1996 Mercedes-Benz SL 320

Finished in Tourmaline Green with a Mushroom leather interior, ‘N820 JLC’ is a 1996 Mercedes-Benz SL320 that’s fitted with the 3.2-litre engine. This inline-six develops 228bhp and 232lb.ft of torque, making it capable of whisking its occupants to a top speed of 149mph after passing 62mph in 8.4 seconds.

But its real forte is long-distance cruising, and the combination of an automatic gearbox, convertible and hard roofs, the potential to return 30mpg on a run, and uncommon smoothness from the straight-six makes this the ideal car to roam far and wide with.

This one has only just slipped past 30,000 miles too and comes with a well-stamped service booklet that includes 11 main dealer stamps, further increasing its already-considerable appeal.

The mirrors, bumpers, and mouldings were refreshed in Tourmaline Green in  2005 – and while the latter work was carried out two decades ago the car has clearly been cherished because Our Man describes the paintwork as being “very good all round”, which is high praise indeed from him on a Monday morning.

It’s an unusual colour too, its hue drawing attention for all the right reasons; while extroverts choose red and almost everyone else plays safe with shades of silver metallic, the one’s first owner was a little bolder, displaying an admirable confidence. 

The shutlines are still as tight and consistent as they were when the car was first built too. This, along with the clear HPI report, suggests it doesn’t have any horror stories in its past.

The 17-inch ‘Albali’ alloy wheels have clearly been treasured after being refurbished in June 2023, and they’re fitted with Hankook Ventus S1 Evo2 tyres all around. Made in 2023, all have good tread left on them and no obvious damage to their sidewalls.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. 

In the unlikely event you feel the softtop is inadequately engineered you’ll be pleased to know it also comes with a hardtop, which is painted the same colour as the rest of the coachwork, and presents very well indeed with no obvious flaws or damage – but then there are records of previous owner(s) paying for their local M-B dealer to store the roof for them.

Of course, you may choose to run the car with the hardtop fitted because you prefer the coupé-like profile it endows. If so, we can’t blame you, especially given its heated rear window, which would be a boon in the colder months.

Traditionalists will probably stick with the black fabric softtop, which is a bit wrinkled but is otherwise in good order with clear and undamaged windows and a good, tight fit when it is closed. It furls and unfurls easily too and drops down neatly to give the SL its characteristically a sleek profile.  

The glazing is free of cracks and chips, although rear screen in the hardtop is starting to delaminate in its lower corners. The windscreen also holds a sticker for membership of the Yorkshire Wolds Motor Club, and evidence of an enthusiast in its past is rarely a bad sign.

The lamp lenses are also in good order with no damage and bright, colourful rear lenses.

As for flaws and faults, we noticed that the headlight wipers are not wired in, the door mirrors are chipped as is the trailing edge of the driver’s door. There’s also a small scuff on the nearside front corner but that’s it though, which isn’t too bad, is it? 

The Mushroom leather interior features the desirable and rare option of a rear seat (option code 565), and while it might offer somewhat limited legroom it is a useful addition, nonetheless. 

But then this is an especially nicely specified cabin with its wood ‘n’ leather steering wheel and extensive wood trim and a leather gearknob.

There’s a good selection of toys too including electric windows and mirrors, central locking, air-conditioning, an electronic handbrake, electrically-adjustable front seats and steering column, auto dimming mirrors, and a power roof.

The headlinings of both the hardtop and fabric roof are free of damage and stains to their fabric, although the hardtop’s headlining is drooping. The folding frame is also in good order with supple joints and a smart finish to what little of the mechanism is visible.

The carpets and door cards are free of obvious wear too, and the rear seats look like they may never have been used. The top of the dashboard is also missing the cracks and sun-damage we sometimes see, and a removable wind deflector helps keep the cabin calm when the roof is down.

A Blaupunkt Pasadena radio-cassette player controls the boot-mounted Blaupunkt CD-multichanger. The cabin also features seven pop-up drawers to keep your precious cassette tapes safe – and this very of-the-period feature is hidden behind an equally of-the-period tambour door. The remote control is also a wired jobbie, adding yet another layer to the waves of nostalgia it stimulates.

The boot also contains two tool rolls, a hazard warning triangle under the boot lid, and a non-matching spare alloy wheel fitted with a Kumho tyre.

As for wear ‘n’ tear, the outer edge of the driver’s seat shows exactly the sort of creasing you’d expect to see on a car of this age, and the boot carpet has a few stains.

The SL’s service history is recorded as follows:

• 19.07.2023 and unknown mileage – service by D. Oliver including a new air-conditioning condenser
• 07.08.2014 and 23,919 miles – service by Merc-Spec including a gearbox service
• 12.07.2011 and 22,377 miles – service by Mercedes-Benz of Teesside
• 30.05.2008 and 19,435 miles – service by Mercedes-Benz of Teesside
• 02.06.2005 and 14,182 miles – service by Mercedes-Benz Stockport
• 19.11.2003 and 12,106 miles – service by Mercedes-Benz Park Royal
• 21.11.2002 and 10,908 miles – service by Normand (Mayfair)
• 16.11.2001 and 8,766 miles – service by Mercedes-Benz Park Royal
• 01.11.2000 and 7,032 miles – service by Normand (Mayfair)
• 14.04.1999 and 4,657 miles – service by Normand (Mayfair)
• 18.08.1998 and 4,136 miles – service by Normand (Mayfair)
• 06.03.1998 and 3,783 miles – service by Normand (Mayfair)
• 10.07.1997 and 3,125 miles – service by Normand (Mayfair)
• 03.07.1996 and 0 miles – pre-delivery inspection by Normand (Mayfair) 

As you can see, it starts well from cold and shows good oil pressure. It idles smoothly and quietly, and revs freely – and it does it all without triggering dashboard warning lights.

The engine bay presents very well. Clean and neatly presented, it is exactly what you’d expect to see on a car with this mileage and service history, including an undamaged sound-deadening mat under the bonnet. The fluid containers are still nice and bright too; you could, if you’re a perfectionist, change the thermostat housing as this one is a bit crusty, but that’s very much in the nice-to-do category.

The underside received some attention from Malton Coachworks in January 2026 following an MoT failure for structural corrosion offside front suspension mounts. The bill for this work came to almost £900, and the result was a pass. 

It otherwise shows the usual surface corrosion to the fasteners and steel 

The seller is a firm believer in getting his classic cars MoT’d and the Mercedes is no example. Its ticket is valid until February 2027, and its only advisory was for a slightly corroded power-steering line.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and it comes with three keys.

The history file includes an expired tax disc from 2005, expired MoT certificates going back to 1999, invoices for work from 1997, the original invoice, the Owner’s Manual, and the stamped service history booklet.

Many consider the R129 to be one of the best, if not THE best, car Mercedes-Benz ever built – and even those who might nominate an alternative would happily give it a place on the podium.

Which makes it all the more astonishing that a car that’s built like a bank vault door, goes like stink, handles beautifully, and is more reliable than just about any other car of the era can be bought for so little, in this case somewhere between £12,000 and £15,000.

This auction has 5% (+ VAT) buyer's fees on top of the 'hammer', minimum £600.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.