1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Review
1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Fast, good looking and oozing with style.
Cons
- Incorrigible gas hog. Steep price tag.
What’s new
The bargain basement SL320 was discontinued this year.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL500 SL1 Sport 2dr Convertible and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.52 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$257/mo for SL-Class SL500 SL1 Sport
SL-Class SL500 SL1 Sport
vs
$180/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
For years, the classic roadster to own was the Mercedes 450SL. From 1973 to 1989, Mercedes peddled so many of these convertibles to the rich and famous that they became as ubiquitous as cocaine vials at high-society social events. Then, Mercedes revamped its classic, upping the technological ante by light years over the old car. The redone SL has been available in three styles since then; 320-, 500- and 600- Series droptops. This year sees the departure of the SL320 as Mercedes' trims the fat from its super car lineup.
The SL600 is a whompin' V12 two-door roadster. The SL isn't merely a CL600 coupe with no roof. It is lighter and more nimble. The bloodline it shares with the gargantuan CL-Class is the 6.0-liter V12 that makes 389 horsepower and moves the car with authority. Stuffed into the SL, the V12 is a better performer and costs less than its big brother coupe, but at a stupendous $125,000, that's kind of a moot point.
The ... ahem, lowly SL500 is the more reasonably priced and more popular Mercedes roadster. Prices for the SL500 have fallen dramatically for the second year in a row; much more reasonablly priced in 1998 at just under $80,000. So, do you get less car for your smaller payment? No. The SL500 has gained equipment since then.
We don't think you should go for the SL600. The SL500 is just as good, and better in some respects, than its more muscular brother. And with your savings you could get a Jeep Grand Cherokee for the kids to take to Keg-A-Beer University in the fall. If it comes to that, however, even the SL500 doesn't offer particularly good value when compared to the all-new SLK, which features a retractable hardtop and outstanding performance at half the price.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class.
5 star(92%)
4 star(8%)
3 star(0%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
38 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.75 out of 5 stars
MB's Finest!
MThompson, 12/04/2007
1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL500 2dr Convertible
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.
4 out of 5 stars
Love my buggy
Sean, 03/22/2016
1997 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL320 2dr Convertible
This is my 1st SL and I am having fun, Purchased it to be a weekend toy but find myself driving it more and more. i have had no maintenance issues and she is 19 years old.....finger crossed. Everything is expensive on this car so when it breaks I am mentally prepared to deal with that.
All in all...just a great and fun car!
5 out of 5 stars
11 years of cruising bliss
Golfasaurus Rex, 07/26/2016
1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL500 2dr Convertible
I've owned the 1998 SL 500 since 2006 when I bought it with 51000 miles. I am the third owner and each time the car was sold by a MB dealer. I now have 76000 miles on it and my only repair cost was replacing a coil. I have gone to the dealer for routine maintenance and paid a small premium. I have the original hydraulic cylinders and top. The car drives like new and has cost me very … little over the 11 year period, while giving me great pleasure. I considered replacing it with a 2005 550 model but my wife felt the R129 body was such a classic we should just keep it. It's not worth very much on the market now but It's worth a lot to us. We tested a large number of cars before buying but who can argue with a design that allows you to talk on a cell phone at 70 MPH with the top down and windows up. Not the most powerful car on the road but incredible torque for passing in the 45 to 80 MPH range. Our car is beautiful and we get positive comments everywhere we go. What's not to like?
4.88 out of 5 stars
LUV this car
Jimbo, 11/03/2009
1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL500 2dr Convertible
Bought car 2 years ago with 13,000 miles on odometer. May have paid too much from dealer but what a great car! Knowing repair cost can be expensive I opted for extended warranty-waste of money so far. Great power, smooth ride, classic design, handles well. Probably be buried in this auto.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, so we've included reviews for other years of the SL-Class since its last redesign.
1998 SL-Class Highlights
SL500
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 17 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $257/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 7.9 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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