R129s - do they rust?

Alex M Grieve

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I have a 1994 R 129 in super condition and totally rust free.

I am about to go and see one of the last of the 129s produced (2001) - low mileage, better spec.

What is the experience of members on the corrosion of 129s built during the era from which MB have had rust problems? Are 129s as susceptible as other models (202, 210, etc), or were they built in a different place by an established process and are they immune?

Your experience would be very welcome.
 

philmayfield

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I think the r129's were built in Bremen. I have recently bought a low mileage 1999 model and the body is totally rust free. The alloy hardtop has very tiny bubbles on one rear corner. This is easily fixed and is the only known corrosion problem on this model.

Phil
 

television

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The early cars never rust,,be careful of year 2000 on as some parts can rust,, with the silver arrows look carefully in the vent in the side of front wings and bottom of the hard top at the rear bottom corners
 

johnboy615

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I've looked at a few recently for a friend who's thinking of buying. All three of them had rust bubbling on the hard top but nothing else. Looks to be a common fault but IMHO very minor. Good luck in your hunt Eck.
 

100%Bitch

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Have a good look on the front wings, especially around the indicator lens and the bottom leaning edge where it joins the bumper.

Make sure you have a good hoist with a winch for the roof. ;)
 
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Alex M Grieve

Alex M Grieve

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Have a good look on the front wings, especially around the indicator lens and the bottom leaning edge where it joins the bumper.

Make sure you have a good hoist with a winch for the roof. ;)

Sound advice Helen, but are you trying to ratchet up the costs? ;)
 

television

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Have a good look on the front wings, especially around the indicator lens and the bottom leaning edge where it joins the bumper.

Make sure you have a good hoist with a winch for the roof. ;)

I think that this could have been accident damage as it is virtually unheard of
 

100%Bitch

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I think that this could have been accident damage as it is virtually unheard of

They measured the paint and it was no thicker or thinner than it should be so it suggests to me that it hadn't been touched.
 

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They measured the paint and it was no thicker or thinner than it should be so it suggests to me that it hadn't been touched.

Then you had the only one,,unless it was a very late one, as I mentioned
 

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It was a 2001.

The last of them,,yes one that i knew of had bad rust in the side air vents, the 199 that I had was mint,so were the 2000 cars, I wonder why
 

Speedmaster

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My 1999 has no rust on the body except for a very small bubble at the bottom corner of the hard top which does not bother me.

Been out in it with the roof down today and was just thinking, what a fantastic car :)
 
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Alex M Grieve

Alex M Grieve

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Feedback,

I went to see the 2001 (W) 129 SL 500 today. It is in immaculate condition with 33,000 miles on it. It is a run out model, but not a "Silver Arrow", although it is silver with black leather and has a panoramic hard top. Passenger compartment and boot floor look unused.

In particular there was not a trace of rust around the indicators, or vents on the front wings and the wheel arches were pristine.

This would indicate that the 129s might not be subject to the same corrosion problems as other MBs of that year.

Although it was sensibly priced, I did not think it offered that much more than my current car, which I like, so I did not progress the idea.
 

100%Bitch

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Are you sure it was a run-out model? :confused:

Mine was a 2001 on a "Y" and I've seen "51"s and that must be a year later.
 
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Alex M Grieve

Alex M Grieve

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Or a pre ante penultimate.

or even that - so no premium for being one of those then. Still looked a nice car though.

Having said that, I have looked at several nice cars of that ilk recently. In every case they have had their front discs replaced before 50,000 miles, and in this case at 30,000 miles.

As I have never had to replace brake discs, what am I doing wrong? :confused::confused::confused:
 

100%Bitch

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or even that - so no premium for being one of those then. Still looked a nice car though.

Having said that, I have looked at several nice cars of that ilk recently. In every case they have had their front discs replaced before 50,000 miles, and in this case at 30,000 miles.

As I have never had to replace brake discs, what am I doing wrong? :confused::confused::confused:

I never had to replace mine on my 129 either and that had done 62K. I had it from about 34K so I shouldn't think they were replaced before that.
 

brianbrian

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I get 30.000 mls out of front disc but am happy with that , as I only got 20.000 mls when I lived in London, as to rust on 129sl have only noticed small bubble each side of hard top (bottom) which Television said could be standing it on end in the garage on a blanket, think he is right, but will wire brush and paint sub frame next year as this is showing slight signs. Hope this helps
 
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