Few cars in history have been graced with such long, single-generation lifespans as the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class. While all SL roadsters are special for the generation that grew up with them, the 1989 to 2001 models possess a unique cultural hold.
Often referred to by its internal chassis code, the R129, this generation of iconic Mercedes-Benz convertible replaced the also long-running R107, and was produced globally in an astonishing number of drivetrains and configurations. SL roadsters sold new in North America ranged from an early 300SL with a “dogleg” manual transmission, all the way up to the final SL600 with a 6.0-liter V12. The R129 chassis also spanned a pivotal moment for Mercedes-Benz, existing before and after the merger with AMG, creating a fascinating sub-series of AMG variants like the 7.3-liter SL73, and a wealth of period-correct modifications. The platform also existed during an era when Mercedes—and the SL in particular—seemed to be present in every facet of popular culture.
Roadsters, whether by a factor of price or design, tend to be cars owned by drivers of a certain age. But the R129, now a certifiable classic, has become popular amongst a new generation of Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts, and for these four owners (and many more like them), the cars represent something special. As the chassis enters its thirty-fourth year, owners of the same age are bringing new energy to the classic roadster—and bringing the market up with them.
Matt Whitmire’s 1997 SL600 is one of several stunning, low-mileage examples in his collection since buying his first vintage Mercedes at age thirty-three. It features the iconic V12, the optional glass panoramic roof, and sits on rare and sought-after AMG Aero III wheels.
How did you become interested in Mercedes-Benz?
When I was young, the Mercedes brand made its mark on me. My grandmother drove an R107 560SL when I was growing up and my grandfather had a dark green W126. They later replaced those cars for an R129 SL500 and a green W124 wagon to haul around our German Shepard. The prestige, the quality of the build and the look drew me in! I actually still have my grandfather’s ’98 SL500 complete with original window sticker and 30,000 miles still on
the clock.
Why did you choose to own an R129?
The R129 is one of the most versatile convertible sports cars you can buy for the money. The power is great, parts are readily available, and mechanics will still work on them! Compared to the R107, this car is precise and a blast to drive. You can drive for hours and without compromising to “drive your classic”. It’s one of the biggest clichés in classic car buying, but the R129 was the car when I was a teenager. Dentist, doctors, lawyers, professional athletes, rappers, drug kingpins—everyone strived to own an SL. How could I not choose the R129?
How did you find your current SL?
I stumbled across this car: the mythical 1997 SL600 with the panoramic roof, with just 45k original miles, and three-piece Aero monoblock wheels. I already owned my grandfather’s SL500 at this point, so I gave my mom the sales pitch. She was the one who had the idea: “Why don’t we buy the car and give it to Grandma as a surprise birthday present?”
What an idea! I drove the car from Detroit to St Louis to surprise my grandmother for her 85th birthday. We put a big red bow on it and everything. She was thrilled, to say the least, and couldn’t have been more surprised. She enjoyed the car for several years, and she always got a kick out of the attention she got from onlookers who knew what this car was. She would deny multiple requests to buy it every time she took it out for a grocery run or leisurely drive. After her health prohibited her from driving the car, I brought it back to Los Angeles for preservation and pampering over the rest of
its life.
My son is three years old now, and I hope one day he will be interested in taking over the responsibility of owning this car, and have as much fun as I do driving it.
What are your favorite details or attributes about your SL?
Compared to the SL500, the amazing thing about the SL600 is the torque. All R129s are responsive, but the 600 cranks it up a notch (or six). I also love how the ‘90s design has aged over the years. I am lucky enough to have Panoramic tops on both of my cars and nothing beats driving through the tall redwood forest around Monterey and looking up at those trees surrounding you. Driving with a pano when it’s cold and foggy out has its own certain appeal that is hard to describe. And the way that door closes—that is one heavenly thud!
How would you describe the appeal of the R129 experience in general?
The R129 is a prestigious car that’s easy to own. An attractive car with great performance usually means high repair bills and ample time in the shop, but cared-for R129 beats these stereotypes. Sure, repairing the rear main seal on the SL600 was not cheap, but show me that same bill for a BMW or even an older Ferrari. I’ll keep my R129!
Why do you think owners in their twenties and thirties are so often choosing to own the R129 SL?
We grew up with it. This was the convertible to own and crossed all kinds of cultural lines. Younger collectors and first-time classic Benz buyers want something that screams “vintage” but has modern features and dependability. I think this is why you see the W124 and W123 becoming so popular with younger buyers as well, but the power, convertible versatility, and ability to drive anywhere (rough roads, or even dirt roads!) all help the R129 make an impact with younger buyers. I always suggest a ’97 and up R129 SL to the younger crowd.
Mike Perlman’s tasteful Azurite Blue 1995 SL500 roadster joins a fleet of vintage German vehicles in his collection. In many ways, it’s the quintessential R129: an affordable classic that can drive the length of the California coast every week.
How did you become interested in Mercedes-Benz?
The first car I ever drove regularly was my dad’s 2001 E320 Wagon, which I eventually took over when I went off to college. It was the first “nice” car he had ever bought for himself, and I have a distinct memory of riding home from the dealership in the back seat, thinking it was the coolest thing at the time. The W210 is a largely unloved chassis, but I found it to be a great first Mercedes. It had that renowned bank-vault
build quality,.
I also spent a large amount of time at a European repair shop as a high schooler, where my boss had a 1997 SL500 with the panoramic roof. Even at a young age, I was never inspired to hustle that car, but the sensation of being cocooned, yet doused with an open air view was always an oddly satisfying experience.
Why did you choose to own an R129? When I moved out to Los Angeles in 2018, I started seeing more R129s in car chases in various twenty- and thirty-year-old movies. Bruce Willis hammering a 500SL in Color of Night, Jim Carey in various R129s between Liar Liar and I Love You Phillip Morris, etc. It was an unusually pretty car, and one that was still remarkably cheap to buy for how iconic the design has become.
I found my first R129: a slightly-raggedy 2001 SL500 Sport that I owned until last year. While I never put many miles on it, that car taught me a great deal about R129s and proved to be a valuable ownership experience.
How did you find your current SL?
Shortly after selling my 2001 SL, I visited my friend who had recently purchased a 1994 SL500. After a short drive in his car, I immediately realized that selling my last one was a mistake.
A Craigslist search revealed a dangerously-cheap Azurite Blue 1995 SL500 that—most importantly to me—had an updated wiring harness, one of the major maintenance items for a R129 of this vintage. 24 hours later, it was mine.
What are your favorite details or attributes about your SL?
One thing I never knew about R129s until owning one was just how many differences there are between model years. There isn’t necessarily a best version—rather, there is a different flavor for every individual.
In so many ways, my 1995 model couldn’t feel more different than my 2001. As the current R129 market generally favors the late-production, ’99 to ‘02 models, I’ve found that the venerable four-speed automatic and throaty, quad-cam M119 V8 ooze a kind of character (and top end grunt!) that is missing with the updated, single-cam M113 and five-speed auto. Above 4,000rpm, an early V8 R129 is pure freeway theater—a pleasure I get often driving this car between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
How would you describe the appeal of the R129 experience in general?
There is so much to love about the R129. In many ways, it’s the jack-of-all-trades classic car. It’s a supremely comfortable daily cruiser, but if you want to throw it around sweeping canyon roads it’ll deliver enthusiasm in ways you’d never expect. It’s an elegant and understated design that looks right at home on Rodeo Drive without being flashy enough to get you into trouble elsewhere. It’s the last of an era of Mercedes-Benz products that were built with an open checkbook.
Why do you think owners in their twenties and thirties are so often choosing to own the R129 SL?
Let’s face it: millennials, at least in a general sense, don’t have the same financial opportunity as previous generations. For this reason, the extremely undervalued R129 is a great proposition. Even a well-sorted example can be had well under $10,000—pennies on the dollar when even a new mid-grade Honda Civic will set you back $25,000 or more.
Even on the high end of the market, no other car comes close in delivering the iconic cache, bank-vault build quality, unusually-thrilling driving dynamics, and daily usability that the R129 does.
Bonus? You can masquerade as a 90s movie star, if you’re into that.
Lauren Harb’s 1997 SL320 is a 40th Anniversary Edition, and an exquisite car that reveals more details the closer you look. It’s among the rarer of the non-AMG R129s, with just 250 produced in this Blue Quartz Metallic, with breathtaking Royal Maple wood trim, and a selection of other 40th
Anniversary Edition equipment.
How did you become interested in Mercedes-Benz?
My father immigrated to the US in 1956 at the age of 16 and worked very hard to support his family. As his kids got older and he saw his efforts pay off, he began to reward himself every few years or so with his dream car—a luxury Mercedes. He has owned a series of R107s and R129s, which really came to symbolize his success. I have memories as a little girl hand-washing his R107 in the driveway with my father. Therefore, I associate the Mercedes-Benz not only with the idea of “making it,” but also with some of my
fondest memories of my childhood spending time with my dad. It feels like an ode to my father for creating the legacy for me.
Why did you choose to own an R129?
I became fixated on finding this particular car after I saw a college classmate driving one in the early 2000s. The rest of us were reliant on public transportation, while this student—a beautiful young woman rumored to be Indian royalty—pulled up to school in a purple SL. This was a car I associated with adulthood, a purchase made only after reaching great professional success. To see someone in her late teens or early 20s driving it, and in a color I’d never seen before, began a 20 year obsession for me. It wasn’t until decades later that I finally figured it out it wasn’t purple at all: it was Blue Quartz. My hunt for my 40th Anniversary Edition began immediately.
How did you find your current SL?
A few popped up throughout the US, but a friend and fellow R129 owner helped me find this particular car, which had been owned by a woman in San Diego who was somewhat of a collector, had meticulously cared for it and had put only about 40k miles on it. There was no question this was the car I’d been searching for all these years. The facts that I was first inspired by a female driver and the owner of this car was a woman also felt serendipitous.
What are your favorite details or attributes about your SL?
The unique exterior color, of course, and the Royal Maple wood trim.
How would you describe the appeal of the R129 experience in general?
It’s a well built, beautiful car that drives smoothly and looks sexy and strong. In addition to how it looks and feels, there’s a sense of community that comes with being an R129 enthusiast.
Why do you think owners in their twenties and thirties are so often choosing to own the R129 SL?
I think many of us grew up seeing the R129 as a symbol of status and success and it’s exciting to drive one at a younger age, instead of feeling like it’s reserved for an older driver. I also think the ‘90s are in fashion for people who were raised in that era and this car connects them to a meaningful time in their lives.