Used 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
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1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Overview
SL-Class Consumer Sentiment
Owners give this generation Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (1994-2002) a 4.7 out of 5 rating, which is higher than most, and 96% recommend it. These figures are based on 169 consumer reviews, like these:
What Owners are Saying About the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
"The most beautiful car I ever owned"
"WOW! It handles like a dream, moves like a cheetah and is timeless in it's style. The car is solid and the paint is the best I've seen on an automobile to date. I believe it has 7 coats. The Bose Stereo is magical. What a sound, even with roof down. Fantastic engineering. With all that sports car in it, it still rides like a big car. Not a lot of miles on it for a 2000 but no issues. It's a ball to drive. I hope it lasts forever."
"Great GT convertible not for grocery getting!"
"Red over tan. Turns heads. Powerful! Quiet with either top. Parts are available, but if OEM can be costly. Technically advanced but complex. Dealer repairs costly but good independent shops are available. Values are depressed because of many available but costly to fix. 2002 last of the "boxy" look and with lift-off hardtop. Should be in the $20-30K range!"
"Easy to maintain...solid vehicle"
"Formerly owned a 95 SL500 (actually wife's). I agree with everything posted previously. I felt bad for the guy quoted $2300-$7000 to get the top hydroelectric repairs performed. The leaky top cyclinders can be purchased for $150 apiece and replaced in the comfort of your own garage in about an hour!!! A phillips screwdriver and an allen wrench set is all you need! I'm not a Mercedes mechanic, but I performed most all of the necessary work myself. Probably the cheapest-to-repair MB I've ever owned! Looking at a 96 SL500 for my kid...just test driving it brings back memories!"
Overall 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Quality
User sentiment suggests the overall quality of the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is above average for its class. Owners rated the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class quality a 4.8 out of 5.
1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Reliability
The 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class receives an average consumer rating of 4.7 overall and a 4.7 for reliability, which means owners consider its reliability to be above average.
Favorite 1998 SL-Class Features
According to drivers of the 1998 SL-Class, here are some of its best features:
- Styling, Drivetrain, Exceptional Stereo, Finish
- Strong, smooth, quiet Grand Touring German convert
- Fun to drive wth close to 400 hp. very reliable
- Fun to drive andown.
- Far too many to list!
1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class MPG by Trim
1998 SL-Class SL 600 Roadster 2D - city 12 MPG - hwy 18 MPG
1998 SL-Class SL 500 Roadster 2D - city 16 MPG - hwy 23 MPG
1998 SL-Class Safety
1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Safety Features
- Child Door Locks: Not available
- Child Seat Anchors: Not available
- Driver Airbag
- Passenger Airbag
- Rear Side Airbag
- Slip Control
- Traction Control
- Front Side Airbag
- Rear Parking Sensors
1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
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1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Styles
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Specifications
Dimensions, Weights & Capacities
Curb Weight | 4455 lbs. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
EPA Passenger | 50.4 cu.ft. | ||
Fuel Capacity | 21.1 gallons | ||
Front Head Room | 37.1 inches | ||
Front Leg Room | 42.4 inches | ||
Max Seating Capacity | 2 | ||
Overall Length | 177.1 inches | ||
Front Shoulder Room | 55.4 inches | ||
Trunk or Cargo Capacity | 7.9 cu.ft. | ||
Turning Diameter | 35.4 feet | ||
Wheel Base | 99.0 inches | ||
Width with mirrors | 71.3 inches |
Exterior
Alloy Wheels | Available | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Moon Roof/Sun Roof | Available | ||
Number of Doors | 2 doors | ||
Panorama Moon Roof | Available | ||
Rear Spoiler | Available |
Fuel Economy
City | 12 mpg | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Highway | 18 mpg | ||
Combined | 14 mpg |
Mechanical
Drivetrain | RWD | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Transmission Type | Automatic |
Performance
Horsepower | 389 @ 5200 RPM | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Torque | 420 @ 3800 rpm | ||
Engine | V12, 6.0 Liter | ||
0 to 60 | 5.9 seconds | ||
Top Speed | 155 mph |
Warranty
Basic | 4 years / 50000 miles | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Powertrain | 4 years / 50000 miles |
Entertainment
Interior
Seating
Technology
1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Safety
Safety Features & Technology
Compare to Similar Vehicles
 Used 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class |  New 2025 Porsche 718 Boxster |  New 2026 Maserati GranCabrio |  New 2024 Chevrolet Camaro | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KBB.com Rating | N/A | 4.7 | N/A | 4.1 | |
| Consumer Rating | 4.7 | 5.0 | N/A | 4.0 | |
| Fuel Economy | City 12/Hwy 18/Comb 14 MPG | City 21/Hwy 27/Comb 24 MPG | City 17/Hwy 26/Comb 20 MPG | City 14/Hwy 20/Comb 16 MPG | |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | |
| Seating Capacity | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | |
| Basic Warranty | 4 years or 50000 miles | 4 years or 50000 miles | 4 years or 50000 miles | 3 years or 36000 miles | |
| Horsepower | 389 @ 5200 RPM | 300 @ 6500 RPM | N/A | 650 @ 6400 RPM | |
| Engine | V12, 6.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | V6, Twin Turbo, 3.0 Liter | V8, Supercharged, 6.2 Liter | |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD | AWD | RWD |
1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Rankings
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