2000 Mercedes-Benz SL280

Highlights

• 198hp to the rear wheels from a smooth V6 engine
• Only 71k miles on the clock
• The paintwork and interior look remarkably good for their age
• Unfussy styling inside and out, with original hardtop included
• No advisories on the MOT

Overview

‘Class’, ‘understatement’, ‘good taste’. All these characteristics emanate from this tidy example of the increasingly well-thought-of R129. This iteration of Mercedes’ ever-popular SL range straddled the 1990s, arriving in 1989 and being produced until 2001. It still has a reputation for being able to pile on the mileage, with some examples going well into the hundreds of thousands of miles. The car we have here demonstrates the evergreen appeal of the R129. It still looks great even on today’s roads; nobody will think you’re driving an old banger, yet those in the know will nod appreciatively at your good taste as you thunder along the Autobahn with ease. The deep blue paint is a very classy choice and the pale leather interior has stood up well to a quarter-century of use. And while this is by no means the most powerful car on the road today, its nearly 200hp is certainly more than enough. Coming from a well-regarded V6 petrol engine, it exemplifies Mercedes-Benz’s reputation for engineering excellence. So if you’re looking for a very presentable SL, which could last for many more decades, then this one’s well worth a bid.

History and Documentation

• First registered in June 2000
• Owned by the vendor since July 2023
• Full set of original owner’s manuals
• Leather document wallet
• Services recorded May 2002 @ 7182 miles, July 2004 @ 12,305 miles, October 2006, May 2008, January 2011 @ 45,326 miles, February 2022 @ 68,609 miles, November 2023 @ 71,198 miles
• HPI check clear
• V5 document on file
• Two sets of keys
• MOT valid until November 2024
• No MOT advisories
• Only 71k miles recorded

Interior

• Soft nappa leather upholstery, for a luxurious finish
• The leather is in good condition for its age, with a little wear evident on the driver’s seat bolster
• Matching carpets are clean and tidy
• Burr walnut veneers add a touch of class and retain a deep shine
• Electronically adjustable steering column
• The leather-covered steering wheel is refreshingly uncluttered
• Cruise control - very much a luxury feature in 2000 - is operated by a stalk on the left of the steering column
• Analogue gauges are clear and provide the driver with plenty of data
• Optional rear seats fitted from new
• Heated front seats
• The original stereo CD player remains, with its ten-CD changer
• Brushed stainless steel sill covers in excellent condition
• The vendor reports that all everything works as it should do
• To the rear, the boot is lined with thick carpet to match the rest of the interior, with only a few small signs of use

Exterior

• Finished in a very suave shade of deep blue paintwork
• The paint finish remains very good for its age, with some light scratches but generally few defects to be seen
• Colour-matched bumpers make the car appear younger than its years
• Black fabric soft-top roof, along with a colour-matched removable hard-top included in the sale
• The vendor reports that there is a small rust bubble in the paint on the front right wing
• Folding wing mirrors
• The five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels are very tidy, without any significant kerb damage or corrosion that we could see
• A generous helping of sidewall on the tyres will give this Mercedes a very comfortable ride

Mechanical

• 2,799cc V6 petrol engine
• The engine produced 198hp when new
• Five-speed automatic transmission
• The engine bay is very smart, the plastics have evidently been cleaned
• It’s not often that a 24-year-old car has such a clean engine bay
• Electronic stability program (ESP)
• Oil change recorded in February 2022 at 68,609 miles, and also in November 2023 as prat of the service
• The seller tells us that the car starts, runs, and drives without issue
• Accompanying documentation details the car’s service history

Summary

In all, this looks like a great opportunity to acquire a good example of what’s fast becoming a popular ‘modern classic’. The R129 sits neatly in the golden Alpenglow between ‘retro’ and ‘modern’, allowing it to be appreciated by a wide audience. This particular car wears a very classy choice of colours and has evidently been driven sensibly. It would certainly be a worthwhile addition to any driveway or garage. To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Chiswick, West London.