Newbie Looking for a car but which one!

[Gary Toth]

love the look of the R107 looking at a 380sl 82ish to avoid the chain problem but the 129 seams a safer bet I'm a older person so tare assing around is not on the list. there are a few nice looking ones with a full history for around the 8k which seams a bit cheap helpppppp
please
Gary
in answer around 15k.lol

 

[SmartAmg]

Welcome, Gary, good luck with the search.

 

[Gary Toth]

Hi
I'm new to this site and was looking for some help, half my other post did not seam to post . Im looking for a car a r107 or 129 looking at a 380 107 at present 8 owners 82 plate service history looks good 8k is that to cheap? any pointers would be good budget about the 15k mark.
Gary

 

[Gary Toth]

Welcome, Gary, good luck with the search.

Thanks do you like the 350?

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome,

I’ve nailed your threads together for you

 

[LostKiwi]

Hi
I'm new to this site and was looking for some help, half my other post did not seam to post . Im looking for a car a r107 or 129 looking at a 380 107 at present 8 owners 82 plate service history looks good 8k is that to cheap? any pointers would be good budget about the 15k mark.
Gary

8k does seem cheap for a 107. Beware of rusty bulkheads on these, behind the heater (where the heater drains are).

If looking at 129s be aware of a couple of things.
The 24v 320 inline 6 is prone to head gasket failure around 100k miles.
Once done they're generally fine for the rest of the cars life.
The early 500s used mechanical fuel injection (L-Jetronic) and twin distributors. This was the most powerful version at 326bhp.
In 1993 they moved to electronic K-Jetronic and twin distributors and the power dropped to 322 bhp. From 1993 to 1995 Mercedes used a new biodegradable insulation on the wiring loom. It disintegrated much too early and you need to check if it's been done or negotiate some money off to do it.
In 1995 they got rid of the distributor and went to coil on plug. This is arguably the best of them although slightly less power than previously.
All V8s up until around 1998 came with a 4 speed gearbox that sets off in second under normal circumstances. If you prod hard it will shift to first. There was a 5 speed option that is effectively a 4 speed with an electronically controlled 5th gear.
In 1998 they went to a fully electronic 5 speed. Around 1999/2000 the m119 32v V8 (arguably the best V8 MB produced) was replaced with the m113 24v V8 and power decreased to 302 hp.
It's generally thought the best r129 is the m119 with the electronic gearbox from 98 on. That said I do love my 1993 car.
MB also offered ADS - an oleo pneumatic suspension system based on the Citroen oleo-pneumatic one. This was an option and has the ability to hydraulically raise and lower the car and adjust damper settings. It was the precursor to the ABC system fitted to the next SL, the r230.

 

[A.J.]

Hi Gary, welcome to the forum and the MB world

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

Hi and welcome,

A few 129 owners on here so plenty of advice available, as LK’s informative post above. I am sure if you search for 129 on here you will find lots of useful info.
Nice cars to own and drive.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Gary Toth]

Hello and welcome,

I’ve nailed your threads together for you

thanks

8k does seem cheap for a 107. Beware of rusty bulkheads on these, behind the heater (where the heater drains are).

If looking at 129s be aware of a couple of things.
The 24v 320 inline 6 is prone to head gasket failure around 100k miles.
Once done they're generally fine for the rest of the cars life.
The early 500s used mechanical fuel injection (L-Jetronic) and twin distributors. This was the most powerful version at 326bhp.
In 1993 they moved to electronic K-Jetronic and twin distributors and the power dropped to 322 bhp. From 1993 to 1995 Mercedes used a new biodegradable insulation on the wiring loom. It disintegrated much too early and you need to check if it's been done or negotiate some money off to do it.
In 1995 they got rid of the distributor and went to coil on plug. This is arguably the best of them although slightly less power than previously.
All V8s up until around 1998 came with a 4 speed gearbox that sets off in second under normal circumstances. If you prod hard it will shift to first. There was a 5 speed option that is effectively a 4 speed with an electronically controlled 5th gear.
In 1998 they went to a fully electronic 5 speed. Around 1999/2000 the m119 32v V8 (arguably the best V8 MB produced) was replaced with the m113 24v V8 and power decreased to 302 hp.
It's generally thought the best r129 is the m119 with the electronic gearbox from 98 on. That said I do love my 1993 car.
MB also offered ADS - an oleo pneumatic suspension system based on the Citroen oleo-pneumatic one. This was an option and has the ability to hydraulically raise and lower the car and adjust damper settings. It was the precursor to the ABC system fitted to the next SL, the r230.

 

[Gary Toth]

Thanks very much, very informative. I do like the shape of them, the 129s every one says its the better car and safer bet. But my way of thinking is if later is better then i got to tax it and insure it not on a classic I might as well buy one around the 07 plate and be done. its going to be a toy anyway, Thats way I fancied a 107 no tax low insurance as lots of chrome to polish. I've a few toys and it get expensive with the tax and insurance but still cheaper than the ex -wife.

 

[John Laidlaw]

welcome Gary
129 is a very nice car indeed, LK above has pointed out what to look for generally so you are set to search...only other comment was (and this was an issue for me), you need somewhere to store the hard top in the summer- and if possible buy the lifting device to help you get it on and off...

 

[John Laidlaw]

Thanks very much, very informative. I do like the shape of them, the 129s every one says its the better car and safer bet. But my way of thinking is if later is better then i got to tax it and insure it not on a classic I might as well buy one around the 07 plate and be done. its going to be a toy anyway, Thats way I fancied a 107 no tax low insurance as lots of chrome to polish. I've a few toys and it get expensive with the tax and insurance but still cheaper than the ex -wife.

07 would be a 230 , another SL version and again very nice

 

[LostKiwi]

07 would be a 230 , another SL version and again very nice

....and a whole bag of different problems.....

 

[LostKiwi]

welcome Gary
129 is a very nice car indeed, LK above has pointed out what to look for generally so you are set to search...only other comment was (and this was an issue for me), you need somewhere to store the hard top in the summer- and if possible buy the lifting device to help you get it on and off...

You can easily make a lifting device using a cheap electric (or manual) hoist and a few lifting strops. If you have the roof space secure it above the vehicle or store it vertically on a hardtop stand.

Once good point this raises is that if getting a 129 it should come with both the hardtop and the wind deflector. If it doesn't negotiate the price down.

One thing to bear in mind about the 129 is its just passed the dip in prices and values are increasing again. I bought mine 4 years ago for £4k and its now probably worth between £6-7k.

I get the thing about road tax etc, but in the overall scheme of things where you can pay monthly and SORN it for the months its not used its not a lot of money. My 129 spends 8 months SORNed so the road tax is really pretty minimal, especially compared to some of the parts prices!

They truly are a fabulous car and ours has seen us down to the Med in comfort and style and attracted many admiring glances whilst there. Even MrsLK has realised that the 129 is not to be sold (and she's on a near permanent "Why do we need so may cars?" campaign and has admitted she would get rid of her beloved Mini before getting rid of the 129).

 

[McDonald]

....and a whole bag of different problems.....

A wonderful car. Problems cruelly overstated.

 

[LostKiwi]

A wonderful car. Problems cruelly overstated.

Ask @John Laidlaw .....

(but yes, the 230 is lovely but personally I prefer the 129).

 

[ajlsl600]

....and a whole bag of different problems.....

Laptop diagnostics almost a must r230, would say earlier version an easier diy.

 

[LostKiwi]

Laptop diagnostics almost a must r230, would say earlier version an easier diy.

Yes very true. An early 129 can have codes read with a blink code reader (switch, LED, resistor and a couple of bits of wire).

 

[ajlsl600]

Yes very true. An early 129 can have codes read with a blink code reader (switch, LED, resistor and a couple of bits of wire).

Also a little before Dtf and buy header tank to get level sensor bs

 

[Gary Toth]

8k does seem cheap for a 107. Beware of rusty bulkheads on these, behind the heater (where the heater drains are).

If looking at 129s be aware of a couple of things.
The 24v 320 inline 6 is prone to head gasket failure around 100k miles.
Once done they're generally fine for the rest of the cars life.
The early 500s used mechanical fuel injection (L-Jetronic) and twin distributors. This was the most powerful version at 326bhp.
In 1993 they moved to electronic K-Jetronic and twin distributors and the power dropped to 322 bhp. From 1993 to 1995 Mercedes used a new biodegradable insulation on the wiring loom. It disintegrated much too early and you need to check if it's been done or negotiate some money off to do it.
In 1995 they got rid of the distributor and went to coil on plug. This is arguably the best of them although slightly less power than previously.
All V8s up until around 1998 came with a 4 speed gearbox that sets off in second under normal circumstances. If you prod hard it will shift to first. There was a 5 speed option that is effectively a 4 speed with an electronically controlled 5th gear.
In 1998 they went to a fully electronic 5 speed. Around 1999/2000 the m119 32v V8 (arguably the best V8 MB produced) was replaced with the m113 24v V8 and power decreased to 302 hp.
It's generally thought the best r129 is the m119 with the electronic gearbox from 98 on. That said I do love my 1993 car.
MB also offered ADS - an oleo pneumatic suspension system based on the Citroen oleo-pneumatic one. This was an option and has the ability to hydraulically raise and lower the car and adjust damper settings. It was the precursor to the ABC system fitted to the next SL, the r230.

I since been in touch with a guy who has a 300Sl 24v had a 15k rebuild on Ebay he's looking for 17k ish am I nuts?
Gary