1996 Mercedes-Benz R129 500 SL with Mushroom Leather

1996 Mercedes-Benz SL500 (R129)

Green-Black Metallic (189) with Mushroom Exclusive Leather (565) and
Panoramic Glass Hardtop (415) with Black Fabric Soft Top (9001)

29,000 miles

(more photos of the car are available than are shown on the website. Please email Bruce for the full photo suite)

This exceptional SL500 is one of the finest specification R129 SL cars that we have come across. Finished in the stunning shade of Green-Black, it is perfectly complimented by the two-tone Mushroom ‘Exclusive’ Leather. With the complete AMG styling package and an impressive options list, it is no surprise that this car has quite a story – it was first owned by the then UK director of Mercedes-Benz.

Green-Black Metallic is the R129 equivalent of the ever popular Blue-Black Metallic of the R107 SL series. This complex colour can appear both green and black, depending on the light… it is a rare and very desirable shade, that suits the AMG styling of this car perfectly.

Even from a distance it is easy to see that this car is rather special. The sculpted skirts and bumpers of the AMG kit give the car a more sporting look than a standard R129, with those wide 2-piece alloy wheels giving the car a purposeful stance (8.5 at the front and 10 at the rear). The AMG specification is more than just skin deep – an option code details ‘shell modification for AMG wheels’, a slight widening of the arches to tuck those huge wheels beneath the car.

Inside there is all the usual refinements that the R129 generation SL is known for, with the added bonus of Exclusive Leather, with Rear Seats and that delightful touch in an R129… the wood and leather steering wheel. The two tone leather seats are perforated and heated, as well as being electronically adjustable with memory – this style was more usually found on the V12 models. Heightening the cabin experience further is the panoramic roof, a very desirable R129 optional extra. This is finished in the same colour as the body but with a large tinted glass centre, complete with manually operated sun blinds for passenger comfort.

When it comes to the drive and handling, this SL is propelled by the most powerful variant of the 5.0 litre V8. The R129 used two different versions of the M119 engine, producing both 322hp and 302hp. Due to changes in emissions, cars built after 1998 lost a little horsepower, whilst pre 1995 cars were predominately fitted with 4 speed gearboxes – making the 1995-98 cars some of the best in the range. This is all kept in check by the Adaptive Damping System, allowing the user to adjust the ride height, and the Electronic Stability Program. The ADS System was an expensive option, contributing to the total on the road price at the time of more than £140,000.

Specified from new by the first owner, the car was the personal transport of the UK director of Mercedes-Benz. Can there be a better placed person to go through the options list on an SL? Keeping the car just under a year, it has then passed through a small number of very careful owners before arriving at SLSHOP. It would appear that every keeper of this car has been well aware what a special vehicle it is, demonstrated by the low mileage.

Further bolstering the calibre of this car is the service history file, showing regular maintenance by Mercedes-Benz main dealers, with the most recent service carried out in November of last year. As well as the oil and air filters, this included a gearbox service, clean of the spark plugs and a complete underseal of the vehicle, with a total of £1,056 spent.

The car comes with all the original manufacturer book packs and spare keys, as well as the correct radio card.

This SL500 is a true ‘best of breed’ example, a beautifully equipped car with an excellent story.

It is an icon of a generation, a low mileage classic car that is ready for a new owner to cherish and enjoy.

This Mercedes-Benz has been hand-picked by SLSHOP’s sales team due to its high calibre status. Every inch of this vehicle’s exterior, interior and mechanicals have been inspected by SLSHOP’s workshops to ensure the vehicle meets our world leading standards. While every effort has been made to offer pristine vehicles, there will be some age-related marks, unless otherwise stated.

We advise interested parties to join us for a coffee to peruse the documentation accompanying this vehicle. There are servicing records and invoices, MOT and tax records dating back many years and as such must be viewed in person.

214 ADAPTIVE DAMPING SYSTEM (ADS) 241 FRONT SEAT LH ELECTRIC ADJUSTABLE WITH MEMORY 242 FRONT SEAT RH ELECTRIC ADJUSTABLE WITH MEMORY 249 AUTOMATICALLY DIPPING INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR 289 WOOD/LEATHER STEERING-WHEEL 341 ADDITIONAL BLINKER LAMPS 415 GLASS ROOF (R129) 461 INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND 472 ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP) 500A LEATHER, EXCLUSIVE 501 OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR, RIGHT, HEATED (R.H.D.) 511 RADIO MB EXQUISIT WITH TRAFFIC NEWS DECODER (VK), WITH RDS (PANASONIC) 565 REAR SEATS USED ON SL MODELS 600 HEADLAMP WIPER/WASHER 613 HEADLAMP LEFT-HAND TRAFFIC 668 MODE OF PACKING VE III WITH STYROPOR BUMPER RAILS 740 BLACK SOFT TOP FABRIC 9001 772 AMG STYLING PACKAGE - FRONT SPOILER, SIDE SKIRTS AND REAR APRON 774 SHELL MODIFICATION FOR AMG-WHEELS 776 WHEEL COVERING FOR AMG 17-WHEELS (ONLY EXPORT) 793 AMG COMPLETE WHEELS (4 PCS.): - 8.5 X 18 ET25 FR. AXLE 245/40, 10 X 18 ET25 REAR AXLE 275/35, 2-PIECE 806 CHANGE OF MODEL YEAR, THE LAST FIGURE SHOWING THE NEW MODEL YEAR 819 CD CHANGER IN THE TRUNK - ALPINE 833 ADDITIONAL PARTS FOR GREAT BRITAIN VEHICLE VERSION 873 SEAT HEATER FOR LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEATS