Mercedes-Benz's “SL” badge is one of its more enduring names. Born in the 1950s and officially meaning “Super Leicht” (super light), SL has been on the boot lid of so many of the brand's most stylish and desirable coupes and roadsters.
Naturally the first thing many people think of in relation to the SL badge is that iconic 300 SL “gullwing” coupe. The second model with the SL name was no less special, with the famous “pagoda” roof. It also marked the point at which the SL effectively became a coupe/roadster model of the full-size luxury S, here based on the W108/109 S/SE/SEL.
A third generation model would eventually become the second-longest lived series production Mercedes, behind only the G-Class, staying in production from 1971 through to 1989, when it was replaced by the R129 generation car we see here.
This SL, based on the W124 E-Class, entered production in 1989, with facelifts in 1994 – which saw the model name change to have SL before the engine capacity designation, rather than after - and 1998, and this car's August 1998 registration date marks it out as one of the “late” model examples.
As noted above, this SL320 first hit the roads in August 1998, and it appears to have spent the earlier parts of its life in and around London and the South-East.
After passing through the hands of five owners, the current owner's father bought the Mercedes in 2011, and ended up in his custody in 2014. That puts the average ownership period at just over three years.
With just over 84,000 miles on the clock, the SL has only racked up an average of 3,700 miles a year across its lifetime, and only 6,000 of those have been in the current owner's hands. In fact the relative lack of recent use is a reason for sale.
There's a raft of relevant paperwork relating to the SL, as you'd expect for a car that would have cost over £55,000 when new. Naturally some of these are more recent, but they also reflect the car's early life in Essex.
As well as the all-important V5C, there's a collection of old MOT certificates dating back to some of its earliest tests and up to the most recent in July 2020. Like most cars, the SL has had a couple of less satisfactory results – exhaust emissions (likely from underuse) and some advisories on suspension components and tyres, as is typical for a relatively heavy car – but nothing alarming and the last test showed a clean bill of health.
Important receipts include a replacement catalytic convertor in 2012 and an engine and gearbox overhaul in 2016 that saw new gaskets, seals, engine and gearbox oil, steering components and water pump, and the car has covered only just over 3,000 miles since then.
It's a classic 1990s Mercedes interior, with cream colours low down, greys up top, and wood scattered around the controls and door cards. For the most part it's survived in good condition, with marking and damage almost at a bare minimum.
There is a patch on the driver's seat back rest bolster – probably the highest wear area in any vehicle - where the leather has worn through, exposing the seat foam underneath. Otherwise the seats appear unblemished, even in the seat bases themselves.
The rear seats, which are only equipped with lap belts, are almost as-new, which is again expected as they're not exactly intended for regular occupancy. Indeed at present a wind deflector almost precludes anyone from sitting in them at all.
You'll find carpeting throughout, and this is also in good, clean condition – including inside the decent-sized boot - and currently protected by additional mats. All the switchgear remains clearly labelled with no wearing, and all those that we tried work as intended.
The only mild nod to modification in the cabin comes in the shape of an aftermarket Sony head unit, providing CD and USB functionality, with a removable fascia.
In general the SL is in good condition on the outside, and benefited from a refresh and detail in 2011. This took care of some exterior bumps and bruises, and refurbished the alloy wheels and that all-important hard top.
Although that was a decade ago, the Mercedes has worn the intervening years well. Aside from a dent on the driver's side door – the paint is intact here and it may pull out easily - you can spot a few small blemishes on the body, but the largest is around the size of half a five-pence piece on the plastic bumper alongside the front registration plate.
The 18-inch alloys have a few kerbing marks on the rim, more so on the two rear wheels where a small section of the paint finish has also chipped off, however that's the limit of the damage. They have a neat glittery finish which reveals itself in sunlight too.
The soft-top operates properly after some recent improvements, you can even watch a video of the roof in action at the bottom of the listing! There is a small patch of wear on the fabric, though this doesn't let water in. The hardtop is in great condition, and the integrated sub blinds are also fully functional.
With 84,000 miles under its belt and a relatively recent engine and gearbox sprucing, you'd expect the SL to be in good mechanical condition. The V6 petrol engine fires up without issue and – other than a satisfying burble through the Brabus stainless steel backbox – makes no particular aural fuss.
There appears to be no issue with gear selection either forwards or reverse, and the engine makes no untoward sounds under load.
Neither is there any obvious issue with the suspension or braking. Although only operated at low speeds, we didn't detect any sounds of stress or discomfort from either. Underneath, the SL is clean and tidy, with no marks or signs of issue other than simple age-related patina, and no leaks of any kind.
Across its history, the Mercedes SL badge has always been among the coolest and most chic around. Mercedes described the SL as the “personal luxury car”, and it seems apt; you get much of what goes into the flagship S-Class but in a cool convertible body. This generation is rapidly approaching a cult status, and you can pick up one of the 1990s' best cruising machines for a fraction of its original price.
** The photos in this listing have been provided to us by the seller **
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NO RESERVE! 1998 Mercedes SL320
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