sl r129 anyone taken the risk on a 3/4k car

[Zonergem]

Much higher mileage than most imports. The speedo clock is the hairy wart that wasn't visible in the Tinder pics and which you can't stop looking at. Handsome car otherwise.

http://www.manorclassiccars.com/vehicles-for-sale/...

[PositronicRay]

I'd expect the hood to be taught, maybe badly installed.

[Zonergem]

Can you still get replacement hoods in dark blue in the UK, or do you need to visit that very expensive place in Germany? (OEM part supplier IIRC).

[ras62]

[quote=SSL]


Thank you.

Yes it has "pebble" cream leather. It is a 500SL and is comes without the catalytic converter (which gives it 333bhp and 339lbft of torque but not sure that much extra ,if at all, in the way of performance).


I thought all 129's came fitted with catalytic convertors, did you modify the car?

Edit some searching revealed option 828 was a Cat delete.

Edited by ras62 on Tuesday 18th October 12:51

[Zonergem]

SSL said:

Hi f1ten

if as Zonergem has usefully pointed out you meant was my car black too then no.

As you can see it is almadine.

Might not be your thing but could tickle a buyer at resale I guess

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Autocar-magazine-20-12-1...

[PositronicRay]

Zonergem said:

Can you still get replacement hoods in dark blue in the UK, or do you need to visit that very expensive place in Germany? (OEM part supplier IIRC).

All the uk installers will be able to supply blue.

[Zonergem]

Off to two viewings in the next few days. Not that they qualify for this thread as they're both asking 13k - ever so slightly outside thread budget.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Weird one - listed as 'trade' but no dealer info and it seems like the photos were taken in the yard of a Benz main dealer. A part-exchange that someone who works at MB is trying to move on himself? Some other form of sharp practice? He does want to meet in a public car park in Wandsworth.

The other one is the silver 1990 with AMG wheels and an aftermarket exhaust that was posted a few pages back. Has a very impressive history.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

The silver car is "nicer" but does have ADS. Thanks to Hereward's advice I am trying to be more open-minded about ADS and see it as another hydraulic system in need of sympathetic maintenance... but I have the niggly feeling that ADS on an SL is like playing Russian roulette with two bullets in the gun instead of one.

Edit: confirmed, top car's photos taken at MB Chelsea's After-Sales Dept in Wandsworth.
https://goo.gl/maps/e49i3F2JPPK2

Edited by Zonergem on Wednesday 19th October 21:56

[jke11y]

The door into the parts department is at the end of the building, I'd wager they've been in to get some bits and used the opportunity to take some photos that add some cred to the advert.

[Zonergem]

Touch-up paint probably. Putting lipstick on a pig or in this case gummi plefge.

[ras62]

No hard top with the blue car? Radio and old phone prep on the silver car looks naff, service gaps a bit weird also.

[Zonergem]

The blue car apparently has everything - hard top, invoices, manuals. But will it have a kosher V5C?

The silver car's radio can be fixed... at a price.

http://www.chromelondon.com/88-91-becker-grand-pri...

[SSL]

Zonergem said:

Might not be your thing but could tickle a buyer at resale I guess

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Autocar-magazine-20-12-1...

Thanks Zonergem.

Will offer any future buyer my copy of Brian Long's excellent book Mercedes-Benz SL - R129 series 1989-2001.

If you are interested in the R129 its a great source of information and data.

[Hereward]

Zonergem said:

... I am trying to be more open-minded about ADS and see it as another hydraulic system in need of sympathetic maintenance... but I have the niggly feeling that ADS on an SL is like playing Russian roulette with two bullets in the gun instead of one.

I like that analogy.

Looks like this 600 seller had his pants pulled down at a main dealer:
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C801482

...£10k spent but couldn't get round to fixing the headlight wiper! My OCD could not handle that wiper.

[Zonergem]

I viewed the blue car today. Apropos of nothing, can any of you kind souls tell what the steering feel should be like on a pre-facelift 500? Quite heavy at low speed? Not particularly self-centering? I'm coming from a '15 plate A6 Avant so my frame of reference is way off.

Teh want, it is strong though.

Also, as I see from many a forumite's profile - the first Mercedes is only the beginning.

http://www.angliacarauctions.co.uk/en/classic-auct...

Edited by Zonergem on Thursday 20th October 23:27

[CharlesdeGaulle]

The steering and throttle control on old Mercs can take some getting used to I think. Once you've 'got' it, it's 'got' for good, but it can feel quite different from a modern.

[PositronicRay]

The steering should be light, accurate and self centre, although not particularly direct. I would suspect an alignment would sort it out.

[ras62]

There are many parts to the steering system, nothing particularly expensive apart from the steering box itself but lots that can wear over time. Common items are idler arm bushes and dampers.
There is no real road feel as you would find in rack and pinion systems but the system is silky smooth and surprisingly accurate. It should certainly self center and have very little movement before the wheels move.

[PositronicRay]

ras62 said:

There are many parts to the steering system, nothing particularly expensive apart from the steering box itself but lots that can wear over time. Common items are idler arm bushes and dampers.
There is no real road feel as you would find in rack and pinion systems but the system is silky smooth and surprisingly accurate. It should certainly self center and have very little movement before the wheels move.

This is a good point, if someone has attempted to adjust the steering box they may have screwed it up!

[Zonergem]

Thanks all. Two viewings tomorrow, including a garage queen dealer-held car that is getting on for six or seven times thread budget. But you need the reference points I feel.

Watching this interview with Bruno Sacco

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N7mQVSXDrY

I couldn't help noticing the number of likes it has.






Given that R129SL has plenty of form when it comes to odometer shots my question is: how did he do it?!

Edited by Zonergem on Friday 21st October 15:52

[truck71]

Zonergem said:

Might not be your thing but could tickle a buyer at resale I guess

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Autocar-magazine-20-12-1...

Bought! I remember reading this back in the day as a 17 year old and always had a facsination with the R129. Fast forward 25 years and I bought one, hopefully it gets delivered next week.