R129 sl 500 cam belt change cost

[Andrew Leonard]

Hi all. Looking at a sl500 for the summer
It’s a r reg with 142k miles On the click
The owner had had it for 9 years never had the timing belt done. Do these need to be changed ? And what’s approx the cost please? It’s got the 32v m119 engine
Cheers Andy

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome,

Duplex timing chain and not a common issue them failing

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

Hi,

As above. If the engine has been looked after properly it will be just about be “run in” at 142k.
Just make sure that everything works correctly and try the soft top a few times. It should have the five speed gearbox and this should be smooth and should have had a fluid change (atf) every 40k or so.
Plenty of information on here regarding the 129’s. Lovely cars and the 119 engine is possibly the best engine.


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[Andrew Leonard]

Thanks guys

 

[LostKiwi]

The m119 engine is superb and as mentioned has a duplex timing chain.
A very very very small number have had issues with the plastic timing chain guides and there was an issue with cam oilers on a similarly small number (it seems predominantly in the US for some reason).
Overall the m119 is probably one of the best engines Mercedes produced.

Negatives are that it's not economical, there are very few tuning parts available (if that's your thing), on 1993 to 1995 cars the wiring loom can self destruct (Mercedes introduced a new biodegradable insulation material that biodegrades too quickly in areas of heat - particularly top of engine and throttle body) and catalytic converters are vulnerable to damage (but cheap to replace).
Cars fitted with distributors can eat caps and rotors and are sensitive to tired ignition components and can suffer from condensation in the caps - easily fixed.
Don't write off the 4 speed automatic - it's a simple pure hydraulic gearbox that's strong, reliable and smooth. The early 5 speed is simply a 4 speed with an electronically controlled 5th gear bolted on and is not as reliable. The later 5 speed is fully electronic and better than the early 5 speed. The only benefit to the 5 speed is slightly better economy and a little more relaxed cruising.
One thing to be aware of is that the 4 speed and early 5 speed will pull away in 2nd gear unless forced by manually shifting it to 1st (L) or by engaging full throttle off the line. This is normal and never an issue in normal circumstances.
I've had my 93 r129 (4 speed) for 4 years and even my other half has realised I'll never sell it. There's something very special about them.

 

[Andrew Leonard]

Thanks the one I’m looking at is a March 1998 sl500 In black
I noticed the insulation inside the bonnet lid has nearly all eroded is this a problem ?

 

[LostKiwi]

Thanks the one I’m looking at is a March 1998 sl500 In black
I noticed the insulation inside the bonnet lid has nearly all eroded is this a problem ?

A 1998 will have the distributorless engine and electronic 5 speed. A nice combination.
The bonnet liner is a common thing to have disintegrated and is easy to replace. They get damaged by heat, age and tired engine mounts.
Open the bonnet, start the engine, select D and gently press the throttle pedal whilst pushing the brake pedal to stop the car moving. If the engine lifts by more that an inch or so the mounts need replacing. Repeat in R. If one mount needs doing replace both.

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

All this good info eh.
It should come complete with its hard top and wind deflector, these where not extras. They came with the car.
As LK’s post above, fairly unlikely to sell mine either, they are just nice imho.


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[Andrew Leonard]

Cheers all yes it’s got the hard top and the black wind deflector the folding roof didn’t work when I viewed it. The owner said a switch in the door needs replacing

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

Regarding the roof not working, the switch in the door might be the window down micro switch BUT it could be one or more of many switches.
Did the hard top release and trust you have removed that, not just taken the owners word.
I presume that someone has tried resetting the windows before trying the roof ??. It may be that the battery has gone flat wind they have lost their position.

If the roof isn’t working you won’t know the condition of it or the windows in it either.

Room for negotiation there.

Sorry for all the questions and picky pointers but just trying to be helpful. Lovely cars but roof problems could get expensive, could be the roof module itself.


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[LostKiwi]

You really need to see the roof operate at least once or as a minimum have it diagnosed on Star before parting with any money (unless you can get a sizeable discount).
Roof modules can run to 4 figures....
The roof itself is time consuming to replace - budget £800 for a specialist to do. You can DIY it but I wouldn't.
Leaking roof latches and operating cylinders are fairly cheap to sort though can involve quite a bit of dismantling.
A little word of warning on r129s - parts are rarely cheap. They can seriously drain wallets if you need electronic modules. A MAF for example is the wrong side of £1000.

 

[Andrew Leonard]

Cheers again yes we both had to lift the hard top off he kept trying to release something but it wasn’t happening . I’m having 2nd thoughts now tbh.
We have sort of agreed a price of £7000 for the car. Was gonna go and collect it next weekend if the lock down is slightly lifted

 

[LostKiwi]

Its possible to use the special roof tool to manually open and close the roof. Its not easy but is doable.
How many miles has the car done and what is the overall condition?
£7000 for a 1998 M119 isn't an unreasonable amount if the rest stacks up ok.

 

[Andrew Leonard]

It’s done 142k I believe now. In black. Fsh 2 owners I’d say good not brilliant condition

 

[LostKiwi]

So probably realistically worth £8500 - 9000 as a private sale. A nice one will go for 10+ private at that age and in a dealer up to £16k

The big thing is the roof is an unknown quantity but to offset that you probably have enough at 7k to sort it.
R129s are increasing in value now having reached the bottom of the curve a couple of years back so its unlikely you would lose too much.

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

£7k seems a fair price if it is a reasonable car. As LK says they can demand a lot more.
Also depends on the options it has got, eg: pano (glass) roof, memory seats, Bose sound system. The tool kit should contain the tools to open the roof.


Have a look for rust, especially on the front wheel arches and often above the rear number plate in the centre by the boot seal.

If it is a good car with a roof problem, take it for a good test drive, make sure everything works including the ac and if everything else is good, I would take the risk.
Just allow money for a big repair. If it’s a simple fix, you have a nice car at a good price. If it costs some money you will have a nicer car.

Have you seen or driven any other SL500’s to compare.
It is 22 years old too.
Where abouts are you on the off chance that someone on here is nearby for a bit of advice, support.


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[LostKiwi]

Exactly as above.
My own 129 (1993 500SL) has been a great car and I absolutely love it. I bartered the price down because I bought it with some issues (wiring harness, split plastic windows) and fixed it for less than I negotiated off the price.
I would point out it's not my daily drive for 10 months of the year and I do have alternative transportation if required but have yet to be let down.
As above at £7k I'd probably go for it if everything else checks out (though in my view a Pano roof is not much benefit as my hardtop is hardly ever on the car). Makes for easier sale though as many view them as desirable.

 

[Andrew Leonard]

This one doesn’t have the pano roof just the normal hard top

 

[LostKiwi]

Did you agree the £7k before or after he failed to get the roof open?

 

[Andrew Leonard]

Did you agree the £7k before or after he failed to get the roof open?

Hi mate. Before the roof but he paid about £50 for it to be fixed he said. Just a switch in the door he said another thing I noticed was I’m under the bonnet at the front is the engine is 2 x bars. They looked quite rusted ?