1999 Mercedes-Benz R129 SL320 with Saffron Nappa Leather (234A)

1999 Mercedes-Benz SL320 (R129) in Vivianite Green (279U) with Saffron Nappa (234A) & Black Soft Top (9001)

Facelift R129 SL320 with the V6 power plant

Vivianite:

Named after the English mineralogist, F.G Vivian, Vivianite is a rare mineral usually found in the upper layers of ore deposits but can also be found in the organic rich environments of things like ancient mollusk shells. As an unusual mineral that displays a very unusual pigment, what better noun to use to describe this Mercedes-Benz shade of green.

Like the mineral, this SL320 is a particularly rare machine. It is not often that SLSHOP offers the R129 SL in our Showroom – these tend to be 10% of our Showroom stock compared to other classic models – and it is extremely unusual for us to stock a late SL320 in this finish.

This is a R129 that been both enjoyed and cherished over the past 23 years. With the owners taking advantage of the improved M112 3.2 L 18-valve SOHC V6 which produces 221hp as standard – a slight decrease from the in-line six before it but this isn’t noticeable. The new and improved unit was almost identical except that it offered my economy and reliability; with the only common engine problems being MAF Sensors failing.

The vehicle shows a healthy 77,000 miles on the odometer – a figure that should not deter interested parties. The R129 is indeed tipped to be ‘the next big thing’, representing the last of Bruno Sacco’s over-engineered and beautifully designed SLs. With the same continued attention to routine servicing and maintenance, this SL320 will glide through another 100,000 miles and still be sought after at the end.

Overall, the exterior Vivianite Metallic paint is in excellent condition with very few signs of aging. All four 17” alloy wheels have come out unscathed from 23 years of enjoyment. The hood is almost new and has not faded, while the windows are not ripped or milky. As you can see from the images, the engine bay is extremely clean with all factory markings visible.

Inside, the Saffron Nappa Leather (234A) looks divine with no rips to the leather or stains. We think the interior and exterior compliment each other perfectly. The Burled Walnut Trim is rich and clean, with no cracks or scratches that detract from the interiors functional design.

The R129 was extremely advanced for its time, benefiting from a number of driver aids that you would find on your modern-day SUV. These include, electrically adjustable steering wheel, seats and mirrors, as well as the Electronic Stability Program. This program works from side to side, recognising when a car is sliding, using a computer module to apply the brakes at individual wheels and prevent the slide. High-tech stuff for a machine from the late 1990s.

Diagnostics:

Specialising primarily in the R129 SL, our Modern Classics Workshop is one of the best in the business. Our team has inspected this R129 for any electrical issues, ensuring that there are no faults with any of the complex modules. You can be reassured that this vehicle will not fail to put a smile on your face, simply because everything works as it should.

This is an R129 SL320 to be enjoyed and to share with the world. We are sure that enthusiasts around the continent will be delighted to see this example out on the road.

Recent works include over £700.00 of routine servicing work carried out in May 2022 by a UK based Mercedes-Benz specialist. This included, oil and filter change, replacement spark plugs, air filter and wiper blades. In 2020, the vehicle's bumpers were repainted and stone chips removed, with replacement mouldings fitted at a cost of over £800.00. The repaint is not visible upon observation. We invite interested parties to peruse the back-catalogue of paperwork outlining the works carried out on this vehicle since 1999.  

Code & Description

• 200A LEATHER
• 441 STEERING COLUMN, ELECTRICALLY ADJUSTABLE
• 461 INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND
• 472 ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP)
• 500 OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR LH AND RH FOLDING
• 533 SPEAKERS FRONT AND REAR - WITHOUT RADIO
• 565 REAR SEATS USED ON SL MODELS
• 600 HEADLAMP WIPER/WASHER
• 613 HEADLAMP 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
• 740 BLACK SOFT TOP FABRIC 9001
• 809 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.