1993 Mercedes-Benz SL500

Coming from a long-term headteacher owner, this SL500 was scooped up by a serial classic car collector (vendor). With a collection that includes 200+mph Ferraris, this SL500 doesn’t quite get the use that it deserves, though the vendor speaks very highly of it. It’s not quite accurate to describe this fabulous Almandine Red SL as a project, as it runs and drives well, but there’s a few cosmetics to cure if you’re being picky. The owner has driven it on several occasions and taken it to a few shows, mentioning that he’d be happy to ‘head straight to the south of France with complete confidence’.

It’s displaying 92,853 miles, which any fan of this era of Benz will know is a piffle for these uber robust machines. There’s a valid MoT until April and glancing back through the history online, it’s failed just five tests in the past 17 years, covering a tiny 2000 miles since 2014. The car comes with a good deal of history that charts its continuous care within the Mercedes-Benz dealer and service network, as well as some big overhauls including a transmission rebuild and air-conditioning refresh. It’s good to go as it is, but would benefit from some localised paintwork and a new soft-top hood, though a good hard-top with stand is also included.

In the desirability stakes, the Almandine colour of this SL is right up there, in fact, we’d say that only Bornite (purple) trumps it. The paint on this example is largely good and the panels are nice and straight with excellent shut lines throughout. There are a few areas however, where the paint appears to have been over-polished as the lacquer has worn through. The usual vulnerable spots on the wing tops and rear deck being the most noticeable. Someone has previously decided to give the front-end a post-facelift look – though oddly not the rear – by fitting clear indicator lenses. The nearside plastic has a chunk missing from its inner edge (up against the headlight).

The hard-top seems to be in very good shape with just a couple of tiny bubbles in the paint (offside bottom rear corner). The soft-top hasn’t fared as well and the vendor reported to us that the mechanism had seized when he bought the car – indicating a long period without use. He’s since had it freed up and it’s working as it should, but the headlining is showing some mildew and the top itself is a bit tatty – plus there are also a few creases in its plastic rear window. The wheels seem to have been refurbished recently and look good, though they’re wrapped in older budget tyres.

The only damage that we could find to the exterior was on the bumpers. The offside lower corner of the front bumper has signs of stress, perhaps from a light impact, with radiating paint cracks. There are similar, though less obvious, cracks around the nearside fog light. Sacco’s satin finish to the front bumper has been mildly tarnished by scratches on the offside lower edge and there’s another mark to the rear bumper’s offside edge. Other than some further very minor marks on the bonnet’s leading edge, and a few further up on the offside (touched up), the front end is looking very presentable. Though we’d probably lose the orange cable tie holding the tow eye cover in place.

On the whole, the cabin of this SL retains the sumptuous opulence it had from new. The seat fabric is generally in good order as are the door cards and carpets. Though we’d invest in a factory set of mats, rather than the distinctly home-made efforts currently fitted. They’ve however, done their job of protecting the pile underneath admirably. Light coloured trim usually shows its age and that’s true in this instance, with the trim around the top of the roll hoop looking a little mucky. The usually cracked wood veneer to the centre console however, is looking very good.

While we’re talking dash and console fixtures, there’s an aftermarket immobiliser interface on the centre console, just below the aftermarket Sony DAB stereo. Neither stands out too much though. The usual bleed to the outside temperature LCD in the dash cluster is present, though it remains readable. The snow chain toggle on the centre console indicates that this SL has a limited form of ASR. This wasn’t the full-fat traction control option but instead applies braking effort to the rear wheels when detecting a loss of traction under 25mph.

A few further little marks can be found in the trim here and there, a couple to the backs of both front seats – plus the driver’s headrest – and the common scuffs to the usual outer driver’s bolster with accompanying frayed stitching. The boot and firewall carpets however, appear to be good and we spotted a 10-disc cd autochanger and wind-deflector nestled away back here. There really is a good amount of room in here too, perfect for housing luggage for those quick getaways to somewhere scenic.

The previous owner sadly had to stop using this much-loved Mercedes due to ill health so the car has previously sat for a period. The MoT history shows as much, with barely 2000 miles covered in eight years. The result is that the underside is starting to look tired. The exhaust heatshields have rotted away and there’s a lot of surface corrosion evident – on the front anti-roll bar and lower wishbones especially. Though we didn’t find any spots where rot seems to have progressed any further than the surface, plus the latest MoT tester wasn’t concerned either.

Under the bonnet, the engine bay looks a little grubby and the sound proofing is flaking off, but the plastics all seem in great shape. Considering the view afforded by said covers, we didn’t discover any obvious sign of fluid leaks, though we did spot an oil mist on the steering damper. This SL appears to be an honest and used example, which would certainly benefit from a good once over from a detailer (if that’s your preference). However, the service history certainly shows that this car hasn’t wanted for any maintenance or servicing over the years.

Supplied new to Mercedes-Benz Milton Keynes – serviced within the dealer network ever since – there’s a wealth of invoices to peruse. Here’s some of the big tickets… In June 2015 the air-con system was given a once over, a new condenser was fitted and a re-gas was carried out by Waterhouse M-B specialist service centre at a cost of £601.91. At the same time Waterhouse changed both distributors at a further cost of £239.03. Poor running problems have cropped up on several occasions in this car’s history, likely due to the aforementioned lack of use. Misfires were cured in 2013 with an ignition refresh but then another breakdown occurred in 2015. Though more hesitations and poor running were again traced to a bad dizzy cap in 2019.

While it was once again in the ‘shop at Waterhouse for this fix, the front bumper was repaired and repainted (some overspray on the bumper top) at a cost of £690.30. Looking further back in the file, we found a throttle actuator replacement and throttle position reset back in 2011 at Waterhouse (it’s always been cared for here) at a cost of £1226.11. An oil leak was found in the boot in 2008 (hydraulic fluid perhaps?) which was cleaned. The transmission was removed and fully overhauled in 2005, this time the work was done by M-B specialist Steve Redfearn at a cost of £1284.40. The car’s history folder also shows all of its old MoTs and invoices for a boat load more remedial work. It’s clear that plenty of care has been lavished on this machine, which is vital for these R129s to keep working reliably.

The R129 is fast catching up with its R107 predecessor in desirability terms. The market likes the bigger engines and the technology that came with this 1990s SL, which makes for an eminently useable and fast classic. Reliability concerns have kept prices suppressed but that’s why a detailed history of care is essential.

Few service histories are as comprehensive as this one and the car’s condition backs up this care. The power, pace and classic style of this eminently classy convertible surely make it worth every penny of our £7000 to £11,000 estimate.

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