SUMMER'S HERE AND THE TIME IS RIGHT!
SPORTY---FAST---LUXURIOUS---ULTIMATE---HOT---CONVERTIBLE!!!
$20,995
This car is beautiful! Glacier white exterior, saddle leather interior, brown soft top, flawless in and out. 86K miles, all original, everything works perfectly! AMG wheels, clear glass, brand new floor mats, NYS inspected, just detailed, and ready for some serious summer cruising!
This R129 body style SL500 was made from 1990 through 2002.

From 1990 - 1995 the SL500 used a boring hydraulic 4-speed transmission. It was boring because it didn't usually downshift when punched. A much improved 5-speed electronic transmission was introduced in 1996 and used through today. The 5-speed automatic greatly improves the driving experience because it downshifts instantly, as well as adding a fuel saving overdrive.

The high performance 4-valve quad-cam engine was made from 1990 - 1998. The 1999 - 2006 V8s are only three valve, single overhead cam versions with less power and torque. The simpler, lower performance 1999 - 2006 SL500 engines have two spark plugs per cylinder and have the identical EPA MPG.

Thus the best years for drivers are 1996, 1997 and 1998, which have both the quad-cam engine and the 5-speed transmission. They are the best SL500s ever made and are real Mercedes, not watered down Daimler-Chryslers.

Newer SL500s after 1998 just cost more, may be more cheaply made and have the lower performance engine. Of course every SL ever made is worth owning if you find one in stellar condition, and if you have the choice look for the 1997 or 1998.

By about 1994 all models have come with the same excellent Bose stereo system, standard, even if the radio head was changed in different years.
The second version from 1996 through 1998 is the most desirable. The superior electronic 5 speed transmission and side airbags were added in 1996 and continued through 2002. The much improved 5-speed transmission, 54 pounds lighter with 40% fewer parts than the earlier 4 speed, kicks down immediately and lets you hit redline from any speed. You can recognize it by the "4" position on the transmission selector, which is lacking on their earlier 4 speed versions. (Top gear is marked "D" on both.)

Spotters Guide: You can identify this version by the two long rounded vents in each front fender and the classic square stepped tail lights.

The 5 speed is the main reason that these and newer cars are so much more drivable and fun than earlier cars, and also why they give better fuel economy. Even at part throttle these downshift expertly, unlike the older transmission which rarely would downshift for anything, cheating you out of much of the engine's performance for real-world driving. The added fifth gear is an overdrive which boosts the EPA highway MPG rating from 20 to 23 MPG. The transmission learns what you're doing, so if you're racing it stays downshifted for a while before upshifting. For instance, in a 100MPH acceleration run uphill it stays in 3rd gear for quite a while even after lifting off the gas, in anticipation of being hammered again.

If you get sluggish response be sure to have the new transmission mode selector set to "S" for Summer or Sport. The "W" position, for Winter or Wet, deliberately starts in 2nd gear. In 2005 models Mercedes renamed the "W" Wet selection to "C" for Comfort.
The interior door panels were redesigned for1996 through 2002. They integrate everything to a more uniform look, hiding the separate garish woofer and tweeter grills and odd switches of the earlier models. They add an airbag and replace the weird lock switch with a lock stem on the rear top of the door panel. To lock the doors use either the center console switch or press down a stem on the door. To unlock just pull the lever on the door panel.
The fog lights are now conventional reflector and lens assemblies with a 55W H1 bulb.
In 1996 the SL500 grew an inch or two in length and improved a point or two in aerodynamics (Cd). You can see this since the bumper now pokes out a little from the grille. There are two rounded vent holes on each side of the front fenders replacing the three previous rectangular ones.

Of course all models continue automatically to lock the central dash storage compartment, both center console storage compartments and both rear internal storage. They lock automatically along with the trunk and fuel door with the rest of the SL500. The 1996 - 2002 SL500 replaced the earlier climate control panel with one with a much larger LCD. The radio of this version includes a weather band radio and six presets.



In 1997 and newer all the SLs have three-way programmable garage door opener transmitters built into the rear-view mirror. 1996 and earlier versions still need you to clip your transmitter to the visor or ditch it in a console. The three channels are the three buttons you see on the bottom of the rear view mirror. Each can be programmed to a different house or door, also eliminating having to have multiple transmitters for your different homes.

Also as of 1997 all the SLs have automatic rain-sensing windshield wipers. Set it to intermittent and it runs automatically when wet; a big help in misty conditions. If you are very lazy you could just leave the wiper set to intermittent all the time, in which case it stays off and turns on by magic if it starts to rain. The downfall to this silliness is that you get a single wipe every time you turn on the car, even if dry.

The "Sport" package adds different trim and different wheels and tires. The four standard 225/55VR16 tires on 16 x 8.0" rims are replaced by 245/40ZR18 tires on 18 x 8.0" rims front and 275/35Zr18 on 18 x 9.0" wheels rear. They have the same engine and gearing as the regular versions.

In 1998 Mercedes added a dashboard computer which calculates how hard you're driving and computes when you need to change the oil. Also 1998 and newer models have much more information that may be displayed on the central LCD, including warnings like "oil level too HIGH."

All Mercedes V8s are just about bullet proof; drive them as hard as you dare and they'll run forever unless you run it dry. This same plant is used in the 2003 - 2006 SL500s today.

call 631 433 6642 or e mail at tom10235atoptonline.net