1995 Mercedes-Benz SL 320

With just three owners from new (two since 1996, the first of which may have been the supplying dealer, and one since 2004), ‘TOG 12Y’ is an especially nice example of the ever-popular Mercedes-Benz SL320.

Fitted with the 3.2-litre inline-six that develops 228bhp and 232lb.ft of torque, it is capable of whisking its occupants to a top speed of 149mph after passing 62mph in 8.4 seconds.

But its forte is long-distance cruising, and the combination of an automatic gearbox, convertible roof, and the potential to return 30mpg on a run makes this the ideal car to whisk you to your place in France or Spain.

This example is a genuine survivor too; the photos show it off to good effect, and the chap who’s selling it tells us it’s every bit as good as it looks.
 

The combination of an absence of anything noteworthy on the HPI report and mmm-perfect shutlines suggest this is not a car with an, er, “interesting” story to tell.

Because it presents very well indeed. We haven’t been able to inspect it personally as it’s with the seller in London, but the photos show a good, clean example of the breed, something he’s reassured us is the case.

Apart from the impeccable panel alignment, the dark blue paintwork has a great shine to it – and a colour this dark is second only to black in the ruthlessness with which it’ll highlight scuffs, dinks, and other imperfections.

So, the fact it looks this good is hugely reassuring; we’ve pored over the images and can’t find anything to worry about bar a missing cap for the offside headlamp wiper, a few minor issues with lacquer at the rear of the hardtop, and the usual stonechips along the front.

Even the area under the fuel filler flap is clean, as are vulnerable areas like the corners of the bumpers and the door cappings – and this is a car that lives in the city remember, a place where picking up the odd scuff and scrape is almost inevitable.

Kerbing marks too, so the fact the 16-inch alloy wheels are free of scuffs, scrapes, and other signs of careless driving and parking is remarkable. They’re in fine fettle overall, although you might like to treat them to a new set of centre caps.

And they’re fitted with matching 225/55VR16 Pace Alventi directional tyres, which have good tread but are ten years old now, so due to be changed.

Nonetheless, we will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching 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.

As you can see, the roof works perfectly, moving balletically between up and down, correctly triggering the rollover hoop and electric windows in the process.

It fits well too and has survived the intervening thirty years without significant wear other than what looks like additional stitching and some minor fraying to the lower nearside edge.

The car also comes with a matching hardtop; while the softtop is so ridiculously well engineered it would shrug off anything a UK winter could throw at it, some folk enjoy the reassurance of having metal above them.

This too is in an excellent condition, and thus equipped, the SL looks more like a sleek coupé than a convertible too, which is another point in its favour.

The rest, the badges and the lamp lenses and the glazing, are all equally good. 
 

The R129’s interiors are famed for being robust, and this tan leather example maintains that reputation presenting very well, even under close scrutiny.

The leather front seats, for example, have nothing more than creasing to their surface and the loss of some shape to the front edge of the driver’s seat. They are also electrically adjustable, which we are told works as it should.

The rear seats have fared even better, but then the relative lack of legroom back there means they tend not to get used much. But it’s good to have the option to be able to get friends a lift home now and then, and if you’ve got small children or grandchildren then it would be a wonderfully snug place for them to sit.

The ruched leather door cars are both wonderfully of-the-period and in fine fettle with the exception of a very small area of damage to the nearside lower speaker grille.

The SL320 doesn’t have much in the way of wooden trim but what there is is excellent; shiny and free of cracks and chips, it needs nothing other than continued love and polishing.

We are told the air-conditioning works and the Mercedes comes with a detachable wind deflector for ruffle-free motoring.

The headunit is the original, and the boot contains the warning triangle mounted under the lid, a full-size spare alloy wheel under the false floor, and clean carpets throughout, just like the cabin.

As for flaws, the only ones we can spot are a drooping headlining to the hardtop and a crack in one of the sunvisors hinge covers.
 

The engine bay is decently clean; not show-winning, but then it probably needs nothing more than a couple of hours of elbow grease to turn it into something you could display at your local classic car show with pride.

We don’t have any photos of the underside, and the MoT tester made an advisory for underside corrosion in 2023.

However, this was for “under-body corrosion to most components”, so we can’t say whether this was for rust to the floorpan or components like suspension arms and springs or whether indeed the corrosion was nothing more than you’d expect to find and the tester was having an off day.

It's the same case with the tyres, which picked up an advisory in the same years for: “Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing NSF,NSR,OSF tyres cracking and perishing.” The photos don’t show any aging, despite them being made in 2015, so we don’t know if the tester has recently been to SpecSavers and spotted something amiss, or whether the tyres had been changed, albeit for new/old stock, something the seller suggests may have happened.

Either way, at ten years old they’re past their best.
 

The SL’s MoT is valid until July 2026.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and the history file includes the book pack.

We are told it has had a recent service prior to our seller, who’s in the trade, buying it. However, there is no paperwork for that and as it came from a deceased estate, no likelihood of tracing any.

However, the stamped service history booklet does record the following earlier work:

•    26.09.1997 and 26,453 miles – service by Mercedes-Benz of Oxford
•    24.11.1998 and 33,980 miles – service by Mercedes-Benz of Oxford
•    23.11.1999 and 44,852 miles – service by Mercedes-Benz of Oxford
•    20.02.2001 and 49,397 miles – service by Mercedes-Benz of Oxford
•    16.11.2002 and 57,645 miles – service by Mercedes-Benz of Oxford

The file also contains invoices from the same main dealer, expired MoT certificates, and an old V5.
 

Many suggest this is the best model Mercedes-Benz ever built, and while the contenders for that particular crown are many, the R129SL would certainly be up there.

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.

How little?

Our estimate is for between £7,000 and £12,000 but as it is being offered with no reserve, it is going to sell from the very first bid.

Yes, you’ll need to factor in the cost of a set of tyres and, if you’re of a fastidious nature, a major service so you know you’re starting with a clean slate but that’s still cheap motoring. 

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Wandsworth, London. To arrange an appointment to inspect this vehicle, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.