RE: Mercedes-Benz 500SL: Spotted
Discussion
Learn2MergeInTurn said:
Why did they replaces all the fuses in engine and boot?
Unless I'm missing something thats a good money generator.
the fuses are known to cause weird intermittent issues. Cost me all of 3 euros for a big bag of fuses and 10 minutes to change them all. 6 k or so would have bought my car in July, a 70k mile example with similar work done to this. Unless I'm missing something thats a good money generator.
Early cars look better to my eyes.
j_s14a said:
I love these, but I think a lot of people wold be disappointed by the driving experience. They aren't sporty in the slightest, the steering lacks any feel, and the wheel could have come straight from a ship it's so big. The suspension is wallowy, and body roll in corners is pretty bad. The gearbox really isn't sporty in the slightest either, and unfortunately it takes the edge off what is undoubtedly a great engine. Unless it's the 'chiselled from granite' build quality you're looking for, I would probably recommend an XJS over an R129 as it is more fun.
Would love to try one of the properly 'breathed on' ones like the monstrous SL73 (although the £200k price tag makes this an unlikely prospect)
Strange comment, considering the SL hasn't been a sports car since the 1950s! And even then it was the 300SL/SLR etc. From the 190SL, the Pagoda and R107/129 and even to early R230 (you could argue the SL55/63 are) have never been a 'sports car' they've all been top down cruisers - you'd be foolish to think otherwise. If you want a sporty drive from a German manufacturer buy a Porsche 911.Would love to try one of the properly 'breathed on' ones like the monstrous SL73 (although the £200k price tag makes this an unlikely prospect)
It adds to the appear of the SL being a useable cruiser - a sort of classic GT car that quite frankly is unrivalled.
These are growing on me, but like a previous poster I actually prefer the later models. One thing that never sat well with me, especially in light of all the comments on awesome attention to detail and engineering, is how shoddy that roof looks. I can only assume they expected you to use the hardtop off season and just have use that awful hinged carrier bag with it's plastic windows if you got caught in the rain during spring/summer.
dme123 said:
These are growing on me, but like a previous poster I actually prefer the later models. One thing that never sat well with me, especially in light of all the comments on awesome attention to detail and engineering, is how shoddy that roof looks. I can only assume they expected you to use the hardtop off season and just have use that awful hinged carrier bag with it's plastic windows if you got caught in the rain during spring/summer.
The roof does let the whole thing down a bit, works ok though.Kierkegaard said:
Strange comment, considering the SL hasn't been a sports car since the 1950s! And even then it was the 300SL/SLR etc. From the 190SL, the Pagoda and R107/129 and even to early R230 (you could argue the SL55/63 are) have never been a 'sports car' they've all been top down cruisers - you'd be foolish to think otherwise. If you want a sporty drive from a German manufacturer buy a Porsche 911.
It adds to the appear of the SL being a useable cruiser - a sort of classic GT car that quite frankly is unrivalled.
Yes you waft along in an R129 like the Captain of a ship. It adds to the appear of the SL being a useable cruiser - a sort of classic GT car that quite frankly is unrivalled.
cb1965 said:
Don't get the fuss over these at all. Dull design and very wallowy to drive and that roof.... yuck.
The R230 while unreliable is just so far ahead in so many respects of the car it replaced especially in its use of actual real curves in the design.
The R230 in terms of build quality is a back street bodge-up compared to the R129. And, like you said, the R230 tends to be unreliable.The R230 while unreliable is just so far ahead in so many respects of the car it replaced especially in its use of actual real curves in the design.
cb1965 said:
Don't get the fuss over these at all. Dull design and very wallowy to drive and that roof.... yuck.
The R230 while unreliable is just so far ahead in so many respects of the car it replaced especially in its use of actual real curves in the design.
Fair enough. But you do realise the R129 was launched in 1989? Not to mention actually designed some time before that and it replaced a car that was launched in 1971! The R230 while unreliable is just so far ahead in so many respects of the car it replaced especially in its use of actual real curves in the design.
Funny you mention the R230 looks - the R129 design has set the template for the SL - look at the profile; very similar to the R230 and R231.
PositronicRay said:
dme123 said:
These are growing on me, but like a previous poster I actually prefer the later models. One thing that never sat well with me, especially in light of all the comments on awesome attention to detail and engineering, is how shoddy that roof looks. I can only assume they expected you to use the hardtop off season and just have use that awful hinged carrier bag with it's plastic windows if you got caught in the rain during spring/summer.
The roof does let the whole thing down a bit, works ok though.
The soft top in the raised position does look a bit awkward and the handling dynamics are not Lotusesque.
Otherwise they're brilliant, fast, comfortable, well engineered and starting to look really stylish especially with a panoramic hard top fitted.
Wafting off to North Yorkshire in mine tomorrow, can't wait. Just need to keep it clean once up there.
Otherwise they're brilliant, fast, comfortable, well engineered and starting to look really stylish especially with a panoramic hard top fitted.
Wafting off to North Yorkshire in mine tomorrow, can't wait. Just need to keep it clean once up there.
dme123 said:
PositronicRay said:
dme123 said:
These are growing on me, but like a previous poster I actually prefer the later models. One thing that never sat well with me, especially in light of all the comments on awesome attention to detail and engineering, is how shoddy that roof looks. I can only assume they expected you to use the hardtop off season and just have use that awful hinged carrier bag with it's plastic windows if you got caught in the rain during spring/summer.
The roof does let the whole thing down a bit, works ok though.I bought my 92 500SL last year and it has been fantastic, I have done around 6k miles including a great trip to Le Mans Classic. It is a relaxing cruiser, as mentioned mot sporty at all, but it it is an entertaining drive and can cover ground quickly and effortlessly. The R129 must have felt so advanced in the early 90's. The soft top was never designed to be as snug or comfortable as other convertables of the time, the SL has a hard top for winter giving the SL the options for the best of both worlds. That said, I used it regularly last winter with just the soft top with no issues. Mine is a keeper because its a great useable entertaining motor.
Another 1992 500SL owner checking in. My car is also in North Yorkshire but not going out of its garage until they stop inconsiderately dumping tons of salt onto the roads.
Nothing wrong with the roof to my eyes. Why, if I had a penny for every time that I leave my yacht to find a crowd of mouth-breathing proles in pastel-coloured leisurewear milling around the car waiting for the show... [see MB promo video below]
https://youtu.be/4PcrogylBXA?t=4m18s
Nothing wrong with the roof to my eyes. Why, if I had a penny for every time that I leave my yacht to find a crowd of mouth-breathing proles in pastel-coloured leisurewear milling around the car waiting for the show... [see MB promo video below]
https://youtu.be/4PcrogylBXA?t=4m18s
To criticise this car for "not being sporty" is silly. It contributes nothing, except serving to highlight the immaturity of the poster.
All road cars, Caterham, SLS, LaFerrari et al are a compromise to the generic Construction and Use regulations found around the world. The SL was designed to be a swift yet composed, suave transport of delights with emphasis on safety, longevity and style.
It won't appeal to all, as demonstrated here. It will appeal to those who view mileage and age as relatively immaterial. It will appeal to those who have more to think about than presenting a veneer of success to impress neighbours and peers. It was the favourite design of Bruno Sacco, the prolific, and hugely successful designer of "golden-age" Mercedes cars, and those who rely on nonsense and frippery to augment their inadequate personalities just won't get it.
Anyhow, mine has been an unalloyed joy. It is the vehicle of choice for the 200 mile weekend away ( generally, the banks of Loch Lomond) with my significant other. It covers motorways and b-roads with great comfort and accomplishment, and receives positive comments wherever it goes.
I wouldn't part with it for the world.
All road cars, Caterham, SLS, LaFerrari et al are a compromise to the generic Construction and Use regulations found around the world. The SL was designed to be a swift yet composed, suave transport of delights with emphasis on safety, longevity and style.
It won't appeal to all, as demonstrated here. It will appeal to those who view mileage and age as relatively immaterial. It will appeal to those who have more to think about than presenting a veneer of success to impress neighbours and peers. It was the favourite design of Bruno Sacco, the prolific, and hugely successful designer of "golden-age" Mercedes cars, and those who rely on nonsense and frippery to augment their inadequate personalities just won't get it.
Anyhow, mine has been an unalloyed joy. It is the vehicle of choice for the 200 mile weekend away ( generally, the banks of Loch Lomond) with my significant other. It covers motorways and b-roads with great comfort and accomplishment, and receives positive comments wherever it goes.
I wouldn't part with it for the world.
Another 500SL owner here. I'm in the process of giving mine a bit of a spruce up. There is great knowledge here and parts are generally not too expensive. I love the looks and like the drive of these old mercs. They are not designed for the track at all, but for covering long distance at high speed and the ability to look at the scenery on the way. The early engine really does pull well when you are covering ground on fast roads 
Thread here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Thread here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Edited by 0a on Tuesday 6th December 23:29
cb1965 said:
Kierkegaard said:
Funny you mention the R230 looks - the R129 design has set the template for the SL - look at the profile; very similar to the R230 and R231.
I have a qualification in industrial design and I don't think anyone on my entire course, lecturers included, would ever say the profiles are similar unless the fact they have the same number of wheels makes them so.
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