2000 Mercedes-Benz SL320 R129

Highlights 

• Incredibly low mileage car
• Removable hard top with panoramic roof 
• Gorgeous black leather upholstery 
• Extensive Mercedes service history

Background

Beautiful, powerful, advanced are just a few words that come to mind when describing the Mercedes SL. First launched at the 1989 Geneva motor show, The R129 was a huge leap from its predecessor, the then aging R107, bringing the Mercedes right up to date, with more modern styling, technology and safety.  
The R129 Mercedes SL was received excellently by both the motoring media and the public alike, with people admiring the blend of quintessential Mercedes quality and attainable performance. As a result sales boomed and production spanned until 2001, with the SL undergoing a few facelifts and updates through the 12 years. This example being a later, 2000 model, boasts some exterior, interior and safety refinements over earlier pre 1997 cars.  

History

This fine example of an SL was bought earlier in the year by its current owner, who has had the car looked after and serviced by a local garage. Investigation indicates that the car was given to the previous owner by a family member who had been driving it before them, in this time being looked after primarily by a Mercedes Benz dealer. 

The car has been cared for excellently since first registered in March of 2000, and it thoroughly shows looking at the remarkable standard it sits in today. 

Paperwork

The SL boasts an impressive folder of paperwork, consisting of early factory brochures, manuals and servicing booklets, as well as previous MOT certificates and a current one, which is valid until August 2022. There are also several invoices and receipts for work undertaken in the car’s life, with a great deal of this being done by main dealer Mercedes Benz of Bath. 

We also have a recent invoice for work including full servicing and some general maintenance by a garage local to the current owner. 
The V5 document is also present with the car. 

The interior

Looking into the inside, we see a beautifully crafted leather and wood cabin, presented excellently as to be expected of a 60,000 mile car. The seats front and rear, draped in black leather are of an outstanding condition, with incredibly minimal wear  they look almost as if they haven’t been sat in. The door cards and door furniture are of an equally great condition, as are the carpets, all looking as though they’re straight out of the factory in 2000. 
The same can be said for the boot of the car, in which the carpets and upholstery is of an excellent standard. The boot also holds the original first aid kit and a factory multi CD player, capable of holding 6 CD’s. 
Mixed in, are subtle adornments of wood trim along the arm rests and centre console all looking fresh and free marking. The centre console holds the factory radio, climate control system and roof and window controls. All appear of a great standard with just some minor wear to the radio volume knob. 
Just behind the rear seats, we see one of the reasons the R129 SL’s were so famed for their advanced safety features, the pop up roll bar. This could be operated manually if chosen by the driver or would be automatically “popped up” if a roll or accident was detected. Whilst this thankfully hasn’t been put to the test in this example, the bar pops up perfectly if chosen to do so manually by the driver. 

The Exterior

Presented beautifully in a shade of Brilliant Silver, the car oozes style and class. 
The paintwork itself is great with very minimal wear, the noticeable blemishing being some scratching on the passenger side door and front wheel arch. The car sits on 4 excellent alloy wheels which are all in great condition. The car also boasts rarer power fold mirrors which work as they should. 
Being a later model, one of the most notable features on the car is the incredibly rare, optional panoramic roof, embedded within the removable hard top. The glass is clean and free of marking and provides excellent lighting and views from within the cabin, there is however a blind that can be pulled across this glass if the owner wishes to do so. 

The roof itself, while being a two person job, is removed with ease, providing a great open top experience within the car and a transformed look from the outside. The car also boasts an electronic soft top which is controlled via a button on the centre console. The black top is of a great standard with no wear to be seen to the fabric or the rear windows.

The Mechanics 

Being an SL320, we find Mercedes’ 3.2 litre 6 cylinder engine under the bonnet, as well as a recent service the engine has been treated to a new water pump by the current owner, with the engine and engine bay being exceptionally clean. It fires into life immediately and provides a great but subtle engine note from the exhausts at rear. 

The hoards of power available under the right foot are clear when on the road. The car accelerates effortlessly through the gears, while providing a refined and luxurious ride. The SL is truly a wonderful, understated and powerful cruiser. 

The Appeal

This is a great opportunity to acquire an extremely usable modern classic. An extremely low mileage example that still looks factory fresh, with the added bonus of rarer optional extras such as the power fold mirrors and exquisite panoramic removable hard top roof. 
The combination of a powerful engine and Mercedes build quality and safety mean this car can be a wonderful grand tourer, a dynamic sports car or a brilliant car to be used daily.




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Please see our FAQ's here and our Terms & Conditions here


Please see our FAQs here and our Terms & Conditions here

Vehicle specification
  • Year 2000
  • Make Mercedes
  • Model 320 SL R129
  • Colour Silver
  • Odometer 60,102 Miles
  • Engine size 3199
Auction Details
  • Seller Type Private
  • Location London
  • Country United Kingdom
Bidding history
26 bids
  • ry•••• £9,600 16/12/21
  • T•••• £9,500 16/12/21
  • ry•••• £9,400 16/12/21
  • T•••• £9,300 16/12/21
  • ry•••• £9,200 16/12/21
  • T•••• £9,100 16/12/21
  • ry•••• £9,000 16/12/21
  • T•••• £8,300 16/12/21
  • ry•••• £8,200 16/12/21
  • ci•••• £8,000 16/12/21
Message C&C Auction Team

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