Should I buy this SL 500

[usernothername]

Hi everyone I have done my research and now have my heart set on an r129 SL 500 with a pano roof and ideally the 18" split rims. I'm going to drive it and enjoy it in all conditions and keep it on the drive rather than store in a dehumidified garage and only drive in the dry etc. So there's no point me paying for a mint one. I'd rather a cosmetically patchy V8 than a mint V6.
I've found one from 1997 (which people seem to say is a 'good' year for them - I think 5 speed gearbox & quad-cam engine?) that I think is priced pretty fairly for the high mileage (155k) and condition but would appreciate your expert views on this
The issues:
1. Needs a new roof - believe that's pretty straight forward and going to cost about 1.5k.
2. Hydraulic fluid leaking from driver's A-pillar - believe that's the roof hydraulics and looks like a pretty straight forward (possibly even DIY) job.
3. To me the car sounds louder inside than I expected on tick over and there is a slight rattle from the rear exhaust box so I'm wondering if perhaps the exhaust (and cat?) might need replacing.
4. Bonnet sound deadening matt needed. Again seems easy / cheapish.
5. Immobiliser with only one fob, I assume this is after market and maybe battery draining plus only one fob is a worry if I lose it.
6. On idle I think there was a light ticking coming from the front passenger side around what I assume is the ABS pump.
7. Looks like maybe had a shunt as rust on front wheel arch and colour vs A piller and bonnet shut line to me look a bit suspect. But maybe a shunt isn't the end of the world, probably was a long time ago and it does have a lot of miles so will have some battle scars.
8. It was SORN for 5 years in the past and in the last year only done 150 miles or so, so also wondering about recomissioning issues with seals and gaskets like the roof hydraulics.

Opinions appreciated!

 

[alexanderfoti]

I agree on the colour match, although that paint code (Azurit Blau 366) has a purple flip in it, so you end up with a dark blue in the shade and a lighter purple in direct sunlight, so the camera probably makes this more prominent.

Buy if it you have a budget for the items above, consider if you are DIYing it will be cheaper, but certain parts are expensive, but not impossible to find (most of them).

IMO buy the best you can, after an inspection by somebody who knows these cars.

1, is common
2, this will be the roof cylinders in the headliner, they can be rebuild not too expensively.
3. This can be expensive as 129 exhausts are flat in certain sections, with limited aftermarket stuff.
4. easily repaired and common
5. PRobably a UK Dealer fit at the time, easily removed.
6. sounds like the purge valve and normal, especially if it doesnt charnge frequency when you rev.
7. as above, rust will be an issue on these anyway due to age.
8 this will cause issues with rubber comoponents, bearings etc, but lots are like this.

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

There are a lot of these for sale atm, you should be able to get a nice one. I didn’t see a price but £7k should get a nice useable one. Prices will be higher atm as the sun has finally come out.
They like to be used so one as a daily will be fine..
Seems that you have done your research on them.

1997/98 are supposedly the better years though the engines changed in mid 98.. the M119 ( the one you are looking at) was replaced by an M113, slightly less power, less valves and more plugs. Another very good engine though and equally capable of high miles if looked after..
the later ‘98,,99,2000 models often came with more extras but rust started to appear more in the later ones..

good advice from Alex above

Azzurite is a nice colour too.. and the pano roof makes it a nice place to be sat in.

2. Easy diy, but buy the correct seals.
5. One key would be a worry me.
6. could be a cam lifter if it changes with revs..

just check that everything works, twice.

apologies for the “bit all over the place post”..

 

[s5tuart]

If it were my choice I'd buy a better one than you're looking at.
(BETTER means everything working and two keys )

 

[usernothername]

Hi all thanks for your thoughts much appreciated.
On the exhaust, do these cars normally sound quite quiet on idle? Obviously difficult for you to tell if this one is unusually loud without hearing it yourself, but i drove a 320 and that was started inside a dealership garage and it was incredibly quiet.
£7k would seem to be a low price for a decent 500 from what I’ve seen for sale recently. I’m sure you’re right that this is sellers market time of year but still people are asking for around £12k for decent 320s.
I’m guessing the pano roofs don’t come up for sale very often (and would have to be a colour match) if I were to buy a cheaper/better car elsewhere and try and find a roof afterwards

 

[DSK]

Your comment made me look at my saved list and there’s a few seemingly nice ones from 8.9k upwards.


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[usernothername]

Thanks that's reassuring do you have any links you'd be prepared to share?

 

[DSK]

This was the first that caught my eye but, the second may be more appealing to you. I’m not the biggest fan of convertibles but, very little beats a well sorted 129 with the full amg tinsel.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401065316621

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312134794811

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310193153190

I’m just trying to get clued up about the 124 and 126 range but, that’s what I’d probably buy for myself and then trim it up with the amg kit and wheels and add it to the collection.


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[Wearsafoxhat]

The exhaust note varies between the engines but is generally quiet until pushed.
129 prices are all over the place, a lot for sale recently due to being no ulez compliant and later 320’s up in value because they are compliant. Most good ones are now with owners who want one for their collection.
They are worth a fair few thousand pounds in parts, a pano roof is often around £1500.
A £10 to £12k budget should buy a fairly nice one.
The “SL Shop“ somewhere in the West Midlands always has nice expensive ones, there are a few good 129 owner groups on fb too.