1999 Mercedes-Benz SL 280 (R129) |

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1999 Mercedes-Benz SL 280 (R129)

Sold Price

£11,236

Mileage~44,697
TransmissionAutomatic
Engine2.8L
LocationSouth Queensferry

SOLD

1999 Mercedes-Benz SL 280 (R129)

I WANT ONE

Introduction

Stuart McIntyre

Professional Consigner

The R129 facelift model with its advanced safety features, luxury and sporty performance, and 90s styling is definitely a modern classic.

Launched in 1989 at the Geneva Motor Show, the Mercedes-Benz R129 was based on a shortened floorpan of the W124. The SL featured some innovative designs for the time, including the hidden away roll over bar and the optional Adaptive Damping System, making it one of the safest vehicles made at the time.

In 1998, the model was given a facelift to the one we have here today, which featured body coloured bumpers and side panels, and some new wheel designs too. Another big change for Mercedes-Benz was to make the rear lights more smooth as opposed to the ribbed look from previous years. All these changes brought more of a modern look to the SL.

After over 9 years ownership, and covering just 7,000 miles in that time, this fresh to market SL looks gorgeous in its "Obsidian Black" over cream colour. Coming with a fresh service and MOT through to October this year, it's ready for the summer.

This auction listing was written from information supplied by Stuart after meeting Neil 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

When I came across this low milage example I just knew I had to have it, 9 years on it has served me well.

Neil Purchased the SL280 in December 2012. Being a huge Mercedes fan, the option to purchase a low mileage SL280 in black was an offer he couldn’t refuse. With the added bonus of being a face lift model, it was even more appealing.

Neil has ensure the SL has had the necessary work required whilst in his ownership, which can be seen from the paperwork in the history file. With storage of the car becoming an issue in the near future, Neil has decided it's best a new owner can continue custodianship like he has and so it comes to auction with us. He will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have in the comments below.

Neil

Vehicle Owner

Neil saved £1,980* when they
sold their Mercedes with us.

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EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

Finished in black - the R129 oozes luxury and styling that will never look out of date.

Wheels and Tyres

The wheels are the originals, which are in excellent condition. They look to have had a light refurbishment at some point, but are free from any kerb marks. These have also been ceramic coated to help prevent brake dust sticking to them.

The tyres are all matching and have a good amount of tread remaining.

Bodywork

Walking around the car, the panel gaps look to be as they should and the hard top roof is in good condition. We did remove this to see the soft top in action, as you can see from the videos, and this too is in good condition. The plastic windows are nice and clear with no clouding to the finish and look to be virtually scratch free.

The lower plastic trim from 1998 onwards was colour coded for a more modern feel, and this is all in nice condition with no scuffs that we could see.

Paint

This SL 280 is finished in Mercedes Obsidian Black, which is in excellent condition all over and extremely well presented. The car has recently benefited from being ceramic coated to enhance the gloss finish and give additional protection.

The usual problem areas such as the wings and wheel arches, we are pleased to say, all look excellent on this car, and there doesn't look to be any areas for concern. There are some small stone chips to the front edge of the car, but definitely less than you would expect.

Glass and Trim

The glass to the windscreen, side windows and hard top all look to be in original condition and in good order, with no noticeable scratches to mention. The black trim around the windows is all nice and straight and has a smooth finish with no evidence of any corrosion under the outer finish.

Being a 1999 model, the rear lights are the smoother style of the previous ribbed light you often see on Mercedes. These are in good condition with no splits in them.

The exterior of the car has been captured in detail for the media pack - please have a look at the photo gallery and the high-resolution video to appreciate the lovely condition of the exterior.

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INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

Nappa cream leather from Mercedes-Benz gives you a sense of luxury and style when driving the SL280.

Seats and Carpets

The seats in the SL280 face-lift are cream Nappa leather, and are generally in very good condition with just a couple of areas on both seats that have age related crease/cracks showing very slightly. Keep in mind that most of these cars have travelled ~100,000 miles and usually the seats show as much too! The rear seats are the same with just a few small cracks, but don’t look to have had much use.

The carpets have some black mats to protect them which are in good condition. Under the protective mats, the carpets are in excellent condition, slightly more cream than the rest of the carpet, more than likely caused by them being covered up for so long. The boot area is nice and clean with a full sized spare wheel, together with the jack and tool kit.

Dashboard

The dashboard looks free from any cracking. The instruments are the later style, with a digital odometer reading, which at the time of our visit was reading ~44,697 miles.

The centre console is finished with the wood Walnut trim and this looks to be in good condition with no splits. There is an aftermarket Sony head unit fitted. The switches for the heaters, windows and roof are all legible and, again, don’t look to have any wear.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The steering wheel is the original half wood and half leather. It is in good condition and looks to have no real signs of wear to the wood and just some light wear to the leather.

The automatic gear stick also looks to be free from wear and sits in the surround with the numbers clear and legible.

The interior of the car has been captured in detail for the media pack - please have a look at the photo gallery and the high-resolution video to appreciate the lovely condition of the interior.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

A 2.8L V6 is certainly enough to bring a smile to your face just from the sound alone, it's another story once you’re driving it.

Engine and Gearbox

The SL fires up with the flick of the key from cold, and the V6 sounds lovely with no untoward noises. The SL280 has been fitted with a stainless steel exhaust, helping the 2.8L breathe a little easier, whilst slightly enhancing the notes from the V6.

The car has recently, at ~44,633 miles (yes just 64 miles ago), had both cylinder head gaskets replaced. Neil reports that the car pulls well through the automatic gearbox and it is reported to change smoothly, with no noises coming from the transmission.

Please review the mechanical video to see and hear for yourself.

Suspension and Brakes

The suspension on the SL 280 uses independent dampers with separate springs up front with anti-dive geometry. To the rear are the 5 multi-link arms with separate gas filled dampers and coil springs offering anti-lift and anti-squat geometry keeping the Mercedes steady. Neil reported the ride is nice and smooth with no nasty knocks or bangs coming from the suspension.

Two new brake pipes have been fitted, 64 miles ago, to the Dual circuit hydraulic power assisted braking system, ensuring the SL280 comes to a nice sharp halt, with ABS if needed.

The Drive

Perfect for cruising or driving around town, the SL280 has something for everyone to enjoy. With the hard top option, it’s a convertible that can be enjoyed in all weathers.

Electrics and Other

Neil reports that, to his knowledge, all the electrics are working as they should. If you look at the exterior review video, you will see the roof in action, which operates nice and quickly as it should.

Electric seats which can be adjusted at the touch of a button from the door panels are all working as they should from the door card switches. There have also been some Kenwood speakers installed to the lower part of the door card.

There were no warning lights displayed on our visit - please have a look at the mechanical review video to see the cold start we recorded.

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History and Paperwork

A freshly serviced R129, UK RHD in Obsidian Black over cream leather, coming with its hard top and low mileage for a car of this era, a very smart package.

More recently, the SL280 has been given a full service at 44,633 miles by the SLSHOP, when the head gaskets were replaced to ensure everything is up to date. The MOT on the car is valid until 30th September 2021. It's an excellent example coming to market that we think will be hard to beat.

Included with the sale is the hard top stand for the summer months storage, and a silk dust cover for when the car is garaged.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and the vehicle is HPI clear.

Service History

Date	Type	Mileage
25.06.2021	Service	44,633
01.10.2020	MOT	43,938
10.09.2019	MOT	43,506
05.09.2018	MOT	41,903
31.08.2017	MOT	41,357
28.06.2016	MOT	40,886
05.11.2015	MOT	40,161
28.10.2014	MOT	39,451
12.11.2013	MOT	38,231
26.11.2012	MOT	37,467
04.02.2012	Service	37,461
20.09.2012	Service	30,077
11.04.2011	MOT	31,393
15.04.2010	MOT	28,122
24.08.2008	Service	21,502
30.06.2003	Service	15,703

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Key Details

ModelSL280 (R129)
TransmissionAutomatic
Reg. Date02.06.1999
CC2,799
Mileage~44,697
HistoryYes
ColourObsidian Black
Interior ColourCream
Interior TrimLeather
Chassis #WDB1290592F185409
Engine #11292330480508
Last Service25.06.21
MOT30.09.21
HPi ClearYes
Former Keepers8
LHD or RHDRHD
VisitedYes
Sale TypePrivate
Owned9 years
Key FeatureGreat history, low mileage

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Ask Questions

Seller : Neil J Sale Date 19.08.2021

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

7 Comments

Highroller

3 years ago

10600

Neil Johnston

3 years ago

Head gaskets replaced as part of the big service standard procedure yes would get a new MOT

Peter

3 years ago

Hi Neil,
Why were the head gaskets replaced?
Would you obtain a new MOT before sale?

Gilkie

3 years ago

Hello Neil
Is the condition of the hood all OK ?
Thank you

Neil Johnston

Gilkie

3 years ago

Yes the hood is in good condition, I asked SL Shop when they serviced the car if I should do any maintenance on the hood, their reply was only to keep it clean, I had the plastic windows inserts renewed 1500 miles ago.

Neil Johnston

3 years ago

Did you receive the reply

Brian

Neil Johnston

3 years ago

Thank you for that info.Sorry I was late getting back to you.I have been out all day

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Vehicle Location

South Queensferry

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