Price of R129

MBFAN

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I can't believe the price of R129's at the moment. They seem to have dropped so much over the last few years. Things like escorts and minis are commanding higher prices. Surely the prices have to begin to rise again soon. What's your opinion ?
 

s5tuart

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I can't comment about the last few years, but having recently searched for and bought a MY2000 SL500 I know that there are some cars out there that appear really cheap.
However, once you look closely, the real bargains are actually few and far between, with many of the cars needing a substantial "slush" fund to bring them up to a standard that many of us would be satisfied with.
Lots of the cheap cars I considered seemed as though the previous owner(s) were seduced by the solidity and presence of the 129 but perhaps hadn't considered the running costs and thus neglected regular care.

I don't think it's easy to find a near perfect car for much less than £10K. I consider myself lucky to have found mine for around that price. It has all the nice things the late 129's came with.
The SL shop has some great cars, and they manage to sell them fairly high, probably because of their reputation.

I admit it hasn't sold yet, but someone is advertising a Silver Arrow R129 at £30K...........
 

toby1

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They are excellent value for money if you get a good one
 

television

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No run of the mill cars are worth that much anymore, the country is sinking under the amount for sale, the dealers are all full, car lots are bulging to their seams. Classics are the exception.
 

mikestrivens

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as you say an astonishingly low price, but probably no more than its worth given the age and mileage.
 

deejaybee

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Seems like it was a good buy for whoever got it.

I guess selling on e-bay is never going to result in a top price except for rare or unusual stuff, so this probably represents the lower band of private sale price.

But now is definitely the right time to buy this type of car, especially if you are after a larger engine model - the general market just has no real demand and there are not that many "enthusiasts" out there looking to buy.

If you can take your time to look at as many as you can. I think with the market as it is there will be some real gems out there without having to pay the premium prices demanded by the specialist retailers.
 

Richard Moakes

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Unfortunately, R129's are now pretty much at the bottom of the J curve for value.

Right now they are falling into the wrong hands, people who want Mercedes SL prestige for Mini prices. Maintenance will be missed, cheap tyres will be fitted and the cars will be abused and destroyed very quickly.

Now is the time to buy a good one, maintain it properly and keep it, once supply of the bad cars has dried up, the good cars will start to increase in value.
 

ShinyF1

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This SL500 couldn't raise more than £6,100 on ebay last year

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2000-MERC...lk_rvr_id=499091435182&afsrc=1#ht_1107wt_1151

Someone had a punt and it was back on ebay in March this year at £8,995.

Now it's July and a dealer in Lymington has it for either £12,990 or £14,990 depending where you look.

http://www.hillsoflymington.co.uk/u...ass-500-sl-2dr-auto-lymington-201319512750024

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MERCEDES-...utomobiles_UK&clk_rvr_id=499097001240&afsrc=1

Now that is inflation for you, or of course it could be a a true reflection of the value? I wonder what they paid for it

I just don't like the colour... They do have a fab looking dark blue one though for a similar price..
 
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Mic

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This SL500 couldn't raise more than £6,100 on ebay last year

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2000-MERC...lk_rvr_id=499091435182&afsrc=1#ht_1107wt_1151

Someone had a punt and it was back on ebay in March this year at £8,995.

Now it's July and a dealer in Lymington has it for either £12,990 or £14,990 depending where you look.

http://www.hillsoflymington.co.uk/u...ass-500-sl-2dr-auto-lymington-201319512750024

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MERCEDES-...utomobiles_UK&clk_rvr_id=499097001240&afsrc=1

Now that is inflation for you, or of course it could be a a true reflection of the value? I wonder what they paid for it

I just don't like the colour... They do have a fab looking dark blue one though for a similar price..

Hills of Lymington have had a mention on this Forum before and if I remember correctly it was not favourable.....but then my memory can be faulty.

Mic
 

s5tuart

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Hills of Lymington have had a mention on this Forum before and if I remember correctly it was not favourable.....but then my memory can be faulty.

Mic

That poor car was up for sale in April at £8.5K. I remember the private seller being quite grumpy about it when asked if he bought it for £6K the year before!
It appears to be going up in price until someone buys it. Weird selling technique.
Post number 33 on this page http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=116246&page=4
 

davidsl500

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I don't think the price of fuel is helping any at the moment. Its the same old story, large engined cars suffer in tough economic climates. Many people don't appreciate that a car that cost £70k new may only be £6K now - but its running costs, maintained properly, are still relative to the original price of the car. The only good( and bad )thing is that the cars fall into the wrong hands and get scrapped when owners are faced with a large repair bill. Hopefully, at some stage the prices will increase again as they become rarer with all the scrappage that seems to be going on.
 

television

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Alex is selling his 129 a nice 2 owner example 1994
 

AnilS

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I've currently got mine up for sale on Pistonheads and some of the enquiries I've had have been down right rude. :mad:

People ringing without seeing the car, offering half the asking price! Stupid and not well informed. Some seem to know very little about the actual car ........................................................... is it a diesel?:confused:

If it doesn't sell, I'll keep it. No issues with that all.

The sun is out so I thought I'd chance it. Maybe it's a limited market or no one wants to spend money (or both). Pricing also seems quite random on the internet.

The only genuine enquiry was a really decent chap. Knew the car. Loved it, but the sale of his car fell through so couldn't complete. Think he was more gutted than me.
 

prwales

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given that nearly all but the earliest of these cars all have electronic fuel injection why aren't more converted to use lpg, just a thought, I know the image is wrong but it would mean they are in use
 

robparker

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Yep, at least they would be affordable to run then
 

prwales

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Yep, at least they would be affordable to run then

and as these cars are [along with the w140 series cars] the best made Mercs ever, they are capable of huge mileages
 


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