R129 air con (or no air con) in a 300SL-24 - thoughts??

[XB70]

I am considering an R129 300SL or 300SL-24 and there are a few of them that have popped up that do not have airconditioning.

Putting aside the sellers comments that it is a convertible (err...not when you have the hardtop on it and if you are in hot weather, do you just abandon it by the side of the road??) I was wondering what people's experience of non-air con is (I am from Oz where to get a car without aircon is to pretty much mean that you will not be able to sell the car).

Here in the UK or travelling to Europe (which is what we would use it for) has anyone any experience of a non-air con equipped R129?

Its absence means that the dreaded 'evaporator' problem won't have to be worried about but I am also thinking resale.

Just as a side note, have went to see 2 300SL's so far and the first thing I wanted to check, and made it clear before I went, was the soft top operation and the hard top mechanism.

When I got there, was met with wonder why I would want to check it and that "it works, trust me". Pressing the point, car A - hardtop would not even detach and car B - three of the 4 pins released - number 4 did not.

And they wonder why I did not go any further



I've found this place to be a wealth of info so far

Many thanks

James

 

[television]

I can asure you that air con/climate control is very welcome when the top is down on a warm day. Re top control the ECU can be repaired but allow £1500 for a nice car with faulty hood. Up to 06/95 most of the car was from the 124 after that date it had more in common with the 140.
Re roof not releasing, the pistons in the hydraulic catches have O rings faulty these were made in Austria, an easy job to do yourself.

Malcolm

 

[mlc]

XB70,

I think that you have been unlucky and talking to the wrong sellers, the whole point of a convertable is to drive with the roof down (IMHO) as much as possible. With our cars if its not raining the roof is down, but we are daft Northerners. The hardtop hasnt been fitted to the SL this winter.

I personally wouldnt consider a car without AC (even our kidsy Ford Ka has AC) and I am amazed that 129's are out their without it. The handbook for our SLK basically tells you that your can turn the AC off, but they dont recommend it as an essential system at all times.

Good luck with the car hunt.

Mark

 

[television]

I am amazed that 129's are out their without it.
Mark[/QUOTE]

Me to, I had to look it up,and re do what I had said. It became standard 96 or 98 on. funny thing is that the 124 had the option of climate/aircon, the 129 did not have this option. from 98 most options on the earlier models became standard

Malcolm

 

[XB70]

Thanks for the replies - I agree completely and would have the top down in any weather except rain - even then, I would see if enough speed would create an airflow over the car that kept the raindrops away.

I agree - sound like I have been looking at the wrong cars.

I have read on the US forums about the dreaded evaporator problem that was in the W140 sedans and the coupe's of the same series - were these also a problem in the R129 and has anyone here in the UK had to have that issue resolved?

The last car I had a look at had non-leather - had the chessboard fabric instead! I cannot believe that on a car that was that expensive, that air con and leather were an option!

Many thanks

James

 

[television]

Most of the air con is from 124, so easier to check on that serries, From my experience they are no worse or better than any other car, I put up a thread some time ago, If you turn the Air con off a few miles before the end of your journey, the avaporator will dry before you park the car and not rot away, this applies to summer use, you have all seen the puddle of water under the car.

Malcolm

 

[XB70]

The search continues for an SL...although the CL series (W140 class) is looking very tempting!

I am amazed at how many bad examples there are although one that looked promising refused to let the car be inspected independently and got quite abusive for no reason...perhaps because the wiring loom/roof mechanism/asr/evaporator was shot??? *grin*

I pass a 300SL-24 on my street and hope to talk to the owner for his comments and thoughts but I can see the prices rising as we get into the warmer months!

 

[television]

James stick it out, it will be worth it, there are some nice ones out there.
I do not know where you are, but if any come up for sale down here in the West Country, I will always go and have a look for you.

Malcolm

 

[angus falconer]

I pass a 300SL-24 on my street and hope to talk to the owner for his comments and thoughts but I can see the prices rising as we get into the warmer months!

Should be pretty cheap this week then....

 

[television]

Should be pretty cheap this week then....

Yep!!! I was topless this time last year :wink:

Malcolm

 

[kahuna500]

Evaporator replacement

Reference the earlier question regarding the 'dreaded evaporator problem'. My W140 had the evaporator and receiver/drier replaced by the previous owner as part of the deal when I bought it. The cost was £1200 plus VAT using an air-con specialist to do the work. It needs the dashboard and heater box taken out to get at it.

 

[television]

Early 129's use the same air con as 124's around 1996-7 it has more in common with the 140 to the end of its life in 2001
As Kahuna 500 says the whole dash has to be taken off, this is so with the 129 but it is quite easy to do. from my point I would rather do it myself, to minimize the risk of damage. early ones without the airbag are simple to dismantle.

Malcolm