This 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL500 was sold new in Colorado and shows just 68k miles on the odometer. Finished in Black Opal Metallic (189) over two-tone Exclusive Gray Leather (568), 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 with removable paint-matched hardtop, heated power adjustable seats with memory, power operated heated door mirrors, a Bose sound system, a 6-disc CD changer and xenon headlamps. Recent service includes a full fluid flush including transmission, differential and power steering and an engine oil and oil filter change. This SL500 is now offered for sale by the current owner in Cedar Falls, Iowa with five years of service records, a clean Carfax report and a clean Iowa title.
The exterior is finished in Black Opal Metallic (189) and features a removable paint-matched hardtop with a power operated black soft top. Exterior features include power adjustable heated door mirrors, remote central locking and xenon headlamps. The paint is reportedly in excellent condition with no rust or damage present. The seller has included paint meter readings in the photo gallery and notes that the readings on the hood are slightly higher than the rest of the readings which are otherwise uniform throughout.
Fitted are the factory 16” Monkar wheels wearing Continental rubber measuring 225/55 on all four corners. The seller reports that the tires were fitted 4k miles ago and the wheels appear in good condition with no signs of damage or curb rash. The R129 features four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with independent multi-link rear suspension.
The cabin is trimmed in a two-tone Exclusive Gray Leather (568) with a dark Burl Walnut wood trim lining the center console and door panels with matching gray 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 with 6-disc CD changer. The seller notes that the screen on the Becker radio shows some discoloration. The headliner on the removable hardtop was replaced in the fall of 2022.
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. A set of warning lights sits below with a digital outside temperature indicator mounted in the center. The digital odometer reads 68k miles with just 4,600 being added by the current owner over the past four years.
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 maintenance included an engine oil and oil filter change, transmission fluid flush and new filter, differential fluid flush and power steering flush in October 2022. Just prior to that in Summer of 2022, the car received a new radiator, thermostat, coolant hoses and coolant temperature sensor along with a coolant flush .Underbody photos have been included by the seller in the photo gallery below.
A comprehensive list of maintenance performed under current & prior ownership is viewable below.
- Installed new hard top headliner (fall of 2022)
- Installed new engine oil and filter, transmission fluid and filter, rear differential fluid and new power steering fluid (fall of 2022)
- Installed new radiator, thermostat, coolant hoses and coolant temperature sensor. Flushed and installed new MB coolant (summer of 2022)
- Installed new hood insulation pad (May 2020)
- Installed new windshield washer pump (May 2020)
- Installed new 225/55ZR-16 Continental tires in the Fall of 2019, currently have less than 4,000 miles on them
- Installed new front lower control arm assemblies (MB OEM parts), with new rubber bushings, ball joints and eccentric bolts & hardware (Fall of 2019)
- Installed new Billstein (MB OEM) front struts and rubber mounts, new dust sleeves and bump stops (Fall of 2019)
- Installed new Billstein (MB OEM) rear shocks (Fall of 2019)
- 4-wheel alignment performed (Fall of 2019)
- Installed new MB OEM front wheel bearings, and packed with MB high temperature wheel bearing grease (Fall of 2019)
- Installed new front and rear brake rotors and pads. Flushed brake system and replaced brake fluid (Fall of 2019)
- A new complete set of soft top hydraulic cylinders (from Top Hydraulics) was installed in August 2017
- A new MB soft top was installed by the previous owner
- New spark plugs were installed in March 2017, at 61k miles
- New engine and transmission mounts (March 2017), 61k miles
- New steering damper (March 2017), 61k miles
This SL500 comes with a clean Carfax report showing linear mileage updates and regular service visits from new along with no accidents or damage reports. This SL500 is now offered for sale by the current owner with a clean Carfax report and a clean Iowa title.
The seller has included numerous videos showing the operation of the vehicle as well as driving footage viewable below.
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. In addition, this example is finished in a very unique Black Opal Metallic paint along with the upgraded two-tone Exclusive Gray Leather. Showing just 68k miles along with recent services, this example is certainly one to pay attention to offering the best of the R129 line-up mechanically, and visually.
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25 Comments
Thanks for the interest and all the bids... unfortunately we are below Reserve.$14,750 bid placed by @SometimeAgo
$14,250 bid placed by @Cortez11
$14,000 bid placed by @SometimeAgo
$13,750 bid placed by @Donkster
$13,500 bid placed by @Cortez11
$13,250 bid placed by @SometimeAgo
$13,000 bid placed by @Cortez11
$12,750 bid placed by @Donkster
$12,500 bid placed by @SometimeAgo
$12,250 bid placed by @Cortez11
$12,000 bid placed by @JMKCAR
$11,750 bid placed by @SometimeAgo
$11,250 bid placed by @BonesBrig8de
$11,000 bid placed by @SometimeAgo
$10,750 bid placed by @Donkster
$10,500 bid placed by @SometimeAgo
$10,000 bid placed by @BonesBrig8de
@JMKCAR : No odors inside of the car what-so-ever. The catalysts work as designed, so no exhaust smell outside of the car either. No fluid leaks.Hello, Any odder or smell inside the car or from the car,, Thank you$9,000 bid placed by @Triple3
$8,500 bid placed by @BonesBrig8de
$6,250 bid placed by @psdaibes
@elie7elie, the car comes with 2 keys. No need for a locksmith 🙂How many sets of keys? I have a 1998. And you can not get a key from a Mercedes dealership. Apparently a 3rd party company made them and went out of business but had a parent on them. I was told a keysmith may be able to clone one but have not found one yet that can.$6,000 bid placed by @Pantera
We have less than 24 hours left in the auction of this ‘98 SL500! With unique options and color combination, this is the last R129 model year with the M119 dual overhead cam engine, matched with the 5 speed transmission. Mechanically, this car is fully sorted, with extensive service work completed over the past several years: new suspension & brake components, new Top Hydraulics cylinders, new coolant radiator, thermostat and hoses, new tires and fresh fluids all around, etc… There is no deferred maintenance for the next owner to worry about! Having said all that, I do believe there is a lot of value offered here. This R129 will not disappoint even the most demanding owner-collector and it is ready to be enjoyed for many years from now ! I do appreciate the interest shown and the questions many of you have asked. Best of fortunes in the auction!@Nort850: Thank you, I appreciate the comments.The listing is correct as pertains to the color. It is one of my favorites. I was a salesman and sales manager for Plaza Motors Mercedes-Benze here in St. Louis during this time and always loved the color. The color is Black Opal Metallic. Beautiful SL.Hello, the area that you are referring to has a light scuff on the leather. It is not a tear. Good observation!Hi, On Pic#187, seems to be a sort of a rip on driver's seat..right underneath the steering wheel. I couldn't tell properly from the pictures. Is that a proper rip or a scuff?$5,750 bid placed by @Nort850
The other question was related to whether the entire set of hydraulic cylinders was replaced or not. My Answer: The gentleman that I bought the car from has purchased a complete set of hydraulic cylinders from Top Hydraulics (order placed on 08/28/2017 for a FULL SET of Mercedes R129 SL class cylinders) - please see picture 171, left hand invoice. Top Hydraulics is a German specialist in Florence, Oregon that is well known & respected in the US for re-manufacturing convertible hydraulic cylinders. The new hydraulic cylinders were then installed on the car by GLB Motorworks in Saint Louis on 9/11/2017 - see picture 172, left hand invoice. Based on many customer testimonials, these Top Hydraulic cylinders represent an upgrade from the OEM parts, and appear to be very durable.I have received a few questions on the pictures of the soft top... it appears that the canvas may not be as well tensioned as desired. My Answer: The soft top was replaced under a previous ownership and unfortunately I do not have much information on it, other than what the previous owner has shared with me verbally. I haven't used the soft top much in the past and, as a result, I did not pay close attention to how well tensioned the canvas was. It is very possible that it needs some adjustment... honestly I have not looked into it at all thus far.I have received a few additional questions and comments recently from an MB Market user... Sharing them publicly for openness and transparency. MBStyle has commented that the correct color for this R129 is Green Black Metallic or Emerald Black Metallic, code 189. Thank you for sharing !$5,500 bid placed by @Triple3
Additional photos of the hardtop, soft top, rear view mirror and sun visors have been added to the listing. Thank you.I have received several requests for additional pictures of the hard and soft tops, sun visors, rear view mirror and reading light housing. Pictures detailing these areas will be uploaded shortly.Answer (continued...): Besides the couple of minor cosmetic issues that you have noted (shown in the pictures), I believe that the rest of the car is in exceptional condition. Over the years, I've owned several classic Mercedes and have always been committed to bringing them to their original state and glory. I am anal about doing things right and have been using MB OEM replacement parts, whenever possible / available. I’ve sold a couple of cars on BaT last year: an 1978 MB 300SD and 1988 MB 420SEL. Both auctions have testimonials on the quality of the cars, as well as the honest and transparent presentation. 1978 MB 300SD: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1978-mercedes-benz-300sd-3/ 1988 MB 420SEL: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-mercedes-benz-420sel-11/I've had several people contact me over the past couple of days and I will share publicly my answers to their questions. A gentleman that has a collection of classic MBs and appreciates the drive to make them perfect, has asked the following questions: "... At this point in time is there ANYTHING you feel remains unfinished in your drive to make it better? I will be looking at the pictures again later but wonder what is left to do? I did notice the visor on driver's side. I will look closer but the reading light, map light module tends to crack as well as start to sag. Any issues with any of the plastic trim through out the car? Is there absolutely anything to do to make it a collectible level car?" Answer: There is a significant amount of maintenance and service work that I have done on the car in the past few years. The only thing that I would consider doing to make it "perfect" (i.e. collectible level) is to rebuild the Becker radio. The LCD display is discolored and a bit difficult to read. There is an outfit in New Jersey that specializes in rebuilding this type of radios who are well known for the quality of their workmanship… if desired, they can also add a Bluetooth receiver to the radio, as part of the rebuild process. Since I did not have a chance to get this done before the auction, I would be happy to pass on their contact information. They are great people to work with.$5,250 bid placed by @BonesBrig8de
@KM1977 and @mfagone777: Thank you for your comments, I agree 🙂 !Seriously slept-on color here. Beautiful car!Additional photos of the hardtop stand, car cover, interior, trunk, hardtop and service records have been added to the listing. Thank you.@DBCooper, thank you for pointing out an incorrect statement in our posting: "power adjustable inside rearview mirror with memory." The inside rear view mirror is manually adjusted and of course, without memory. It looks like this was missed during our recent review of the draft posting and I will ask The MB Market to correct the statement.This SL500 comes with a soft cover and a stand for the hard top. Additional pictures of the car cover, stand, service records and new hard top headliner will be posted shortly.Over the past 5 years, extensive mechanical and maintenance work (listed above) was performed on the car and is well documented through service records. In top mechanical shape and with fresh fluids all around, I would not hesitate driving the car anywhere in the US today.Hello and welcome to the auction of my 1998 SL500. I have been a passionate MB enthusiast for many years, and over time, I have collected a handful of unique classic cars. This R129 example is in exceptional condition, mechanically and cosmetically.$250 bid placed by @angelocaribe
Never seen a 500 with the stitched leather interior. It's like a SL600 without the hydraulic suspension and V12. What a great combo.