Basic Information and History

Mercedes-Benz 300SL - A Collector's Car in Excellent Condition

This fantastic and well-preserved original car from the model year 1992 was imported from Germany to Sweden in 2003. With only 153.360 km on the odometer, verified by inspection reports since 2007, the car is now being sold directly by its second owner.

The car was sold new in Germany on February 1, 1993, and brought to Sweden by its first owner in 2003. After a brief period at a car dealership, it was purchased as a collector's car by the current owner in July 2009, coinciding with his 50th birthday. Since then, the car has been stored in a heated garage and driven just under 1,000 km over 15 years, always on fine, dry days and for special family occasions like graduations.

This model belongs to the fourth generation R129 of the Mercedes SL series, which was introduced in 1989. It is more modern and streamlined than its boxier predecessor and offers significantly higher road safety with features such as anti-lock brakes, airbags, and traction control. This is the last model to be hand-built by Mercedes at a time when quality was the top priority, reflected in the high original price of around 800,000 SEK in Sweden in 1992. Many enthusiasts prefer this tougher first generation of the R129 over the later, more subtle facelifts.

Equipment and Options

The car is more or less fully equipped, including a wooden steering wheel, rear seat, trip computer, and electric seats with extra adjustment options, memory for the electrically adjustable steering wheel, exterior mirrors, and interior mirror. Examples of equipment:

1. ECC with AC that cools well
2. Full leather electric seats with heating and memory for both driver and passenger
3. Folding and split small rear seat in full leather
4. Foldable wind deflector
5. Wooden panels and gear knob in wood
6. Wooden steering wheel, electrically adjustable
7. Electric mirrors, including the interior mirror, adjusted electrically with memory stored in the seat settings
8. Trip computer
9. Cruise control
10. Full-size spare tire on the original rim matching the car's style
11. Car stereo with RDS radio, cassette player, and AUX input on the front
12. Power windows
13. Fog lights
14. ASR (Anti-Slip Regulation)
15. Central locking, which also locks the glove compartment, door pockets, and both compartments in the center console

Condition

This car is in very good condition, with no signs of damage or repairs. It is road tax-exempt and has passed inspection without remarks until August 31, 2025. The car is so well-preserved in its original condition that it has been approved by MHRF (Swedish Federation for Historic Vehicles) as a collector's car and is currently fully insured for only 800 SEK per year.

Equipped with new Firestone tires in the original size, which have only been driven a few dozen miles, on the car's original wheels. The color is a stylish black metallic with beautiful black leather upholstery that is in excellent condition. The black original soft top is in okay condition, while the paint is fantastically shiny with only a few minor scratches and stone chips. A hardtop in the same color is included and is in fine condition.

The windshield is in good condition, with small signs of normal use, and the door glass has small vertical scratches in two spots. The original soft top's Polyglas rear window has two barely visible cracks. The instrument glass has a small crack to the left of the fuel gauge. The interior roof is in good condition for its age, both for the soft top and the included hardtop.

All electronics work, including the AC, which cools excellently, but the fuel gauge needs calibration as it shows ¼ full when empty.

Under the hood, we find Mercedes' impressive 3-liter inline six-cylinder M104 engine with 231 horsepower, featuring dual overhead camshafts and variable valve timing. The engine runs beautifully and delivers power at all RPMs. The automatic transmission shifts smoothly and flawlessly, and the brakes are in good condition, providing even and smooth braking.

Service History

The car has been regularly maintained and serviced according to documentation. The oil and filter were last changed only 200 km ago. Additionally, the brake fluid, coolant, fuel filter, and cabin air filter have recently been replaced. During the major service at 150,000 km, the previous owner replaced the spark plugs, ignition wires, and distributor cap, among other things. The service documentation is available since the current owner bought the car in July 2009, and details are shown in the attached images. The vehicle was inspected on August 31, 2023, and previous inspection reports are available from 2007, as shown in the attached images.

Summary

This particular R129 is in exceptional condition, with an exterior finish that gleams in the sun and an interior that is both elegant and comfortable. Every detail, from the soft leather seats to the meticulously crafted dashboard, reflects the high-quality craftsmanship that Mercedes-Benz has always stood for. The engine performance is as impressive as the appearance, with a powerful engine that offers a fantastic driving experience whether you're cruising on country roads or navigating through city streets.

Whether you are a car enthusiast or simply looking for a stylish and reliable convertible, this Mercedes-Benz 300SL is an excellent choice that will provide joy and admiration for many years to come.