Vehicle Details
- Year: 2002
- Make: Mercedes-Benz
- Model: SL500
- VIN: WDBFA68F12F204582
- Mileage: 44,403
- Transmission: Automatic
- Title Status: Clean
- Color: Magma Red
- Seller Type: Private Party
- Location: Warrenton, VA 20186
- Lot #: V-0034151
Representing the final year of the R129 generation SL-Class roadster, this 2002 Mercedes-Benz SL500 comes finished Magma Red over Java tan leather upholstery and is equipped with a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine producing over 300 HP. It was also factory-equipped with the AMG Styling Package, 18” AMG wheels, the SL2 Package, and a 6-speaker Bose Acoustimass sound system. It was acquired by the seller from its previous owner of 10 years in December 2021 and is supported by a maintenance history including fluid changes and service of the convertible top mechanism. Showing approximately 44k miles on the odometer, this SL500 is now being offered for auction by its seller out of Virginia.
The R129 generation was introduced in 1989 and received several styling updates over its 12-year production run. This late model can be identified from earlier R129s by the curved shape of its taillights, body-color bumpers and door handles, and the rounded twin vents on its front fenders. It comes finished in Magma Red with a matching removable panoramic glass roof and a power-folding Java soft top. It features the AMG Styling Package which adds a front spoiler, side skirts, and rear valence as well as the optional SL2 Package which equips xenon headlamps. It also features factory 18” AMG 5-spoke monoblock wheels which come dressed in Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season tires showing date codes from 2020 and 2021. The seller notes the replacement hardtop was refinished to match the car, the soft top is new, and some paintwork was performed on the front end to repair scuffing on the underside of the front spoiler. A small chip is present on the hood and the seller notes the car underwent a full paint correction and ceramic coating treatment in the summer of 2022 before the car was put into storage. The seller adds that replacement painted front tow hook covers are included and the rocker panel jack point covers have been repainted. Detailed images are provided in the gallery along with a clean CARFAX report.
The cabin is appointed with Java Nappa Leather upholstery complemented by Chestnut wood trim. Accessories include a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated 10-way power-adjustable seats with 3-position memory, auto-dimming mirrors, an electrically adjustable steering column, automatic climate control, and a 6-speaker Bose Acoustimass sound system. A Continental Bluetooth head unit has been installed along with a wireless-charging cell phone mount, and the original radio is said to be included in the sale. The seller notes some minor signs of wear consistent with the car’s age and mileage. The seller adds that a replacement overhead console trim piece is included which omits the buttons for the nonfunctional OnStar roadside assistance system for a cleaner appearance. Some other small replacement trim pieces will be included as well.
A naturally aspirated 5.0-liter M113 V8 engine delivers up to 302 HP and 339 lb.-ft of torque to the rear wheels by way of a 5-speed automatic transmission. The chassis includes an Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and four-wheel power-assisted disc brakes with ABS. The seller indicates routine fluid services were carried out by the previous owner as well as service of the convertible top hydraulic cylinders in 2020.
This sale will include owner’s manuals, a window sticker, a toolkit, a spare tire, and a clean title.
The seller would like you to know: “Thank you for looking at this gorgeous SL500 with the extremely desirable and rare panoramic hardtop! The car is fantastic to drive and even better to look at and includes all the right options and accessories: the hardtop with the correct factory storage rack; an additional stereo to give you Bluetooth capability; an additional set of front air guides for the air dam, already painted and ready to install if needed; tool kit, spare tire, first aid kit, and all manuals. Plus, TWO KEYS.”
Auction Results
- Sold for: $30,000
- Auction End: Sep 21, 2023 06:40:00PM UTC
- Number of Bids: 14
Comments (52)
Sold for $30,000
Bid in the amount of $30,000
Bid in the amount of $27,500
Have a look at the last non-silver/black late model SL with a pano top that sold with mileage under 50k, this car is a fantastic deal!
Thanks gang! Keep going!
Bid in the amount of $27,000
Bid in the amount of $26,000
Tick tock folks, looking forward to a few more bids in the remaining THIRTY MINUTES! Thank you for all the bids so far!
Yes. Factory stand is included and in great shape, the little black foam-rubber nipples are intact and the casters are all rolling freely and true.
Ok
Thanks
Comes with the stand?
The pano top started off as Imperial Red. It was painted in November 2022 by Village Body and Paint of Warrenton, VA.
What color was the top ? And when was painted?
ONE HOUR TO GO FOLKS. Whoever buys this car will get the best of all worlds: fantastic condition, all the right options and accessories, and an ideal combination of usability and youth! Don’t buy a car you’re afraid to drive, get one that is ready to get out there and be enjoyed!
@Vlad600sel no, sorry. The original top had some challenges due to (I think) questionable storage habits earlier in its life. I rationalized that I’d rather spend money on refurbishing a pano top than a steel top.
Bid in the amount of $25,000
Still have the original top?
@tegwj thank you
Thank you for the bid!
Bid in the amount of $24,500
The pano top was not original to the car, no. I bought it separately and had it painted and the roller blind mechanism refurbished. The soft top is also not original, I replaced it with a new German Haartz fabric top in 2022 before the car went into storage.
Question about the roof please
It’s not original to the car right?
TWO HOURS TO GO! Get those bids in early folks, you never know what might happen!
All that said if you can point me to a photo number or timestamp in the video which caught your eye about something leaking I’ll be glad to look closely. We did have the A/C on during the photo shoot and there was condensate wastewater draining as you would expect. But I’m not sure that’s in evidence in any of the photos.
It just occurred to me you might be asking about lifter or lash adjuster noise, rather than solenoid noise if the battery has discharged during storage?
If so then no, there is no lifter or lash adjuster noise on this car. I have no reason to believe oil changes have been neglected or used the wrong weight of oil.
The starter solenoid is fine too. There is no indication of a sulphated battery. I’m happy to include a long term trickle charger with the car if the new owner will keep in storage part of the year. I can even wire in the quick connect terminal if the buyer wishes.
Sorry I’m not sure what you mean by the cascades? I haven’t noticed any click noise.
Bid in the amount of $24,000
It looks like the cascades is leaking. Question, is there any click noice while starting the ending after being stored?
Bid in the amount of $23,500
Bid in the amount of $22,750
Good morning everyone, it’s the final day! I’ll be watching and answering any questions as they come up. I am at work so won’t be able to get any new photos before the auction finishes out, so apologies in advance if someone wants to see something else. Good luck to all and let’s find the car a new home today!
Thank for the bid!
Bid in the amount of $22,500
I’ve added closeups to the driver’s side bolster. The stitching is good, the wear is probably low for the age/mileage of the car, and while the photos exaggerate the slight variation in color, in practice it looks really good.
Additional content has been added to the gallery for this listing.
Bid in the amount of $15,250
Hello @Vlad600sel, I do not have the paperwork for the hydraulics. The seller from whom I bought the car posted publicly “ I have had the receipt for the hydraulics and the tires only. They were sent to Top Hydraulics for rebuild on 6/5/20.” I realize that is largely meaningless. I did inspect the cylinders in the windshield header and they looked brand new. The system is working fine as you can see in the videos, there are no leaks and the hydraulic reservoir shows no seeping or other problems.
Maintenance was performed by the same seller, and unfortunately I learned the same lesson when he didn’t include that paperwork either. I did check the condition of the engine oil and it looked new, a nice amber color.
I will get you the bolster photo but it will have to be tonight when I’m home from work.
Nice car
Any paperwork for maintenance and cylinder work?
Can I see a close up for driver bolsters please
Thanks and gl
Happy Wednesday everyone! As a reminder I’m available to answer questions fairly promptly. If you do have any feel free to post them in the public thread as I’m happy to share the answers with everybody. Enjoy the home stretch and I’ll check in again tomorrow if not before!
Hi folks -- the window sticker has been added to the gallery as photo #134.
Thank you for the bids!
Bid in the amount of $15,000
Hello again folks, the sun's out again in Virginia this morning and temps are forecast to hit 78 degrees this afternoon. This really is the best time of year for top-down driving -- good thing this car comes with the correct factory storage rack for the panoramic hardtop! Removing the hardtop is easily done with two people, or there are single-person hoists available if you can suspend one from a beam in your garage. Just press the hydraulic release switch to unlock the latches, remove the top, and away you go!
Bid in the amount of $6,000
Hello @beckerj01, no, none. Starts right up, drives great, no warning lights or buzzers, no funny smells or leaks.
Any electrical or mechanical problems ? Any problems engine or transmission, drive train? Thanks
Welcome back to the weekdays everyone. I had a question about transportation options. I've arranged a number of vehicle shipments over the years, using both open and enclosed transport, and even cross-border. Depending on where you are, I'd certainly encourage a buyer to collect the car in person and drive it home, but if you do need help optimizing transport options I'll be glad to offer suggestions and give you pointers if the process is unfamiliar to you. Good luck!
Happy Sunday to everyone. I just finished watching the Singapore Grand Prix, which was very exciting this year! The SL is tucked away in its garage today but I've had a couple of inquiries from folks wanting to see it in person before the auction finishes. Happy to make arrangements for anyone else, just reach out to let me know your availability. I hope everyone has a great Sunday!
Bid in the amount of $5,000
It's Saturday morning in Virginia, and a perfect convertible sort of day -- temps in the 60s-70s, no humidity, a gentle breeze carrying the scents of birthday parties and BBQs as you waft along in your effortless SL500. It's worth taking it easy, finding a nice neighborhood or two to explore. Maybe pull into a local park and listen to the kids run around and play. This car is about enjoying yourself in style, safety, and comfort, and sharing it with a partner, or your dog, or just your own contemplation.
I welcome all the views and saves and look forward to engaging with prospective new owners. Enjoy your Saturday, convertible or not!
Happy Friday everyone. I’ve uploaded a copy of the window sticker and hope to see it added to the gallery shortly.
Hello everyone and welcome to the auction for my beautiful R129 SL! A few details to emphasize -- 1) the soft top on this car is brand new and in the correct German fabric; 2) the panoramic hard top did not come with the car originally, I sourced it separately and had it painted to match the Magma Red; 3) even though it's not in the photos, the power antenna is still on the car and able to be reactivated easily if someone wants it, just let me know; 4) likewise the CD changer is available and works fine, as does the original factory stereo -- both are included with the car and I am happy to reinstall them if the winner wishes; 5) I have a handful of additional correct Java-colored interior parts which I purchased pre-emptively, knowing some of the older plastic bits tend to get a bit brittle. They'll all be included; 6) picture 122 shows an additional set of tow hook covers for the AMG front bumper, which are brand new, correctly painted, and unused. They are aftermarket parts -- the OEM originals are installed in the car as photographed. But the spares will also come with the car, in case you should ever lose one of the originals.
I hope that's it, please feel free to ask any questions and I'll do my best to answer. Good luck to all!