£2,100
The R129 Mercedes SL was built between 1989 and 2002, a production run of more than a decade that eventually saw more than 200,000 built. Using a shortened W124 floorpan, the R129 was technologically advanced for its time, featuring electronically controlled suspension damping, a hydraulic roof mechanism, and a hidden rollover bar that could erect itself in milliseconds if it detected a rollover was imminent.
The R129 Mercedes SL was built between 1989 and 2002, a production run of more than a decade that eventually saw more than 200,000 built. Using a shortened W124 floorpan, the R129 was technologically advanced for its time, featuring electronically controlled suspension damping, a hydraulic roof mechanism, and a hidden rollover bar that could erect itself in milliseconds if it detected a rollover was imminent.
Bought earlier this year at auction, this Mercedes SL500 is showing 133,000 miles and six previous owners. A well-specified example, it comes with both a folding fabric soft-top as well as the original colour-coded factory aluminum hardtop.
The vendor bought it with the intention of refurbishing it to use and then sell, but having been messed around by time wasters on other online auction websites, he’s turned to us as he recognises what an understanding, discerning lot you all are…
The bodywork is in very good order with no obvious rust and shiny, almost scratch-free paintwork thanks, in part, to a recent machine polish and valet and, we think, the odd spot of paint in the past. However, there are still a few problem areas that could do with looking at: the area around the boot lock is rusty; there are a few stone chips on the bonnet, some of which have started to rust; and the paint is peeling away from the lower edge of the front and rear bumpers.
But, it’s not all bad news because the panel gaps are tight and even, the bumpers haven’t been used as analogue reversing sensors, and the MOT history suggests that the underside is still completely solid.
The wheels will also need some attention as they bear signs of kerbing. More seriously, the folding fabric roof will need replacing in the near future as it looks scruffy, although it is still watertight. More importantly, the standard aluminium hardtop is in good order and could be used over the winter as you plot exactly when and how you’re going to fit a new soft-top.
The inside is a tale of two halves, too: while the driver’s seat is saggy and unattractive the rest of the interior is in remarkably good condition and is coping with its 133,000 miles and 26 years with remarkable grace; our bet would be a fat lad or two has owned it in the past, hence the state of thebase of the seat.
Everything works as it should though, and the rest of the leather and wooden veneer is in very good shape, though the handle on the central cubby box is broken.
So, a day or two at the trimmers to sort the seat, or even a secondhand replacement sourced through somewhere like eBay, would see this SL500 looking as good as most five-year-old examples; Mercedes might have more than its fair share of flaws these days, but they still knew how to build cars back in the early nineties.
The 32-valve, 326bhp V8 engine has recently had to be replaced with a good secondhand unit at vast expense, works completed by a Mercedes Specialist. Not a trivial thing to do with five litres and eight cylinders of aluminium and steel. It now starts and runs very well but could do with a bottle or two of Redex and a decent thrash (or Italian tune-up, as those of a certain age would call it) to clear the fuel lines. We suspect a couple of hundred miles at motorway speeds followed by a new fuel filter would get rid of the intermittent misfire that occasionally makes itself known at tickover.
The engine bay is clean and appears to be free of leaks.
The car comes with a stamped service history up to 90,000 miles in 1999. It also has the original owner’s handbook, a spare key, various old manuals and handbooks, the V5 registration document and some old invoices.
The MOT runs through to August 2018.
This 1991 SL500 is extremely tidy on the whole and offers the promise of a lot of cheap fun and prestige for the money. Yes, it needs a bit of TLC but a glance at the online MOT history shows an almost unblemished record over the years, with only minor problems and advisories.
It’s now reached a fork in its life: the investment of a small amount of time and money would see it back to its former glory and ready to do sterling service for another three decades; or, you could turn your back on it and abandon it to a life beneath the arches, limping from one MOT to another in its search for someone to love it again. If this old Mercedes were a puppy, Disney would make a film about it, leaving you sobbing into your handkerchief as you rail against the unfairness of it all.
(And, although we probably shouldn’t share this with you, the seller is going to take a bit of a hit on this car after having had to replace the engine, which could be to your advantage.)
All-in-all, we think it’ll sell for between £4,000 and £4,500, which is an awful lot of car for the money and if you treat it well, it should look after you too, both physically and financially.
Don’t forget, the reserve is always set at a lower point than the guide price, so why not have a flutter and see if you can snag a cheap bargain to tidy up over the winter before heading to the sun in it next summer? It is a V8 after all.
Viewing is always encouraged, and this car can be seen in south Manchester; 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’.
If needed, please remember we have a network of trusted suppliers we work with regularly and can recommend: Thames Valley Car Storage for storing your car, AnyVan for transporting it, and Footman James for classic car insurance.
