Latest news with #SL500
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Man Buys Forgotten Mercedes-Benz SL 500 for $1,500 After Owner Forgets Where It Was Parked
⚡️ Read the full article on Motorious In an automotive twist that blurs the line between misfortune and misadventure, a 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL 500 that had been lost to memory and neglect has found a surprising second life — thanks to YouTuber and car enthusiast Ed Bolian. The convertible, once a $100,000 flagship of German engineering, had been impounded by authorities after its original owner reportedly forgot where he parked it. Labeled abandoned, the luxury roadster was sold off for a mere $1,500 after racking up an estimated $50,000 in unpaid storage fees. Now, the 22-year-old car has reemerged on YouTube, battered but not completely broken. Bolian, who runs the popular VINWiki channel and is known for outrageous car tales, spotted the forgotten SL 500 on Facebook Marketplace and couldn't resist the rescue mission. Despite having logged over 153,000 miles and suffering from extensive cosmetic and mechanical issues, the car miraculously still ran — though just barely. 'This thing is mechanically totaled,' Bolian quipped in his video, after coaxing the 5.0-liter V8 to life. The car is riddled with problems: a foggy headlight assembly, splintered bumpers, moldy carpets, shredded leather seats, and electrical gremlins that kept warning lights glowing like a Christmas tree. But for Bolian, the appeal wasn't just the low price — it was the story. 'You haven't truly lived until your 'new' car tries to kill you on the way home,' he joked. Even the discovery of a copy of the New Testament in the glovebox added an unexpected twist to the tale. Whether the SL 500 will be restored, flipped, or featured in a future VINWiki escapade remains to be seen. But for now, it's one more unforgettable chapter in the annals of automotive oddities — and perhaps a reminder to always write down where you parked.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
This 1992 Mercedes-Benz 500SL on Bring a Trailer Looks Primo
The R129-generation Mercedes-Benz SL is an often overlooked classic. Early cars like this one offer the purest design and a comprehensive features list. The 500SL is the best of the breed, and this example boasts low miles and welcome maintenance. At the tail end of the 1980s, Mercedes-Benz had been somewhat neglecting its flagship convertible, focusing instead on developing small cars to keep the books balanced. That all changed for the 1990 model year, when the all-new R129-generation SL arrived with near-timeless styling, available authoritative V-8 power, and an incredible array of features. Thirty-five years later, these cars are somewhat overlooked in the collector-car market, and they offer huge bang for your buck considering they wore six-figure price tags when new. But you must choose carefully. This 1992 SL500 for sale on Bring a Trailer (which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos) looks to be a primo example. It wears a stunning color combo and has just 33K miles on its odometer. Originally used at the holiday home of its original owner, it has spent most of its life in dry desert country and has been fully sorted before auction by the current seller, a Mercedes-Benz the course of its life span, the SL softened up and got a little less equipment as Mercedes's bean counters kept a close eye on the financials. Not so with an early car like this. This car has every possible convenience you could expect in 1992 and some that don't even exist now, such as a power-adjustable inside rearview mirror that's tied to the memory seating an SL from this era, you really want the V-8; the six-cylinder is smooth but not especially quick, and the V-12 has the potential to put your local specialist mechanic's kids through college. This car has the M119 5.0-liter V-8, with variable valve timing and double overhead cams. It's good for 322 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, which it puts to the ground through a four-speed automatic with this low mileage and dry climate storage, a car can feel a bit loose-limbed after three decades. Happily, this example has had almost all of its perishables replaced, from engine mounts to front-end bushings. The transmission has also been serviced to make it a little snappier. Mercedes softened up the SL over the years, but these early cars are firmer to drive, with heavier steering and an unflappable suspension. People often talk about the peak Mercedes driving experiences as having a whiff of bank-vault build quality about them, which is what you get here. Cosmetically, the car's midnight blue over dark tan is a bit unusual to see, and it presents in wonderful condition. The car has a new power soft top with rebuilt hydraulics (a known weak point) and a removable hard top. The car sits on its original 16-inch alloy wheels. This 500SL retailed for a hair under $100,000 when new which, adjusting for inflation, is not too far off a quarter-million dollars today. Given the low mileage and thorough reconditioning, this no-reserve auction presents an opportunity to get a great deal on one today. The R129 won't be overlooked forever, and this is about as good as the breed ever got. The auction ends on April 4. You Might Also Like Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars through the Decades How to Buy or Lease a New Car Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang!
