Description

1996 Mercedes-Benz SL320 (R129)

Tidy R129 with the 3.2 straight-six engine and just 79,000 miles with good history from a private Mercedes collection

Supplied new by Alan Day Mercedes in September 1996 this lovely R129 series SL is finished in attractive Azurite Blue metallic with cream hide interior and walnut trim.

The factory fit, removable hard top is colour coded, the soft-top underneath is also blue and it rides on the original 16inch multi-hole alloy wheels. Dating from 1996, it benefits from being a face-lift model with re-designed seats, dash layout, door card design and boasts some external styling tweaks, clear indicators, twin vents behind the front wheels instead if the earlier 3 and integrated high level rear brake light to name but a few.

Inside, we see optional rear seats fitted, an electrically adjustable steering column, electric windows, digital climate control with AC, leather wrapped gear-knob and steering wheel, electric memory seats, ASR traction control, electric mirrors, cruise control and after-market CD player.

Showing just 79,463 miles this 3.2-litre straight-six engine example is barely run-in, these straight sixes are famous for their lovely smooth, revvy nature and great sound track. Within the history file we see a V5C showing our vendor has enjoyed the car on a limited use basis for the last ten years as part of his considerable private Mercedes collection, old V5's, service book showing six stamps, all by MB main dealers - the last in May 2003 at 35,787 miles. In addition, we find numerous invoices, a purchase invoice from 2006 when the car had covered 45,100 miles for £12,995 and 13 old MOTs.

Invoices on file show the car was last serviced in July 2020 which included a compression test (all ok) and service with new plugs, fuel filter and coil packs at a cost of £250.45, a replacement electric seat switch in 2019, a repair to the SRS loom and replacement sensor in 2016 at a cost of £779.60, a replacement central locking vacuum motor in 2014 at a cost of £336 and further electrical works to the seats and roof in 2014 at a cost of £558. We also find another invoice in August 2012 for a replacement Mohair hood and rear window in blue at a cost of £978.40 which is good to know.

The current MOT expires in June 2021 and shows eight minor advisories, most likely linked to a lack of use given the car has covered less than 2,000 miles in the last 4 years or so. A nice touch is the inclusion of the private plate pictured, 'J4 TWE' which likely has a good value on its own as a single numeric digit combined with common initials - 'Thomas William Edwards' is that you bidding!?

For more information contact  - will.daniels@brightwells.com