1990 Mercedes - Benz SL 500 “Bornite over Safran” SL500 “Bornite over Safran”

This Mercedes-Benz SL 500 was delivered in 1990 in Bornite Metallic, paired with a Saffron leather interior. That color combination alone already tells you almost everything you need to know. A purple-brown metallic exterior, warm leather inside, and just enough visual presence to make it clear that this was no randomly configured SL.

The first owner had several residences in Southern Europe, and the Mercedes traveled with him. You can see that not only in the car's history, but also in the service booklet: its stamps were entered at various locations where the car was used and maintained throughout its life.

The R129 SL was introduced in 1989 as the successor to the R107. That was no easy assignment, as its predecessor had remained in production for nearly two decades and had become something of an institution during that time. Mercedes-Benz therefore had to create something more modern, safer, and capable of remaining relevant for many years to come. And that is exactly what they did.

The R129 was equipped with a fully electro-hydraulically operated convertible top, an automatically deploying roll bar, and seat belts integrated into the seats. Today, a power-operated top may not sound particularly exciting, but in the late 1980s this was serious technology. You pressed a button, and the entire mechanism disappeared neatly beneath its cover.

Under the hood lies the five-liter M119 V8. A naturally aspirated engine with four valves per cylinder, producing 326 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque. Enough to propel the SL from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in approximately 6.2 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 250 kilometers per hour. And all of that in an open Mercedes from 1990.

The R129 is not a nervous sports car that communicates every bump in the road. It is fast in the uniquely Mercedes-Benz way: calm, composed, and without unnecessary drama. You press the accelerator, the nose rises slightly, and suddenly the rest of the traffic seems remarkably slow.

This particular example comes with a fully documented maintenance history, including service books and invoices. That suits the character of the car perfectly. An SL like this is not defined solely by its color, its V8, or its equipment. It is also about the way it has been treated throughout its life.

Power-adjustable seats with memory, cruise control, and all the comfort you would hope to find in a Mercedes roadster from this era are present. Both the exterior and the interior present beautifully, and driving this Mercedes is a truly wonderful experience.

A Bornite Metallic SL 500 with Saffron leather, an extensive service history, and a first owner who clearly knew exactly what he was ordering. The Swiss rarely do things by halves, and fortunately so. Interested? Contact Gallery Aaldering today and experience this Mercedes-Benz for yourself. We export our vehicles worldwide; please inquire about the available possibilities.

* Ordered by a Swiss person - "And they never order a car without options"
* Presented in Bornite Metallic with the Safran leather interior
* A complete dealer service history (invoices/book)
* "The first owner from Lausanne owned several homes in Southern Europe-Barcelona-Lisbon and Nyon - The maintenance booklet was also stamped there"