0a's Mercedes r129 500SL

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CharlesdeGaulle said:

0a - I've tried to resist posting, but my local chap said that he'd sorted the bleep once by tinkering with the roof connections on the screen. Might be worth looking there first, although clearly it should work properly all the time.

Please post away CDG!

I purchased the car in the knowledge that there was a bill for sorting the roof permanently, and I want it retrimmed in dark blue anyway. But in the meantime...

It sounds like a good clean of the contacts is the next step.

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Looks like you have been looking at the same website I have: http://www.mercedes.gen.in/mercedes-older-series-d...

I will give it a go, sounds like a satisfying job.

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I went and started the car yesterday after a couple of weeks without driving it (and even then I only drove it a short distance to fiddle with the roof) - and it started on the first turn of the key. The work done seems to be a success there, removing the immobiliser possibly helps.

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Thanks for a fantastically useful post PR!

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Ambers and new plates ready to go!

The car now starts first time after being abandoned for months which is great.

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CharlesdeGaulle said:

That SL is a fine-looking thing.

I prefer it to the series before or after I have to admit.





The perfect day for pootling about.

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How the hell do you change the indicator unit on r129s?

Please help!

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Zonergem said:

Open the bonnet. In either corner down inside the inner wing there is just room to wriggle a finger or two in (backhanded if necessary) and gently pull the large spring-loaded cross-hatched tab in towards the centre of the car. Be careful, you'll need steady force but not too much. Old plastic and all that. Just enough force will let the tab clear the wing and the whole assembly will pop forward. Gently pull it out and disconnect the bulb wiring. Check your NOS blinkers have a P21 bulb holder - if they came from the US then they might be different. You should be able to reuse the ones on the car.

What a great poster Zoner is!

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jke11y said:

I'll take the duotone indicators off you when you go back to full ambers.

Now done. Feel free to contact me.

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Over the last two days I have completed, or attempted to complete a number of small jobs:

1. Replacing the plates with some nice neat ones. These were from a company recommended by the very helpful poster r129sl.



2. Resolve the intermittent right front indicator. This had been a bit annoying for a while, but only happened occasionally up until this week when it decided to go properly. I replaced the bulb, and then the fuse to no avail. Opening up the connector it was very corroded. For now I scraped off some of the gunk using a fork. It now works. New connector probably required.



3. The driver side floor mat moving and getting 'scrumpled up'. Turns out there are fixings that can be used. Do'h.

Getting there.

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I am currently around 45 minutes from where I am working, with some lovely roads along the way. Tonight was particularly pleasant. Cool, dry, and them some lovely mist and a nice sunset. Perfect for a 500SL with a noisy V8!

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r129sl said:

A701?

I am not getting out enough in mine. I used to love those evening runs through that kind of landscape.

Some roads around Knockhill race circuit. All lovely, sweeping, and deserted by the time I'm heading home from work.

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f1ten said:

Ah your from knockhill area. I used to live up that way a long one ago. Yes roads good but weather is the problem !

I'm just staying in this area for a few weeks (usually over in Edinburgh). Lovely countryside though, and really nice roads. With regards to the weather this morning was a good case in point - torrential rain, and deep water on either side of the road! Made me remember that I need new tyres on the SL.

I have to say looking back on the pictures earlier on in the thread, the car looks far better with ambers.

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r129sl said:

I was thinking somewhere near the new bridge, so south-central Scotland.

I am obsessed with bridges.

Oa and I have had a barge meet at Applecross once before but I can't see many others making the trip!

How about meeting at Hopetoun House - you drive under the new bridge structure to get there, and there's plenty of parking.
http://hopetoun.co.uk/house-and-grounds/visit-the-...

We can take a look around, and then drive the 5 minutes to the pub located on the south side of the rail bridge for a spot of lunch. I sat at the table at the front of the pub and this was the view from the window:



A nice pub as well (can't remember the name!).

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CharlesdeGaulle said:

Is this an intimate gathering or open to all? If it's during my summer leave, I'd be up for it.

Yes of course!

R129 do you want to suggest dates and we can go from there?

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Zonergem said:

Imma thinking you need this plate, spaced to OA A1...

Sort of like... to date the only personal plates on my cars are what they came with. I did buy the 300e plate though!

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A few photos...

I crossed the new bridge a couple of days ago. It's a great looking thing nearby.







It's fantastic SL weather at the moment - I haven't put the roof down for a week!







And the gold 300E. Lovely car.

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r129sl said:

I'm jealous of the bridge crossing! I was gutted to learn it would be closed to vehicles today for the crackers pedestrian walking event. I have been known to go a long way out of my way to cross an "interesting bridge". In fact, that is the refrain in our car whenever a particularly pathetic bridge looms into view. "Interesting bridge! Stop, dad! Take a photograph!" Ad infinitum.

It's a lovely bridge. Being 'local' I have watched it being built, and I don't think it's a great looking bridge from afar.

Driving over it, the towers and cables are like a series of large feathers. It's a really elegant thing and a unique experience.