This 1999 Mercedes-Benz SL500 was sold by R.A.B Motors in November of 1998 in San Rafael, California and remained with the original owner until October 2019 when it was purchased by the current owner in Virginia. Painted in Firemist Red Metallic (548U) over Helios Nappa Leather (239A), power is provided by a 5.0-liter M113 V8 engine paired to a five-speed 722.6 automatic transmission driving the rear wheels. Equipment includes a fully powered hydraulic actuated black soft top with a removable paint-matched hardtop, front driver and passenger heated power seats with memory function, power exterior mirrors, xenon headlights, a Bose sound system, and 6-disc CD changer. This SL500 has only 9,961 miles from new and is offered on consignment by the current selling dealer with manufacturer’s literature, paint-matched hardtop complete with hardtop cover and stand, outdoor car cover, floor mats, service records dating back to 2000, a clean Carfax report, the original window sticker, and a clean Virginia title.
The exterior is painted in Firemist Red Metallic (548U) and features a removable paint-matched hardtop with a hydraulic actuated black soft top. Exterior features include power adjustable memory door mirrors, paint-matched door handles, factory glass all the way around, fog lights, remote central locking, and xenon headlights. The original paint and body remains in excellent condition with no scratches or dents visible. According to the accompanying service records, the rear bumper was replaced and repainted with OEM parts by Mercedes-Benz in 2003 due to a factory defect under warranty. Detailed photos of the factory paint quality, soft-top fabric, trim, and glass stickers are included in the gallery.
Fitted are the original 16” Albali alloy wheels sporting Michelin Pilot SX tires measuring 245/45 on all four corners. The tires show good tread depth and even wear with the third week of 2018 date codes.
The cockpit is dressed in Helios Nappa Leather (239A) with a light Burl Walnut wood trim lining the center console and door panels. The contrasting upper dash matches with the mushroom carpet floor mats. Interior features include a power adjustable tilt and telescoping leather wrapped steering wheel, high/low heated front seats with memory settings, cruise control, and a Bose audio system with 6-disc CD changer in the trunk. The original warning label from the factory is still intact on the ash tray cover.
The leather wrapped steering wheel frames a 160-MPH speedometer along with a 7k-RPM tachometer, gauges for oil temperature, coolant temperature, vacuum modulated fuel economy needle, and fuel level. The digital odometer reads 9,961 miles with nearly 2,000 being added by the current owner.
This R129 is the first model year that Mercedes-Benz introduced the 5.0-liter M113 twin spark, three valve per cylinder aluminum power plant which was rated from the factory at 302 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a five-speed 722.6 automatic transmission. Most recent recorded maintenance is from 2015 at 7k miles where a battery was replaced and an oil service was performed. A harmonic balancer was replaced in 2006 at 5k miles. Previously done in 2007 was a 7,500 mile service including new brake fluid. Per the records and Carfax, oil was serviced regularly based on time instead of miles. Underbody photos show clean surfaces, hardware with like-new plating, and still visible QC markings from the factory. The hoodpad shows as original with age-related degradation.
Videos below show a thorough walk around and interior tour, along with the soft top in operation.
1999 was a big switchover year for the R129. Mercedes-Benz moved away from the hand-built M119 engine to the more mass produced M113 engine. Diehard enthusiasts lamented the Stuttgart brand for doing this, but 25 years later we’ve seen that this is arguably the best, most reliable V8 Mercedes-Benz has ever produced with many in our circle regarding this powerplant as the “Mercedes small block.” The twin-spark 3 valve per cylinder engine would make Toyota blush with how reliable and robust they are. Gone are the days of stretched timing chains, disintegrating chain guides, leaky valve guides, and dripping head gaskets. This particular example hosts the 5.0-liter variant which suits the R129 arguably better than the high revving motorsports derived M119. The M113 will startle the driver off the line with the low end torque delivery that supports the R129’s cruising zeitgeist. These engines change the character of the SL which make them so great as daily drivers here in the states. This SL500 with the stunning color combo, low miles, doe-soft nappa leather, and an undercarriage you can eat a serving of doner kebab off of is a no brainer purchase.
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15 Comments
عليك بألف عافيه بو حاربتستاهل الطيبتستاهلون good luck guysههههههه$33,500 bid placed by @Bo7arebalshamsi
اخرتها بيننا$33,000 bid placed by @Razq8
$32,500 bid placed by @Bo7arebalshamsi
$32,000 bid placed by @Razq8
$31,500 bid placed by @babtainy
$31,000 bid placed by @Razq8
$30,500 bid placed by @Bo7arebalshamsi
$30,000 bid placed by @babtainy
$27,500 bid placed by @Razq8
$27,000 bid placed by @babtainy
$24,000 bid placed by @Razq8
$23,750 bid placed by @adamlink
$23,500 bid placed by @sebaf1
$23,250 bid placed by @Razq8
$23,000 bid placed by @adamlink
$22,750 bid placed by @Razq8
$22,500 bid placed by @sebaf1
$22,250 bid placed by @Razq8
$22,000 bid placed by @OSmithX
$21,500 bid placed by @sebaf1
$21,250 bid placed by @Razq8
$21,000 bid placed by @sebaf1
$20,750 bid placed by @OSmithX
$20,500 bid placed by @Razq8
$20,250 bid placed by @sebaf1
$20,000 bid placed by @OSmithX
$19,250 bid placed by @sebaf1
$19,000 bid placed by @Razq8
$18,750 bid placed by @sebaf1
$18,500 bid placed by @adamlink
This color combo is perfection. Hardly ever see the firemist red or helios much less together. Whoever ordered this had great taste!$17,750 bid placed by @sebaf1
Come on. Both engines have their positives and negatives. Both have their committed partisans. Overall, both are good engines. I’ve got an M119, and I really enjoy winding it out between 4k and6k in second and third gears on backcountry windies. Feel the 4 cams come on strong and valve timing advance. What a rush. But on the other hand, the M113 apparently is notably more torque-y in lower rpm ranges. Always trade-offs.$17,500 bid placed by @Barry
$17,250 bid placed by @sebaf1
$17,000 bid placed by @adamlink
$16,250 bid placed by @sebaf1
$16,000 bid placed by @Barry
$15,750 bid placed by @Ranger902
$15,500 bid placed by @308live
@joncf thanks for sharing your opinion.$14,250 bid placed by @Ranger902
The M113 is a more modern engine??? It is newer, but it lacks variable valve timing, and 4 valve technology that the M119 has.... and which EVERY automaker has since implemented. I would call THAT modern.. not 3 valve, twin spark technology that was invented by Asian automakers in the 80’s. The only benefit would be fewer moving parts and possibly reduced emissions. It certainly didn’t help fuel economy because they are hilariously inefficient.. no better than the M119. Basically every combustion engine being produced today, has 4 valves per cylinder and VVT.. The M113 lacked it.. and they MB never made that mistake again. The twin spark is meaningless in reliability, longevity or performance aspects and was just an attempt to “clean up” emissions. The M119 doesn’t really have any significant known issues if well maintained while the M112 and M113 commonly have oil consumption and valve guide seal issues. I’d say they are equally reliable, but the M119 wins the durability and longevity contest. There are tons of W140’s and R129’s out there with the M119, which have hundreds of thousands of miles of neglect on them.. but are still running reliably. I have come to realize that the average driver would never be able to take full advantage of the M119 regularly, especially in the US. It obviously really shines higher in the rev range and at very high speeds that would leave an M113 breathless. This is why I still say that the M113 is “good enough,” but not the best, and CERTAINLY not better than the M119.$14,000 bid placed by @Barry
I’ve owned a few 119 and 113 cars. Both are fantastic but the m113 without a doubt is the better engine from a reliability and longevity standpoint. It’s a much more modern engine and has been used in nearly every single model from the 2000’s era. Bullet proof.I’ve seen plenty of stretched chains on the M112 and M113 engines. They almost never completely fail, but it’s very common and noticeable by the distinct chatter they make at idle/low rpm. They also DO commonly have valve guide seal issues at higher mileages... which is unheard of on the beautiful M119. The M119 chains never fail either, but replacing the upper guides is a good preventative measure as they were known to become brittle with age and mileage. The M119 engine never had ANY head gasket, valve guide seal or similar issues as suggested by the description above. It’s obvious that there will be more maintenance involved with an M119 compared to M113 as its a more complex engine, but is well worth it due to its superiority. The M119 is more durable, more refined and makes more power per displacement than the M113. The M113 will be cheaper to own in the long run and is just about as reliable as the M119. Overall the M113 is JUST good enough, but nothing “special” like the M119.Too bad it’s the M113 and not the exquisite M119. I’d pay more for an earlier one just to have the best V8 that Mercedes ever produced.Showroom worthy example! Can't imagine how anyone could consider a new SL when this is an option. Sacco designed cars are the best.$13,300 bid placed by @sebaf1
$12,250 bid placed by @babtainy
$12,000 bid placed by @sebaf1
$11,750 bid placed by @Sratner
$11,500 bid placed by @Barry
$9,360 bid placed by @Sratner
Unless I missed it but I don’t see any current service records and the carfax shows no records after the second owner purchased the car thanks JoeWhat a lovely spec! Very rare helios interior looks even more stunning in person$8,500 bid placed by @sebaf1
$2,750 bid placed by @Tigerauto
$2,500 bid placed by @sebaf1