Description
Principal Facts
Offered for sale is arguably one of the best examples of the original Sacco-styled R129, this 1994 example of the SL500 having covered just over 13, 000 miles in over 30 years. Finished in timeless Blue Black Metallic with Alto Grey Satin lower panels, and a Black Leather Interior, and equipped with niceties such as folding door mirrors and memory function for the electrically adjustable and heated front seats.
Condition
Imported to the UK from Japan in 2016, this SL500 was then subject to an extensive recommissioning to ensure it was fighting-fit for its new life here on the British Isles. Since its arrival, the sole UK owner has covered a whopping 13, 500 miles, using the car as intended.
Both cosmetically and mechanically, the car is in fine shape as you would expect for a vehicle with so few miles (measured in kms here, of course) on the clock. It drives exceptionally well and is a testament to the current owner and his efforts to maintain the car to such a high standard.
History
The history file is a tale of two halves, specifically that the first half is in Japanese, and the rest in English! We have an original booklet pack in Japanese (with a handy Japanese dealer directory, should you ever need it), two keys and a folder containing both British and Japanese servicing records.
Those records support the low mileage, with just 4200 kms on the last service recorded before export, followed by UK records starting at 4626 kms at the first MOT in July 2017. All MOT certificates are there, as well as a sheaf of invoices for assorted work including new roof rams in 2018, and regular specialist servicing as recently as October 2023.
There’s also an issue of Mercedes Driver Magazine from 2019, in which this car features, laid out over seven pages. In said article, the owner mentions his desire to sell the car due to changing family life and we’re pleased to see that not only did he find a way to hold on to the car for several more years, but to continue to use it regularly with his family too – a true enthusiast.
Summary
Exceptional R129s are tough to find, they are such useable cars that many of them have been used a lot more than this one, many now showing their age. This SL500 stands out as one of the few cars to survive in such amazing condition, and the current owner has invested in all the right areas to ensure reliable running for many years and miles (kms!) to come, making it an extremely enticing proposition.
