This 1990 Mercedes-Benz 500SL AMG 6.0 was reportedly cosmetically modified in period by AMG Japan and is one of the earliest known examples with a 1989 build date and a VIN ending in 000861. The car relocated to Canada in 2009 and was later imported into the United States in 2015. The original M119 V8 was increased in displacement to 6.0-liters by AMG Germany and power is sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission. Finished in Astral Silver (735) over a Anthracite Leather (271) interior, the car features a full AMG body kit, OZ Racing Aero III wheels, AMG exhaust, 300kph AMG gauge cluster, extended wood, floor mats, and painted trim. Additional features include a black folding soft top, a removable paint-matched hardtop, automatic climate control, rear leather kinder seats, and original Euro-spec lighting. Extensive maintenance has been performed since 2022 including rebuilt top hydraulics, front & rear brake pads and rotors, flex discs, power steering fluid, vacuum hoses, injectors, seals, fuel filter, kick down switch, motor mounts, transmission mount, spark plugs, and much more detailed below. The current seller replaced A/C schrader valves, performed an A/C recharge, and replaced the soft top in preparation for the sale. Thorough receipts and documentation is included. Now with just under 104k kilometers (~64k miles), this premerger AMG is being offered on behalf of the seller with a removable hardtop & stand, thorough service records, wind deflector, one infrared keys, two valet keys, premerger AMG literature, OEM indoor car cover, original tool kit, and a clean Georgia title.
The body is finished Astral Silver (735) with matching lower body cladding and a full AMG body kit. The Gen 1 AMG kit consists of both front and rear bumpers, extended side skirts, and a 3-piece ducktail Heckspoiler. All parts are stamped with HWA AMG part numbers. Additional AMG touches include painted headlight and windshield wipers along with a paint-matched front grille and door handles. An authentic AMG exhaust is fitted and shows period correct AMG tips at the rear. The car benefits from a recent rebuild of all top hydraulic cylinders and operates with no issues with a video provided showing top functions. The seller notes the soft top was replaced in preparation for the sale. The original hardtop is included along with a matching stand. The front bumper was refinished by VP Automotive in Kennesaw, Georgia to correct minor rock chips and is the premier paint shop for pre-merge AMGs in the Atlanta area. Detailed photos are provided in the gallery as well as a walkaround video below.
The original 17" staggered 3-piece AMG Aero III wheels are made by OZ Racing and wear newer Michelin Pilot Sport tires measuring 225/45 front and 255/40 rear with 2022/23/24 date codes. The faces are finished in silver with polished lips and OZ wheel bolts. Recent maintenance includes new performance oriented front and rear brake rotors and pads. The seller notes zero suspension issues in the driving video.
The interior is upholstered in Anthracite Leather (271) with a matching lower dash and carpets. Burl wood trim accents the center console along with extended AMG wood across the dashboard, gear shifter, steering wheel, and doors. Amenities include automatic climate control, an upgraded Alpine head unit, and a retracting roll bar. The top hydraulic cylinders have been rebuilt. The car comes with AMG floor mats and an additional set of Coco-Mats. The seller notes the horn is inoperable and the wiper motor operates slowly. The seat belt is noted to lock up if the driver attempts to lean forward but does buckle correctly. There are no lights present on the dash and all power seat functions work. The power rear view mirror operates as do the two exterior mirrors.
The leather and wood small diameter Sportline steering wheel frames an AMG gauge cluster featuring a 300kph speedometer, 7k-rpm tachometer, analog clock, and auxiliary gauges for fuel level, fuel pressure, instant economy, and coolant temperature. The odometer reads just over 101k kilometers (~63k miles). AMG is embossed in the leather on the bottom two spokes of the steering wheel.
The M119 V8 was reportedly bored and stroked to increase displacement by AMG to 6.0-liters, resulting in a rating of 381 horsepower and 413 ft/lbs of torque. Inside the engine, the cam sprockets are engraved with "AMG" with photo evidence provided in the gallery. Additionally, the stroke was measured and confirmed to be a 6.0 at 95mm (94.8mm by the factory). An authentic AMG airbox sits atop the engine and premerger "AMG" labeled engine relays are also found under the hood. Extensive maintenance has been performed since the previous owner’s acquisition in 2022 as outlined below:
Invoices for all of the work is backed up in the photogallery. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 722.3 four-speed automatic transmission. The underbody shows well with no signs of corrosion. The seller has provided detailed photos of the underbody and authentic Sebring AMG muffler and exhaust tips are installed.
Extensive service records are included in the sale. This authentic premerger 6.0L AMG is now offered on behalf of the seller in Marietta, Georgia with a removable hardtop & stand, service records, wind deflector, one infrared keys, two valet keys, premerger AMG literature, original tool kit, indoor car cover, and a clean Georgia title.
The seller has included the following videos:
With a lot of experience in 6.0-liter M119 cars, we can attest to the seller’s driving video that the 500SL 6.0 AMG truly is an exotic of the early ‘90s that doesn’t come with the headache of Italian, British, and French supercars of the era. That’s what made AMG so popular with consumers is the ability to daily drive their hot rods without fear of expensive breakdowns. That’s the magic of these cars today as they have Ferrari levels of performance but require regular maintenance and parts that a regular R129 demands. That’s why we all agree this car and all other 6.0-liter M119 cars are completely undervalued. If you know, you know.
Let’s look at some numbers:
1990 Mercedes-Benz 500SL 6.0
5.8 seconds 0-60
Top speed: 155-mph (electronically limited)
Curb weight 3,894
Horsepower 381
Torque 413 ft/lbs
Engine 6.0-liter DOHC V8
Price $170,000 ($433,000 today)
Production numbers for 1990: ∼30 units worldwide
1990 Ferrari Testarossa
5.2 seconds 0-60
Top speed 180-mph unlimited
Curb weight 3,766 lbs
Horsepower 385
Torque 360 ft/lbs
Engine 4.9-liter DOHC flat 12
Price $161,000 ($409,000 today)
Production numbers for 1990: 1,308 units worldwide
This is the flagship Ferrari vs a hot rodded R129 built by a team of about 400 sophisticated German backwoodsmen. Thos L. Bryant wrote about the 6.0 in-period and kept referring to it as an extotic. Looking at the numbers, he was right. When you cane a 6.0 on a backroad, you realize just how potent and brutal the engine is and more importantly, how flexible and athletic the chassis is with the AMG tuned suspension. These cars can dance on back roads.
This 500SL 6.0 AMG is one of the nicest R129s we’ve interacted with and we’re fortunate enough to say it is also a 6.0 car on top. The paintwork is wonderful and the mechanicals are totally dialed in. With its low production numbers, its performance, its reliability, its parts availability, and the uniqueness of it being a pre-merger AMG, we are waiting for the day this car becomes a six figure car. It should be worth that already, but we’re going to just say we’re ahead of the game on that front and we’re waiting for the rest of the collector car market to catch up. The 6.0-liter AMG is the closest thing to a crystal ball as far as flagging a future collector car. It’s just that no one has caught on yet which makes this example a bargain when you compare it to the $430,000 SL72 in a quite comparable market.
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1 Comments
As an AMG nerd, I have a secret to tell you all. This is my new favorite AMG that I've ever driven -- I hope that comes through in the driving video. The pace this car has is brutal compared to anything else from the era I've driven. The CIS engine feels so much quicker and responsive than the LH 6.0s I've driven. Paired in a R129 body with a Gen I AMG kit PLUS the OZ Aero IIIs... it is pure bliss. I love this thing so so so much. I'm helping a friend consolidate his collection and he's begrudgingly selling this to make room for some more special cars. Hell, I even tried to talk him out of selling this one, because it's just that damn good. But alas, here we are and I'm so proud to represent this example. Seeing what the SL72 sold for on BaT a few weeks ago ($430K!!!) this is probably the most slept on car in the AMG market. I've been waiting for 6.0-liter cars to have their moment and I think we might be on the precipice of that tipping point. Which kind of stinks for people like me since I want one, but can't quite stretch it. I'm a driver and the 6.0 M119 is the driver's engine over the M120. They are hard hitting motors with the AMG tuning. It has that on its toes, over caffeinated feel when you're hammering it. Also we need to discuss the chassis tuning and AMG's balance on this one. I've NEVER driven an pre-1995 Mercedes-Benz as confidently and as quickly on a backroad as this one. I 100% would have gapped myself in if my clone was trying to chase in my W210 E55 AMG. The ASR is more like a modern Porsche where it doesn't cut power and lets you slide it. I've just never felt an AMG drive like this. It almost feels like a heavier E36 M3 with how telepathic it is. I swear to god. Amazing. Please look through the gallery and watch the video and read through the documentation. I've inspected the car as did DC MotorWerks and we've both given it the green light to let it rip on The MB Market. I'm available for phone calls and to show the car in person if needed. Let me know if you need anything else from me and I'll get it. This is an important car with less than 40 built world wide. The MB Market's copy nails the importance of this vehicle and highlights its rarity. Please do read what was written for this example by the team here. Thank you and good luck!