There’s no doubt that the Mercedes R129 is finally coming into its own as the collectible SL we always knew it would become. Prices are on the rise for well cared for examples as many enthusiasts are recognizing these cars for the value they represent.
The price range of the various models and generations of the Mercedes R129 vary greatly, but the cars from the late 1990s up to 2002, the last model year they were offered, are generally standing out as the most desirable examples.
The 1998 model year we found ‘On the Market’ today is listed on Craigslist in Denver, CO. We like this one because it appears to be a good example of what we’d call a driver R129 SL 500. An odometer reading of just over 89,000 miles tells us that this one has been enjoyed and from the seller’s description and the photos, appears to have been well cared for. It looks like a good, entry level R129 for someone who just wants a car to drive and enjoy.
The seller makes special note of the soft top and the plastic windows in it. He also mentions the front seats were recently reupholstered. We usually prefer completely original cars, but after looking at the seats in this car, they look to have been re-done correctly and with quality materials. That couldn’t have been an inexpensive fix for the seller.
There is no mention of the hydraulic cylinders for the soft top mechanism being replaced, so that job may be one the new owner needs to tackle eventually. A couple of dings can be seen in the very clear photos. It looks like your local PDR guy could handle those pretty easily for a couple of hundred dollars.
The listed price of $12,600 is a bit optimistic for this car, but we’d consider it fairly bought if you could negotiate the price down closer to $10,000. In the end, it’s a lot of car for $10,000 and if well maintained moving forward, will probably maintain that value even as miles are added