This 1990 Mercedes-Benz 500SL Roadster is finished in Willow Green Metallic (Mercedes paint code 261O) over Anthracite Leather (trim code 271A) and powered by a 5.0-litre DOHC V8 paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. It represents the first model year of the R129 chassis that replaced the long-running R107, which started life as a 1972 model year release. The car is being offered by a private seller in Oakville, Ontario, with one key. A Carfax report is included in our photo gallery.
Finished in Willow Green Metallic, the paint retains lustre with subtle patina on the fenders by the A-pillar, fainter on the hood from light oxidation with contrasting lower cladding and bumper covers. This roadster features headlamp wipers and washers (option code 600), fog lights – front and rear, heat-insulated glass with heated rear window (592), a black power soft top (740), power-adjustable mirrors, automatic antenna (531), and infrared remote locking (880). The design marked an acute aesthetic shift for the SL (“super light” in German) from the R107, pairing a more modern look with hidden roll-bar safety engineering. The seller notes that the rear convertible vinyl windows require repair and that new tires, a wiper arm, and suspension work will be needed to return it to its original glory.
The five-spoke Mercedes-Benz 17” Albini alloy wheels are an upgrade from new and fitted with Dunlop Sport SB9000 tires, sized 245/45R17, with 2005 date codes. The spare, housed in the trunk, is the original Gullideckel 16” alloy. Braking is by four-wheel power-assisted discs with anti-lock function, and the car rides on a twin A-arm front and multi-link rear suspension.
The interior is upholstered in Anthracite Leather, matched by wood-accented door cards and carpeting; wood trim surrounding the power seat functions for the driver is loose. Wood trim is also featured in the centre stack and console. Both seats are power-adjustable with memory (241, 242). Amenities include automatic climate control (581), cruise control (440), heated seats (873), power windows and locks, and a Becker Mexico Grand Prix AM/FM cassette stereo (519) with sound system (810). The seats do come with flaws: both outer bolsters on the driver’s seat are perforated and there is a seam split on the passenger’s seat bottom.
Instrumentation includes a centrally-mounted 260 km/h speedometer and 7000 RPM tachometer with 6000 RPM redline, flanked on the left by gauges for fuel level, fuel economy, oil pressure, and coolant temperature. To the right of the tach is a functioning analog clock. A leather-wrapped steering wheel with airbag fronts the dash which features an airbag for the passenger as well (291). The 500SL was among the first convertibles to employ an automatic pop-up roll bar, engaging when sensors indicate an upcoming rollover, supplementing ABS braking, a rear fog light, the airbags and other passive safety systems. The odometer reads under 168,000 km.
Power comes from the M119 5.0-litre 32-valve V8, factory-rated at 322 horsepower, delivered to the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission. The seller recommends suspension service and tire replacement. A differential service was completed in October 2014 under previous ownership.
This 1990 Mercedes-Benz 500SL Roadster, finished in Willow Green Metallic over Anthracite Leather, is offered with one key, Ontario registration and is available in Oakville, Ontario.
The car’s factory options decode as follows:
241 FRONT SEAT LH ELECTRIC ADJUSTABLE WITH MEMORY
242 FRONT SEAT RH ELECTRIC ADJUSTABLE WITH MEMORY
246 MIRROR WITH MEMORY CIRCUIT
283 DRAFT DEFLECTOR
291 AIRBAG FOR FRONT PASSENGER
440 TEMPOMAT (CRUISE CONTROL)
460 VEHICLES FOR CANADA, ADDITIONAL PARTS
491 U.S. VERSION
519 BECKER RADIO MEXICO GRAND PRIX, ELECTRONIC (USA)
524 PAINTWORK – PRESERVATION
531 AUTOMATIC ANTENNA
581 AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL
592 HEAT-INSULATING GLASS, ALL-AROUND, HEATED REAR WINDOW PANE, BAND FILTER
600 HEADLAMP WIPER/WASHER
639 ELIMINATION OF FIRST-AID BOX AND WARNING TRIANGLE
740 BLACK SOFT TOP FABRIC 9001
800 CHANGE OF MODEL YEAR, THE LAST FIGURE SHOWING THE NEW MODEL YEAR
810 SOUND SYSTEM
873 SEAT HEATER FOR LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEATS
880 CLOSING SYSTEM WITH INFRARED REMOTE CONTROL
881 CENTRAL LOCKING INSIDE FOR ROADSTER STORAGE COMPARTMENTS