Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG R129 Go For $51,000

We have come to the point where a Mercedes-Benz that rolled off the production line in 2009 won’t be sold for $51,000 in 2026. A dealer from California refused to let the roadster go, and there is a solid reason for it. It is one of only 200 of its kind.
 

This is not just any Mercedes-Benz. Internally codenamed R230 and launched as a replacement for the R129, the Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG was a beast that offered a grand tourer-like cruising experience on top of the ‘wind in your hair’ feeling.
 
Mercedes-Benz produced only 200 IWC Edition examples, based on a long-term partnership with the Swiss watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen. This IWC Edition is finished in Designo Magno Cashmere White over a Tobago Brown interior, features the AMG Exterior Carbon Fiber Package, and rides on 19-nch forged AMG wheels.
 
The driver steers the car with the help of an AMG Performance steering wheel, while the panoramic sunroof, installed on the power-folding hardtop, lets the light inside the cabin. The only modification performed on the 17-year-old Benz is the installation of aftermarket mufflers. A Harman/Kardon audio system provides the soundtrack when the driver has had enough of the V8 orchestra.
 

Speaking of which, the 6.2-liter M156 V8 engine, marketed as a 6.3, pumps out 518 horsepower (525 metric horsepower) and 465 pound-feet (630 Newton meters) of torque. A seven-speed AMG Speedshift MCT transmission puts the power down in a rear-wheel-drive setup.
 
The roadster accelerates from zero to hero (0 to 60 mph or 0 to 97 kph) in 4.4 seconds. The needle of the speedometer goes all the way to a top speed electronically limited at 155 mph (250 kph).
 
The transmission uses a wet startup clutch instead of a traditional torque converter for faster shifting: within 100 milliseconds in Manual mode. The car also features the AMG Active Body Control suspension withhydraulic struts, instantly counteracting the vehicle body motions like pitch, roll, and lift for superior comfort.
 

For comfort on cold days, the R230 SL is equipped with heated (and ventilated) multi-contour seats and the then-innovative Airscarf, the system that blows warm air through the vents in the headrests when the top is down. Illuminated door sills, AMG floor mats, and an electronic trunk closer are on the menu.
 
Expectedly, the 17-year-old car is far from perfect after all these years on the road. There are marks and imperfections showing on the lower body, there is some rust on the brakes and wheel lug nuts, and wear on the driver’s seat and steering wheel.
 
The roadster has 51,287 miles on the clock. Listed on Cars and Bids, it failed to sell after the bidding stopped at $51,055. Seventeen years ago, the Benz was acquired for $169,000. Only the IWC Schaffhausen Grosser Ingenieur wristwatch, originally sold with the car, is a $27,000 deal. However, the highly desirable collector isn’t even included in the sale.