r129 sl what are they really like?
Discussion
Have to disagree about you choice of garage Im afraid especially on the older cars. SNG Auto's now get my business http://www.mercedesspecialistwarrington.co.uk/
Old Merc said:
As this old topic has been resurrected I will add something to what I said here three years ago about my SL320.
I mentioned that I was not happy with the handling.Any way since then it has been worked on by a very good Merc`specialist.They replaced the bottom ball joints,steering idler and damper.Then,and this is crucial,the steering AND suspension geometry was adjusted.As some of you may know the lower wishbones are adjustable so its very important to get it all done properly.
I noticed the difference immediately,it drives like a new car,well worth the expense.
I shall be striping mine this Autumn. I'll start with the front then move onto the rear. Lemforder arms and Sachs shocks.I mentioned that I was not happy with the handling.Any way since then it has been worked on by a very good Merc`specialist.They replaced the bottom ball joints,steering idler and damper.Then,and this is crucial,the steering AND suspension geometry was adjusted.As some of you may know the lower wishbones are adjustable so its very important to get it all done properly.
I noticed the difference immediately,it drives like a new car,well worth the expense.
They are great cars. Not sports cars but great cruisers.
Don't discount the SL280. I bought a 1997 car 5 years ago for the Mrs and it's fine performance-wise. A little breathless at high revs though always smooth.
It simply wafts along with a very smooth 5 speed auto.
They are not good on fuel in town. I can't get 20 mpg if driven very gently and the smaller engines offer little improvement on the bigger ones.
Very underrated and ludicrously cheap given the quality. I should know as I can't even get £4k for my 113,000 mile one!
Don't discount the SL280. I bought a 1997 car 5 years ago for the Mrs and it's fine performance-wise. A little breathless at high revs though always smooth.
It simply wafts along with a very smooth 5 speed auto.
They are not good on fuel in town. I can't get 20 mpg if driven very gently and the smaller engines offer little improvement on the bigger ones.
Very underrated and ludicrously cheap given the quality. I should know as I can't even get £4k for my 113,000 mile one!
I would say they're a GT car rather than sports. I've had mine 10 years, it doesn't move, having been last taxed in 2011 expiring early 2012, and not really used that year either haha. Still 28,000 miles, and it's great. I'd have one over any of the later cars, and the 320 facelift was the best of the bunch in my opinion, but V8 engine fans will prefer the sound of them. I'd rather my fuel bill ha. I worked at the MB dealer for 8 years and knew this car, printed off all sorts, never one warranty claim, and only one reported fault which the dealer couldn't reproduce, but I did and fixed it for under £30 and kept the old part. Brilliant vehicle. Got the roof winch still in the box, and folding stand, plus a custom stand made for me by another client, alloy and also on wheels.
Ha, whilst not an advert, I'm open to proposals in that regard, I don't use it. Much of the mileage from me was several 800 mile trips to the Isle of Wight, where the car was sometimes stored in my undercroft parking area, or in a barn, a garage, even the above showroom for around six months, but mostly on the drive or side of the house.
Some other information for those interested:
Options include the rare Mineral Green paint which I understand was originally a Designio colour, only available on the model for 6 months, Helios interior with Nappa leather, 245 section tyres on wider wheels, Xenon lights with headlamp wash wipe, heated electric memory seats for both driver and passenger, electronically adjustable steering wheel, rare Chestnut wood, model id delete, cassette compartment in console, ESP, folding mirrors (n/s doesn't want to), rear seats in place of luggage board, dark green Mohair top (green stitching), Audio 10 CC with traffic news and RDS, model year 1999.
It has mot to October 23rd. COC papers present, and it is a U.K. vehicle.
Option codes: 241,242,260,331,441,461,472,500,501,565,600,600,617,644,668,747,753,8099,833,873,984. Date of Registration 09/09/1998.
Service at selling dealer, 25/04/2000 @ 5332, 20/04/2001 @ 7029, 18/04/2002 @ 9392, 22/04/2003 @ 11734, 15/04/2004 @ 13601, 14/04/2005 @ 14821, 11/04/2006 @ 16273, next entry is blank but stamped, attended to privately not wishing to enter in the book, and the car is now seldom used.
Mot's, 10/09/2001 @ 8863, 09/09/2002 @ 10641, 04/09/2003 @ 12945, 06/09/2004 @ 13723, 09/09/2005 @ 16006, 05/09/2006 @ 18926, 06/09/2007 @ 21577, 01/10/2008 @ 25218, 14/10/2009 @ 26695, 07/10/2010 @ 27397, 01/08/2011 @ 27661, 04/09/2012 @ 28004, 28/08/2013 @ 28014, 24/10/2014 @ 28027. So mileage now will be around 28035 as I don't remember using it save for the journey home.
The tax disc in the window expired March 2012.
The convertible roof had never been operated until I took ownership, and remains in stunning condition due to continued lack of use, having been left up for around 8 months in its life.
Paint on the vehicle is original, interior is simply remarkable, with an unused appearance in comparison with almost any other car. Marks are consistent with storage and use, fair expectation of stone chips. Underneath has age evidence, yet is periodically lubricated, tyres were the originals until the last Mot, and it has a spare part worn set of the same installed.
It needs a wiper rubber, wash, polish, and a gentle, sympathetic drive which will allow the brakes to clean, and oils to warm.
The car gets cleaned often with bubble bath, and under the bonnet historically is cleaned with furniture polish, strange but true.
There are two standard remote keys (one unused), emergency alarm keys (black and red), and the remote card key too.
Some other information for those interested:
Options include the rare Mineral Green paint which I understand was originally a Designio colour, only available on the model for 6 months, Helios interior with Nappa leather, 245 section tyres on wider wheels, Xenon lights with headlamp wash wipe, heated electric memory seats for both driver and passenger, electronically adjustable steering wheel, rare Chestnut wood, model id delete, cassette compartment in console, ESP, folding mirrors (n/s doesn't want to), rear seats in place of luggage board, dark green Mohair top (green stitching), Audio 10 CC with traffic news and RDS, model year 1999.
It has mot to October 23rd. COC papers present, and it is a U.K. vehicle.
Option codes: 241,242,260,331,441,461,472,500,501,565,600,600,617,644,668,747,753,8099,833,873,984. Date of Registration 09/09/1998.
Service at selling dealer, 25/04/2000 @ 5332, 20/04/2001 @ 7029, 18/04/2002 @ 9392, 22/04/2003 @ 11734, 15/04/2004 @ 13601, 14/04/2005 @ 14821, 11/04/2006 @ 16273, next entry is blank but stamped, attended to privately not wishing to enter in the book, and the car is now seldom used.
Mot's, 10/09/2001 @ 8863, 09/09/2002 @ 10641, 04/09/2003 @ 12945, 06/09/2004 @ 13723, 09/09/2005 @ 16006, 05/09/2006 @ 18926, 06/09/2007 @ 21577, 01/10/2008 @ 25218, 14/10/2009 @ 26695, 07/10/2010 @ 27397, 01/08/2011 @ 27661, 04/09/2012 @ 28004, 28/08/2013 @ 28014, 24/10/2014 @ 28027. So mileage now will be around 28035 as I don't remember using it save for the journey home.
The tax disc in the window expired March 2012.
The convertible roof had never been operated until I took ownership, and remains in stunning condition due to continued lack of use, having been left up for around 8 months in its life.
Paint on the vehicle is original, interior is simply remarkable, with an unused appearance in comparison with almost any other car. Marks are consistent with storage and use, fair expectation of stone chips. Underneath has age evidence, yet is periodically lubricated, tyres were the originals until the last Mot, and it has a spare part worn set of the same installed.
It needs a wiper rubber, wash, polish, and a gentle, sympathetic drive which will allow the brakes to clean, and oils to warm.
The car gets cleaned often with bubble bath, and under the bonnet historically is cleaned with furniture polish, strange but true.
There are two standard remote keys (one unused), emergency alarm keys (black and red), and the remote card key too.
The showroom that had it, priced it without the roof accessories, at £19895 (which is still in the car), I don't seek that much, and really am open to proposals, the SL isn't perfect, and whilst I can make it so, experience tells me people are often proud to do little things to make their new car just right. Ideally the wheels will want refurbishment as they are diamond turned, which I am happy to do through the Mercedes Benz refurbishing partner on a buyers behalf. I am an agent for them. I would get a new mot.
So in this case any are welcome to see it, I can fit the battery and it will start immediately. I can accommodate viewing during the week currently, while off after surgery.
So in this case any are welcome to see it, I can fit the battery and it will start immediately. I can accommodate viewing during the week currently, while off after surgery.
I have a 300SL, bought it last year signal red with cream interior. I put it up for sale but havent had really the interest I thought I would have had. To be honest I reckon its one of the best car I have owned, as said its no sports car, but wafting around in it is fantastic. Ive had a stream of handling cars.....an elise, lotus +2, caterhams and 911's and while they are focused at what they do, they can be a bit intense. The SL is a gracious car, the soft top is easy to operate, the ride is smooth, mpg isn't ridiculous etc etc I can see them rising in value but they are teetering on the edge at the moment. Its got a FSH, loads of receipts .....just what you look for in a second hand classic but no takers of any value?! I should really keep it!!
Plenty about so buyers can and will be fussy. I was picky when I purchased mine, I use it as a GT, with a few trips to Europe. So I wanted a 320 for the extra performance and 5 speed box, plus A/C was a must.
Price is the key, get that right and you will find a buyer.
I must admit I've spent more than I anticipated on getting the car up to scratch. But I love it and it's a long term thing. Most of the money spent is a worthwhile improvement, this puts a smile on my face.
Price is the key, get that right and you will find a buyer.
I must admit I've spent more than I anticipated on getting the car up to scratch. But I love it and it's a long term thing. Most of the money spent is a worthwhile improvement, this puts a smile on my face.
Yeh your right regarding price. I went to a large classic car show recently and checked out a couple of SL owned by club members and they were pretty rough, then again, maybe only worth a couple of grand. I spent £1400 on the car to get it up to scratch, having restored classics before to high standards I did the same with this, to the extent of replacing the speaker cover on the drivers door card due to it being cracked, the only garage work done was a fresh MOT and a couple of brake lines.
TBH I don't think they've made it there yet, you either get dreamers who want the car for a couple of grand or folk who don't want to spend the money or don't see it as an investment/ cheap class run around etc etc. I'm in Scotland as well and the number of people per square mile you could assume there be less enthusiasts, and to make it worth the trip for a southerner it would have to be a competitive price. I had it at just over 5, and I have list of work carried out as long as my arm, the interior is faultless, new soft top 3 years ago, no rust on the front wings, paintwork genuine but clean, FSH mostly MB, no MOT advisories, new discs and pads, rear bushes, everything works .....the list goes on.
We'll see next spring !?
TBH I don't think they've made it there yet, you either get dreamers who want the car for a couple of grand or folk who don't want to spend the money or don't see it as an investment/ cheap class run around etc etc. I'm in Scotland as well and the number of people per square mile you could assume there be less enthusiasts, and to make it worth the trip for a southerner it would have to be a competitive price. I had it at just over 5, and I have list of work carried out as long as my arm, the interior is faultless, new soft top 3 years ago, no rust on the front wings, paintwork genuine but clean, FSH mostly MB, no MOT advisories, new discs and pads, rear bushes, everything works .....the list goes on.
We'll see next spring !?
Edited by sam919 on Thursday 1st October 20:35
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