1996 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

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8 Cylinder 5.0 Liter

Automatic

WDBFA67F6TF135309

Gasoline

Power Windows

Why Buy The Best Mercedes SL Ever Built From Just Anyone Or Any Dealer When You Can Buy It From A Hobbyist That Can Prove The Condition Of The Car…Guaranteed. My name is Gino Niccoli and I’ve been in the collector car and motorcycle industry for more than 30 years. I live just outside of Phoenix, AZ so I am spoiled by the best weather in the country for this hobby and I take full advantage of it. But, I’ve always had one big problem; not enough money or space to own and drive all the cool stuff that’s been built over the years. The Internet has been a God’s Send to this industry but not without out it’s own drawbacks, like never knowing what you’re really buying until you see it and even then, it’s always a gamble. But I believe we can change this, one transaction at a time. And for me, I believe the way to do that is to sell a car the same way I would want to buy it; NRMINT. I buy, enjoy and then sometimes sell drivers, cars that are meant to be and are driven. But I show almost every one of my cars and this one is no exception so it has to look amazing and this one does. Man, this one hurts to let go, but…I’ve got my eye on the next one and so… This is my 1996 Mercedes SL500, R129, arguably the best SL Mercedes ever built. At the time of this auction the car has just over 80,000 miles, with only 2 previous owners and I care for it like I were going to will it to my grandchildren I don’t even have yet. The car is driven so mileage will change, but not by much. As you can see from the pictures, the car is outstanding condition. But, if you’re shopping for an R129 SL, there are a few things you should know. Service records are critical. If you buy a Mercedes without records, recent records of service, be prepared. I’ve owned more than a dozen older Mercedes, Porsches and BMW’s and I can tell you for a fact; you will spend at least $3,000.00 getting stuff done on a car the dealer or seller will tell you is ‘ready to go’, that ‘needs nothing’, etc. Without doubt, buy a 1996-1998 R129 ONLY. These years had the best quad cam, 4 valve motors, with the most power, but they also had the 5 speed tranny instead of the 4 speed. The 5 speed is a much better trans and of course it's gets better mileage too. It makes the car more sporting in that it finds gears better suited to rpm and finally, the 96-98 cars have much improved adaptive shifting programs. (Remember, Mercedes became Mer-Chrysler in 1998 so the 99-02 cars used a 3 valve motor that wasn't built nearly as well as the 4 valve motors in the 96-99. Mileage is not NEAR as important as drivability. If you buy a Euro car and look for the lowest miles, intending to drive it, have some money in the bank. Low miles on these cars is not what they were built for and you’ll get stung twice; once when you pay too much for the ‘perceived’ value of a low mileage car and second when the repairs start piling up as you drive the car into running condition again. German cars in particular need to be driven. It’s what they were engineered to do and they don’t like to sit. Period. I’d MUCH rather buy a car with over 100k miles on it that is driven daily with a pile of receipts than a garage queen with 50k miles. You will pay twice, I guarantee it. This car, my car, is an interesting combination, both reasonably low miles and driven daily by me, in the desert. It started out as a corporate lease car in IL for only 3 years and the rest of its’ life has been in the desert. It is rust free. The second owner had it from 2000 to 2009, when I bought it, and only put 20,000 miles on the car during that time. I bought it and put about $2500.00 of catch up maintenance and adjustments into the car as I drove it into reliability. So I have records on the car for the last year, 20,000 miles that I have driven the car. In fact, I have receipts for every single oil change that’s been done since I’ve owned it, always Mobil 1. The most recent oil change was just done within 200 miles so it's fresh for thousands of miles to go. I also used a very expensive conditioner on the leather seats which have no rips or tears and are without doubt the softest SL seats you will ever sit in because of the expense. Mercedes has a tendency to use very thick, tough leather that stands the test of time, but supple will never be used to describe them. Unless you buy a Mercedes post Chrysler days, 2000 and up. These cars are nothing but trouble and if you don’t believe me look at the resale values of those newer cars vs these older 90’s cars. Chrysler taught them cheap and they were good students. This car has both tops, the black hard top pictured and a black cloth top underneath that all work in outstanding condition. The soft tops on these cars use a plastic window that does color a bit over time, but this one isn’t more than 2 years old so the rear window is still pretty clear. This car also has the Xenon headlights, an option that you will search all over to find on one. Heated seats too. Last year I had the wheels you see made custom for the car. They are beautiful, 18in in spotless chrome with not a scratch, nick or rash anywhere. The tires are Vredesteins that cost about $250 a corner and the rear ones have less than 1000 miles on them. Everything works on this car except the keyless entry (might be a battery in the remote). The only other flaw is the tear in the front bumper cover. Other than that, everything I could find, test or use is in working order. Remember, this car is driven almost ever day. Do your research, look at the other cars listed here. Ask others in the know about Mercedes and whether records and receipts are important to them. I have the owners manual and I have the full set of original wheels, with tires, but you'll need to figure out delivery. Car is financed, but payoff and transfer is easy. I love this car and would keep it, but it’s time for back seats. If You Want The Best Deal On The Best R129 SL You Can Find, Call Me Today And Let's Make A Deal. Call Me Anytime. Gino 480-217-1243 KBB On This Car Is Over $17,000.00!! I’m sure you noticed that my BIN price isn’t cheap. I’m not shy about the prices I expect to bring for my bikes and cars. Not because I think my stuff is any better than someone else’s stuff but because no one else will stand behind offers like I will. I can do that because I’m crazy for details and I won’t let anything leave my house unless it’s better than the day I got it. I take ALL the risk and I’m not afraid to lose money on a deal just because I refuse to let anyone else be on the wrong end of a purchase like I have been so many times before. However, I also think my price is fair. I’ll haggle a bit ‘cause I think that’s part of the deal, but cheap is only cheap until the first time you take your bargain for a drive or ride. You might pay top dollar for this car, but the bargain it really is will be amazingly obvious when you fire it up and it runs like it were cared for by someone who did care. It was and I do care. But here’s where this offer becomes painfully obvious that I’m not kidding about taking care of the customer. I Offer A 30 Day Money Back Guarantee!! Everybody wants to say all sales are final, you’re buying ‘as is’, no refunds, etc. It has become a big wide world for sellers but no one is looking out for the buyer. The phrase, “Buyer Beware” has never meant so much. It can be risky, but it shouldn’t be and the upside is amazing. Whatever you’re looking for, it’s out there and now you can find it. eBay has gone a long way in making the buyer tables even with their purchase protection, but in the collector world it’s more than that. So I stand behind what I sell. Period. I offer a 30 day money back guarantee. It’s not a warranty and you are buying a used vehicle that may need things done from time to time, but I stand behind the condition I claim the car or bike to be in. If you feel that my description was misleading, I’ll take it back and refund your purchase 100%. Now you can’t go take it to the track, rack a wall and think I’ll give you your money back and you can’t take it cross country on the Gumball Rally, but I’ll provide terms in writing that will let you know that I stand behind your purchase. (Nitpickers beware. If the ashtray rattles or if the bike has a couple rock chips, a tiny scratch here and there or any little stuff you would expect with a used vehicle you need to be realistic) But honestly, I want you to come back or tell someone else. Bottom line; if I create a great place to buy that is like nowhere else, I know I can go out and collect and enjoy what I want and know that when it’s time to move on I’ll have a buyer ready to go. Simple I think. What’s that worth? Peace of mind. Now imagine what it will be like to softly swing open the door and slide into the best set of SL seats in the country. Shut the door and feel that bank vault feeling only hand built Mercedes can offer. Leave the hardtop on for a very clean look or remove it and go topless for a convertible ride that will feel like a coupe. Not hardly a squeak or rattle anywhere. Only Mercedes can do that. It’s incredible. Not a light car, tanks weigh a bit, but you will be surprised at how well this thing handles. And everyone, everyone will stare at the finish (I spent thousands giving it a hard coat shine that is second to none) and comment on how good this car looks. This car sold for almost $100,000.00 new and you’ll know why from the very first drive. Mercedes- engineered like no other car in the world. Clear some space in the garage. In fact, shut down the Internet and go into serious negotiations. Tell her you’ll help around the house more. Tell her….tell her what ever she wants to hear but don’t let this incredible moment of freedom pass you up again….Heck, just show her the pictures, but then you may never hold the keys…ever! If all else fails remember; “It is far easier to beg for forgiveness than it is to ask for permission” -unknown Make An Offer Or Buy It Now Today