1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Consumer Reviews

MB's Finest!

Written by: MThompson on 12/04/2007

Vehicle

1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 2 Dr SL500 Convertible

Review

This is the first Mercedes I have owned and I do not believe I will ever own another type of vehicle. Both interior and exterior design are excellent and the overall quality is exceptional. The handling and reliability far exceed any expectations. This is a true driver's car! Definitely worth the price! This car is rock solid - built like a tank but handles like a sports car - feels very safe. The mechanics of the soft- top and ease with getting the hard-top in place are a true testimate to Mercedes fine engineering capabilities.

Favorite Features

Ease of opening soft-top, handling, excellent transmission, overall power capabilities and overall quality of the vehicle (mechanically and aestetically).

Suggested Improvements

Absolutely none!

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Wow what a dfference

Written by: Ray Maselli on 06/12/2007

Vehicle

1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 2 Dr SL500 Convertible

Review

The SL500 is a thrill to drive. It's fast, responsive and very comfortable. I had a 560SL 1989 before this and it was great but this car is superb in every way. Pricey to repair but the ride and fun makes it worth it. I expect to get many good driving years out of it. After all, it is a Mercedes.

Favorite Features

Bose sound system. Exterior design. All power features. Weather radio

Suggested Improvements

Raise speakers in doors so that feet don't scrape them when getting out.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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V-12 SL class

Written by: jake on 01/03/2007

Vehicle

1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 2 Dr SL600 SL1 Sport Convertible

Review

A good ride and is very, very fast. Love the style of the body and hard top. Sweet car!

Favorite Features

I love the V12 motor!

Suggested Improvements

Gas mileage!

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The SL to own right now.

Written by: TwoPynts on 05/24/2006

Vehicle

1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 2 Dr SL500 Convertible

Review

Drives like a dream with the looks and comfort one would expect from a high end Merc. I always feel like a million bucks driving this car. Great handling and easy to drive. What is not to like about this thing?!? With the latest body style now around for a few years, prices have really dropped on these cars and they are well worth the money. I for one love the stock stereo.

Favorite Features

Put the top down and mash the gas pedal. The roar of the engine and wind in you hair is worth the price of admission.

Suggested Improvements

Plastic windows in soft top, limited visibilty with roll bar up, and plastic buttons that are easily damaged. I have one loose radio button. Otherwise, the interior has held up well for 8 years.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Great value - near prefect sports car

Written by: AWR on 10/12/2004

Vehicle

1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 2 Dr SL500 SL1 Sport Convertible

Review

I was driving an E420 and felt it a bit lacking in, well, fun! My search included Porsches and Vettes but I decided on an SL class. New body style hit the market and these started to fall within reach of a whole new buyer's market. I sugest buying on condition rather than mileage. High miles just means you'll pay less not that you'll get less car. Repairs can be costly as with any high-end automobile. Hardtop starage is a problem for those with limited space i.e. apartment/condo dwellers. In Chicago, its off by tax day and on by halloween so you'll be storing it half the year. AMG Sorts package is the best value.

Favorite Features

Droptop, well controlled accessible power. Top end that (when chipped) exceeds 170mph Had mine up to 150 (on closed track)when it kicked into 5th. It quickly went to 155 and stayed there due to limitations of stock chip. Don't you just love fresh blacktopped straightaways.

Suggested Improvements

A few items seem cheaply made in the interior. Plastics fail. Especially the clip tabs on lights and access panels. power but the speakers could use an upgrade from stock. Using glass instead of plactic in the soft top would be nice. The rest of the car is

8 out 9 people found this review helpful

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A SUPER AUTOMOBILE

Written by: WIL on 07/14/2004

Vehicle

1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 2 Dr SL500 Convertible

Review

This vehicle is a thrill to drive and it is everything Mercedes says it is. I was very impressed with the power and quick response. If there is any down-side...it would be shoulder/hip room; I am 6'6" about 270lbs and it's just a fit.

Favorite Features

Style, power and quick response.

Suggested Improvements

Provide one more inch of shoulder/hip room.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Great Car

Written by: roach on 04/12/2004

Vehicle

1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 2 Dr SL500 SL1 Sport Convertible

Review

It has been fun for me to own this car for the last two years. Drives like a dream. Highly recommended

Favorite Features

Automatic top is awesome. Handling is great, it hugs the road effortlessly.

Suggested Improvements

The radio knobs tend to be loose and are difficult to fix short of replacing the entire radio.

5 out 6 people found this review helpful

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SL500

Written by: Robert Reese on 03/27/2004

Vehicle

1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 2 Dr SL500 Convertible

Review

The SL500 is a dream vehicle. The power to weight ratio makes it a thrill to drive. Although it is a sports car it drives like a touring sedan. I can drive for hours and not feel tired of driving, like in others vehicles I have driven. It is a stylish vehicle that always turns heads. The engineering of the vehicle never ceases to amaze me. The only drawback has been the storage of the hardtop while not in use (9 months in New Orleans). The design engineers have corrected that in 2002, but I still love the body style of the 1998.

Favorite Features

The handling and power of a true sports car with the driving comfort of a touring sedan. Surprising storage space for a two seater.

Suggested Improvements

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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1998 Mercedes 500 SL sport w SL1/SL2 opt

Written by: YOONSEOK on 07/14/2003

Vehicle

1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 2 Dr SL500 SL1 Sport Convertible

Review

This is a one of the top model for Mercedes 50yrs of SL making. With no doubt it has a impressive handling and sticks to the road. well balanced and super responsive. cornering with 18inch optional AMG wheels are crisp, and breaking is tight ( feels more like a Japanese car in breaking yet has engine roars like Italian Farrari. love the sound of Exhaust) beautifully stream lined and Optional HID is great. Planty of Torque at low RPM with total 350lb with 315 hp.

Favorite Features

Great performance. responsive engine and Road hugging, well balanced body. excellent value. GET AMG sport models.

Suggested Improvements

Plastic inside ( esp door panal is not strong enough to withstand the high temp : SUN light. needs hight quality.) front AMG bumper is too low and hits and gets demaged when going over high angle pavement.expensive to replace. ageed cluster panel. FUEL economy.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Best Car I've owned

Written by: Dennis Fields on 06/04/2003

Vehicle

1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 2 Dr SL500 Convertible

Review

fast and never down in shop

Favorite Features

go 85 all day long and get 18 mpg

Suggested Improvements

none-car is perfect!

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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