W129 Sl500

[v8 dreams]

Looking to buy a 1995 ish W129 SL500. I love the 90's SL and they are such good value now. But....I'm seriously scared about the running costs, not the insurance and fuel stuff, I've got a good handle on that. It's potential repair costs that scare me. Heard a few horror stories like gas struts on the hood mechanism failing and costing 4 figures to repair. Would be grateful for info from current or previous owners of these cars on what to expect. Are there any common faults to look out for when viewing/testing them. I'll probably only put 2-3000 miles a year on it as my E240 does the daily grind.

 

[pascal]

Try a search: R129
Thats what I did before buying my SL320
There is lots of info there
Heres 1 thread:
http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=8102&highlight=r129

Pascal

 

[peterchurch]

The scarey stories about SL repair bills are out weighed by the pleasure you get from driving one although I would try and get the newest model you can aford as there was some issues with organic looms decaying around the mid 90s (I think the specific time was 94-96 but I am not sure so check it out)

Best regards,

Peter

 

[v8 dreams]

Peter, Pascal

Thanks for your help guys, some really useful info in these forums. I'll let you know how I get on.

Clive

 

[pascal]

V8,

Today was a beautiful here; drove around all day (well up to 5) with the roof down,
daughter beside me proud as punch. Even though the temperture was not that high,
SL's have heaters that would heat a living room.
Brilliant engineering, the folding roof. Solid car. Have it since January, and still smile
every time I walk over to it, to get in for a drive.

Any make of car can have problems, and sites like these highlight them, helping one
another solve the.
There has been a lot of people with rust problems on W210's, but that does not
mean every 210 rusts. I know several people without any such problems. In any
case a thread starting: 'I bought a 95 W124 18 months ago, and everything
is working perfectly' ,would sound odd.

 

[peterchurch]

V8,
SL's have heaters that would heat a living room.

Odd I find that the heaters are very good while the roof is up / hardtop is on. But as soon as the roof is off the aerodynamics just suck, and the wind blows in, around your left shoulder and down into the foot wells killing any hope of getting heat from the fans heated seats help though the roof has been off alot so far this year

Best regards,

Peter

 

[SLinKyjoe]

<giggles>

what you all need is an Airscarf!!!!

you also want to put up a windbreak or draught stop. they work a treat, it may look like cloth but they really help...altho i just had to go and buy the transparent one.

I do say that the heater in the lowly R171 is fantastic and will certianly heat the feet with the roof off. it blows nicely into the face too. Maybes you need to point the heaters directly at the floor vents. while driving topless?

 

[peterchurch]

The wind break is ok but the problem is more to do with the airflow inside the the car. Your SLK will be better because you do not have any rear seats to whip up the turbulance. Most of the roads where I am are national speed limits + so It's not like I am hanging around too much. The car is fine in when in slower traffic I suppose. I Just find it odd that my Saab 93 was so much better at the same speeds and never needed I wind break

 

[pascal]

Bernoulli

This sucking motion is caused by airflow over the windscreen. This air causes low dynamic pressure over front and top and is relative to screen size, shape, and forward speed. The equalization of this dynamic pressure against the static pressure of foot well creates this sucking. This is what lifts aeroplanes off the ground and was discovered by Daniel Bernoulli in 1738.

 

[Myros]

They had Sls way back then? Seriously though, Pascal has a very valid point. The airflow becomes detached and turbulent at different points according to the speed throught the air and the shape of the screen, seats, boot-lid and all the rest of those gubbins. Look at the racing Le Mans Porsches of 1967-71 and see how they modified the bodywork to minimize the lift. It went from very long at the back to very short.

 

[pascal]

Yea Myros.
Didn't mention the turbulence (for fear of over-complicating matters).
If the low pressure and high pressure do not meet smoothly, the air becomes turbulent. This is wake turbulence, just like the wake turbulence created by a large plane when climbing out. It is usually formed on the wing tips, and the newer 747 and many Airbus models have winglets to lessen this.

See what happens when a CLK-GTR thinks it's a aeroplane!
http://www.linienmc.dk/galleri/video/cars.htm
CLK is near the bottom of the page

 

[SLinKyjoe]

Looking to buy a 1995 ish W129 SL500. I love the 90's SL and they are such good value now. But....I'm seriously scared about the running costs, not the insurance and fuel stuff, I've got a good handle on that. It's potential repair costs that scare me. Heard a few horror stories like gas struts on the hood mechanism failing and costing 4 figures to repair. Would be grateful for info from current or previous owners of these cars on what to expect. Are there any common faults to look out for when viewing/testing them. I'll probably only put 2-3000 miles a year on it as my E240 does the daily grind.

Just putting up the first post again. you see my answer was to attempt the help out here even tho i dont have a sl.

If you put up the draught stop it will help. if you dont it will become windy. Having driven up the motorway with the roof down (the first time was very self concious) the slk seemed calm inside. but only with the draught stop up. i also notice that if you drop the side windows it gets a bit blustery inside.

Just trying to offer some hope to the guy buying an SL. It seems that all merc heaters are good so i assume that the ones that arent may need a service.

But the point of my post this time is this. I forgot about the SL having 4 seats as they have done away with that in the new one. but does anyone use them as seats? and is so whats it like? If you dont them maybe a flat panel suspended at top of the seat height towards the back of the front seats will stop the draught problems that some of you encounter. Bit of perspex from a diy store would do it.

and for the guy who put up the thread. the SLK is the baby SL so i am the junior here. They are the big boys!!! but i will have one when i grow up!

 

[pascal]

Its a mesh 'Draught Stop' that fits on to the roll bar. It came with my car. Think it was standard new. Never noticed it in the boot 'till I got the car home.

Yes Joe I use the back seat for short journeys. My daughter who is 'bout 5' 2", sits in the passenger seat, and her friend behind. I only used the seat behind me once. Had to move my seat forward. Its nice to have the option, even if its only used on occassions. I don't have another car, and theres just me and my daughter.

Pascal

 

[SLinKyjoe]

Yes. the mesh stop. I got the mesh one standard but they do an option on the new r171 for a transparent one so you can leave it up and still see out the rear window in the dark.

i thinks some companies do aftermarket ones for the others.....

I actually showed one of my collegues the boot today. he said "well its okay for 1"...yeah..one suitase.....still what the hell. I can Borrow the parent Skoda if i need more space.....so never then!

 

[v8 dreams]

Seen a couple of cars advertised that interest me but probably won't get the chance to view before weekend

95 SL500 Mille Miglia, 52k FMBSH, Silver (of course) with red and black interior. Not sure about the interior colour scheme. A bit like a Liquorice Allsort ! The owner says only 80 RHD made and this one is "a bit special" as first owner (famous former racing driver) received it as gift from MB. Docs to prove this apparently and reported to be excellent condition. Up for £17k

or

98 SL500 Dark blue, tan leather, one owner (lady) 70k miles, panoramic glass hardtop (lovely) and FMBSH. £20k.

The first might be a classic in future I guess particularly with the interesting history. Prefer the look of the second and it's a newer (face lift) model.

Also saw a lovely car in my favorite combination of obsidian black with orion grey but it's a 280 and I really want the 500.

 

[peterchurch]

The panoramic roof is one hell of an option to have and I while the Silver MM might be a collectors car, It will limit you for repair work, as everything will need to be done by Mercedes to keep the car "collectable". I have just replaced my cats with "top of the range" Timax Stainless steel ones for a third of the price of the MB parts, and they are better cats as well. Tomorrow my gear box is going in for a service for £85 including parts (MB would want more than that for the oil ... If you are happy to pay top money for everything that goes wrong then the MM is a nice car, But I would prefer the Panoramic roof anyday as it makes the car look newer and it gives you the feel of topdown fun without having the roof off By the way when I was looking, I saw many 98 cars that claimed to be "facelift". As far as I can tell, the only true facelift models have rounded electric folding wing mirrors and the inside door trim is different and there are chrome rings around the speedo etc. You will also see very subtle differences in the bumper and skirts...

 

[kkmfo]

Awesome cars. Get the 98 SL500 - much nicer colour combo.
But there are loads around on autotrader. Buy one soon before the prices go up for spring/summer, and haggle hard. There are not many buyers around and sellers may have been advertising for a few weeks with no response.
Make sure you check the condition and operation of the soft top before you buy. Don't accept a seller's excuse that they won't take the hard top off at this time of year.
Best buys are private sellers who have had the car for several years, or from new. That way you know they paid big bucks for it and are less likely to have skimped on maintenance costs.
Dealer prices are usually £1.5K to £2K higher than private (at least) and for that money you would cover all but the most expensive repair/maintenance issues that, if you are very unlucky, you will incur.

 

[v8 dreams]

Cats

Thanks for the feedback. I agree need to find one soon if possible before prices go up for Summer. I'll get it professionally inspected too just in case.

On another issue, does anyone know what the expected life of a catalytic converter is on these cars. I guess it depends a lot on mileage and also type of driving but if I'm looking at 1998 SL's with around 50k on the clock should I expect them to have had cats replaced by now. Incidently my 2002 W210 E240 has had two new cats (under warranty fortunately) a few weeks back. 32,000 miles and 2years 9 months old. Is this a record ? ! Didn't cost me anything so we're still friends. It's a great car

 

[pascal]

Don't want to post how much exactly I paid for my 99 SL320

They were asking £20k. After test drive, and after salesman knew I was serious about buying, I asked him for his best price. He went back to manager, and came back with £**k. I said '£**.*k and I'll buy right now'. shook on it, gave him deposit. Pointed out a few minor problems.
When I went to pay for the car, he had even changed a tyre that I had not noticed (little cut). Checked that everything was working (everything electric + roof) from a list (thanks Arnie) without any distraction, took for another test drive. Thought it was slightly pulling to left, asked for it to tracked.
Transfered money. When I went to collect the car, it was immaculate. They told me to put £20 petrol on their account at the pump.
Full MBSH (+ all receipts), Full RAC check, Hpi check.

I suppose that is why 'PRESTIGE CARS of Sunnindale' are in business for so many years.

Whilst searching, came accross a lot of guys selling from back lanes etc. More than half were discounted purely from speaking to them on the phone.
Late 98 models had the second facelift, aerodynamic mirrors etc. 3.2v6 is a sweet engine with more than enough power for all but racers. 5litre car is not quiet as well balanced with heavier engine. 5sp auto seems to be well mated to this engine. To me either is good.

Good luck with your purchase
PASCAL

 

[kkmfo]

If you get a 320, don't ever drive a 500 or you will be filled with regret and forever wishing you'd got a 500 instead.