This 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL500 was sold new to the first owner in Pennsylvania where it remained under regular service until it was acquired by the second and current owner in March of 2022. 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 factory-optioned Adaptive Damping System (ADS), a fully power-operated soft top with removable paint-matched hardtop, power adjustable seats with memory, power operated heated door mirrors, a Bose sound system, a 6-disc CD changer and xenon headlamps. Service records since new are included in the sale along with complete documentation, radio card, and original window sticker. This SL500 is now offered on consignment by the selling dealer in Atlanta, Georgia with two keys, complete books and records, the paint-matched hard top, a clean Carfax report, and a clean Georgia title
The exterior is finished in Black (040) 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. Detailed photos of the exterior, paint, and trim are included in the gallery.
Fitted are the factory 16” Monkar wheels wearing Michelin MXM4 rubber measuring 225/55 on all four corners. The tires show ample tread depth remaining and 2019 date codes. This example features the rare Adaptive Damping System (ADS) as a factory option.
The cabin is trimmed in Black Leather (261) with a dark Burl Walnut wood trim lining the center console and door panels with matching Black carpeting and floor mats. Interior features include power adjustable seats with memory, a power adjustable steering column, cruise control, and a Bose audio system with 6-disc CD changer. Photos show the cabin with functional backlighting and details noted.
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 71k miles with less than 2k being added by the current owner over the past year.
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 change and comprehensive check. Additionally, the front hydraulic top cylinders have been replaced. Complete records showing regular maintenance and service are shown in the gallery and included.
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 with two keys, complete books and records, the paint-matched hard top, a clean Carfax report, and a clean Georgia title.
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24 Comments
Tremendous value! The ADS is so impressive I wish more V8's were optioned with it. This is the only one I've ever seen. This was a no-sale on BAT awhile back at 21k. Very good deal.Congrats @T8KFVE We'll be in touch shortly!@t8kfve coming in hot with the potential knock out!fun while it lasted$18,000 bid placed by @T8KFVE
$15,250 bid placed by @Virafp
$15,000 bid placed by @R129hoarder
@Virafp Spoke with the original broker (who knew the first owner) in addition to the current. No records on it for the hydraulics and while the front are believed to have been done, the rest aren't noted. For safety sake let's assume not. If the future owner wants us to help arrange, we can help schedule and ensure it's performed for an additional cost to the buyer.@GASMotorcars Thanks for the update on the hydraulics. I just talked to my local MB dealer and he said the 1998 has 11 cylinders! Based on what he quoted for parts, it would be great if you could confirm if any cylinders have been replaced……it would truly give me more confidence to bid strong - I do love this car, but have to consider what is coming up down the road! Any chance of making a quick call to the PO? Thanks and GLWTA.@ArtVandelay0 Upon an independent inspection they (front) appeared replaced but otherwise no records as we mentioned below.@GASMotorcars just to confirm, have any hydraulic cylinders been replaced? The listing indicates “additionally, the front hydraulic top cylinders have been replaced.” Is that incorrect?and that being noted, today is the last day of the auction- we're excited to see where this one ends up. As an ADS and Xenon optioned example that was driven only in warm months, it's one of the icest R129's we've seen in years. Bid with confidence and let us know if there are lingering questions .@Virafp Thanks, we're proud of the records with this one. You're right, there's no mention of the top hydraulics so we're assuming not. Maybe there's a pleasant surprise there but no way of telling. We've had the hardtop on and off a few times under our care and it's a flawless operation. Cooling system all good- stays under 90 in Atlanta heat.$14,400 bid placed by @ArtVandelay0
Any record of the soft top cylinders being replaced? I went through all the receipts (great records!) but did not se any mention of the convertible top hydraulics being worked on or replaced - any knowledge on this would be helpful, as its a pretty expensive fix, from what I understand, and is a common part to fail. I saw the video where it seems to work fine, but if the cylinders are original it’s a matter of when! Assume the hard top going on and off works as intended? I had asked early in the auction about the cooling system, as it seemed to need pretty regular repair with the gauge bouncing around and new fans having to be installed - assume no issues now? Sorry for all the questions but we are getting close!! Thanks and GLWTA!$14,000 bid placed by @Virafp
$13,000 bid placed by @ArtVandelay0
$12,500 bid placed by @Virafp
@Virafp AC along with climate control unit is perfectly operational w/o pixel fade. We'll see if we can address that slight separation- likely a little adhesive should do the trick.Thank you for the videos. My apologies if I missed this, but does the climate control, AC etc work as intended? I’m assuming AC was used on these beautiful Georgia summer days! Also can you address what the fix would be for the separation of the headrest area? Any idea what it would cost to fix it? Thanks@GASMotorcars that’s helpful. Thank you for the prompt reply.@ArtVandelay0 Standard MO for our client. He buys extremely clean examples of cars he likes, keeps them for six months, and asks us to help sell. For those curious, the 07 E63 wagon last year and the 9k mile E55 last year were from the same collector. Should give an idea of cleanliness and particularity.I’m sure the answer is a simple one (just decided it wasn’t for them), but any reason for the quick sale from the current owner?$11,379 bid placed by @ArtVandelay0
$11,129 bid placed by @MBstyle
Good morning all and thanks for your patience. We're back from several days at Amelia and videos have been uploaded showing top operation, interior and exterior views, a start-up, and driving functions. We can take photos of the soft top as well today. This is a good chance to discuss the cars history a little, prior to our clients acquisition this car belonged to a telecom executive in the Northeast (ordered and bought it new). It was driven in good weather and maintained/serviced as necessary without compromise. Both owners have kept a decent collection of cars, most of which include classic and young classic MB's. Complete documentation is included and this should be regarded as a complete example. Thanks everyone!Soft top pics and video of up and down are all that's keeping me from bidding.$10,000 bid placed by @ArtVandelay0
$9,500 bid placed by @Virafp
$5,500 bid placed by @cgupta17
Could you post pictures of the soft top condition?Morning all, paint meter photos have been added along with photos of the emissions sticker and undersides. the car is extremely clean top to bottom. Its been riaing here for the last fews but videos will be uploaded later today.$5,250 bid placed by @Virafp
$5,000 bid placed by @FoxtrotWM
@GASMotorcars if you can also show a video of the convertible top opening and closing, and maybe paint meter readings so a buyer is comfortable with the car having original paint. Thanks again!$3,750 bid placed by @Tigerauto
Great! Also a driving video showing acceleration and shifting as well as a cold start would be great!!@Virafp Thank you for the compliments. We'll work on videos over the next day, additional photos re the emissions sticker, and undersides. Everything on the car functions as intended including convenience functions and ADS. Thanks!$3,500 bid placed by @Wdkull
$3,000 bid placed by @MBAddict
$2,750 bid placed by @Wdkull
Firstly, kudos for such complete records on maintenance!! Being an east coast car could you provide underbody shots to show any rust related issues? It seems that the car has had a few more cooling system issues than I would expect, somewhat abnormal for the M119 engine, so any commentary would be helpful! Is there anything that is non operational on the car? Any oil leaks, etc…….Also, is all the smog equipment on the car to be CA compliant? Picture 212 appears to be an emissions sticker - could we get a better view of that sticker please…..thanks and GLWTA.