1998 Mercedes-Benz SL320 |

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1998 Mercedes-Benz SL320

This vehicle has now been sold - click ‘Register Similar’ below to get notified when we consign a similar vehicle.

Sold Price

£7,950

Mileage~102,055
TransmissionAutomatic
Engine3.2L
LocationHigh Wycombe

SOLD

1998 Mercedes-Benz SL320

I WANT ONE

Introduction

Andrew Taylor

Professional Consignor

Mercedes Benz bought the iconic SL emphatically and dramatically up to date in 1989 with the boldly Bruno Sacco designed and technologically advanced R129.

The legendary Mercedes Benz design guru, Bruno Sacco, came to Mercedes Benz to find no formal styling or design guidelines in place. Within a year he had decided to adopt the ethos of company founder, Gottlieb Daimler, of "nothing but the best." That approach is certainly in evidence in the R129. The innovation, engineering quality and style represented by the R129 are considered by many to be the pinnacle of Mercedes Benz's famous car-building prowess.

To emphatically address the, by now, somewhat old-fashioned image of the R129's predecessor, the R107, the car was awash with technological innovations. These included electro-hydraulic fabric roof with automatic tonneau cover, advanced multi-link rear suspension combined with electronically controlled damping and a host of up to date safety features.

This auction listing was written from information supplied by Andrew after meeting Richard the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

As a professional driver I have high standards when it comes to my cars - this SL has been a delight over my nine years of ownership.

Richard runs a successful chauffeuring business, so knows his premium luxury cars very well. It was the rare and attractive colourway, the ownership history and exemplary maintenance record that attracted him to this particular car.

It has not disappointed over Richard's period of ownership, but a change of personal circumstances now necessitate Richard looking for an appreciative new owner for his SL320.

Richard

Vehicle Owner

Richard saved £1,260* when they
sold their Mercedes with us.

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EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

The lustrous blue green colourway of this car is as unusual for an SL of the era - an eye-catching example.

Wheels and Tyres

The 16 inch Mercedes Benz alloy present very well. There is a little lacquer peel around the center caps, but this is only noticeable at close quarters and is an easy fix if deemed necessary.

The tyres are almost new with no more than a few hundred miles behind them.

Bodywork

As you will see from our photographic package, the SL320's bodywork presents very well indeed.

There are no obvious dents, dings or chips and the panel gaps are as straight and true as you would expect from the engineering masters at Mercedes Benz.

Paint

The blue green colourway of this car attracts many positive comments according to owner Richard. It is not a commonly seen colour on an SL and it suits the car well.

The paintwork is deep and shiny with the only noticeable area of lacquer deterioration being on the top edge of the driver's door. Given its position above a swathe line it would be a straight forward fix if deemed necessary.

Glass and Trim

The glass and trim on the SL320 appears to be in first class condition. There are no obvious areas on hazing, fogging, discolouration or delamination. Richard however mentions that if he was nit picking, there is the slightest sign of scoring at the edge of the windscreen wiper sweep, and a few signs on the inside of the passenger window from his wife's ring when she's reached for the seatbelt.

The soft top is in good condition, please note though that there is an area around 5cm long by the passenger side of the rear window where the stitching appears to have come loose.

Please use our extensive range of technical photographs to satisfy yourself regarding this.

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INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

Black perforated leather seats, deep wool carpets and dark wood veneer are the signature features of this quality interior - a rare and successful blend of sports car and limo.

Seats and Carpets

The black perforated leather seats are as comfortable as they are well presented. They feature the signature seat belt arrangement of the R129. The first time belts were integrated into the seats rather than attached to the body structure of the car. This arrangement was not just testament to the robust engineering of the car but also greatly eases rear access.

The seats also feature electric adjustment with memory feature.

The carpets are in fine condition in deep black. The Mercedes Benz carpet mats have done an excellent job of maintaining a factory-fresh condition of the underlying carpets.

Dashboard

The dashboard is in great original condition with no scratching or fading being apparent. The big gauges are admirably clear and easy to read.

The controls of the center console fall easily to hand and everything seems to work as it should; with that trademark Mercedes Benz positivity.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The large, leather covered steering wheel appears mark free and exhibiting no signs of wear.

Likewise for the gear stick which is topped by the obligatory three pointed star emblem.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

The refined yet responsive straight six M104 powerplant mated the the sought after five speed 5G-Tronic gearbox is considered "the one to have" by those in the know.

Engine and Gearbox

As you will see from the copious maintenance paperwork, this car has been very well looked after indeed. That care and attention reflects in the condition and performance of the drive-train of this SL.

It starts promptly and without any unexpected smoke and the car pulls strongly and the gears seem to blur imperceptibly into each other. Please see our on the road video to get a sense of the smooth and refined progress available from this car.

Suspension and Brakes

The hard-top affixed to this convertible gives the structure an unmatched degree of strength and rigidity. This is to the benefit of the advanced suspension which has an unusually, for a convertible, solid platform from which to operate. As a result, the suspension, whilst firm, is very compliant and free from any crashes and bangs.

The brakes bring the car to a stop in a controlled manor without deviating from the straight ahead.

The Drive

This really is a car for all seasons. With the well insulted hard top electronically locked down in place you essentially have a traditional steel topped coupe. the benefits of this include a very rigid structure and almost a complete lack of unwanted wind noise.

Leave the hard top behind and you have a fully electric and well-lined soft-top at your disposal. With the hood deploying in a few seconds at the push of a button you should never get caught out by the UK's changeable and unpredictable weather.

Add to this a host of interior refinements and a lively six cylinder power plant and this is a car that is built for the adventurous road trips that we all promise ourselves.

Electrics and Other

There are a host of electric systems on this SL, all successfully conceived to enhance your driving experience. They all appeared to work as you would expect from a well maintained Mercedes-Benz.

Richard mentioned that when operating the mirror adjustment for the passing side, the up/down/out movements all work, but moving the in doesn't.

Very helpfully for a car of this nature there is a solar powered trickle charging system fitted to this car , helping to ensure you always have a battery that is in tip-top condition.

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History and Paperwork

This SL has been maintained to an exemplary standard and the paperwork available with the car should give the new owner great comfort.

As you will see here, there is a significant swathe of paperwork to accompany this car. needless to say this is underpinned by V5 highlighting that the current owner is just the third custodian of this SL. Through his research, Richard has established that the car was initially supplied as a company car for a founder / director in 1998. The gentlemen in question then bought the car from the company and kept the car until 2012 when Richard bought it.

In addition to these are numerous detailed service and maintenance invoices from a number of Mercedes Benz dealers and independent specialists.

Please note the private registration S400BLU will not be sold with the car, the car will be returned to its age related registration.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a HPi check on the vehicle.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, and as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment on the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bid/s, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History

Date	Type	Mileage
All Years	Service History	See Paperwork
23.08.21	MOT	102,025
10.06.19	MOT	102,010
14.06.18	MOT	101,922
16.06.17	MOT	101,481
10.08.16	MOT	99,133
03.08.15	MOT	97,861
28.07.14	MOT	95,510
03.07.13	MOT	93,349
25.07.12	MOT	89,696
10.09.10	MOT	89,567
30.07.09	MOT	86,881
31.07.08	MOT	79,013
01.08.07	MOT	69,106

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Key Details

ModelSL320 (R129)
TransmissionAutomatic
Reg. DateAugust 1998
CC3,199
Mileage~102,055
HistoryExcellent
ColourBlue
Interior ColourBlack
Interior TrimLeather
Chassis #WDB1290632F170208
Engine #10499122032115
Matching #sYes
Last Service2020
MOTYes - Exp. 22.08.2022
HPi ClearYes
Former Keepers3
Tyre TreadExcellent
Tyre BrandBarum Bravaris
Security SysImmobilizer
Master KeyYes
# of Keys2
Brake LifeGood
BrakesGood
CO2 (g/km)Unknown
LHD or RHDRHD
VisitedYes
Sale TypePrivate
Owned9 years
Key FeatureQuality Example

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Vehicle Sold

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Ask Questions

Seller : Richard C Sale Date 07.12.2021

Post a comment or ask the owner a question about the car.

Guest

Mike wade

Hi Richard
Do you know if the car has been painted at all.
Thanks

Author

Richard C

not to my knowledge

Author

Richard C

I don’t know. Had it detailed a few years back

Member

Thomasmitchelltradin

I meant to add is there a book pack & wallet thanks

Author

Richard C

As below, yes its present and fully filled. Until I bought it in 2012 ALL services were at the same MB Service Centre in Essex and there’s a stack of Invoices I had printed out from them to verify everything done. I subsequently used independent specialists and latterly the Bosch Service Centre.

Member

Thomasmitchelltradin

Does the car have a stamped Mercedes Service Book .Thanks Tom Mitchell

Guest

Richard

Hi Tom. To answer both, original book pack & folder present. Stamped up until it was full.. Stack of Invoices backing it up and for subsequent services/MoTs/parts. Last one was Oil and Filter service, brake fluid, new battery and MoT on 23 August 2021

Member

Thomasmitchelltradin

thanks for the information, Tom

Guest

Dennis

Could you tell me when was this vehicle last serviced?

Author

Richard C

23 August 2021. Oil and Filter, Brake fluid, new battery and MoT

Author

Richard C

PS The last service is the £424 Invoice in the pictures from the Bosch Service Centre which is where I took it for the last several years

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Vehicle Location

High Wycombe

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