint overhauls.

Generally speaking, this 90’s roadster is in excellent condition, with no sign of any impacts, accident damage or mis-aligned panels that we could see.

The paintwork, too, is in fantastic shape, showing only some light commensurate wear to the bonnet and front bumper - such as stone chips and minor imperfections - along with a small scuff on the offside front corner of the bumper, which is shown in the gallery below.

Elsewhere, the folding roof is in very good condition throughout, with only a light rip visible to the outer cover on the rear nearside corner, though this does not affect its waterproofing. The plastic windows were also recently replaced - as evidenced by the invoice in the history folder - meaning they are crystal clear and free of damage. There are a few marks around the mounting points of the hard-top, though these are hidden when the roof is fitted or the folding roof is up.

Of course, one of the highlights of this SL’s specification is the panoramic glass-roof hard top, which is present-and-correct. The top itself is in good condition, with only some light paintwork marks and a couple of small chips around the bottom C-pillar corners, as you’d expect on these hard tops, but nothing more than that.

Originally delivered with larger 18-inch wheels when purchased by the current owner, the choice was made to downsize to a set of OE-specification 17-inch items with higher-profile tyres for added ride comfort. These are all in pristine condition, and fitted with the correct M0-specification tyres, all of which are matching Continental items.

The vendor notes that the hard-top stand is included with the sale of the vehicle, but will likely need a second vehicle to collect it, as it does not fit in the SL itself.

Specified with a Grey leather interior, rear seats and Burred Walnut Root insets, the cabin of this SL500 is in great shape, with the current owner reporting that they regularly ‘feed’ the leather of the seats, and keep the interior in excellent condition.

Of particular note are the heated, electrically-adjusted front seats with memory function, and the rare rear folding ‘bucket’ seats, along with the folding wind deflector which can often go walkabout over the years of an SL’s life.

Naturally, there are some signs of wear visible, particular on the high-traffic areas such as the door pulls, handles, inner door sills, front seats and steering wheel, though all of this wear is consistent with the car’s age and overall condition.

At the rear, the fold-down seats are in good condition, with no discernible wear-and-tear that we could see, whilst the floor mats are in decent shape throughout, with light commensurate wear and staining from irregular use. The vendor states that the OE floor mats are usually kept stowed away in the boot, with a set of rubber mats being used instead to preserve the carpet’s condition.

In the boot, the carpets show only a few small marks and stains, whilst the tool kit, warning triangle, SL Shop branded hi-vis and spare are present-and-correct, whilst a seemingly unused spare is located in the wheel well underneath the boot floor.

Lift up the bonnet, and the revised M113 5.0-litre SOHC V8 engine used in the later SL500s - such as this one - is there to see in all its glory.

The good news is that everything looks to be in top shape, clean and in its right-and-proper place. Thanks to the recent valve cover gasket jobs, there are no signs of any oil or fluid misting around the valve cover, nor any signs of any leaks or issues elsewhere on the engine as far as we could see.

Notably, this SL benefits from an extensive service record, with annual stamps since 2016 irrespective of mileage covered. The gearbox service was carried out in November 2021 at the same time as the aforementioned valve cover gaskets, spark plugs and belt changes at 88,879 miles.

Starting with ease and settling immediately into a smooth idle, the engine and transmission all appears to be in rude condition as far as we could tell during our photo shoot, and the vendor reports no known issues with the vehicle.

Underneath, the chassis looks to be in great shape, with only the usual signs of ‘bloom’ forming on the exhaust, exposed fittings and leading edges of some areas, but nothing that looks to be of any cause for concern.

The most recent MoT exam took place on 10 May 2022, and shows a clean first-time pass with no advisory items at 89,901 miles.

Included with the vehicle is an extensive, well-stocked and frankly astounding history folder, which is all contained in a stacked ring-bound folder.

The stamped service records - yes, records being plural, as there are two books due to the first being filled up - are present and well-stamped, along with the full brace of M-B handbooks, manuals and the folder.

Whilst in the care of the current owner, the car has been maintained almost exclusively by local marque specialist Automerc in Newbury, who have taken care of servicing and any other maintenance that has been required.

Alongside the manuals, servicing invoicing and other recent documentation for sundries such as tyres and alignments, there is also a treasure trove of older invoices, SL media packs and advertising, old MoTs and tax discs, correspondence between the vendor and SL shop when purchasing the vehicle, and other miscellaneous paperwork.

Finally, there are a brace of keys, fobs and keyrings with the vehicle.

As ever, we’ve photographed all of the documentation that comes with the vehicle, and this can be found at the end of the extensive photo gallery below.

Presented in excellent condition throughout and fresh from fastidious ownership with a no-holds-barred approach to maintenance and servicing irrespective of cost, this is a wonderful example of the V8-powered drop-top GT car that is ready to jump in and enjoy for the remainder of summer, and onwards into the colder months thanks to the provision of the panoramic hard top.

With a fantastic factory spec - including some very rare and desirable options - this is an opportunity not to be missed by anyone in the market for a V8 R129 SL. Offered for sale with NO RESERVE an estimate of £14,0000 - £19,000 we expect this auction to be popular, so make sure you place your bids to be in with a chance of driving this SL off into the sunset.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Overton, Basingstoke. 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’.