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Mercedes 500SL R129
34250
Year
1991
Colour
Arctic White over Blue Leather
Price
Price on Application
Gearbox
Auto 4 Speed
Engine size
5.0 V8
Prev Owners
7
Description
Step into a time capsule from the last golden age of Mercedes-Benz engineering; the R129-generation 500SL. Presented here in striking Arctic White with a navy blue leather interior and matching soft top, this 1991 example shows just 34,250 miles from new and boasts a full independent service history since 2016. With seven former keepers and nearly a decade of current ownership, it remains in excellent condition and will be sold with a fresh MOT and full service. The car comes complete with original Gullideckel alloy wheels, a desirable rear-seat conversion (supplied at point of sale), and rare factory options including heated seats, air conditioning, cruise control, driver airbag, and electric roll-bar.
It’s the small touches that make this example sing: the gloss of the walnut trim, the elegant restraint of the factory wheels, and that cavernous V8 burble from the 5.0-litre M119 engine, delivering 326 bhp through a four-speed automatic. Despite weighing nearly 2 tonnes, the 500SL could crest 155 mph when new. aA blend of performance and luxury that made it an icon of its time. With no accident damage, an unblemished HPI check, and MOTs online stretching back to 2005, this SL has lived a gently cosseted life—averaging just 1,100 miles annually, many of those under current ownership.
Arctic White over Blue Leather. 34,250 miles. £79,000 new (in 1991). Supplied with original bill of sale, book pack, and rare rear seats. Will be sold with a fresh MOT and a full service from AutoClass.
Model History
A Symbol of Mercedes-Benz Mastery
When the R129 was launched at the Geneva Motor Show in 1989, it was heralded as a tour de force of technology and design. Replacing the beloved R107, it had big shoes to fill, and did so with dramatic flair. Standard equipment in the 500SL included ABS, electronically controlled damping, and a revolutionary automatic roll bar that would spring into action if the car sensed a rollover. The car’s retractable soft top and optional hardtop could be operated with a single button, space-age stuff in the early ’90s.
Road testers of the era, from Car magazine to Autocar, praised the R129’s duality: grand tourer comfort with Autobahn-bred confidence. Even today, its bank-vault construction and timeless Bruno Sacco styling stand tall. The M119 V8, shared with the AMG Hammer and W124 E500, is revered for its balance of durability and power, one of the great naturally aspirated Mercedes powerplants. In a market filled with neglected examples and over-restored trailer queens, this well-preserved, gently used SL strikes the perfect note.
Today’s Market
Values for R129 500SLs are rising, particularly for early, pre-facelift models like this one. While the market offers plenty of high-mileage examples with deferred maintenance, cars like this, low mileage, strong provenance, and in rare colours with factory documents, are increasingly difficult to find. The 500SL still flies under the radar compared to more obvious classics, but smart buyers are catching on fast.
This 500SL is more than just a modern classic, it’s a statement piece, a legacy of Mercedes’ engineering peak, and an ideal companion for open-roof summer touring or relaxed weekend drives. With its restrained spec, proper history, and enduring charm, it may well be the most satisfying grand tourer you’ll find under £30,000.
Exterior
Interior
details
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Mercedes 500SL R129
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