A few months ago I checked out a really unique 2000 Mercedes-Benz SL500 with the Designo interior package. Outside of the garish red and black leather, there was one major thing would chase me away from this car: the giant crack in the carbon fiber trim. It wasn’t so much as there couldn’t be anything done about it, but rather it would cost $3,000 to replace that piece of trim that surrounded the shifter. Much to my surprise, this same car is back up for sale many states away with an increased price tag of almost $3,000 and that same crack is still there, although hidden really well with some clever photography angles. Honestly, at first I thought this was a different car and it didn’t have any flaws in the carbon fiber. Then I compared the mileage and knew it wasn’t just dumb luck to find two nearly identical cars. While it might have been in the right market range at the original $11,900 ask, good luck trying to sell it for $15,000. I just don’t think the market is there for this odd ball with a wart.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2000 Mercedes-Benz SL500 on eBay
The below post originally appeared on our site September 4, 2017:
Year: 2000
Model: SL500
Engine: 5.0 liter V8
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Mileage: 58,123 mi
Price: $14,999 Buy It Now
New Description 2000 Mercedes Benz SL 500 Designo Carbon Edition
Limited Production
Factory Black Designo Metallic Paint ( slight hint of blue in direct light)
Factory 2 Tone Red & Black Designo Leather
Factory AMG Carbon Fiber Trim
Xenon Headlamps58k Certified Carfax Miles
Original Paint Work with no dents and few chips on front bumper
Wind Screen Included
Top fully functioning and serviced
NO ISSUESReady to be driven or put into another collection.
This limited production SL is sure to
only go higher in value, and with low original dealer maintained mileage,
it is a car to drive and enjoy while having an appreciating asset.Car is as is, where is, no warranty implied or given. All sales final.
Old Description: **DESIGNO EDITION** Very rare 2000 SL500 Convertible from CALIFORNIA with only 58k miles on it since new! 100% CARFAX CERTIFIED, Looks and drives awesome! Has power top, heated seats, designo interior with black/red combination leather sports seats, 17 inch AMG wheels, Xenon lights, BOSE Premium audio, and much more! Very rare find! California car with only 58k miles!
Clearly, this SL is all about the interior. The Designo option of red and black is one that I very rarely see on the R129 because the majority of SL buyers usually don’t go for color combinations like this. On top of the two-tone seats, this SL500 also has the W40 and W42 carbon fiber trim options. This is also very rare because almost every R129 has the standard wood trim and not carbon fiber. While cool, there is one major problem. Take a close look at the center console to the right of the shifter and you’ll see a giant crack that goes through almost the entire length of the piece. Not a big deal, right? Just buy another one to replace it, right? Not so fast. That piece that has the giant crack in it retails for $2,990 from your friendly Mercedes-Benz dealer. Yes, $2,990. Even if you were somehow to find this part used on another car, removing it is nearly impossible without cracking it also. Some people might be able to live with this flaw, but it would drive me insane every time I got in the car.
Looking at the rest of this car, it presents pretty well. It’s a little odd that it isn’t configured with the sport package since it was already built with the expensive Designo options, but it might have been a customer order car. At $11,900, this is actually a really good price given the mileage. Most M113 R129s with this low of mileage are asking over $15,000 and the majority of the time much more. I’m curious if the dealer discounted the price any given the flaw in the carbon fiber, but I’m never been to give credit to used car dealers.
– Andrew
Sold for $9,499.