This 1991 Mercedes-Benz 500SL is finished in Ice Blue Metallic (348) over Blue leather (272) and is powered by a 5.0-liter M119 V8 paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. Equipment includes optional ADS (Adaptive Damping System), a body-color removable hardtop, a hydraulic-folding dark blue soft top, power-adjustable seats with memory, headlight wipers, cruise control, and automatic climate control. Maintenance items addressed include all new top hydraulic cylinders, new battery, valve cover gaskets, transmission fluid flush w/ filter, and a complete dry ice blasting on the underside. This R129 500SL now shows just over 13k miles and is offered by the selling dealer in Marietta, Georgia with one key fob, first aid kit, window sticker, complete tool kit, partial service records, VMI report, a clean Carfax report, and a clean Florida title.
The exterior is finished in Ice Blue Metallic (348) and features a matching removable hardtop, an electric-folding dark blue convertible soft top, headlight wipers, fog lights, fender vents, and a power antenna. The seller has added paint meter readings in the gallery. Both tops present in excellent condition with no headliner sag on the hardtop. New top hydraulic cylinders have been replaced by the seller in preparation for the sale. There is one minor scratch on the front bumper while the rest of the body presents as new. Detailed pictures are provided in the gallery showing straight body lines, no dents, excellent clear coat, and clear lights with no UV damage.
Factory 16″ Gulideckel wheels wear its original Astral Silver finish and are mounted with 225/55 Michelin Premier A/S tires with 2016 date codes. The car is equipped with anti-lock braking system (ABS), automatic slip control (ASR), and active dampening system (ADS). The seller has provided a detailed photo showcasing the ADS system and states there’s no issues with the suspension or braking.
The cabin features power-adjustable seats with memory upholstered in Blue leather (272) along with matching floor mats, carpets, and door panels. The upper dash is finished in blue soft-touch plastic along with a blue leather steering wheel. The center console and door cards are accented with burl wood trim that show zero damage. Equipment includes power windows, automatic climate control, cruise control, and a Becker 1432 head unit. The air conditioning has been converted to R134 and operates as designed.
The blue leather wrapped steering wheel frames instrumentation including a 160-mph speedometer, a 7k-rpm tachometer, an analog clock, and a digital thermometer along with auxiliary gauges for fuel level, oil pressure, instant economy, and coolant temperature. The six-digit odometer shows only 13k miles.
The 5.0-liter M119 V8 was factory rated at 322 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. Early R129s were fueled using Bosch CIS fuel injection which was carried over from the M117. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed 722.3 automatic transmission. Maintenance performed within the last year is said to include all new top hydraulic cylinders, transmission fluid/filter service, new battery, and valve cover gaskets. In 2009 at 10k miles, this 500SL received spark plugs, fuel filter, air filter, and an A/C refrigerant service.
The Carfax report indicates no accidents or other damage and is now offered by the selling dealer with one key fob, partial service records, a VMI report, tool kit, window sticker, a clean Carfax report, and a clean Florida title.
The seller has included the following video:
We got to spend a considerable amount of time with this example and it’s the new benchmark for how a R129 should drive, smell, ride, and feel. The early CIS cars are where it’s at. They make monstrous power and it takes great, sumptuous strides down the road when you wring out the M119 engine. With the ADS suspension, you can actually hustle the car on a backroad. The big blue W126 steering wheel feels familiar and of absolute quality in the hand and while driving the car you realize just how much cost cutting Mercedes-Benz did to the later R129s. I mean look at the window sticker: $94,225 in 1991! That’s $217,000 today in 2025. With inflation, a 2001 SL500 cost $148,000. Where did that money go? First, the engine. The M119 was a hand assembled DOHC unit and cost 50% more than a SOHC M113. Second, the interior is more W126-quality than anything else to follow. That means real, thick leather and high quality woods with every panel having a nailed down solidity about it. The door shut even feels nicer than a later car. This 500SL is a spectacular example and blew our minds at how good these early cars were. The blue on blue is wonderfully period correct and the seller put a lot of time and effort in getting the mechanicals dialed with an underside clean enough to eat schnitzel and rotkohl off the floor pans. This is an investment grade R129 and essential to a pre-merge collection.
Open Transit:
Enclosed Transit:
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4 Comments
$1,500 bid placed by @NYCdriver
I have the same year and color combination 500SL, but with 48k miles. GLWA!Welcome all to our '91 500SL auction. We've been proud to have this example as part of our collection and it's been a pleasure experiencing this car as MB intended. Please reach out to us along the way with any questions and make sure to watch our video. Happy bidding!@gsxr Thank you, it's stunning in person to see one so original. We thought the same too. Ran the VIN and it's definitely there (option 216).Beautiful car. Odd that the Monroney (window sticker) makes no mention of ADS as either standard or optional equipment.