2002 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

Roadster

5.0 V8

5-Speed Automatic

WDBFA68F62F203332

Clear

Gasoline

Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE I realize this description is absolutely HUGE and that it will take some time and patience to read through, however please read it all. There are some truly astounding and phenomenal things about this car to be read and learned here. Thank you. Mercedes SL. The very name invokes thoughts of class, sophistication and timelessly shaped roadsters touring graceful country roads, upscale promenades and designer avenues. These visions all come to mind for a very good reason, Mercedes is one of the best automobile manufacturers in the world and the SL is simply the essence of ‘the best’. Why not treat yourself to owning the sophisticated luxury vehicle that you have always dreamt of? The Mercedes SL’s unmistakable identity is simultaneously both timeless and contemporary; the embodiment of an enduring Mercedes-Benz philosophy that things created properly and logically need never entirely change, but merely evolve. This particular SL Roadster is a true piece of automotive art, the 2002 SL500. This is the stunning R129 Body-Style and it is simply polarizing. As many of you already know, the 2002 SL was the very last of a hallowed pedigree. It was the last model year of the legendary R129 body-style. As such, SLs from this model year maintain the classic R129 look but with a much more contemporary, yet classic flare. Just on the off chance that you didn’t know this already, an ‘R129’ is the Mercedes designation for any SL Automobile produced from 1990 to 2002. Now as I’m sure you have already noted, this is no ordinary SL500. No, this is the ever rare and simply stunning Silver Arrow Edition. This automobile was crafted to pay homage to the legendary Mercedes-Benz race cars of 1934. These lightweight racers were dubbed ‘Silver Arrows’ due to their glittering shiny and chrome like appearance, due to a total lack of paint…unheard of at the time. These champions dominated the racing circuit of the 30’s and Mercedes choose the SL as a platform to pay tribute to these glorious racers and capture their legacy within the 2002 Silver Arrow Edition of the SL Roadster. The SL500 Silver Arrow Edition had so very many unique features over it’s much more common stable mates (the standard 500 and 600 models). Many of these features are overlooked and sometimes unknown, even by SL enthusiasts and owners alike. I will get into all of these uniquities below, in due time. The Mercedes SL Roadster is driving in its purest form but with a noticeably luxurious edge. It is the uncanny feeling of power and precision that you discover behind the wheel of an authentic and exquisite German Roadster. A feeling derived not merely from horsepower, but a symphony of steering, close gear ratios, advanced braking and fantastic suspension. All expertly choreographed to augment the distinguished V8 engine that rests at the heart of this masterful automobile. For those discerning few who appreciate classic form, simplistically executed function, timeless style, unparalleled luxury and blistering performance, this SL is for you. As mentioned above, this is no mere SL500, but the beautifully crafted Silver Arrow Edition. I assured you that I would discuss what sets a Silver Arrow apart from the pack and that time has come! Granted, the differences are largely cosmetic, but oh’ what lovely cosmetic differences they are! Everything I am about to list is what makes the Silver Arrow instantly recognizable. These features are not available on any regular, common SL. For you consideration, I present to you the uniquities of the Silver Arrow: The Paint. It is what Mercedes calls ‘Ultra Metallic’. This means it is ridiculously sparkling in the light. The paint is actually called ‘Silver Arrow Ultra Metallic’. It is Mercedes paint code 777. I’m certain that they coded it ‘777’ as this car is sure to bring good fortune to its next owner. Polished Aluminum Grill To pay homage to the unpainted, chrome look of the Silver Arrow Race Cars, Mercedes used a polished aluminum grill on the Silver Arrow. The standard SL grill is an anodized black, which fades to an odd gold color as the car ages. Polished Aluminum Hardtop Trim Mercedes once again employed polished aluminum to all hardtop trim. This is a common theme throughout the exterior of this vehicle. Again, the standard SL hardtop trim is the black / faded gold. Polished Aluminum Fender Gills Present here is some more of the polished aluminum. This time it graces the tips of the gills just behind the front fenders. Standard SLs had no trim at all here. Polished Aluminum Trunk Trim Here is our last bit of polished aluminum. This time it adorns the trunk lid, right above the rear license plate. Again we find that the standard SL once more employed that ever odd black / faded gold trim here. Silver Arrow Fender Plaques Flanking the sides of this magnificent roadster, we will find special Silver Arrow badges mounted to each front fender. The plaques feature silver with subtle chrome script, announcing the heritage of this automobile. Silver Arrow Illuminated Door Sill Scuff Plates What better way to make an entrance (or exit) from the vehicle but with illuminated scuff plates that glow a pale amber and announce that you and your Silver Arrow have arrived. Special Multi Piece Wheels The Silver Arrow came equipped with its very own alloy wheels, not offered on any other models. I will brief you on this particular Silver Arrow’s wheels a bit later on. Drilled Rotors Here we have something that is not purely cosmetic. The Silver Arrow came standard with drilled brake rotors / discs. This aids in the vehicle’s superb stopping ability. Silver Finished Brembo Brakes One final, unique touch to this Edition’s braking system, the brakes were furnished by the legendary braking company, Brembo. They are world leaders in performance braking systems and their brakes are found on such marques as Ferrari, Porsche and Lamborghini. To finish it all off, Mercedes had the brake calipers finished in silver, to match the beautiful hue of the car. Two-Tone Seats Strictly found within the Silver Arrow are sumptuous two-toned Napa Leather seats. These Grey and Black beauties provide the perfect offset yet compliment the Silver Arrow’s exterior and interior adornments. Pearled Leather The grey inserts of the buttery soft seats actually posses a very subtle and often overlooked pearlized tint. As such, in certain lighting, the seats take on a pearl sheen. Silver Arrow Embossed Seats Furthermore, the seatbacks are embossed with the striking silhouette of the 1934 Silver Arrow Race Car with the words ‘Silver Arrow’ embossed beneath it. Two-Tone Door Panels To match the unique and charismatic seating surfaces, Mercedes carried the two-tone combination over to the door panels. The panels themselves remain a simple, understated black but house within the center an insert of the pearlized grey Napa Leather as found within the seats. Two-Tone Steering Wheel Another complimentary and impeccably unique touch was to carry on the grey and black interweaving to the steering wheel. Two-Tone Shift Knob Lastly, in Mercedes’ quest for a distinctive multi tone interior, we find the balanced combination of grey and black swirling throughout the Napa Leather wrapped shift knob. Special Leather Bound, 2-Tone Floor Mats with Plaque The last place we will encounter the two-tone theme is in the most unlikely of places, the floor mats! The floor mats themselves are black in color and composed of a rich, cut pile material. There is also a very unique (not offered on any other SL) silver plaque that simply reads ‘SL’. The most unique thing I find about these mats is that they are hand rolled in grey Napa Leather along their borders. This is the very same leather as that found on the seats, doors, steering wheel and shift knob. Absolutely ridiculous attention to detail, this particular Silver Arrow’s floor mats are new and have never been stepped upon. Beveled Aluminum Gauge Bezel No self-respecting, limited production roadster would be complete without something to make its gauge cluster stand out and draw the eye in. The Silver Arrow features a hand beveled, all aluminum gauge bezel, beautifully enhanced by polished trim rings around each and every gauge. Aluminum Gauge Needle Caps The final touch to this distinctive information center is spun, brushed aluminum caps on each of the gauge needles. The satin finish lends a complimentary offset to the higher gloss of the trim rings. Beveled Aluminum Shift Plate Mercedes definitely believes in continuity. As such, you will find the same sleek and sporting beveled aluminum as used in the gauge cluster gracing the center console around the shifter. Also, as with the gauge cluster, the shift plate is accented by a polished aluminum trim. Unique Black Birdseye Maple Wood Trim The standard SL utilized Walnut and Chestnut woods for its center console and interior door panel trim. Not the Silver Arrow! It hosted a rich ‘Black Birdseye Maple’, which is a deep, dark hued wood. It better compliments the predominantly black cockpit. The wood found in the Silver Arrow is heavily coated in an ever so slightly metallic protective coating. In the sun, the wood has a subtle metallic effect, which beautifully compliments the pearlized seating inserts and exterior ‘Ultra Metallic’ paint. Full Wood Center Console The common, standard SL500’s wood trimmed center console stopped directly after the shifter and automatic window switches. However, the Silver Arrow’s Birdseye Maple extended all the way back, to the very end of the passenger compartment. Even its rolling cover for the cup holder / storage compartment is trimmed in wood. Ashtray Adornment One last item of note when it comes to this car’s wood enhanced interior is that the center console ashtray features the timeless silhouette of the 1934 Silver Arrow Race Car with the words ‘Silver Arrow’ beneath it in beautiful, yet subtle chrome script. Aluminum Trimmed Wind Blocker Carrying a touch of the sophisticated polished aluminum from the exterior to the interior was executed on the frame of the removable wind blocker. Bright shining aluminum graces this ultra unique wind blocker. Standard SL wind blockers had a basic black frame. Aluminum Pedals What world-class sports car would be complete without sporty brushed aluminum pedals? Naturally, a high performance automobile should have a touch of performance-oriented appearance in the very place that power is exuded. Certificate of Authenticity For each Silver Arrow, Mercedes-Benz issued a beautiful Certificate proving that particular car’s lineage. Each one of these documents bares the VIN Number of that particular Edition. As you can plainly see, there are scads of unique touches that place the Silver Arrow on a pedestal above the rest. Yes, nearly all of the features are cosmetic but they all work in harmony to ensure the Silver Arrow truly stands alone amongst an ocean of normality. In addition to the stand alone, ‘Silver Arrow Only’ features, these rare Editions came loaded with basically all of the features and packages that were extra cost options on standard SLs. These standard items on the Silver Arrow include: Self-Leveling Xenon Headlights These hyper bright headlights shine through, literally. They provide infinitely better visibility then the regular SL’s yellow-ish halogen lights. They also self level vertically for a precise height no matter the incline or decline your travels lead you to. Two Level Dual Heated Seats Enjoy the top down on those chilly evenings all while staying comfortable and bathed in warmth, thanks to the two level (high and low) heated seats that keep both driver and passenger at an impeccable level of comfortability. AMG Sport Package Optional on ‘lesser’ cars yet standard on the Silver Arrow is the streamlined, sleek and modernized AMG designed exterior panels. The front and rear bumpers, side skirts as well as fog light lenses were designed by the legendary AMG Performance division of Mercedes to provide maximum aerodynamics all while making for an infinitely more modern appearance and sporting stance. CD Changer A perfect addition to the Bose Surround Stereo System experience was with the Silver Arrow’s standard disc changer. This enabled owners the option to play all incarnations of car audio available at the time: AM/FM, Cassette and Compact Disc. Now that we have covered the details of the Silver Arrows exquisitely tailored uniquities and its standard equipment in comparison to mere options found on other SLs, I would like to talk about the standard features of the SL500. As there are oh so many, it will be pressing to go through each and every one of them but I shall try to persevere and alert you to all that I may. Power Windows Power Mirrors Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel 14-Way Dual Power Seats Three Position Memory Driver Seat Three Position Memory Passenger Seat Three Position Driver Comfort Memory (at the press of a button the vehicle recalls up to three different driver’s stored seat, mirror and steering wheel positions) Power Central Locking System Remote Infrared Keyless Entry Security System Automatic Locking Upon Movement Push Button Anti-Towing Feature Fully Automatic Canvas Convertible Soft Top Convertible Wind Blocker Panel, Removable/Adjustable Fully Automatic Release and Locking of Hardtop Rear Window Defroster (hardtop) Power Operated Adjustable Roll Bar (will deploy in .02 seconds if an impending accident is detected) Advanced Adaptable Traction Control (ESP) Digital Climate Control with Cabin Filter & Memory Capability Air Conditioning Leather Seating Surfaces Leather Door Panel Inserts Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel Leather Wrapped Shift Knob Bose Sound System with Cassette (Six speakers, Amplifier and Acoustimass bass drive unit) Integrated Analog Telephone Mercedes Tele-Aid System (GPS utilized tracking, concierge services, emergency aid and roadside assistance) Service Interval Reminder Computer Free Form Fog Lamps Single Rear Fog Lamp Pathway Lighting Alloy Wheels Trunk Opening System (when activated, the trunk will unlock and raise several inches) Fully Lined Trunk Compartment Integrated Trunk-Mounted Wind Blocker Storage Case Auto-Dim Electro-chromatic Rearview Mirror Automatic Rain Sensing Windshield Wiper Three Button Programmable Garage Door / Gate Opener Electronic Cruise Control And oh’ so much more…… The SL Roadster’s equipment level was crafted with a primary purpose that the driver should want for nothing. A philosophy quite well executed by Mercedes. Everything you could want is a mere touch away from activation. Controls are sensibly placed so that every desire is simple to execute and enjoyed to the fullest. The SL makes any situation a relaxing and enjoyable one, all with underlying grace and beauty. As is evident, the heart of any Mercedes truly lies within its magnificent engine. This SL500 is certainly no exception. The masterful engine lying at the heart of a timeless piece of mobile artistry provides its pilot with an ever-variable degree of enjoyment. Be it slow paced boulevard cruising or high performance, spirited back road adrenaline fueled enjoyment, the SL500 will not disappoint. Under its sculpted hood lies a powerful yet silky smooth 5.0 Liter V8 power plant. This engine truly is the best of both worlds. At normal cruising speeds, the engine is whisper quiet and provides all of the smoothness, as you would expect from a Mercedes-Benz. Yet when one’s inhibitions are laid to rest and power is called upon, a throaty rumble erupts and the vehicle is propelled through a world of enjoyment, straight as an arrow….or in this case a Silver Arrow. Though not typically done, you can call upon all 302 horsepower for a symphony of performance delight and enjoyment. Any well-engineered power plant deserves a well thought-out transmission to deliver the power. Once again, the SL does not disappoint. Its dual mode five-speed transmission is memory dependent. It actually stores the style of driving that you enjoy most often and adjusts its shifting accordingly. It also has a center console-mounted button offering the choice between ‘standard’ and ‘winter’ modes to ensure the utmost safety and enjoyment. The SL can be a well-engineered deception. Its drive is at once quiet, exquisitely smooth and supple. The cockpit is shielded from the noise of the world as well as its often times less then smooth roads. Once out on the open road during spirited drives through the country, the ride tightens and its true sports car heritage comes to light. The ride is precise and never allows its driver to loose control. Even during the tightest corners, the SL pulls through straight and true. Speaking of the SL’s trickery and dual nature, its multi-roof system plays a large roll in its deception. With the hardtop in place, you would be hard pressed to remember that this automobile is in fact, a roadster. With the hardtop securely in place, the interior becomes a whisper quiet cocoon, making the blowing winds and sunny skies a distant memory. However, with the press of a console-mounted button, the hardtop fully releases and the open skies and beckoning elements become a reality once more! In the real world though, it is not always an open and liberating time. Once more, at the press of a button a fully automatic soft top rises from its covered compartment and locks into position. With three windows and a full interior headliner, you very well may just once again forget that you are indeed in a convertible! I am sure at this point you are wondering about the functionality, condition and appeal of this particular SL. I concur. Please read on to learn about my actual Silver Arrow. Though this vehicle is thirteen years old at present, you certainly would never know it from this automobile’s condition. I hate to use the term ‘showroom condition’ but it is most certainly about as close as you will find with a thirteen year old vehicle that has been driven, though never as a daily driver. The exterior is straight and true, like the arrow that it is appropriately named after. There are absolutely no dents and actually no dings, at least that my eyes can lay claim to. The paint shines and sparkles just like new, an obvious testament to it being garaged for all of its thirteen years on this Earth. You will find absolutely no fading, rubs, swirls or damage. I have faithfully washed this collector’s car every-single week (rather I drove it or not) for my entire length of ownership. Yet another testament to its glowing exterior appearance is that I waxed it every month without exception. Again, I am a realist and I will not use the adjective of ‘perfect’ but it is close. It does have a couple of very small, virtually unnoticeable chips flanking the front grill. These have, however, been touched-up with factory Mercedes Silver Arrow (paint code 777) paint. As such, you would be hard pressed to ever see them without very close inspection. Other then that, the car is effectively free of any exterior flaw. It is striking and will provide all who see it with a sense of visual enjoyment. I have always believed the interior of an automobile is one of its most important attributes. After all, it is where you actually spend your time both enjoying and connecting with the vehicle and the road ahead. This car will reward you ten fold within its leather-wrapped interior. I would say that the interior of this Silver Arrow is easily a nine and a half on a scale of one to ten. There are absolutely no rips, wear, rubs, wrinkles or stains. The interior is nearly one hundred percent pristine. I have executed all that I may to ensure a well-preserved cockpit. The vehicle was vacuumed and wiped down every week (along with the exterior detailing as mentioned above). During its monthly waxes (also mentioned above), it also received a full conditioning of all leather-trimmed panels (seats, door panels, steering wheel, shift knob, etc.). You will find no damage to the interior whatsoever. The dash is supple, rich and free of any form of sun damage (fading, cracks, etc.). The exact same can truly be said for the rest of the interior. If there were absolutely anything I might be scrutinizing enough to mention, I suppose it would be that there are a couple of lines (no tears, nor wear) along the driver’s seat bolster. This is merely from ingress & egress over the course of thirteen years. These lines are actually hidden by the placement of the seatbelt when the vehicle is not in use. So, they are basically never seen but I am trying my best to scrutinize this car as best I can. As for functionality, again you will find no fault. Every possible option and feature functions just as it did when the vehicle was delivered to its proud original possessor. I am being quite literal when I say that every feature is functioning flawlessly. As such, I will not list everything that functions perfectly, as they all do. There is nothing that does not operate, nor is there anything that does not operate to its best ability or factory specifications. I will say that knowing what is commonly found within the R129 SL….yes, the roof works flawlessly as does the air conditioning. Please see what I have to say about the roof system further below. My SL is mechanically perfect as well. The engine is silky smooth all while providing every bit of power that it did upon leaving the factory in Stuttgart. It has absolutely zero known mechanical issues. This includes no abnormal sounds, no loss of power, no transmission issues, no fluid leaks, no shaking nor any form of erratic motion. It is mechanically exceptional and I would have no hesitation to drive it to any destination, all without a moment’s worry. It has been carefully driven both by myself and the original owner whom I purchased it from. It has eighty-four thousand original miles on it. The national average, as issued by the EPA, is noted as fifteen thousand miles. This rare Silver Arrow was driven an average of just over six thousand miles annually, less than half of the national average. If it was driven the national daily average, it would have nearly two-hundred thousand miles on it……a far cry from the eighty-four thousand that it currently has. Now, a perfectly maintained specimen does not merely happen. It is in the condition that it is due to an untainted and pure love of the vehicle and its heritage. At the first sign of any issue, I have had it dealt with immediately. Furthermore, I have always had it service ahead of the Mercedes-Benz factory recommended schedule. I believe in preventative maintenance, I’d far rather prevent a problem than experience one. I have always and faithfully had this SL maintained and repaired at the same Mercedes Dealership (San Diego Mercedes-Benz). I have never taken it to a third party mechanic. Only factory trained service technicians were good enough to lay hands on my Silver Arrow. As you would expect, I have retained every-single record and receipt throughout my ownership experience of this fine automobile. Happily, the previous owner felt the same way. As such, I have every record and receipt from his ownership, dating back to the car’s initial delivery. As I am quite particular about maintaining my automobiles and their records, each piece of documentation was placed in an individual plastic sleeve and kept in a large binder, all in chronological order. So, every record is carefully preserved and available at your fingertips. In addition to every record on the vehicle, I also have a full maintenance log stored in a ‘Word Doc’ on my computer. Upon completion of sale, I will happily furnish the new owner with a printed and email copy of this maintenance log. In addition, the aforementioned binder will accompany the vehicle to its new home. I am also happy to furnish potential buyers with an email of this log upon request. It is quite extensive. Lastly, in addition to all records and receipts I also posses a complete original owner’s manual set with every-single book, manual, booklet, pamphlet and information sheet. This comprehensive set includes the leather case as well. Lastly, I still hold the original window sticker from new delivery in 2002. I believe that we should go over one of the R129’s worst known issues and best-known problem areas, the intricate convertible roof mechanism. This particular SL, I am proud to say, has had its entire convertible roof hydraulic system completely reconditioned / replaced! The roof on my Silver Arrow always functioned flawlessly but like I made mention of above, I believe in preventative maintenance and servicing items before they become a possible problem. As you may or may not know, the roof system on the SL is hydraulic and is actuated but eleven hydraulic cylinders located throughout the vehicle. I had every-single one of these cylinders removed and replaced! Once this was complete, I had all old hydraulic fluid flushed and removed. I then purchased factory Mercedes-Benz hydraulic fluid and had all brand new fluid flushed into the system. As usual, my local Mercedes dealership completed this detailed and painstaking servicing. Many sellers of SLs claim the convertible system was replaced but cannot furnish proof of this. As is typical with me, I maintain all records for my vehicle. So, yes, I can easily show you that the roof system is brand new and it is under a ten-year warranty. I should make mention that I had all of this done less then a year ago. So, you will have many years of reliable service from the beautifully engineered convertible system. Please see below for a description of the actual canvas top and plastic rear windows. Like many automobile enthusiasts, I do derive a great amount of enjoyment from adding personal touches to a vehicle to make it more my own. I have a simple philosophy when it comes to customizing a vehicle: “execute any customizations simplistically and classily, keep the vehicle looking essentially like stock and don’t do anything that is not easily converted back to factory standard”. When approaching this car, I realized it didn’t need anything and that it already had all of the features that I could ever want. So, I decided to merely freshen it up and make it look ever so slightly more modern. I have adhered to my principals strictly with this Silver Arrow and I wish to share with you now the subtle touches that I have undertaken. Three Bar Front Grill Modern Mercedes automobiles employ either a three bar or one bar grill in their vehicle collection. I found the one bar grill to look very out of place on an R129 while the three bar version appeared to posses the ideal amount of originality and modernization. I had this version painted in the original Silver Arrow paint and it also has chrome trim on the front of each of the blades, which seamlessly matches the unique polished aluminum trim of the Silver Arrow Edition. I, of course, retained the original, no longer available Silver Arrow only Polished Aluminum Grill. The new owner will be provided with it upon purchase. The original grill has been wrapped securely and protected in a sealed box since it was removed from the vehicle. Clear Turn Signal Lenses The original 1996-2002 SL turn signal lenses were changed to clear from an obnoxiously bright orange plastic and they matched the headlights well. However, I found that they did not match the Xenon headlights very well at all. The Xenon lights have totally clear lenses, so the cloudy clear turn signal lenses that Mercedes used did not match the vehicle very well. So, I installed clear lenses, which beautifully match the factory Xenon headlamps. LED Fog Light Bulbs The Silver Arrow employed brilliant Xenon Headlights but for whatever reason, used regular halogen bulbs for their fog lights. I replaced those dingy, yellowish bulbs with bright, clear LED units. These exquisitely match the Xenon Headlamps hue and provide for much better evening illumination. LED License Plate Illumination Have you noticed how modern, high-end automobiles have a slight blue tint to their license plate lights? Beautiful isn’t it? This is due to the fact that modern luxury vehicles utilize LED bulbs to illuminate their license plates. I rather enjoy the look of those vehicles, so I installed LED lighting in my license plate lamps and the look is simply beautiful. Mercedes R231 AMG Alloy Wheels I truly wanted to bring the exotic, sports car nature of the SL to light a bit more. As many do, I decided that a new set of wheels very well could be the answer. I had no desire to add, aftermarket wheels to this vehicle. As I mentioned earlier, I believe in keeping a factory appearance even in my own customizations. So, only factory Mercedes wheels would do for me. After months of careful deliberation, I decided upon wheels that were originally offered on the 2013-2016 SL65 AMG Roadster. Price was not an issue (just over $2,000 for a set of 4 wheels, in case you are wondering). Maintaining the vehicle’s sophisticated and sporting looks was the goal, not a financial bottom line. Brembo Brake Emblems To give credit where credit is due, I opted for heat proof Brembo emblems to be applied to the factory Silver Arrow silver finished Brembo Brake Calipers. This is a small and subtle change but an effective one nonetheless. AMG Valve Stem Caps A minuscule addition but one I wanted never the less. The valve stem caps are chrome plated metal (to match the polished aluminum Silver Arrow trim) and, in the center, they are silver metallic with the AMG logo present. I justified this given that all of the lower body panels of the vehicle were AMG designed, as were the alloy wheels. As such, I felt that this would be a nice subtle enhancement. Black Birdseye Maple Wood & Chrome Shift Knob I did not want the original Silver Arrow’s delicate light grey leather shift knob to suffer any damage or staining, as the color is very light. So, I replaced it with a handcrafted aftermarket unit. This shift knob was tailor made to my specifications and was crafted in the original Mercedes Birdseye Maple to perfectly match the Silver Arrow’s interior wood adornments. It does indeed match it flawlessly and its classic chrome enhancements further match the Silver Arrow’s chrome gauge rings, shift plate, interior door handles and seat back release levers. The center chrome inlay of this knob bares the Mercedes three-pointed star and is beautifully engraved in script ‘Mercedes-Benz’ beneath the star. I do, of course, have the original Silver Arrow shift knob in excellent condition which will be provided to the new owner of this vehicle. It has been wrapped, padded and protected in a sealed box since it was removed from the vehicle. Chrome Console Button Bezels To bring a bit of its classic and sophisticated charm, I placed polished bezels around the power window switches, heated seat switches, power mirror switch and convertible top switch. These are easily removable should the next owner not enjoy them as I have. OEM Leather Wrapped Windshield A-Pillars Starting in 1995, Mercedes started using much more leather in the SL600 model. Nearly every surface in the cabin was leather wrapped. I find that quite sophisticated and wanted to bring a touch of that appearance to the interior of my Silver Arrow. I purchased a set of new leather A-Pillars and installed them. They look very classy and sophisticated. Furthermore, they provide this Silver Arrow’s interior with an even more distinctive and luxurious appearance. Removal of Sun Visor Decals Mercedes placed large, garish decals on the vanity mirror covers on but sun visors. I certainly didn’t want brightly colored, gosh decals within my interior. So, I removed them and using a light acetone was able to remove all adhesive residue. Model Designation Deletion I do not like needless emblems and brand placement on my vehicles, nor do I appreciate engine size and performance data advertised on my vehicles. I like simple, clean appearances. As such, I removed the chrome ‘SL500’ badging from the trunk lid. Upon removal, the trunk was buffed and received a compound treatment to remove any marks or swirls left behind the emblem. I retained the original emblem (which is in flawless condition) and it will be provided to the new owner, should the new owner wish to re-install it at any point in time. Black leather Textured Center Console In the effort of full disclosure and in all fairness this was done more for practicality then cosmetic reasons. As with basically all R129’s with the full wood console (from the shift knob back to the rear of the cabin), the consoles tend to crack. They do this due to a combination of three factors: heat, direct sunlight and the movement of the vehicle. Some merely develop light surface cracks in their protective enamel coating (which can easily be repaired by a knowledgeable shop), while others crack so deeply that the wood itself becomes cracked. In extreme cases, some actually crack and have pieces break away and fall apart. In this vehicle’s particular case, the original Silver Arrow-only Black Birdseye Maple developed just a couple of tiny enamel only fractures. I removed it and replaced it with a factory, black leather textured version. I retained the roll top cup holder lid in the original Birdseye Wood. I intended to have the original wood console re-enameled but never did manage to get around to doing so. The original, Silver Arrow-only Black Birdseye Maple Console will be provided to the new owner. Canvas Convertible Soft Top When I bought the vehicle, the top and windows were in perfect condition. However, something about the standard Silver Arrow black roof just simply did not sit well with me. After several months of deliberation, I decided to replace it with a color matching silver (light grey) soft top. After deciding to move forward with this concept, I still took another two months to look at swatches of fabric and hundreds of different shades of grey. I finally settled on a light, but not ultra light, shade of grey in the original German Canvas material. The color match was excellent and I was most pleased. To this date, I have never seen another Silver Arrow with a soft top color other then black. I am more then starting to believe that mine is the only one in existence to posses a matching grey soft top. Yes, all three windows were also replaced. This was all done less then a year ago. As such, the roof and three windows are absolutely flawless and look brand new in every respect. Silver Door Lock Bezels Yes this is another very minor touch, but one to point out none the less. I purchased factory Silver Arrow paint from my local dealership, removed the back plastic bezels around the door lock pins (on top of the door panels) and re-finished them in ‘Silver Arrow Ultra Metallic’. The final result is small but noticeable. Silver Power Seat Buttons Yet another soft touch, but one that definitely makes a statement. Instead of the standard black seat buttons, I had these finished in matching Silver Arrow Metallic. It adds a rather sporting flare. All while providing for a very unique appearance. Silver Finished BOSE Emblems Using residual silver touch-up paint, I finished the ‘BOSE’ script on the rear speakers in silver. It adds a nice, yet subtle contrast to the all black rear cargo shelf area. I also finished the BOSE emblem on the stereo amplifier in silver. This was a tad silly as the amp is hidden away under a compartment behind the seats. I thought it would provide for an upgraded, sporty look so I did it regardless of a lack of visibility. Congratulations are in order to you, as you made it through this very lengthy description of the Silver Arrow’s history, heritage, highlights, uniquities, features, upgrades and conditions. As I am sure is clearly factual, this is a near pristine automobile in impeccable condition which will do nothing but delight its owner throughout their years of life together. I highly welcome any and all questions any one of you may have about this stunning automobile. I often get asked why I am selling one of my gorgeous automobiles. I am selling my Silver Arrow as I just purchased two new Roadsters and have another one on order with a projected delivery date in two weeks. So, I am simply making room in my garage for new sports cars. I am a car collector and have been for about eighteen years now. As of this date, my garage has housed approximately seventy-three automobiles. While I certainly prefer someone to collect this stunning Mercedes Roadster in person, I am definitely willing to meet with shippers to see it off to its new home, wherever that may be. All shipping costs and the obtaining of quotes will be the buyer's responsibility. I will not ship the vehicle until it has been paid for in full and the payment has 100% cleared my bank and proven to be good. I also will not ship the vehicle unless the shipping has been paid for in full and, or the shipping company confirms that I am to be charged nothing for the service. I will not take personal checks of any kind, nor money orders. I will accept Cash or a Cashier’s Check drawn from a major bank (i.e. Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Washington Mutual, Chase Bank, Union Bank, etc.) ONLY! I have had past issues with people attempting to use money orders, personal checks and/or cashier’s checks drawn from small, unknown banks and situations of this nature. I will ONLY accept the two types of payments listed above! Apologies, but that's just how it must be. If your finances are not in order, meaning that you do not actually have the funds in hand (i.e. your loan hasn’t fully funded, bank transfers have not been completed, etc.), DO NOT BID. If you have any questions about this rule, please ask BEFORE bidding and do not simply assume that I will take a different form of payment (then those listed above) simply to make a sale, as I will NOT! I do not need to sell this vehicle, nor am I in need of the funds it will generate. I have no problem in waiting for the proper buyer who will adhere to these rules. Upon receiving the payment, I will furnish the buyer with an actual and official receipt from the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Please do note that I have a small loan on the car as I periodically think that it is financially savvy to have a vehicle financed to maintain something positive on my credit. Once I receive the cleared, full payment from the buyer, I will pay off the vehicle with those funds and retrieve the title for you immediately. I have certainly done this type of sale many times in the past (as I am a personal collector of automobiles) and the title will typically arrive to you within one week or so after receiving the payment. I am happy to furnish the buyer with all of the information on the loan and give you the financial institution’s name and contact information should you yourself have any questions for them directly. After I receive the payment from the buyer, I will further furbish you with official Department of Motor Vehicles Documentation proving that I am releasing my interest in the vehicle to you and that you are indeed the new registered owner. I will work with the buyer 100% to ensure your piece of mind, comfortability and complete happiness. Please consider the quantity of eBay transactions that I possess and that fact that I maintain a perfect 100% Feedback rating. I believe that these speak for themselves. I am, without question, someone you can trust implicitly. Thank you and best of luck to each and every one of you.