1998 Mercede-Benz 320SL

The Mercedes SL has been the car that all would be Mercedes Benz owners have aspired to for more than 50 years. While SLs from the 1950s and 60s have skyrocketed in price over recent years putting them well out of the reach of many car enthusiasts, there are several SL series cars from Mercedes Benz that are very affordable today and offer a huge fun factor in relation to their overall cost of purchase and ownership, not to mention they're modern enough to make them reliable and easy to live with as real tools of transportation.

The R129 series SL built between 1990 and 2002 represents a huge amount of car for very little money, beautifully built and filled with toys like a power-operated roof, pop-up roll-over bar and dual-range four-speed automatic gearbox, some even came with suspension that lowers itself at speed. The Six-cylinder 300 has either 190bhp or 231bhp in 24-valve twin-cam form; the 500 packs a 326bhp V8 and later ones could be had with a five-speed auto. This particular model is without doubt fully depreciated and good ones now look incredible value for money.

This fabulous looking 320 SL has the later V6 engine producing 221bhp and looks absolutely stunning finished in mid metallic blue with contrasting cream leather interior. We are informed by the vendor that the mileage of just under 95000 is warranted and is supported by 8 stamps in the service book made up of 5 main dealer and 3 independant specialist. The car fires readily from cold with no blue smoke or nasty knocks or rattles, it drives both smoothly and swiftly with nicely weighted steering and firm brakes that track both straight and true, equally assisted by a super smooth automatic transmission that gives a linear power delivery right through the power band including kick down. All electrics and gauges work perfectly and when warm the temperature gauge sits at exactly 80 degrees and never moves. All is well under the bonnet, both engine oil and engine coolant are clean and fresh and all other fluid levels are exactly as per manufacturer's specification, all hoses are clean and supple and indicate a car that has been very well maintained over the years.

The lavish cabin is pure classic Mercedes, all gauges and switches are properly fitted and function exactly as they should both front seats are in superb order with absolutely no marks or tears whatsoever and also includes the desirable rear seat option. Likewise the metallic blue paintwork is very straight, the gloss of its paintwork is deep, and its shut lines and gaps are reassuringly symmetrical and narrow.

This SL roadster is one more undiscovered Mercedes Benz treasure, sold with a fresh MOT and its original dealer handpack along with two ignition keys this lot represents incredible value for money. R129s are definitely a car where one day people will look back and say 'I remember when you could buy one of those for £xxx, look at the price of them now.'

(Please note this vehicle is subject to a cherished number transfer)