1998 Mercedes-Benz SL320

Highlights

• Green-Black Metallic paint

• Removable hardtop roof 

• Extensive service history

• Multi-contour seats 

• 3.2-litre V6 engine

Overview

The Mercedes-Benz SL has existed in various forms since about the late Jurassic period, so there’s something to satisfy just about every taste. The R129 model we see here is an excellent example, which features a desirable 3.2-litre V6 engine. This smooth powerplant is just the kind of motor you’d look for if you were about to set off on a long continental tour, which is exactly what the previous owner of this car did. It has been used on numerous tours around France, which have us dreaming of rolling vine-clad hills and a bootful of fromages and vins rouges. 

The lucky winning bidder on this car will be able to put the roof down and set course for their nearest ferry port to complete their own continental grand tour. Or you can simply enjoy the luxurious interior on the roads of our own island, with the multi-contour seats easing the burden of any long journey. 

Accompanying the car is a sizeable stack of paperwork which details its mechanical servicing. There are dozens of invoices for work carried out right up to 2025, with plenty of items having been replaced. And the current MOT is valid until March 2026, without any advisories. 

The R129 sits in that sweet spot in history when cars had become reliable, but not over complicated. So servicing is relatively straightforward and that velvety V6 under the bonnet will sound fabulous as you put the roof down and head out under a big blue sky. 

History and documentation

• Declared manufactured 1998

• First registered in the UK in Jul 1999

• Stamped service book and additional invoices with services as follows: Jul 2000 @ 11,608 miles, Feb 2002 @ 20,975 miles, Jun 2004 @ 23,714 miles, Mar 2005 @ 26,231 miles, Sep 2006 @ 32,141 miles, Nov 2009 @ 36,661 miles, Dec 2011 @ 43,470 miles, Nov 2013 @ 45,710 miles, Nov 2015 @ 47,845 miles, Nov 2016 @ 48,555 miles, Nov 2017 @ 49,467 miles, May 2019 @ 50,507 miles, Mar 2020 @ 53,071 miles, Mar 2021 @ 55,235 miles, Jul 2022 @ 61,610 miles, Apr 2024 @ 64,506 miles, Mar 2025 @ 68,021 miles

• Original document pack in leather wallet

• Extensive collection of invoices and old MOT certificates

• Three keys

• Current MOT with no advisories expires 11 Mar 2026

• V5 present in owner’s name

• HPI clear

Interior

• Orion Grey Nappa leather upholstery 

• The leather is in excellent condition throughout 

• Only light creasing from use, and a few small blemishes

• Burr walnut veneer trim  

• Electrically adjustable multi-contour seats with memory functions

• Heated seats

• Matching grey carpets in very clean condition

• The leather continues onto the door cards and the centre console

• Leather-trimmed steering wheel

• Electrically adjustable steering column

• Cruise control

• Automatic climate control

• Automatic dimming rear-view mirror

• Analogue instruments, with plenty of auxiliary gauges including MPG, oil temperature, coolant temperature, clock, outside air temperature, tachometer and speedometer 

• Original Mercedes-Benz sound system 

• 6-CD changer in the boot 

• Rear seating for two

• Headlining clean and tidy 

• Fully carpeted boot, looking very clean

• Warning triangle stored under the bootlid

• Full size spare wheel under the boot floor

Exterior

• Finished in an attractive shade of Green-Black Metallic paint 

• Colour-matched bumpers 

• The body panels look good, with no dents or corrosion that we could see 

• There are some small chips to the paint, and a scrape on the offside edge of the lower front bumper 

• 17-inch alloy wheels

• Four new Pirelli P7 Cinturato tyres were fitted in Mar 2021

• The seller tells us that the tyres retain plenty of tread 

• New wheel centre caps fitted 

• The wheels appear to be free from scuffs and scratches 

• Large chrome three-pointed star on the front grille 

• Headlight wipers and washers 

• Heated, folding wing mirrors 

• The seller notes that a windscreen chip has been repaired

• No other damage reported 

• Soft top roof reportedly received a waterproofing treatment in 2023

• Some of the stitching has come away around the rear window 

• Mesh wind deflector behind the front seats 

• The seller tells us that they have been sure to operate the roof every few weeks, and that the removable hardtop remains with the car but they have never used it 

• Hard top stand also present 

• A full steam clean and WaxOyl treatment was carried out in Feb 2023, at a cost of £456

Mechanical

• 3,199 cc M112 V6 engine

• Produces 224 bhp, and 232 lb ft

• Top speed 148 mph, 0-62 mph in 8.4 seconds

• Automatic transmission 

• Rear-wheel drive

• Electronic stability programme 

• The engine bay looks clean and tidy

• There is a little surface corrosion on some of the suspension and exhaust components 

• Some of the recent work carried out includes fitting a 100 A battery in 2020, a new catalytic converter in Aug 2020, a new water pump in 2021, new front suspension arms and gaiters and four new shock absorbers

• The seller tells us that all the items noted on the health check have been dealt with 

• Front brake discs and pads replaced in 2021 - 12mm of pads remaining at service in Mar 2025

• Rear brake discs and pads replaced in Mar 2025

• Transmission service carried out in Mar 2021

• The seller tells us that the car starts first time, extremely well, sounds good and stops well

• No warning lights reported 

Summary

You can throw away your library card, as this Mercedes comes with enough paperwork to provide you with bedtime reading for a while. It has clearly been well looked after and enjoyed by its previous owners. And with a little over 70,000 miles on the clock, it should have plenty of adventures left to go. 

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Norwich, Norfolk.