1999 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Review
1999 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Review
View more photos
Used SL-Class for sale
Appraise This CarSee Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Fast, good looking, and oozing with style, this is the car to buy if you have a lot of money and want to let people know.
Cons
- Incorrigible gas hog. Steep price tag.
What’s new
The SL500 gets a brand-spankin'-new 5.0-liter V8 that delivers better performance than ever before. Both SL models get sideview mirrors from the SLK, body-colored door handles and new side molding, new taillights, new exterior colors, a new instrument panel, new shifter and shift gate and a new four-spoke steering wheel.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL500 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 $3.43 per gallon for regular unleaded in Indiana.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Indiana
$250/mo for SL-Class SL500
SL-Class SL500
vs
$177/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 athigh-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.
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. The price for the SL500 has fallen dramatically from two years ago; it's much more reasonable now at just over $81,000. So, do you get less car for your smaller payment? No. The SL500 has gained equipment since then.
Our advice is to skip 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. If it's style you're after, this Mercedes lags behind the Jag's (XK8, that is).
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1999 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class.
5 star(95%)
4 star(2%)
3 star(3%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
42 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.
4.88 out of 5 stars
SO RIGHT!
ALAGWC, 03/20/2005
1999 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL500 2dr Convertible
I purchased the car with under 10K miles, have only driven 4K in first year. Everything works and it is a blast to drive. Gorgeous car turns heads, great stereo, rock solid feel. Just wish the seats were more comfortable -- not terrible, just not terrific.
5 out of 5 stars
awesome, awesome car!
Brian T., 09/12/2004
1999 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL500 2dr Convertible
I got mine 4 months ago. Absolutely
awesome car. Bought it with 47K miles on it.
Everything works perfectly. Timeless classic
design. I get an unbelievable 22 mpg, with
using cruise control a lot. I live in Florida,
and comute about 25 miles to work. We
also have a Mazda Protege, and the car
insurance on the SL, is only $7.50 more per
month than the Mazda. :-))
If this … is the car that you are longing for, go
for it! You will not be disappointed!
Mine is red with shell interior. An awesome
color combination. The ride is a little bit stiff
like on most of the German cars.
3.13 out of 5 stars
1999 sl 500
dissatisfied, 10/25/2005
1999 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL500 2dr Convertible
Although a fun car to drive, the quality and workmanship leaves a lot to desired. Surprisingly good gas mileage for this car. The chassis bolts had to be retightened after 45K miles. the knobs on the vents broke off. the plastic cover around the sun visors have broken and oil leaks from this area???? Trunk must be opened with key 75% of the time because the button in the car and on the … key doesn't work. speed control lever fell off. Driver door arm rest disfigured just by resting arm on it. Part of grille fell off (not caused by accident). Replaced water pump at 55K miles. glove box opening mechanism broke. Didn't have as many problems with my old Ford Pinto.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, so we've included reviews for other years of the SL-Class since its last redesign.
1999 SL-Class Highlights
SL500
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 17 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $250/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
People who viewed this also viewed
Starting at $98,950 |
Starting at $114,400 |
4.2 average Rating out of 19 reviews. |
Starting at $62,650 |
Consider these recommendations
Related Used 1999 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Volvo XC 2013
- Used Lexus LS 600H L 2013
- Used Lincoln MKT 2016
- Used Volvo S40 2010
- Used Maserati Spyder 2011
Shop similar models
- Used Bentley Continental
- Used BMW 6-Series
- Used Lexus LC
- Used Maserati Granturismo-convertible
- Used BMW M8
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 2016
- Used Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 2017 For Sale
- Used Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 2019
- Used Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 2020
- Used Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 2012
- Used Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 2014
- Used Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 2013
- Used Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 2011
- Used Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 2018
- Used Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 2015
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2024 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
- Price Of Lexus RX 350 Hybrid
- 2023 Acura MDX
- 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan News
- 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
- 2025 Land Rover Range Rover News
- Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Coupe 2023
- Nissan Titan XD Diesel
- Lexus LC
- 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class News
Research other models of Mercedes Benz
- 2023 Maybach
- Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class 2023
- 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
- 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class
- 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
- 2023 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
- 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB
- Mercedes-Benz G-Class 2024
- 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE
- Eqb
Other models
- New Ram 1500-Classic for Sale in Providence, RI
- Used Ford Transit-Connect-Cargo-Van in Piscataway, NJ
- Used Porsche 968 in Springfield, OR
- New Ram 1500 for Sale in Hendersonville, NC
- Used Infiniti Q70 in Council Bluffs, IA
- New Volkswagen Atlas for Sale in Wixom, MI
- Used Mitsubishi Mirage in Palm City, FL
- New Audi S7 for Sale in Biloxi, MS
- Used Subaru Ascent in London, KY
- New Porsche Cayenne for Sale in Branford, CT