1996 Mercedes SL 600

Author
Discussion

Hereward

Original Poster:

4,134 posts

229 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
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r129sl said:
PS, that wireless set is really high quality and it is probably worth seeking out a like-for-like replacement. It was standard on the SL600 but on lesser models it was a four figure option. Anything modern will look hideous and be of inferior quality.
Good info, thank you.

Yes, I will be seeking a like-for-like replacement, keeping it totally original.

0a

23,879 posts

193 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
Hereward said:
r129sl said:
PS, that wireless set is really high quality and it is probably worth seeking out a like-for-like replacement. It was standard on the SL600 but on lesser models it was a four figure option. Anything modern will look hideous and be of inferior quality.
Good info, thank you.

Yes, I will be seeking a like-for-like replacement, keeping it totally original.
r129sl has fantastic knowledge of Mercedes from this era and is always very helpful indeed!

Hereward

Original Poster:

4,134 posts

229 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
0a said:
Hereward with regards to the exhaust I would recommend going OEM. I had to replace the exhaust on my 500 and went for a fabricated one - a mistake that I will correct by going back to what Mercedes built some time soon. A well balanced exhaust system is particularly apparent with an open top car that really is a long distance cruiser, in my opinion.
Thank you, I will certainly keep that in mind and I want to keep things as original as possible. The only thing is...apparently this engine can sound like a Zonda with the right exhaust...

0a

23,879 posts

193 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
Hereward said:
Thank you, I will certainly keep that in mind and I want to keep things as original as possible. The only thing is...apparently this engine can sound like a Zonda with the right exhaust...
Imagine how uncivilised that would be in a lovely SL 600!

brickwall

5,192 posts

209 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
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I love the skinny tiny wheels. 225 section for best part of 400 bhp - lively?

Wills2

22,666 posts

174 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
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Simply fabulous, I had a 1997 sl320, loved it but oh boy did things cost a lot when they went wrong.

Well done on taking the plunge though, got to love an R129 especially a V12.


Paul S4

1,181 posts

209 months

Wednesday 27th July 2016
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Great car !

I was on holiday near Monaco ( drove down to see the Historic F1 Weekend ) and there was a British V12 like yours that came in to the local railway station. I was silver and absolutely immaculate, even though it had been driven all that way ! It had some very nice Merc alloys on ( they may be Lorinser ?) which made the car look amazing.

I am not a Merc fan usually ( more an Alfisti !) but the 129 SL is a great car.

Well done you.

irish boy

3,522 posts

235 months

Wednesday 27th July 2016
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What a fantastic purchase, bookmarked!

Motorrad

6,811 posts

186 months

Wednesday 27th July 2016
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Rear view mirror wobbling is an easy fix.

At least on my early car with no garage door opener/electrical adjustment or whatever that is on yours.

Mirror 'snaps' off with a little pressure then it's either a case of just tightening a nut and applying a little thread lock or there are various fixes you can do with cable ties and such. Then 'snap' it back on.

Either that or you can put a very small piece of blue tac in one corner where you can't see it and that will hold it in the meantime. smile

Great car, I'm jealous.

traffman

2,263 posts

208 months

Wednesday 27th July 2016
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What a fantastic machine!

One of my all time favorite Mercs , and properly built.

PositronicRay

26,957 posts

182 months

Wednesday 27th July 2016
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Like it, too rich and complicated for me though, I've 1/2 your SL (SL320 I6 biggrin)

Check those flex discs, makes a right mess if they let go.

si_xsi

1,189 posts

194 months

Wednesday 27th July 2016
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Lovely car OP, ex Evo owner Harry Metcalfe owned one an did a video of it shot in Monaco. It's a good watch

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LhX0Y2wQfqo


QuantumTokoloshi

4,161 posts

216 months

Thursday 28th July 2016
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I love that interior wished mine had the extended leather. They are lovely cars, especially with 12 cylinders. I am quite envious of your garage with added car lift. bow

bungz

1,960 posts

119 months

Thursday 28th July 2016
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Lovely motor.

Need to find mechanic with Beadle hands to work on that car though, no space for man hands!

MrMoonyMan

2,582 posts

210 months

Thursday 28th July 2016
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si_xsi said:
Lovely car OP, ex Evo owner Harry Metcalfe owned one an did a video of it shot in Monaco. It's a good watch

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LhX0Y2wQfqo
Enjoyed that. Thanks for the link.


And great car OP. Enjoy smile

Hereward

Original Poster:

4,134 posts

229 months

Thursday 28th July 2016
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I have found the source of the current engine oil leak. It's the sump. This is brilliant news, since it's the only part of the engine that is easily accessible without tearing things apart and the parts are simple and cheap.

For the last few nights I have been under the car stuffing bits of tissue places in various places then inspecting them the following evening to establish the source of the leak.

The picture below shows the gasket and a sump sensor (partially obscured, with the red arrow pointing at it) leaking, plus a few teaspoon's of oil on the floor. The red circles show sump bolts with fresh oil on them. The tissue above the sump is bone dry. With the engine turned off there is no current leak from higher up. However, historically there has been and I need to repeat this test with the engine running with hot oil circulating and pressurised, since I still think the timing chain and valve cover gaskets could be suspect (and, Heaven forbid, the head gaskets).



Edited by Hereward on Thursday 28th July 20:09

Hereward

Original Poster:

4,134 posts

229 months

Thursday 28th July 2016
quotequote all
si_xsi said:
Lovely car OP, ex Evo owner Harry Metcalfe owned one an did a video of it shot in Monaco. It's a good watch

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LhX0Y2wQfqo
It was that video that made me pull the trigger and make the purchase!

Krikkit

26,500 posts

180 months

Thursday 28th July 2016
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Good result with the sump. Once that's cured it may be easier to give the engine a frequent de-grease rather than pay to fix a little weep (depending on source of course).

K12beano

20,854 posts

274 months

Thursday 28th July 2016
quotequote all
Hereward said:
si_xsi said:
Lovely car OP, ex Evo owner Harry Metcalfe owned one an did a video of it shot in Monaco. It's a good watch

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LhX0Y2wQfqo
It was that video that made me pull the trigger and make the purchase!
Ooooo. That should come with some sort of Advisory Warning!!!!

Want!!!

spreadsheet monkey

4,544 posts

226 months

Friday 29th July 2016
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Hereward said:
si_xsi said:
Lovely car OP, ex Evo owner Harry Metcalfe owned one an did a video of it shot in Monaco. It's a good watch

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LhX0Y2wQfqo
It was that video that made me pull the trigger and make the purchase!
It's a great video!

Hereward said:
I am a Mercedes novice but...
Hereward said:
The engine is a 6-litre V12 with just under 400bhp.
Nothing like jumping in at the deep end!

Great car OP. Love the interior with the extended leather. Looking forward to reading more updates.