We also have a disease...

[grayb]

What did Uncle Benz say? 'I have a disease'? Well, it's catching...

If we weren't quarantined right now, we would be out looking at R129s. All set in motion by seeing a couple on a classic car rally we went to in France over Easter, fueled by one that went to auction yesterday - https://www.swva.co.uk/classic-car/mercedes-sl320-1998/ - went for £11400, too much as it hadn't been serviced in 10 years.

Just need the damned red line to disappear against the 'T'.

 

[mioba]

Nice motor that. A single big service would have put to bed the not being done in 10 years.

 

[Chrishazle]

Given a garage a couple of feet longer, I'd have an SL but had to settle for an SLK, but as management veto'd a 55 I settled for an R171 early facelift SLK280, took a while to find one that ticked most of the boxes (missed the memory seats, but in 2 1/2 years ownership herself has yet to drive it!!) but that 3L V6 is addictive, especially on the odd occasion when I can get heavy with the right foot. OK, it does not have th deep throated sound of the V8 that I would love, but the surge and note of the V6 is addictive! YOLO!!

 

[00slk]

Given a garage a couple of feet longer, I'd have an SL but had to settle for an SLK, but as management veto'd a 55 I settled for an R171 early facelift SLK280, took a while to find one that ticked most of the boxes (missed the memory seats, but in 2 1/2 years ownership herself has yet to drive it!!) but that 3L V6 is addictive, especially on the odd occasion when I can get heavy with the right foot. OK, it does not have th deep throated sound of the V8 that I would love, but the surge and note of the V6 is addictive! YOLO!!

Have you test driven an SL55 Chris? If not then don't, that was my mistake

 

[Chrishazle]

Never driven an SL, let alone a 55, for the simple reason my garage is a couple of feet to short for an SL to fit, and I would not want to have it live on the driveway, hence the SLK. I did briefly contemplate an SLK55, but immediate total earache from management when I mentioned the power and performance. I like a quiet home life, hence the 280, and even with the "lesser" performance of the 280 there are already claw marks in the sides of the passenger seat!

 

[grayb]

Nice motor that. A single big service would have put to bed the not being done in 10 years.

We put our bid in allowing for a recommissioning service (including gearbox), plus replacing the brake lines that had been a recurring MOT advisory for years. The hood was also not visible, so we had allowed for the possibility of it needing a new hood. With advice from Alex Foti, we guessed £2-£3K. Which made £11.4K plus commission just too much.

 

[grayb]

An SLK wouldn't really do what we want - nowhere for the dogs. We already have strict two seaters...

 

[Blobcat]

Never driven an SL, let alone a 55, for the simple reason my garage is a couple of feet to short for an SL to fit, and I would not want to have it live on the driveway, hence the SLK. I did briefly contemplate an SLK55, but immediate total earache from management when I mentioned the power and performance. I like a quiet home life, hence the 280, and even with the "lesser" performance of the 280 there are already claw marks in the sides of the passenger seat!

When working well an R230 SL in 500 or 55 form is a wonderful place to be. The likelihood of “bongs” increases exponentially with every mile driven or day sat unfortunately. All adds to the spice of ownership but not for me though.

 

[grayb]

When working well an R230 SL in 500 or 55 form is a wonderful place to be. The likelihood of “bongs” increases exponentially with every mile driven or day sat unfortunately. All adds to the spice of ownership but not for me though.

We fancy something older than an R230 though...

 

[Blobcat]

We fancy something older than an R230 though...

Mmmm rust and decomposing wiring…

 

[grayb]

Mmmm rust and decomposing wiring…

I'm told the wiring is avoidable. For the rust, well... we were looking at 1960s English and French cars, so perhaps nothing is that frightening.

 

[LostKiwi]

For 129s the problem years for wiring are 93-95 and it's only normally the injector loom and throttle body on top of the engine that fails due to heat.
There's a company in Kent that refurbs them (Sileck from memory) for less than a replacement loom (especially the throttle body!).
I had mine done 4 years ago and it's all good.

Rust years are 98 on. Earlier ones seem a lot better. Sweet spot is M119 coupled to 722.6 gearbox or failing that M119 to 5 speed - helps with economy. If economy isn't a concern 89-93 have the most power (326hp) and least electronics, 93-95 have slightly less power (320hp) but still have the occasionally troublesome distributors and 95 they went distributor less ignition. M113 saw power drop further (302hp). Other than issues above the V8s are pretty much indestructible.

The 320 m104 is lighter, more economical and more revvy than the V8s and can suffer blown headgaskets at 100k miles +and the heat damaged wiring as above). Later M112 V6 engines are virtually bulletproof (but the rust problems kick in).

M103 300s are pretty bulletproof (see wiring issues - still applies) however the 129 is a heavy old bus and the 300 is a bit lacking compared to the rest.

 

[mioba]

We put our bid in allowing for a recommissioning service (including gearbox), plus replacing the brake lines that had been a recurring MOT advisory for years. The hood was also not visible, so we had allowed for the possibility of it needing a new hood. With advice from Alex Foti, we guessed £2-£3K. Which made £11.4K plus commission just too much.

Fair play. Whats the commission rate...

 

[grayb]

Fair play. Whats the commission rate...

10%
£11.4K + 10% = £12.54K. +£2.5K recommissioning = £15K. Wouldn't sell for that much, private sale.

 

[mioba]

unfortunately the commission rates are often deal breakers. like estate agents, they do very little work and get paid a wad of cash

 

[grayb]

£12.54K would have been OK if the car had been in regular use...

 

[sausage]

Driving parents to Herts yesterday, outside of Luton a lovely deep blue R129 with matching hard top joined the motorway. Both my father and I thought it looked gorgeous. Private plate, looked quite low on the wheels, but not too low. Noticeable rear exhausts left and right. Beautiful.

 

[00slk]

Never driven an SL, let alone a 55, for the simple reason my garage is a couple of feet to short for an SL to fit, and I would not want to have it live on the driveway, hence the SLK. I did briefly contemplate an SLK55, but immediate total earache from management when I mentioned the power and performance. I like a quiet home life, hence the 280, and even with the "lesser" performance of the 280 there are already claw marks in the sides of the passenger seat!

Let me take Mrs Chris for a ride in my 55, then she will appreciate the 280 so much more you'll be saving on upholstery repair bills

 

[ajlsl600]

Given a garage a couple of feet longer, I'd have an SL but had to settle for an SLK, but as management veto'd a 55 I settled for an R171 early facelift SLK280, took a while to find one that ticked most of the boxes (missed the memory seats, but in 2 1/2 years ownership herself has yet to drive it!!) but that 3L V6 is addictive, especially on the odd occasion when I can get heavy with the right foot. OK, it does not have th deep throated sound of the V8 that I would love, but the surge and note of the V6 is addictive! YOLO!!

If herself no want to drive it u bought the right car bud. I only buy my missus somat she can knock all the corners off ie about 6 ft long.