Before i buy a R129 SL500 - buyer beware?

[Inglewood]

Hello - i am thinking about a 1998 SL500 (S reg) and the one i have seen has a 'few things 'in need of fixing - any horror stories out there to warn me of please?

In no particular order:
1 - bonnet insulation in need of replacement
2 - front grill only slightly silvery a bit discolored
3 - Air con works fine but the digital display window LCD's quite hard to read what its doing
4 - side bolster drivers seat will need fixing
5 - soft top in need of a bit of TLC with no rips just been stored in the closed position for 5 years
6 - no original hardtop stand or cover
7 - lastly the blue pearlescent paintwork (looks slightly green in some light) is sound with no rust but quite a few chips and couple of scratches - is a full sprayer in order or can it be done in sections that need doing

Thank you - happy to speak on the phone if its easier to chat over

Mark
07766 733991

 

[LostKiwi]

Hi and welcome.

To answer your questions.
1. Neither difficult nor overly expensive.
2. May clean up with a suitable metal polish.
3. Plenty available on eBay usually.
4. What's wrong with it?
5. Will probably be fine after a bit of use. It's in 2 sections so can be replaced as either front or rear section if necessary. Rear windows are normally the issue with clouding or cracking. Clean with soapy water and a nail brush and if necessary Renovo.
6. The hardtop stand never came with the car. Nor did the cover for when it's on the stand. Stands are readily available.
7. Speak to a bodyshop as it depends on how bad it is.

 

[Inglewood]

Thanks LostKiwi

3 - will the aircon unit display panel be a separate item and not come as a complete unit (and expensive) - perhaps a company who deals with LCD repairs could fix it?
4- the side bolster has a small tear and obvious wear in the usual place

Cheers

Mark

 

[LostKiwi]

Thanks LostKiwi

3 - will the aircon unit display panel be a separate item and not come as a complete unit (and expensive) - perhaps a company who deals with LCD repairs could fix it?
4- the side bolster has a small tear and obvious wear in the usual place

Cheers

Mark

The panel comes as a complete unit.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/163752668079

If yours is the earlier version it's much more expensive....
It's sometimes worth searching for the part number as often parts are shared across models and can be cheaper for other models that don't have the "SL tax".

If it's ripped speak to a leather specialist.

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

Hi and welcome too,

Just to add,

1. Got mine from German fleabay and used trimfix to attach it.
3. Mine is often difficult to read but sorts it self out with regular use.

Just ensure that everything works a few times, check out any history, servicing paperwork

Nice cars to own and drive, enjoy it if you buy it and there is plenty of info and help available here.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[worldbiker]

I think I've got a spare digital display - I bought one thinking that was the problem but didn't need it. I'll have a sort out at the weekend and let you know the part no. My car is a 1997 SL320.

(Just been down to workshop & found it. Part no. is 202 830 1485. I seem to remember that I swapped it over and it all worked but I still had the same problem, which was nothing to do with the display. If you're interested you can try it and return it if it doesn't suit.)

I replaced the insulation under the bonnet with a kit from the SL Shop - piece of p*ss.

Bought a hardtop stand and cover from Germany and I think it cost less than £100. (Correction - bought from eBay for £70!)

 

[Inglewood]

I think I've got a spare digital display - I bought one thinking that was the problem but didn't need it. I'll have a sort out at the weekend and let you know the part no. My car is a 1997 SL320.

(Just been down to workshop & found it. Part no. is 202 830 1485. I seem to remember that I swapped it over and it all worked but I still had the same problem, which was nothing to do with the display. If you're interested you can try it and return it if it doesn't suit.)

I replaced the insulation under the bonnet with a kit from the SL Shop - piece of p*ss.

Bought a hardtop stand and cover from Germany and I think it cost less than £100. (Correction - bought from eBay for £70!)

Thank you that’s great - i am just about to ‘discuss’ the purchase price of the SL500 with its current owner?
Wish me luck and if successful i will be in touch (approx where are you in London)?

Cheers, Mark

 

[worldbiker]

Hi Mark,
My office is in Rainham, Essex, just off A13. If you're close to here you can pop over in it and we can swap it out - takes 5 minutes.

Hope the purchase goes well.