Early R129s

[Garista]

Hello, my new old 300SL, 1991 base model, does not have some stuff: no auto air con, no headlamp washers, no adjustable steering wheel, no airbags, it was originally sold in Germany, first service was in Sept 1991 and that's the earliest record I have. Are these characteristics of early models or was the buyer just stingy?

 

[Monday]

Hello, my new old 300SL, 1991 base model, does not have some stuff: no auto air con, no headlamp washers, no adjustable steering wheel, no airbags, it was originally sold in Germany, first service was in Sept 1991 and that's the earliest record I have. Are these characteristics of early models or was the buyer just stingy?

Stingy but with a reason! My first MB when I came back to UK in 1997 was a C180 saloon. Everything was extra: auto, aircon, folding mirrors, alloy wheels, sunroof, even the radio. If it was a company car, you were given an 'extras' figure - anything above that you paid for yourself. BMW were just as bad.
So I guess your original owner just took the base model.

 

[LostKiwi]

The 300SL was the entry level SL so was de-specced to make it more affordable. The 500 came with more kit and a bigger price tag and the 600 more again with an even bigger price tag.

Also being a German model it will likely have had a different spec to UK cars.

 

[davidsl500]

The Germans weren't into sunroofs either...

 

[00slk]

Don't worry, there are still stingy owners out there ordering base models, our SLK has not one extra, not even sat nav.......No hang on there's, no not one

 

[Garista]

Actually I prefer the base model 300sl, and the baser the better, lol, but I have a switch that looks like snow chains on a tyre. Is that what it is, for running with snow chains? I have found it is 1990 model in 744 on both top and Sacco panels.

Trying to find mat paint 744, or matting agent to touch up the panels. Any ideas?

 

[Garista]

Also, has no side marker lights, no central locking. But a glove compartment!

 

[LostKiwi]

Also, has no side marker lights, no central locking. But a glove compartment!

How do you mean no side marker lights?
I've never heard of an SL without central locking. Are you sure it just not working?
Remove the cover for the battery in the rear. The CL pump is up on the right on a small shelf below the fuel filler. It has a bunch of yellow pipes off it and a rubber one to the fuel filler flap. If the filler neck rubber leaks, water will drop onto the pump killing it. This is what happened to mine.

 

[Garista]

How do you mean no side marker lights?
I've never heard of an SL without central locking. Are you sure it just not working?
Remove the cover for the battery in the rear. The CL pump is up on the right on a small shelf below the fuel filler. It has a bunch of yellow pipes off it and a rubber one to the fuel filler flap. If the filler neck rubber leaks, water will drop onto the pump killing it. This is what happened to mine.

Hi. No it has no central locking. Just ordinary keys.
You know, the side indicator lights, small ones on the wings. Some do not have them.
It does have tempo mat cruise control, must have been new then because there is a red card leaflet additional to the user manual.

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

Seems that you have a bit of a “one off” there…


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[davidsl500]

Also, has no side marker lights, no central locking. But a glove compartment!

Whats your VIN ?

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

this is where we found out it’s a rare prototype


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[Hotspur]

When you are looking at real classics like yours, the extras are just dressing...not important...the car is the star...

 

[00slk]

...............................................I've never heard of an SL without central locking.................................................

W198, 121, 113, 107

 

[LostKiwi]

W198, 121, 113, 107

Smart 'arris..... I meant 129.

 

[00slk]

Smart 'arris..... I meant 129.

 

[SL63 Mark]

The OP has disappeared ? D

 

[Garista]

this is where we found out it’s a rare prototype


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Yeah I wish!

I'm still here, and working on the car, just small things.

I am wondering why every other early 300 SL from this year that I've seen gets a 17 fiscal rating here in France but mine has 21, could it be this has no cat? And it seems strange not to have air bags, but I guess the original owner did not like them.

It is a bit unusual to have all one colour in original paint also (744), was that possible to choose?

Looking at 1989 models, all of them somehow seem later than this... Is there a list of what you could expect as standard on the base model in 1991?

By the way I think I was wrong, it maybe did at least have vacuum central locking because there is some sort of rubber box with yellow wires to it above the battery area, have not had time to study it yet though - trying to fix the wiper/ignition switch. The vacuum type central locking I presume just needed ordinary traditional keys which is what I have? There is no provision for an electronic key.

I found it was made February 1991, the date is under the steering wheel cover thing.

The car is no slouch and is great to drive. One thing I notice is that I have to warm up before sporty driving, or if I rev too high the auto clutch sort of decouples from the gear and `I have to go easier, but when it is happy it goes like nuts. Is this a normal thing? This is my first SL so I have all these questions, ha ha!

 

[Garista]

Whats your VIN ?

Its WDB 129060 1F 044788

 

[davidsl500]

<a href="https://www.lastvin.com/vin/Grj0VEM7vDrAOlM4n">Mercedes-Benz datacard</a>