This 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL500 was sold new in California where it has remained since new. Finished in Black (040) over Black Leather (261), power is provided by a 5.0-liter M119 V8 mated to a five-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels. Equipment includes a fully power-operated soft top, heated power adjustable seats with memory, power operated heated door mirrors, a Bose sound system, and xenon headlamps. Recent service in Janauary 2023 included a rebuild of the top hydraulic cylinders, a new CSF radiator, coolant flush, and an engine oil and filter change. This SL500 now shows 175k miles and is offered in Los Angeles, CA with the owner's manual, a recent Carfax report and a clean California title.
The exterior is finished in Black (040) and features a power operated black soft top. The top hydraulic cylinders which control the operation of the soft top were rebuilt in January 2023. Exterior features include power adjustable heated door mirrors, remote central locking and xenon headlamps. The seller notes the hood has been previously repainted and the car has no rust present. The windshield as two small chips and the soft top rear plastic window stitching is coming apart from the top on one side.
Fitted are the factory 16” Monkar wheels wearing Falken Xiex tires measuring 225/55 on all four corners. The seller reports that all new tires including the spare were fitted in 2021 and show 2021 date codes. The R129 features four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with independent multi-link rear suspension.
The cabin is trimmed in a Black Leather (261) with a Burl Walnut wood trim lining the center console and door panels with matching black carpeting and floor mats. Interior features include power adjustable heated seats with memory, a power adjustable steering column, cruise control, and a Bose audio system.
The leather wrapped steering wheel fronts a 160-mph speedometer along with a 7k-rpm tachometer, gauges for fuel level and economy, coolant temperature, oil pressure and an analog clock. The digital odometer reads 175k miles with just 6k being added by the current owner.
This R129 is the last model year powered by the 5.0-liter M119 V8 which is factory rated at 315 horsepower and 345 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a five-speed automatic transmission. Recent service in Janauary 2023 included a rebuild of the top hydraulic cylinders, a new CSF radiator, coolant flush, and an engine oil and filter change.
The Carfax report lists linear mileage updates and 26 service history records from new. An accident was reported in December 2015 under previous ownership. This SL500 is now offered with one factory key, the owner's manual, and a clean California title.
The seller has provided a video below showing the operation of the soft top and a full walk around of the car.
The R129 was first offered in 1989 with the 5.0-liter M119 V8 and 3.0-liter M104 inline-six. While the six-cylinder received the new five-speed automatic transmission, V8 customers had to settle for just four forward gears. In 1996 for the 1997 model year, Mercedes offered the M119 V8 with a five-speed automatic transmission but would later transition to the M113 just two years later. This example is the last model year R129 to receive the M119 and just one of two model years fitted with the five-speed transmission. Between the SL320 and SL600, the 500 always seemed to be in the Goldilocks zone of R129s with enough power and torque without adding too much weight and complexity. A huge perk for this SL500 is the recent service which included a full rebuild of the top hydraulic cylinders amongst other items. The California history from new is also a plus and anyone looking to get into R129 ownership without breaking the bank should pay close attention to this one.
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6 Comments
$6,050 bid placed by @MQuint
@NYCdriver Thank you yes I totally agree. The 1998 SL500 is my personal favorite as it was the last of the M119 engined R129 cars.For anyone thinking newer is better, this is an exception. The M119 V8 was eons better than the later M113@R129hoarder Thank you@Jhoagg Correct No hard topNo hard top with the car?Seems to be an awesome buy with good options and classic looks. Great photo set!$6,000 bid placed by @rolandgarcia
$4,500 bid placed by @MBManOnly