2005 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL 500

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 th