2000 Mercedes-Benz R129 320 SL with Helios Leather

2000 Mercedes-Benz SL320 (R129) RHD

Azurite Blue (366) with Helios Leather (239)
Azurite Blue Hard Top (366) with Dark Blue Fabric Soft Top (5010)

58,381 miles

When Mercedes-Benz introduced the R129 SL, it caused major issues for customers who were waiting on a final edition R107.

The R107 had been in showrooms for almost two decades, and automotive styling, tastes, fashion and technology had gone through a seismic shift between 1971 and 1989. Society had moved on. The R129 would spearhead a new type of car, focused on safety, comfort and performance. It was a world away from the oh-so-popular R107, and would be an instant hit. The iconic chrome, side mouldings and bumpers that defined the R107 were long gone, replaced by clean, understated styling with lashings of technology – this was the new era of the Mercedes-Benz SL, and buyers signed up in droves – often leaving an embarrassing cancelled R107 order in the process. The popularity of the R129 meant that some ‘cancelled order’ R107 SLs would languish in showrooms for some years before finding buyers, and we’ve seen R107s that weren’t sold and registered until well into the 1990s – including an R107 500SL on a 1992 J Plate! Such was the allure and attraction of the R129 that buyers just had to have it.

Like the R107, the R129 was first available as an inline-six or V8, offering two inline-six engines (300SL and 300SL-24) a the iconic 5.0 litre V8 (500SL). These were joined by the 12 litre variant in in June 1992 (SL600).

For Autumn 1993 both 300SL models were replaced with upgraded engines, now split between 2.8 litre (SL280) and 3.2 litre (SL320), both based on the M104 engine. For the first time the SL moniker preceded the engine designation, the first change to SL badging in almost 50 years!

In 1996 Mercedes-Benz began to develop a replacement for the R129, so the model benefitted from a facelift and a range of new engines that hit showrooms in 1998.

This final swan song of the R129 introduced the world to the M112 engine, the first V6 from Mercedes-Benz. Buyers now had a choice of the SL280 V6, SL320 V6 and SL500 V8 (all of which were new engines), along with continued production of the SL600 V12.

Aesthetically these final year cars were improved inside and out. In the cabin, new soft nappa leather seating, a restyled steering wheel, an improved dial display, the passenger was given a stowage net on the transmission tunnel and the audio systems were upgraded. Outside the R129 was given larger wheels as standard, with more wheel choices available from the showroom. These improvements boosted the appeal of the SL, and a range of special edition cars and glorious metallic colours ensured it was a strong seller right up until the R230 arrived in 2001.

When it comes to desirability, buyers like to go for a very early or very late R129 – although it has to be said this isn’t set in stone!

These late model cars are well equipped and have a more aggressive, sporting look when compared with an early R129 SL, but personal taste is the biggest factor in choosing one of these cars. The R129 comes from an era where styling was subtle, the engine did the talking with no need for gaping holes, huge vents and multiple spoilers – that era would soon follow.

The R129 is the last of the dinosaurs, an early incarnation of the modern grand tourer, understated and yet glamorous, capable and refined. They make excellent second, third or fourth cars, offer intercontinental luxury and an impressive turn of performance regardless of which engine you choose.

The car we see here is one of the very last, presented in Azurite Blue with Helios Leather. Being an end of line car it has the full compliment of desirable options, including heated memory seats, half leather / wood steering wheel, rear seating, burred walnut trim, xenon headlights with wash / wipe, folding rear mirrors and of course a wooden gear knob.

It comes out of long term ownership, having just one former keeper. We have known this car for a number of years, with an SLSHOP service stamp appearing in the book from 2018. Showing less than 60,000 miles on the odometer, this well cared for car must be one of the finest R129s currently available.

Now ready for a new custodian to take over the stewardship of this car, to maintain it’s status as one of the all time great Mercedes-Benz classics.

A delightful grand tourer in the perfect late model R129 trim. Not to be missed.

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.

241 FRONT SEAT LH ELECTRIC ADJUSTABLE WITH MEMORY 242 FRONT SEAT RH ELECTRIC ADJUSTABLE WITH MEMORY 284 SELECTOR LEVER, WOOD 289 WOOD/LEATHER STEERING-WHEEL 441 STEERING COLUMN, ELECTRICALLY ADJUSTABLE 461 INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND 500 OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR LH AND RH FOLDING 501 OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR, RIGHT, HEATED (R.H.D.) 565 REAR SEATS USED ON SL MODELS 600 HEADLAMP WIPER/WASHER 617 XENON HEADLAMPS, LEFT-HAND TRAFFIC 644 LIGHT-ALLOY-WHEEL 5-SPOKE-DESIGN 17" 668 MODE OF PACKING VE III WITH STYROPOR BUMPER RAILS 731 WOOD TRIM, BURRED WALNUT ROOT 744 DARK BLUE SOFT TOP FABRIC 5010 800 CHANGE OF MODEL YEAR, THE LAST FIGURE SHOWING THE NEW MODEL YEAR 833 ADDITIONAL PARTS FOR GREAT BRITAIN VEHICLE VERSION 873 SEAT HEATER FOR LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEATS 984 COC DOC., DELETION OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION DOC