Which 500SL

[mattsurf]

Over the past 6 months, I have noticed that the price of 500SL's have fallen very sharply. In particular I have seen a 1999 car with less than 40k miles and one owner (should be easy to verify) for less than 12k and a 1995 car with similar mileage for less than £8k

This has me thinking that maybe now is a good time to buy - I also have this crazy thought of keeping my ageing E320 CDI Estate (Then I don't worry about mud etc) and getting a 500SL as my nice car

I realise that the later cars had a different (less powerful engine), but it is more economical and more reliable.

What are the relative benefits of the later cars. Is it worth spending £4k extra on a newer car

I am only interested in the 500SL as it won't ne my daily driver and I want the power

 

[television]

Hi Matt,,the 500SL 129 is one of the most reliable cars that you can get

 

[mattsurf]

As I understand there are 3 engines fitted into the 500SL

M109 from 1991 to 1995
M119 from 1995 to 1999
M113 for final run

The M109 is the most powerful least economical, and easiest to work on
The M119 has more sofisticated injection and electronics systems
The M113 is a completely new engine

Are there any reliability issues with these engines? how does and M109 compare with an M113

When buying on condition, the price differential is not that great between different generations of the W129 - condition dictates price

 

[television]

The advantage of getting a 08-98 on it that all of the extras on the earlier cars became standard. The 113 is probably the better engine in some ways, as they do not suffer from the damp dizzy cap problems

 

[meanie]

A friend of mine has just bought a 1994 500SL from Japan.
98000 kilometres,mint apart from a roof issue (see post elsewhere).
The car was exactly as described,he bought it through a source that he has used on several occasions,and has just gone straight through its MOT test.
This car owes him £3200 now,duties,shipping etc all in.
The deals are out there.He's wanted one for a long time,took a chance,and it seems to have paid off for him.