R129 SL

[dbanbery]

I'm considering buying one of these as a toy, getting a bit bored with my current plaything....

Ive always liked the R129, and i would be ticking it off my bucket list by having one i think.

I've had a read, there was a brilliant website with pages of information talking about the different specs of the years they were built. The plan [as it normally is with me] is to buy something that needs work...

my ideal would be R129 SL 500, 1997 model, still the better engine but with a few newer toys, and the 5 speed autobox.

Realistically, i'll probably be looking at the earlier 500, with the 4 speed box though, since i'm inherrently tight with buying cars.

it seems you can get a good one for £3.5k with average mileage. which i think is cheap. my rules so far are as follows:

not bothered about mileage
interior needs to be cream or black [dark grey would be OK though if it was silver]
exterior colour not really that important
needs to have amber indicators
8 hole alloys preferential, don't want AMGs tbh [not a deal breaker i dont think]
needs to have the matching hard top
good history preferential
typical good condition preferred, but if there is something that needs fixing as long as its not a full paint job then i dont mind things that need fixing.
roof needs to work
needs to not have had a rear end shunt, i may venture into the likes of salvage, if something has had a light tap and needs a bonnet and a wing [if you get me]
not interested in the 280, 300 and 320, i want a V8! and the 600 is said to be too heavy, and its too expensive anyway.


i just wanted to start a discussion about them and get some feedback from actual owners. i'm a bit peeved that they don't do a manual, but i think thats part of what the SL is anyway.

 

[hairyg]

I can't see any problem with your specification, there should be quite a few to choose from. A lot of people have the same idea of preferring the 500 over all the other engines, so there will probably be a small premium to pay to find the right car.

Depending where you are in the country it is a good idea to watch for classic car auctions. These often have R129s listed and hammer prices look quite realistic, at least the ones I've attended.

 

[dbanbery]

sounds good. i will start watching this sort of thing at some point.

tbh there doesnt seem to be much of a price difference between the 300, 320, and 500 tbh, unless you are trying to go for a later model.obvs there will be cheaper 6 pot ones, but i dont really see much of a price difference at all.

 

[television]

Go for the 500, its a good lump and you know that makes sense

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

You have not included a panoramic roof on the wish list. I started my quest for one 18 mths ago and ended up paying a bit more than I had originally planned. I have a 99, 500 with the 24 valve engine. (a bit less power but better economy)
LOADS of fun, just been a lousy year to own a soft top.
It had a few small problems but have solved them all, except one; with information from this forum.

 

[television]

The pano roof was a 98 on thing, though they will fit

 

[dbanbery]

i'm pretty solid on the engine. the earlier 500 is the one.

not fussed about that pano roof, it would be a bonus, but i'm not fussed about it.

one thing i am concerned about is the gearbox.

in my experience the 4g tronic [4 speed, correct me if i'm wrong] is absolutely bullet proof.

i would see a 5g tronic [5 speed?] as a more attractive option, but is this the similar box to the W203s where they are meant to be sealed from factory, and you have problems with the going pop? [i think the number is 722.6 isnt it?]

if this is the case, then i would rather go for the 4g! i love the early exterior tbh, the two tone bodywork and the flush bumpers... lol

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-...mobiles_UK&hash=item2a1ac385f4#ht_1166wt_1270

this is the sort of thing i'm eyeing up

 

[television]

The 5 speed 722.6 did not start til 06-06, the 3,4 and 5 speed are all good boxes.

The 129066 500 from the start till 06-96 had the 722.353 3 speed gear box

 

[dbanbery]

"From 1990 - 1995 the SL500 used a boring hydraulic 4-speed transmission. It was boring because it didn't usually downshift when punched. A much improved 5-speed electronic transmission was introduced in 1996 and used through today. The 5-speed automatic greatly improves the driving experience because it downshifts instantly, as well as adding a fuel saving overdrive."

from here:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/sl/r129history.htm

i didnt think it was a 3 speed!

 

[dbanbery]

which box in my dads W203 C220 CDI and his C270 CDI which is the electronic one?

this is the one i was getting at...?

 

[television]

it still uses the 722.353, maybe that is a 4 speed listed in the EPC till 06-96

 

[television]

which box in my dads W203 C220 CDI and his C270 CDI which is the electronic one?

this is the one i was getting at...?

This will be the 722,6 that started after 06-96

 

[dbanbery]

it still uses the 722.353, maybe that is a 4 speed listed in the EPC till 06-96

anyways, so the electronic boxes are OK then?

aah thats where you threw me, i read it as 06-06!

 

[television]

anyways, so the electronic boxes are OK then?

aah thats where you threw me, i read it as 06-06!

The 722353 is not an electric box, it uses a vacuum to get the soft gear changes, we hardly ever get any problems with this box

 

[Rockall]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-...mobiles_UK&hash=item2a1ac385f4#ht_1166wt_1270

this is the sort of thing i'm eyeing up[/QUOTE]

Nice car but I cannot see any mileage quoted -why?
Regards

Bill

 

[television]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-...mobiles_UK&hash=item2a1ac385f4#ht_1166wt_1270

this is the sort of thing i'm eyeing up

Nice car but I cannot see any mileage quoted -why?
Regards

Bill[/QUOTE]

That looks clean,, I see the price was £5999 in the blurb below

 

[stevieb15]

i'm pretty solid on the engine. the earlier 500 is the one.

not fussed about that pano roof, it would be a bonus, but i'm not fussed about it.

one thing i am concerned about is the gearbox.

in my experience the 4g tronic [4 speed, correct me if i'm wrong] is absolutely bullet proof.

i would see a 5g tronic [5 speed?] as a more attractive option, but is this the similar box to the W203s where they are meant to be sealed from factory, and you have problems with the going pop? [i think the number is 722.6 isnt it?]

if this is the case, then i would rather go for the 4g! i love the early exterior tbh, the two tone bodywork and the flush bumpers... lol

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-...mobiles_UK&hash=item2a1ac385f4#ht_1166wt_1270

this is the sort of thing i'm eyeing up[/

If you haven't already done so, make sure you spend some time in one with a panoramic roof before making a positive choice, it really creates a fabulous environment in the winter.

 

[dbanbery]

Nice car but I cannot see any mileage quoted -why?
Regards

Bill

That looks clean,, I see the price was £5999 in the blurb below[/QUOTE]

Yeah i saw that too

 

[Richard Moakes]

The early 4 speed gearbox might not be as responsive as the 5 speed, but it is reliable.

As an owner of an early 500SL, I can tell you from experience they are very well built, but no matter how well built a car is, 20 years plus of wear and tear will take it's toll on rubber and plastic components so expect to have to replace some parts.

In my view the early two tone car with orange indicators is a classic look, the later cars are just too 'modern' looking.

Mind you, I would like a pano roof

 

[television]

The early 4 speed gearbox might not be as responsive as the 5 speed, but it is reliable.

As an owner of an early 500SL, I can tell you from experience they are very well built, but no matter how well built a car is, 20 years plus of wear and tear will take it's toll on rubber and plastic components so expect to have to replace some parts.

In my view the early two tone car with orange indicators is a classic look, the later cars are just too 'modern' looking.

Mind you, I would like a pano roof

These roofs often come up on Ebay Richard, easy to adjust and fit,,,I have all the details if ever you get one,,, when I had mine back in 2005 they sold for around then £250 mark and easy to change the colour.