This 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL500 Sport shows four owners from new with registration reported in California and Oregon with 156k miles on the odometer. Finished in Brilliant Silver Metallic (744) over Gray Leather (268), power is provided by a 5.0-liter M119 V8 paired with a five-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels. Factory equipment includes a power soft top, a removable hardtop, sport body styling, remote central locking, rain-sensing wipers, heated power-adjustable seats, automatic climate control and Bose audio. The original window sticker is included showing an MSRP of $87k. Extensive service history is included with the car with recent maintenance consisting of an engine oil change, new engine and transmission mounts, new rear control arm bushings and new valve cover gaskets. This 1998 SL500 Sport is now offered for sale by the current owner with the original manufacturer’s literature, two keys, a clean Carfax report and a clean Oregon title in the seller’s name.
The optional SL1 Sport package includes sculpted front and rear bumpers and side skirts which come finished in Brilliant Silver Metallic (744) along with a paint-matched removable hardtop. The seller notes that the power-folding fabric soft top shows small tears in the plastic rear window. Exterior equipment includes remote central locking, power door mirrors, rain-sensing wipers and a removable draft deflector. Minor rock chips are present at the front of the vehicle with scratches noted on the front apron. The windshield was recently replaced by the seller to remediate rock chips.
The 18” AMG Monoblock wheels have been fitted with a set of Michelin Pilot Sport All Season tires which measure 245/40 front and 275/35 rear and show 2020 date codes. Minor curb rash is reported by the seller. Anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes and ASR slip control are fitted as standard.
The cabin is upholstered in Gray Leather (268) with a contrasting upper dashboard and matching gray floor mats. Burl Walnut wood trim can be found lining the center console, gear selector, steering wheel and door panels. Hairline cracks in the wood trim are visible on the steering wheel. Both seats are heated and offer 10-way power adjustability with three-position memory. Interior features include automatic climate control, cruise control, a pop-up roll bar, a power tilt/telescope steering column, an integrated car phone, a trunk-mounted CD changer and a 6-speaker Bose Acoustimass audio system.
The wood/leather steering wheel fronts a central 160-mph speedometer as well as a 7k-rpm tachometer, an analog clock and gauges for fuel level, economy, coolant temperature and oil pressure. The digital odometer shows 156k miles from new with 10k miles added by the current owner over the past three years.
This R129 is powered by a 5.0-liter M119 V8 which is factory rated for 315 horsepower and 347 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a 722.6 five-speed automatic transmission. The seller reports that an engine oil and oil filter change was performed in preparation for the sale. Additional maintenance items under current ownership include new engine and transmission mounts, new valve cover gaskets, new front strut mounts, new rear control arm bushings, new hood pad insulation, new metal cam oiler tubes, a new oil level sender and sump gasket and new timing guide rails and gaskets. Service history dating back to 2012 is included with the car.
The Carfax shows first registration reported in California and later Oregon under four owners with linear mileage updates from new. No accidents or damage reports appear on the Carfax. This 1998 SL500 Sport is now offered for sale by the current owner in Portland, Oregon with the original manufacturer’s literature, first aid kit, two keys, a hardtop stand, a clean Carfax report and a clean Oregon title.
Videos below provide a walk-around, cold start, driving and power soft top demonstration.
Introduced in 1989, the R129 SL was a significant update when compared with the outgoing R107, bringing both new styling and technology which had the privilege of nearly two decades of advancement. The SL500 was offered with the highly-regarded DOHC M119 V8 through the 1998 model year before switching to the M113 in 1999. This final-year M119 example includes the coveted SL1 sport package which adds the subtle, yet aggressive, AMG body styling along with the iconic Monoblock wheels. This example also benefits from a West Coast pedigree which comes with well-documented service history ensuring its longevity for its lucky new owner.
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9 Comments
@Curated_Cars Thank you! I can’t wait to get it!
Congratulations @Ari_Kaufman! You are getting a great car. Thanks everyone for all the bids -- that was fun!
$10,500 bid placed by @Ari_Kaufman
$10,000 bid placed by @mwadeebe55
$9,750 bid placed by @Ari_Kaufman
$9,500 bid placed by @mwadeebe55
$9,250 bid placed by @Ari_Kaufman
$9,000 bid placed by @Callacab
$8,750 bid placed by @Ari_Kaufman
$8,500 bid placed by @Callacab
$8,250 bid placed by @Ari_Kaufman
$8,000 bid placed by @Callacab
$7,750 bid placed by @Ari_Kaufman
The owner of this vehicle is a long-term MBCA member and Concours judge, known for taking absolute care of his vehicles, regardless of the cost. This is why this example looks, and likely performs, as a 30K-mile car. Bid with confidence.
Hi everyone, we are down to the last 24 hours of this auction. This is a great driver-quality R129 with lots of service records. I forgot to mention in my list below that the engine mounts were replaced in June of this year. Happy to answer any further questions!
$7,500 bid placed by @Callacab
$7,200 bid placed by @Fatameh1
@Motts71 Hello, the soft top cylinders have not been replaced during my ownership in the last 3 years. I have service records going back to 2012 and there are no records for soft top cylinders. The soft top functions as it should (See video).
Have the soft top cylinders been replaced or serviced?
Excellent presentation by the seller here...only thing that could make this one better is a pano top. But not necessary. GLWA!
$6,500 bid placed by @Callacab
Hi everyone, Thanks for viewing my auction listing. This is my '98 SL500 Sport, which I have owned for 3 years. I purchased the car in Los Gatos, CA in October 2020. I was living in the Bay Area at the time, and this SL was sold new in San Francisco. The car has service records dating back to 2012. During my ownership I have maintained the car to a high standard. Recent service includes: -Oil change (Oct 2023) -Rear control arm bushings (Oct 2023) -New OEM Windshield (Oct 2023) -Replacement of cam oiler tubes with aluminum tubes (Plastic tubes were used in the M119 and they break, resulting in a ticking sound at idle - common issue). (2021) -Replacement of front strut mounts (2021) -Valve Cover gaskets replaced - engine is very dry underneath (see underside photos) (Left side - 2023, both in 2021) -New Michelin Pilot Sport All Season tires fitted, lots of tread left. (2020) -New headliner installed in hard top (2022) -New hood pad fitted (2021) The soft top operates flawlessly (See video). A/C blows cold. Happy to answer addition questions!
$5,000 bid placed by @SuperRecord
Classical beauty that will never go out of style or elegance.