Vehicle Description
2005 Mercedes-Benz SL500 Roadster
"Say what you will about the cheese block lines and frumpy two tone
paint schemes of the outgoing Mercedes-Benz SL, it was no slave to
fads. For 13 years the R129, as Mercedes engineers knew it, bucked
changing fashions to embody the company's traditional love of
precision engineering, contemporary technology, and restrained
design. It was a silk pinstripe on a rack of polyester pretenders."
Car and Driver, April 2002
For consignment, a 2005 Mercedes Benz SL500 roadster with a title
verified 58,258 actual miles, with a long list of newer items
including the expensive auto top motor and hydraulic shocks. This
is a sleek, stylish roadster that looks as fresh and relevant 20
years post production as it did in '05.
Exterior
TiefSchwarz translates to deep black, and that's how Mercedes
refers to the paint here. The rich monochromatic coverage is in
fine shape and arguably one of the best colors for this model.
Looking closely, we think a skilled detailer could easily squeeze
another 20 fathoms of depth from this paint, which would knock it
off the charts in gloss factor. LED lights now call the nose home
and it all cants rearward to slice through the air while the raked
windshield is tilted to a hyper car-like angle at the end of a long
hood creating a dramatic profile with the retractable hardtop in
the stowed position. The black three pointed star on the front is
surrounded by a grille full of silver polygons while the fender
vents are accented with twin chrome blades, all complemented by the
18-inch AMG replica wheels, the rears carrying new tires from early
2024. The original wheels will accompany the car. There are chin
scrapes, scuffs, rock chips, and a tow hook cover is attached with
duct tape. We also note some curb rash on a wheel.
Interior
Simulated burl wood accents the smartly designed black door panels
with texture plastic and gray contrasting panels, all in nice
shape. Up front, robust leather bucket seats promise both comfort
and support and both have a multitude of electric adjustments found
in a panel on the base. The driver's seat has some signs of use but
both are in fine condition. In back, a storage shelf is also the
cover of a bin, surrounded by a retractable roll bar. Symmetry is
the name of the game up front where oval thumb buttons match on
each side of the steering wheel and twin circle gauges are flanked
by kidney shaped units with pleasant white lettering and blue
tinged lighting. An upgraded radio includes screen display, rear
camera, AM/FM/CD, and CarPlay capabilities, all over a burl wood
panel housing a perfectly symmetrical A/C panel. This wood
seamlessly cascades to the center console where quality materials
prevail in the shifter and surrounding switchgear. Plush gray
carpet is underfoot with new mats protecting it, while the same
quality carpet continues to the trunk where it fully lines the
compartment.
Drivetrain
Under the hood, a clean and venerable 5.0 liter SOHC V8, fuel
injected and rated at 302 horsepower, mostly covered with a
handsome cap. It's married to an MB 7G-Tronic 7-speed automatic
transmission that sends power to the rear axle with 2.82 final
drive ratio. Power disc brakes are found at all four wheels.
Undercarriage
Clean conditions are found underneath where aerodynamic panels and
textured heat shields occupy a good bit of the real estate here.
Dual exhaust run in tandem, meet at a collector, then through
original equipment mufflers before exiting via oval tips that are
flush with the rear valance. Four new hydraulic shock absorbers
complement the independent suspension on both the front and
rear.
Drive-Ability
What's not to love here? A modern Mercedes roadster with lots of
power and old enough to not be overwrought with endless sensors and
features. Just you, the car, and the road, or in our case, the test
loop, where the Benz moved out well, handled like a go kart, and
stopped on a dime. We're happy to report that every function on
board operated as intended and it was time to steer this stealth
fighter back to the bat cave. While Classic Auto Mall represents
that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we
cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of
your purchase.
New vacuum door lock actuators, batteries, and a recent tune up
mean all you need to do is sign on the dotted line and drive this
stylish German roadster home! Your neighbors will think you hit the
lottery, but you'll know better. Yes, you're a winner alright, but
you didn't have to mortgage the house to enjoy your new daily
commuter or weekend joyrider.
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
