1991 Mercedes-benz 500sl - 57k Miles - Excellent Condition - All Original on 2040-cars
Santa Monica, California, United States
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Overview The R129 500SL is one of the last, best Mercedes-Benz automobiles. Its designer, the legendary Bruno Sacco, called it “the most perfect car of my career,” and its lines still look great today. Furthermore, the quality of materials and engineering throughout is unmatched by pretty much anything sold since these cars were new. Its ground-breaking M119 dual overhead cam, 32-valve, all-aluminum V8 engine, matched with a surprisingly lively 4-speed automatic, delivers tons of smooth power from anywhere in the rev range -- and sounds magnificent doing it. And the well-tuned chassis handles just about everything you can throw at it with grace, comfort and agility. Ownership History I am the car’s second owner, having purchased it in January of this year from an elderly couple, who used the car only a few months each year when visiting from their primary residence in Japan. They originally acquired the car new from Jim Slemons Imports, a now-defunct Orange County dealership, in April of 1991. The MSRP of the car at that time was $95,180, according to the original window sticker (which is included with the sale). Condition
The car has lived its entire life garaged in California, with regular but sparing use, and has always been maintained by Mercedes-Benz dealers or specialists with no expense spared. It is easily one of the best examples available. Exterior: 8.5 out of 10 The car is completely original and has never been in an accident nor had any paint or bodywork of any kind. The arctic white paint (code 147) shines with a depth that only older Mercedes-Benz vehicles seem able to achieve. Any flaws I’ve found are well-documented in the photos -- mostly minor parking-related scrapes. Also, at some point a vandal attempted to remove the 500SL badge from the rear trunk lid, causing some damage. (I have fully removed the badge, and it is included with the sale.) I’ve chosen to leave everything as-is rather than to disturb the original paint. The car still wears its original black soft top. While fully functional, the top is showing its age with slightly yellowed plastic windows and one small tear (see photos). If you plan on using the soft top frequently, I would recommend having the entire rear panel replaced, which would run approximately $800 at a high-quality convertible top specialist. The original white hard top is in outstanding shape and sports a recent new headliner. Included with the car is an aftermarket hard top storage cart and cover. Interior: 9.5 out of 10 The black leather interior (code 271) is like new. The only notable sign of wear is some scuffing on the left bolster of the driver’s seat (see photos). Additionally, the plastic cover of the vanity mirror on the driver’s sun visor has broken off (I still have it), and the small cover that slides over the lower third of the center console has fallen within the console and needs to be retrieved. Otherwise, all switches, gauges, lights, windows, climate control functions, cruise control, etc. are working perfectly, as does the convertible top mechanism. Mechanical: 9 out of 10 The car runs and drives like the low-mileage, well-maintained Mercedes-Benz that it is. The 322-horsepower V8 motor idles almost silently yet pulls authoritatively when willed, and the transmission shifts through all gears quickly and smoothly, including the proper (and thrilling) kick-down at full throttle. The car tracks straight, soaks up bumps with no funny suspension noises, and the steering and brakes are both tight. It rides on brand-new Continental ExtremeContact DW tires. The only reason I am not giving the car a 10 out of 10 mechanically is that it occasionally runs rough for a few seconds when first started, usually after it’s been sitting for at least a day or two. I have not yet attempted to diagnose this issue, partly because it is easily avoided by giving the car just a tiny bit of throttle when firing it up. The engine runs perfectly at all other times and just passed the CA smog test with exemplary numbers, including no measurable CO emissions. Being a lifelong Southern California car, this 500SL is entirely rust-free. Also, there are no oil or fluid leaks of any kind. Service History The car has received all of its scheduled maintenance and repairs at Mercedes-Benz dealerships or specialists, and it comes with service records dating back to its first inspection at 1700 miles at Jim Slemons Imports (noted in the stamped maintenance booklet, which comes with the car). Recent repairs and maintenance include… @ 56k miles: new distributors & rotors, new engine air filters & cabin air filter, new transmission fluid & filter, new engine oil & filter, new fuel filter, new differential oil, new steering damper @ 54k miles: new brake rotors and pads @ 53k miles: new alternator I welcome and encourage private party inspections (at the buyer’s expense, of course). Pricing Classic car specialist Hagerty Insurance reports an average value of $9,444 for this model and year, ranging from $19,800 for a concours-ready example (#1 on their scale) to $6200 for one in fair condition and many notable flaws (#4 on their scale). My car is between a 2 and a 3 on the Hagerty scale, which equates to a value of $11,250. Reason for Sale I’m selling the car now because it’s currently just a weekend car for me, and I would like to use the funds to offset the costs of some upcoming home improvement work. Additional Photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sc/ua28dbj2wbclh76/AADMlsOym5zAMP_cwW2N7tWma |
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Build your dream garage with this insane prize from Omaze
Wed, Jan 19 2022Autoblog may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Pricing and availability is subject to change. No donation or payment necessary to enter or win this sweepstakes. See official rules on Omaze. Normally when we write about Omaze sweepstakes, they involve a car that you'd never go out and buy on your own. A six-figure camper van build, a $300,000 Ford Bronco restoration, a Land Rover Defender that's so beautiful it should be in a museum. Today's prize might beat out all of those, because not only could you win a dream car, you'll be entered for a chance to win $100k cash to go along with it. There are a lot of cars you can buy with $100k. You could buy a Land Cruiser Heritage Edition or a Mustang GT500 or 6 Chevy Sparks and start your own racing series. Personally, if I won that kind of dough, assuming I also won this Bentley Bentayga, my favorite of Omaze's current offerings, I'd probably use some of it to buy something quirky, like a Honda Element converted into a pop-top camper, or a restored/upgraded 60 series Land Cruiser. Think that's a terrible way to spend the cash? That's the beauty of it. It is completely up to you. No one can tell you what to do with it. Except maybe your spouse. Here are our favorite vehicle giveaways we’ve found online this week: 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition - Enter at Omaze Regardless of what you think about Ford using the name Mustang for an electric crossover, one thing is for certain, the Mustang Mach-E GT is an impressive piece of machinery. Here are some numbers for you: 480 horsepower, 634 lb-ft of torque, 0-60 in 3.5 seconds and 260 miles of range. Price? Well, thatÂ’s really up to you, because if you enter to win this Mach-E GT. it can be as low as $0. Here are the specs of the Mach-E in question, according to Omaze: Maximum Seating: 5 Engine: fully electric motors Drivetrain: eAWD Exterior Color: Rapid Red Metallic  Interior Color: Black Maximum Horsepower: 480 hp Maximum Torque: 634 lb-ft Acceleration: 0-60 in 3.5 seconds Range: 235 miles Approximate Retail Value: $75,500 Cash Alt: $56,625 Special Features: GT Performance Edition; panoramic fixed-glass roof; Ford Co-Pilot360™ Active 2.0 and 360-degree camera; Brembo brakes; RTR Design Package including 20” RTR Aero 5 wheels, Nitto NT555 G2 tires and RTR Speed Block graphics Win a Restored 1969 Pontiac GTO - Enter at Omaze Joel Stocksdale, News Editor: There are an awful lot of ways to build a restomod.
German carmakers recall 630,000 diesel vehicles in Europe
Fri, Apr 22 2016Mercedes, Opel, Porsche, and Volkswagen will recall over 630,000 cars in Europe, according to reports Friday. No diesel car has been able to get under the legal emissions limit in real-world driving, according to a German government investigation. While only Volkswagen Group has been using a specific "defeat device", other carmakers have been playing with their exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems. Depending of the manufacturer, the systems have been cut off at a certain temperature. In a specific test cycle the systems operate to fulfill the legal requirements, but in everyday use the limits are exceeded. According to the magazine Der Spiegel, the supplier Bosch is behind this programming and has provided it to all German automakers. The mentioned carmakers have announced recalls, but many other manufacturers are also mentioned by name in the report, including Alfa Romeo, Chevrolet, Dacia, Fiat, Ford, Hyundai, Jaguar, Jeep, Land Rover, Nissan, Renault, and Suzuki. PSA Group, which produces Peugeot, Citroen, and DS cars, declared yesterday that its offices were raided following an emissions investigation. Related Video: News Source: AutocarImage Credit: Getty Images Government/Legal Green Recalls Mercedes-Benz Porsche Volkswagen Opel Emissions Diesel Vehicles diesel emissions investigation
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