This 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL500 shows registration in Florida and Hawaii under three owners with just 41k miles on the odometer from new. Finished in Glacier White (143) over Gray Leather (268), power is provided by a 5.0-liter M119 V8 mated to a five-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels. Equipment includes a power soft top, removable hardtop, remote central locking, ASR slip control, automatic climate control, cruise control, power seats and a Bose audio system. Recent maintenance includes an engine oil change along with the replacement of the hydraulic top cylinders. This 1998 SL500 is now offered for sale by the selling dealer in Lake Forest, California with the original tool kit, a clean Carfax report and a clean Hawaii title in the previous owner’s name.
The exterior is finished in Glacier White (143) with matching lower body cladding, a paint-matched removable hardtop and a power-folding black fabric soft top. Exterior equipment includes heated headlamp wiper/washers, front fog lamps, power door mirrors, remote central locking and a removable draft deflector. The seller reports that the front bumper, hood and fenders have received paint work to remediate scratches and rock chips. No signs of rust or body damage are present on the vehicle with no accidents shown on the Carfax report. The soft top is reported to be the original equipment for the vehicle and shows no rips or tears, according to the seller.
The car rides on 16” 8-hole alloy wheels which are wrapped in a set of Kumho Ecsta PA31 tires that measure 225/55 on all four corners with 2022 date codes. The seller notes that the tires were fitted in February 2023. Minor curb rash is visible on the wheels. Standard equipment includes four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes along with ASR slip control.
The cabin is trimmed in Gray Leather (268) with a contrasting upper dashboard and matching gray velour carpets. Burl Walnut wood trim is found lining the center console, dash and door panels with no signs of cracking. Both front seats offer power adjustability with position memory which is tied to the power-adjustable steering column on the driver side. Additional interior appointments include cruise control, automatic climate control, a pop-up roll bar, lockable storage compartments, an auto-dimming rear view mirror and a 6-speaker Bose audio system.
The leather-wrapped steering wheel fronts a 160-mph speedometer which is flanked by a 7k-rpm tachometer, an analog clock and gauges for fuel level, economy, coolant temperature and oil pressure. Digital instrumentation consists of an outside temperature sensor, a trip meter and the digital odometer which shows just 41k miles from new.
This R129 is powered by a 5.0-liter M119 V8 which produces 315 horsepower and 347 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a five-speed automatic transmission. The seller reports that an engine oil and oil filter change was performed in April 2023 along with the replacement of all thirteen hydraulic top cylinders. The work was performed by a Mercedes-Benz Specialist in Los Angeles and includes a ten year transferable warranty.
The Carfax report shows three owners with registration reported in Florida and Hawaii with linear mileage updates shown from new. No accidents or damage reports are present on the Carfax. This 1998 SL500 is now offered for sale by Carvin OC in Lake Forest, California with the original tool kit, the factory spare tire and jack, a clean Carfax report and a clean Hawaii title in the previous owner’s name.
Videos provided by the seller show a walk-around, driving and power top demonstration.
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. Adding to the appeal is this example’s low mileage with a clean history and recent maintenance which includes the replacement of all thirteen hydraulic top cylinders. With enthusiast interest in R129s rapidly increasing, this low-mileage example is sure to serve its new owner well for many years to come.
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3 Comments
$14,000 bid placed by @Geishirtle
$10,750 bid placed by @AJgood
Was this model equipped with heated seats?$10,500 bid placed by @Geishirtle
$7,500 bid placed by @Fatameh1
$2,500 bid placed by @AJgood
$1,250 bid placed by @Liamn
$1,000 bid placed by @cjaubert
Hello Jhoagg and everyone else to this auction of this pristine SL500. Jhoagg, I would not know if the ESP was an option back then. The Mercedes-Benz classic center may be able to answer this question. However, thank you for the compliment Jhoagg, this SL is truly a time capsule! Very hard to find in this preserved and well maintained condition. Good luck everyone!Appearance-wise, to me, this is one nice looking SL500, even without the SL1 package. I think the 8 hole wheels look really great on the car. Of course, they’d be better in 17” or 18” size. This car has ASR instead of ESP. Was ESP an option in 1998?