Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

1989 to 2002 · Convertible

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Shifty Estimate

$11,600

Low confidence · $8K to $25K

38.6% over 12 months

Median · 12 mo: $15,750
Sales · 12 mo: 33
For sale now: 20
Original MSRP: $63,000Down 82% since new

Collectible

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The market

Every recorded 1989 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class sale

No recorded sales yet. We track auctions and listings for this market continuously.

Every R129

Sold prices, last 12 months · Oct 20, 2026

Every R129. Sold prices, last 12 months · Oct 20, 2026
	SL-Class1989 to 2002	SL6001993 to 2001	SL5001989 to 2001
Shifty Estimate	$11,600Low confidence	$38,200	$20,400
Sold median	$15,75033 sales	$37,50024 sales	$19,250151 sales
12-month move	Up 38.6%	Up 46.7%	Up 29.5%
For sale	20	4	67

Other SL-Class generations

W113
R107
R230
R231
R232

Specifications

Engine: Inline-6, 3.0L
Power: 190 hp
Torque: 195 lb-ft
0 to 60: 9 s
Top speed: 140 mph
Transmission: Automatic
Drivetrain: RWD
Original MSRP: $63,000

Common questions

How much does a Mercedes-Benz SL-Class cost?

A 1989 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class cost $63,000 new. Over the past 12 months, 33 have sold publicly at a median of $15,750. The Shifty Estimate for a well-kept example is $11,600. Cars have changed hands anywhere from $7,905 to $24,500, depending on mileage, color, and history.

What is a 1989 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class worth today?

The Shifty Estimate is $11,600, up 38.6% over the past 12 months. That sits below the $15,750 median of actual sales because the estimate weights the most recent results most heavily, and recent sales have come in under the longer-run median. We rate confidence low: 33 public sales in a year is not enough to be firm, and the honest range is wide. Treat it as a starting point, not a valuation.

Is a Mercedes-Benz SL-Class a good investment?

It has depreciated 82% against its $63,000 list price. Values are up 38.6% over the past 12 months.

What has a Mercedes-Benz SL-Class sold for at auction?

The most recent public sale we have on file:

$18,745Black Opal Metallic · 68,900 mi

How many Mercedes-Benz SL-Class are for sale right now?

Shifty tracks 20 listings of the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class for sale right now.

About the 1989 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

The R129 SL-Class represents Mercedes-Benz at its peak engineering prowess, combining bulletproof reliability with genuine grand touring capability. Launched in 1989, this generation introduced the revolutionary pop-up roll hoops and pioneering safety cell construction that influenced automotive design for decades. The range spanned from the silky 300SL inline-six to the thunderous 600SL V12, with the sweet-spot 500SL offering 315hp of effortless American-market appeal. Bruno Sacco's timeless design has aged remarkably well, while the build quality remains legendary, many examples still feel tight after 200,000+ miles. The automatic fabric soft-top was a marvel of German engineering, operating flawlessly when maintained. Today's collectors particularly prize the V8 and V12 variants, especially in desirable colors like Brilliant Silver or classic Mercedes red. Values have stabilized after years of depreciation, making well-maintained examples increasingly attractive as the last of the truly over-engineered Mercedes roadsters.