SL/R129: 1998 SL500 Reliability?
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Newbie
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 2
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1998 SL500
1998 SL500 Reliability?
I'm considering buying a 1998 SL500 with 84000 miles on it. The car is super clean. How reliable are these? The dealership is selling it for $8430. Is that a good price? I know all cars have regular maintenance, but I don't want to get myself into a money pit.
Your feedback is greatly appreciated.
Your feedback is greatly appreciated.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 32
Likes: 11
R129
When getting up there in mileage, reliability will depend on service history. Routine and preventative maintenance can say a lot about the previous owners. If the dealer doesn't have records, check the Carfax and see what shows up there. Neglected maintenance can get costly down the road. With the right care, you can easily daily drive these cars.
The soft top hydraulics have been known to be the weak spot for R129s. But you can have those rebuilt (Top Hydraulics is awesome and charge about $550 to rebuild) and install yourself or have a shop install. It's overall not that expensive in comparison to other MBs maintenance for their weak spots.
Hard to say if it's a good price or not. Value on these cars fluctuate heavily and depend on condition, service history and packages/options. Check your local Craigslist for comparables - these cars in general are pretty easy to come by.
The soft top hydraulics have been known to be the weak spot for R129s. But you can have those rebuilt (Top Hydraulics is awesome and charge about $550 to rebuild) and install yourself or have a shop install. It's overall not that expensive in comparison to other MBs maintenance for their weak spots.
Hard to say if it's a good price or not. Value on these cars fluctuate heavily and depend on condition, service history and packages/options. Check your local Craigslist for comparables - these cars in general are pretty easy to come by.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 326
Likes: 47
From: Yorba Linda CA
94 SL320 98 SL500 99 SL600 07 SL55
I say it's a good price if you DIY, at that milage and age it will not leave you stranded and you can perform maintenance issues at your leisure. Suspension, gaskets and such. I have a 98 as a daily driver, it's the last of the quad cam motors and solid as a rock. I keep it in new condition and put a lot of trip miles on it. All OEM parts can be had online at low prices compared to dealer.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,982
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From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
Check eBay and see what the market is. My guess is that it is reasonable. 1998 is the last year for the legendary M119 V8 engine, and Hagerty thinks it will be collectible soon. (Their opinion may be meaningless -- or not -- I have no idea.)
If you are the sort of owner who feels compelled to fix everything that is broken, then these cars can be a money pit. Otherwise, not so much. And you are buying a car that has depreciated c. 90% and will go down no more, so from that perspective it's hard to see how you could go wrong.
If you are the sort of owner who feels compelled to fix everything that is broken, then these cars can be a money pit. Otherwise, not so much. And you are buying a car that has depreciated c. 90% and will go down no more, so from that perspective it's hard to see how you could go wrong.
