Mercedes SL500 - The Best Ever?

[@wernerdeleon4295]

Looking at a 15k mile sl500 2001 and you bought me. Will be buying this tomorrow!

[@tyvanhworkout]

I was around when it launched and it was amazing as you've stated. As classic as the previoud car was, this one was on a whole other level. It was an amazing work of art and engineering. It's my favorite SL to date as well.

[@NickForest999]

The last era of Mercedes when engineers ruled the build budgets and not the accountants…everything feels like it’s hewn from granite and for a big car it’s enough grunt for the real world in day to day driving requirements. I’ve had an R107 for 8 years (300SL) which has been great to own but a drive across France last year showed up some it’s shortcomings. I was lucky enough in 2021 to find a 1996 R129 SL500 that was a Japanese import into the U.K. with just 4,000m from new complete with full service records which had spent most of its life in storage in Osaka. This has now become my go to Merc and I’m selling the 107 as I find the 129 can do everything sublimely and effortlessly. There aren’t too many years left I fear before we can no longer enjoy these types of car so as the man says in the video…if you want one go get one soon!

[@plusone4726]

My 1994 SL500 has had a few challenges, but it is almost there. Solid as a rock

[@jasonkok9942]

seriously, out of so many SL models that Mercedes ever built… this R129 are still the best of all… especially the Pre Facelift model, 600SL V12… they are Just awesome… a legendary built to last

[@johannesbuckau2154]

Thanks a lot for that awesome video😊 I own a 12/1990 500 SL since a couple of years and loooooove it❤ Greetings from Germany😊

[@lightamplifier6105]

Thank you for the well versed review. I recently purchased a 1990 and can't wait to fully enjoy this epic Mercedes. Cheers!

[@jonboy9912]

I got a 1999 320 and that's good enough! Great cars - third iteration is the best imo.

[@anthonywright9357]

Great video, love the R129! I have a 1995 SL500 and a 2002 Silver Arrow Edition.

[@MidNightMass402]

how is the 1995 SL500 i found one with 93k miles and it’s really clean so much work done to it to keep it maintained. does it cost much to maintain it?

[@SkippyPB.]

Good video!! You can tell how solid these cars are by just closing the door. Probably one of the safest roadsters out there.

[@chrismorris3726]

I owned a 'used' 2001 SL 500 with the Designo package, under 4k miles many years ago. Original owner was Paul Allen's wife. They paid $130,000 plus taxes. I stole it for $37,000. Unbelievable quality. One of many vehicular gems I've had the pleasure of owning and driving over the years and definitely one I should never have sold. Thanks for the video and walk down memory lane.

[@wyattjones373]

Hey Dave great vid. I’ve got the same exact car same year same color and somehow around the same miles I’ve got 59k. This is actually my first car and I love it man the phone in the car is a fan favorite.

[@dajohn2296]

Fabulous review

[@JoeysProArcher]

Fantastic video Dave! Big fan of this motor , would love to own it one day!!

[@davearcher2188]

Ha ! Ha! Thanks for the loan of the car, son. Stay safe.

[@katanensis]

I have a 2001 silver with black interior and top... I wouldn't change it for anything else!

[@bobshoker3599]

I’m looking at a 2001 sl500 in my area. what can you tell me about it? Think 2001 has the w113 motor.

[@katanensis]

@@bobshoker3599 Hey Bob, I can tell you that you will not regret it! So the drive is super smooth, the engine has some power but it's not a sport car... do not expect great performances. Comfort is great (I'm 6ft) and the driving comfort for me is great. Reliability as long as you do services in timely manner is great, The car never let me down despite being an old fart (155kmi). Now the dark sides :) Fuel economy is HORRIBLE!!!! but I don't care about that... the very troubling thing, that I wasn't aware of is the cost of the plastic trims... they ALL break, and they are EXPENSIVE as hell! to replace the dome light shell, vanity mirrors hinges cover and mirrors I spent about $500 for the plastics alone! :( Get your self a second key? that is a $300 bill... Soft top to replace and hydraulics to fix? $1800 (if you do all the work yourself) Luckily for me, my commute to work is 10mi round trip so I don't care about the mpg, I do all the work on the car myself, so I'm not too concerned about repairs, but if you don't I would recommend that you find the best car possible, because repairs will get expensive fast!

[@bobshoker3599]

@@katanensis I’m looking at the 2001 not as daily driver but maybe pan Sundays. Trying to keep mileage low and hopefully have the value go up in time. I just love the r129. It’s within my budget

[@ockertvanzyl5340]

Great review thanks 👏👏👏

[@billrbca]

I have to agree..(I have a R129) this generation was nice improvement over the R107 in many areas without the complexity of later R230's

[@tramptruck4859]

Best year, best engine, just before the"improvements" in '96. I bought one 3 years ago as cheap fun, but like it so much it's a keeper 🙂

[@averyespinoza2667]

How is the 1991 year?

[@andykumi]

Great video, I've had one of these on my "bucket list" since they were new and finally bought one a few months ago. I absolutely love it and agree with everything you said about how good they are and how prices will keep going up. But I beg to differ on 2 points - IMHO the design language started with the W201 back in the early '80's (truly a game changing car, I had a 190E 2.3-16 as a daily driver for 16 years) and continued with the W124 (of which I've owned 5). In fact I believe the R129 chassis was based on a modified W124 platform. Secondly, there are 12 hydraulic cylinders for the hydraulic roof, not 13. Later cars had only 11, I think from 1995 onwards.

[@AW-of2nb]

hands down favorite car of all time

[@hunterprovencal1684]

Same

[@supmojo]

Beautiful car. The best SL looking. Second best for me is the R107.

[@ALEX-ur5zn]

That's a beauty

[@print-master]

My SL500's done 115,000 miles and drives like a new car. Who cares about gas mileage when you own one of these

[@gufiaito69able]

Is there an amg version on the sl in 1995

[@midfieldraceway]

If you had to keep one, would you keep this or a 2.5-16?

[@doca8792]

I’ve an ‘02 sl500 and an ‘85 190e 2.3-16 Two totally different animals. I drive the SL daily, like I stole it. And the 190 only on Sunday mornings. But if you had to bury me with one, it’s the 190 all day.

[@mikechan2044]

Nice nice!!! How much did you get it for?

[@tyronejones7341]

Beautiful Canon by Pachelbel !.

[@stanleybaldwin225]

I got a 99 SL600 v12.i like it.

[@garden-Railway]

I have no mechanical knowledge , I love this car looks. Should I buy one? It won’t be garaged.

[@douglasthompson9482]

Beautiful car….mine is a 1990 300sl. Blue in color.

[@jonboy9912]

Got to have the panoramic roof!

[@edwardtasi2905]

what is the most reliable SL of the 1980s?

[@alexandrebeinotti3359]

300SL M103

[@ericzmusic]

I love them so much but people glaze over the fact that the wiring looms are biodegradable. Most will stop working soon if they haven't already.

[@slmercedes3081]

Nice car

[@pobinr]

My R231 SL500 is the best SL. Lighter, more powerful, more fuel efficient, more torque, stiff as a coupe as 85% aluminium, last of the line with metal folding roof.

[@ianpolo5673]

I didn't really catch how the hardtop actually secure itself.

[@siegfriedbarfuss9379]

The hydraulics pulls it in. Rock solid and same to eject. First it is getting fixated on the front then sucked in into the back. Quite impressive!

[@ianpolo5673]

@@siegfriedbarfuss9379 Nice. I was wanting to catch this rare capturing but sadly the video focus went to hood when the hard top is attached.

[@robertmac8477]

Gorgeous vehicle. STILL trying to fine-and-buy a "good" (affordable!) '97 '00 one....

[@b.frantz8346]

Got a 98 sl500 for sale. York pa. 61,000 miles.

[@mikeboost1]

How you going show the car with a hardtop then put on the hardtop?! Where’s the part showing it taking off?!

[@MomentumEntFilms]

DOPE

[@jean-pierredonsimoni7943]

Voilà comment on met le hard top ma voiture est aussi de 1994 et est couleur champagne

[@lu74wn2002]

Nice review but shouldn’t you do your home work. It launched in 1989 - you having called it an icon -should know this if you remember it being launched. Where have sound systems been located, except for the centre console?

[@michaelking4578]

The hydraulic system for he convertible is annoying and expensive when it goes out. And messy.

[@joesmith9216]

Nope, their not, owned one for 10 years. The stupid hardtop is the most annoying part of owning one, they are great cars though, I also hate the headlights, the parking lights always broke and they fly off the car.

[@TrYhE]

kk

[@soloora2413]

La peggiore di sempre...impianti elettrici e cablaggi pessimi nonché ricambi spesso ormai introvabili

[@mikemccormick8115]

Love everything about this car except the bland, boxy look. I like old school and few silly gadgets though... One mans beauty is another mans hag...some think Picasso is art, some think its junk.