Should have posted here:- SL500/320
Discussion
A nice collection of 11 DIY R129 fixes ( all bar one of the interior), mostly added by the Admin off the r129motoring site and BenzBoi!
http://www.r129motoring.com/vgallery/channel/26/ho...
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http://www.r129motoring.com/vgallery/channel/26/ho...
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I haven't driven a 5 speed and only picked up my 500 on Saturday. We got 400 miles on its first tank (£78) so I'm not too unhappy with that.
I saw a lot of criticism on the web for the four speed saying it was unresponsive but to be honest I've found it to be pretty good and better than the 5 speed in my W202 C240s I've had.
I saw a lot of criticism on the web for the four speed saying it was unresponsive but to be honest I've found it to be pretty good and better than the 5 speed in my W202 C240s I've had.
[quote=bolide
I'd disagree about the M104 being prone to headgasket failure. I've only seen two proper failures where the exhaust gases blow out the coolant. By contrast they all leak oil - but that's isn't a head gasket failure, it's an oil leak caused by a design flaw. They'll happily leak for years.
That`s a relief I was getting worried hearing about head gaskets. My 320 does leak oil,its only a bit but I`m a perfectionist and it irritates me. The thing is do I attempt to fix the leak.From what I have researched its the "C" gasket between the upper and lower timing covers? Am I correct? also it looks a fairly simple job or am I kidding myself? I`ve been in the car repair business all my life so I`m pretty confident with the spanners,but,I dont want to make rod for my back.As said above,my SL has been leaking for seven years.![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/UfDA3Sl6.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/2SuWm2dx" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/2SuWm2dx.gif)
I'd disagree about the M104 being prone to headgasket failure. I've only seen two proper failures where the exhaust gases blow out the coolant. By contrast they all leak oil - but that's isn't a head gasket failure, it's an oil leak caused by a design flaw. They'll happily leak for years.
That`s a relief I was getting worried hearing about head gaskets. My 320 does leak oil,its only a bit but I`m a perfectionist and it irritates me. The thing is do I attempt to fix the leak.From what I have researched its the "C" gasket between the upper and lower timing covers? Am I correct? also it looks a fairly simple job or am I kidding myself? I`ve been in the car repair business all my life so I`m pretty confident with the spanners,but,I dont want to make rod for my back.As said above,my SL has been leaking for seven years.
Edited by Old Merc on Wednesday 9th September 12:47
lostkiwi said:
I haven't driven a 5 speed and only picked up my 500 on Saturday. We got 400 miles on its first tank (£78) so I'm not too unhappy with that.
I saw a lot of criticism on the web for the four speed saying it was unresponsive but to be honest I've found it to be pretty good and better than the 5 speed in my W202 C240s I've had.
I tried a 6 cylinder car with a 4 speed, it felt very unresponsive. 5 speed much better but the 6 cylinder cars do need to rev more. I saw a lot of criticism on the web for the four speed saying it was unresponsive but to be honest I've found it to be pretty good and better than the 5 speed in my W202 C240s I've had.
Later 5 speeds were a different fully electronic box, early 5 speeds have 4 gears and an electronic 5th. I chose a straight 6 320, lighter, easier for the home mechanic, 5 speed box and probably slightly better fuel consumption.
Short runs round around town------20mpg
Motorway cruising (80mph)---------27mpg (top up) 25 mpg (top down) 29mpg (Hard top)
On average------------------------25mpg
I do about 5000 miles pa mostly long journeys.
The V8's are probably ok with a 4 speeds, they don't seem to suit the 6's though.
Kmoosa said:
A couple of shameless showing off pictures here. Can anyone please advise as to whether I'm right in thinking the front indicators have been updated to white / clear, when a '94 should be wearing orange?
gpSmashing looking car. The facelift of 95/96 brought clear lenses on the indicators, so your car should have gingercators. I think it should also have a 7 bar grille at that age, not the 6 bar one, although I could be wrong about that.
The chrome gear lever surround would have to go if it was mine, but I love the (Fischer?) cassette box.
Happy 129-ing!
Thanks Micky,
Well spotted on the grille, I had noticed it was six bars instead of seven, again wasn't sure when changed were made, think I've read somewhere that '94-95 was a mini facelift, so thought that may possibly have come in then. I found this on YouTube which would suggest that the '94 car has a six bar grille, in the US at least - https://youtu.be/RvKsjp5D6c0
I hadn't even noticed the chrome gear surround so thanks for that, I'm not a fan myself so just ordered a standard black one today, along with a new grey roller cover and a small glovebox to sit underneath it. Much as the cassette holder is period, it's a bit of a waste of space for me so will be sold I think. Orange indicators and a new sound insulation panel for under the bonnet will hopefully be incoming by the end of today. The only other thing now is that my attention has been drawn to the walnut centre trim, and although not bad, the few nicks and marks there will no doubt annoy me too much, so a replacement will be due soon.
After another 30 or so miles yesterday on mainly country roads around darkest Bucks, in the rain, hardtop on, I have to say how impressed I am. With the exception of a slightly over exaggerated pull to the left, the car feels in ridiculous shape for it's age. Not only to have kept it's quality of ride and handling so well, but that the noise levels from within the cabin and from the engine are so conspicuously absent, the car is 22 years old this year and some, if not most of the design longevity beggars belief.
Just hoping we have a Spring now so the hardtop can be ditched and some top down touring can commence.
Well spotted on the grille, I had noticed it was six bars instead of seven, again wasn't sure when changed were made, think I've read somewhere that '94-95 was a mini facelift, so thought that may possibly have come in then. I found this on YouTube which would suggest that the '94 car has a six bar grille, in the US at least - https://youtu.be/RvKsjp5D6c0
I hadn't even noticed the chrome gear surround so thanks for that, I'm not a fan myself so just ordered a standard black one today, along with a new grey roller cover and a small glovebox to sit underneath it. Much as the cassette holder is period, it's a bit of a waste of space for me so will be sold I think. Orange indicators and a new sound insulation panel for under the bonnet will hopefully be incoming by the end of today. The only other thing now is that my attention has been drawn to the walnut centre trim, and although not bad, the few nicks and marks there will no doubt annoy me too much, so a replacement will be due soon.
After another 30 or so miles yesterday on mainly country roads around darkest Bucks, in the rain, hardtop on, I have to say how impressed I am. With the exception of a slightly over exaggerated pull to the left, the car feels in ridiculous shape for it's age. Not only to have kept it's quality of ride and handling so well, but that the noise levels from within the cabin and from the engine are so conspicuously absent, the car is 22 years old this year and some, if not most of the design longevity beggars belief.
Just hoping we have a Spring now so the hardtop can be ditched and some top down touring can commence.
That looks a good example.
You can change the cassette holder between the seats, with an OEM storage bin. The bin costs £35ish now (I cannot remember exactly) from Mercedes, and take a few minutes to change. It gives you more storage space, and doubles as a drinks holder in an emergency!
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/interior/18551-r129...
You can change the cassette holder between the seats, with an OEM storage bin. The bin costs £35ish now (I cannot remember exactly) from Mercedes, and take a few minutes to change. It gives you more storage space, and doubles as a drinks holder in an emergency!
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/interior/18551-r129...
Chaps, re the walnut trim on the centre console.
It's matched with the walnut panel on the doors and is comically expensive to replace, even though it's available from Mercedes.
Far better to carefully remove the wood and take it to a furniture restorer who will sand it down and re laquer for a fraction of the cost. And it will be original.
It's matched with the walnut panel on the doors and is comically expensive to replace, even though it's available from Mercedes.
Far better to carefully remove the wood and take it to a furniture restorer who will sand it down and re laquer for a fraction of the cost. And it will be original.
I think the power figures for i6 and v6 are reversed above, but otherwise a comprehensive report. The v6 can do 30mpg but somehow I doubt the v8 ever would as easily, and would expect both to be worse around town, the v8 proportionately less.
I have a new boxed roof winch, but not the electric version, also the roof stand, plus a full size custom alloy stand, which will all go with my car when it goes. I only kept it thinking we'd take it abroad at some point, but never have, so it sits happily.
My mot's to date are: 23.10.2014 @ 28027, 28.08.2013 @ 28014, 04.09.2012 @ 28004, 01/08/2011 @ 27661, 07.10.2010 @ 27397, 14.10.2009 @ 26695, 01.10.2008 @ 25218, 06.09.2007 @ 21577, 05.09.2006 @ 18926, 09.09.2005 @ 16006, 06.09.2004 @ 13723, 04.09.2003 @ 12945, 09.09.2002 @ 10641, 10.09.2001 @ 8863. Hasn't moved since the last one.
I don't keep the fuel receipts though haha, but do with the Mini mostly. Both registered 2 years apart to the day actually, but the Mini I bought new, second owner for the SL. I have always been amazed at how quiet it is on the road, expecting it to rattle but no.
Hopefully I'll be sorting out some longer term storage for it this year. I think they're way nicer than the W230 cars.
I have a new boxed roof winch, but not the electric version, also the roof stand, plus a full size custom alloy stand, which will all go with my car when it goes. I only kept it thinking we'd take it abroad at some point, but never have, so it sits happily.
My mot's to date are: 23.10.2014 @ 28027, 28.08.2013 @ 28014, 04.09.2012 @ 28004, 01/08/2011 @ 27661, 07.10.2010 @ 27397, 14.10.2009 @ 26695, 01.10.2008 @ 25218, 06.09.2007 @ 21577, 05.09.2006 @ 18926, 09.09.2005 @ 16006, 06.09.2004 @ 13723, 04.09.2003 @ 12945, 09.09.2002 @ 10641, 10.09.2001 @ 8863. Hasn't moved since the last one.
I don't keep the fuel receipts though haha, but do with the Mini mostly. Both registered 2 years apart to the day actually, but the Mini I bought new, second owner for the SL. I have always been amazed at how quiet it is on the road, expecting it to rattle but no.
Hopefully I'll be sorting out some longer term storage for it this year. I think they're way nicer than the W230 cars.
Bit of a thread resurrection... but I woke this morning, with a vision of an R129 SL on my driveway.
I have a 1M I am now trying to protect from high mileage as used values are going nuts (yes I know, enjoy the car, etc - but it's my money!), and a Renaultsport Clio 182 Trophy as a daily.
The Clio I love and hasn't missed a beat in 2 years (including drive to Le Mans), but the missus won't drive it, and my need for a daily has shifted from a simple commuter and fun car/track day car, to something that gives the family a true second car, and a comfortable long distance cruiser. I have started racing this year, so genuinely don't "need" a fast road car, and it's 180 miles to Snetterton and Oulton Park, not ideal in a Renaultsport. Missus and daughter would also love a convertible.
So R129's look very good value for a lot of car, and would be comfortable, fun for the family with the roof down... and I hope meet my other criteria for a used car, no depreciation to offset running costs. Some questions:
- Has any owner or enthusiast tracking this thread been watching used values, and if so what sense do you have on where values are going?
- How is the ride? I'd like as soft and wafty as possible, if i want to go quickly there is the 1M or Sports 2000 racecar!
- Assume condition and history over just picking a low mileage example, but any key points or big jobs to look out for when mileage goes over 100k?
- WHat is the quality of the standard stereo like? If it's a long distance cruiser, than matters to me!
- Anyone aware of a strong example for sale? Just early days at the moment...
- Anything owner's groups, or forums you might recommend?
- Anyone interested in an immaculate Clio Trophy?
I have a 1M I am now trying to protect from high mileage as used values are going nuts (yes I know, enjoy the car, etc - but it's my money!
), and a Renaultsport Clio 182 Trophy as a daily. The Clio I love and hasn't missed a beat in 2 years (including drive to Le Mans), but the missus won't drive it, and my need for a daily has shifted from a simple commuter and fun car/track day car, to something that gives the family a true second car, and a comfortable long distance cruiser. I have started racing this year, so genuinely don't "need" a fast road car, and it's 180 miles to Snetterton and Oulton Park, not ideal in a Renaultsport. Missus and daughter would also love a convertible.
So R129's look very good value for a lot of car, and would be comfortable, fun for the family with the roof down... and I hope meet my other criteria for a used car, no depreciation to offset running costs. Some questions:
- Has any owner or enthusiast tracking this thread been watching used values, and if so what sense do you have on where values are going?
- How is the ride? I'd like as soft and wafty as possible, if i want to go quickly there is the 1M or Sports 2000 racecar!
- Assume condition and history over just picking a low mileage example, but any key points or big jobs to look out for when mileage goes over 100k?
- WHat is the quality of the standard stereo like? If it's a long distance cruiser, than matters to me!
- Anyone aware of a strong example for sale? Just early days at the moment...
- Anything owner's groups, or forums you might recommend?
- Anyone interested in an immaculate Clio Trophy?
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