1999 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Review
Price Estimate: $4,121 - $6,230

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.
For sale near Bridgeport, CT
40 listings
- $15,995fair price$1,026 below market
- 66,702 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, corporate fleet vehicle
- 8cyl automatic
- MP Motors (32 mi away)
Close
Located in West Babylon, NY
WOW !!! CHECK OUT THIS HARD FIND !!! YES YES YES !!! ONLY 66K !!! ALL SERVICED RECORDS !! NEW TOP !!! YOU WILL NOT FIND A NICER ONE !!! FLORIDA CAR !!...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
17 Combined MPG (14 City/21 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: WDBFA68F1XF181179
Stock: 181179
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 03-23-2025 - $6,250great price$4,399 below market
- 110,499 miles
- No accidents, 3 owners, personal use only
- 8cyl automatic
- Choice Motor Car (37 mi away)
- Front seat upholster...
- Keyless Entry
- Brake Assist
- Heated door mirrors
- Premium Sound System
Close
Located in Plainville, CT
This car runs like new and is very clean inside and out. Everything works with no dash warning lights, no rattles, no shaking, nothing!! Even the AC i...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
17 Combined MPG (14 City/21 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: WDBFA68FXXF175607
Stock: 175607
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 10-14-2024
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).
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Connecticut
$232/mo for SL-Class SL500
SL-Class SL500
vs
$169/mo
Avg. Compact Car
See 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.
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
MB's Finest!
4.75 out of 5 starsMThompson, 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.
SO RIGHT!
4.88 out of 5 starsALAGWC, 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.
awesome, awesome car!
5 out of 5 starsBrian 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.
1999 sl 500
3.13 out of 5 starsdissatisfied, 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 | $232/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 $101,100 |
Starting at $117,750 |
4.0 average Rating out of 4 reviews. |
Starting at $58,000 |
Related Used 1999 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Lexus RX 350 2020 Review
- Rolls Royce Ghost 2021 Review
- Lexus LS 500 2021 Review
- BMW Z4 2021 Review
- Hyundai Venue 2021 Review
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Automatic Honda Fit
- BMW Electric Car I3
- Lexus NX 300H Awd
- Used Acura ILX 2017
- Used Acura ILX 2018
- Used Acura ILX 2020 For Sale
- Used Acura ILX 2023
- Used Acura Integra 2014
- Used Acura Integra 2015
- Used Acura Integra 2019
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport
- 2025 Escalade
- 2025 Audi Q5 Sportback
- New BMW M4
- New Porsche Taycan
- Chrysler Pacifica 2024
- 2025 S6
- New BMW i5
- 2024 MINI Clubman
- 2026 Honda CR-V News
Research other models of
- 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS
- 2024 SL-Class
- 2024 G-Class
- Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class 2024
- 2024 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
- Mercedes-Benz EQS 2024
- New Mercedes-Benz G-Class
- New Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class
- 2025 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
- 2024 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Other models
- Used Toyota Land-Cruiser in Villa Rica, GA 2025
- New Chevrolet Blazer for Sale in Huntington, NY
- Used Chevrolet Impala in Crawfordsville, IN 2020
- Used Infiniti QX80 in Newark, CA 2025
- New Ram 2500 for Sale in Poland, ME
- Used Mercury Mountaineer in Phoenixville, PA 2010
- Used Lexus LX-570 in Billings, MT 2021
- Used Chevrolet Blazer in Temecula, CA 2025
- Used Volkswagen Tiguan-Limited in Miami Gardens, FL 2018
- Used Bentley Bentayga in Valparaiso, IN 2024