R129 500 SL - Will I enjoy it.
Discussion
I was really into Mercedes in my youth. Once, due to my job, I was asked to deliver a R129 500SL to a customer. I was extremely excited. 326bhp! When my own car had 122bhp and even that felt fast.
But the trip was a disappointment. I wanted fireworks and thrills, but did not get them. There are of course a million other qualities to the SL, but they were not what I wanted at the time.
I tell this story so you know what you're getting.
But the trip was a disappointment. I wanted fireworks and thrills, but did not get them. There are of course a million other qualities to the SL, but they were not what I wanted at the time.
I tell this story so you know what you're getting.
mickyveloce said:
No, they wouldn't have appealed to me when I was an impetuous youth.
They do now, but work best when you have a rowdy, raucous machine to use when the mood takes.
Agree with that 100% which is why, if I was the OP, I'd try and keep the Lotus too. I'm sure he would soon miss the pure driving dynamics of the Lotus otherwise and yearn for the raw experience that gives. I'm an old bugger now and find it increasingly difficult to get in and out and would certainly miss mine if it went, but I do still enjoy taking the SL out on a warm summers day, just bimbling along, not driving particularly quickly.They do now, but work best when you have a rowdy, raucous machine to use when the mood takes.
Edited by P.Nott on Wednesday 4th March 07:37
Edited by P.Nott on Wednesday 4th March 07:43
Hi all, just to let you know no purchase yet, I'm setting my budget on the lower side so I can keep the Elise, not sure if I can go for the 500 or not, but that leads on to my question, I know these cars handle their mileage will but whats the opinion on higher mileage cars (with history), think 100 - 200K +.
nav p said:
I have a 1999 500SL as well as a 190 2.5 16V
Just to add a bit of substance to this I also work for BMW and drive a wide range of that product..in the early nineties I worked for MB and sold these cars for £75k back then!
I love the 129 cars and have had several all V8 I must add, although the early 129 cars I feel prettier the late cars are far superior to live with.
As far as handling/ride etc my car has what most people dread with ADS but mine gives a great ride and handles very respectably,of course most new cars probably go round corners faster but these cars feel quite well resolved
I use mine most weekends whatever the weather and it feels a very special car still just like it did to me in the early nineties
My view is not an out and out sports car,it will hang on and grip even when the bodyroll is more than it should be but it is not ever anything but faithful and will not do anything to catch you out.The build is sublime and the ownership experience is great
It rides nearly as good as my 500SE,handles not far off my 2.5-16V and reminds me of my old 500E which is what it is based on
Get one,cherish it but remember what it really is.
Im looking to buy one. Are the late cars really that much superior? Just to add a bit of substance to this I also work for BMW and drive a wide range of that product..in the early nineties I worked for MB and sold these cars for £75k back then!
I love the 129 cars and have had several all V8 I must add, although the early 129 cars I feel prettier the late cars are far superior to live with.
As far as handling/ride etc my car has what most people dread with ADS but mine gives a great ride and handles very respectably,of course most new cars probably go round corners faster but these cars feel quite well resolved
I use mine most weekends whatever the weather and it feels a very special car still just like it did to me in the early nineties
My view is not an out and out sports car,it will hang on and grip even when the bodyroll is more than it should be but it is not ever anything but faithful and will not do anything to catch you out.The build is sublime and the ownership experience is great
It rides nearly as good as my 500SE,handles not far off my 2.5-16V and reminds me of my old 500E which is what it is based on
Get one,cherish it but remember what it really is.
AllyBee said:
Hi all, just to let you know no purchase yet, I'm setting my budget on the lower side so I can keep the Elise, not sure if I can go for the 500 or not, but that leads on to my question, I know these cars handle their mileage will but whats the opinion on higher mileage cars (with history), think 100 - 200K +.
I've seen a number go through auctions at cheap money. But all need something. I owned a facelift 320 and sold it on with 170k miles for £3500 4 years ago. If everything works, the body is straight, the engine sounds sweet and the gearbox is smooth, I'd not worry too much about mileage...as long as the price reflects that.... AllyBee said:
nickod said:
Im looking to buy one. Are the late cars really that much superior?
+1 on that, I'd be keen to know the differences/reasons. I'm thinking of going to look at a '96 model this weekend so that sort of info would be really useful. Allybee - the higher priced SL you drove. I'm considering going to see it. Is is totally immaculate or does it need some things doing? Guessing it should be flawless at that price.
nickod said:
My main concern is the 4 speed gearbox v the 5 speed - what the 4 speed is like at higher motorway speeds.
Allybee - the higher priced SL you drove. I'm considering going to see it. Is is totally immaculate or does it need some things doing? Guessing it should be flawless at that price.
I'm no expert but the only thing the guy mentioned was there was a problem with the roll bar activation and auto window dropping, but he's got a new control module to fit/will be resolved before sale, it also had a new mohair roof. It drove very well, no clunks or odd noise and the guy selling it seemed like a decent chap. Allybee - the higher priced SL you drove. I'm considering going to see it. Is is totally immaculate or does it need some things doing? Guessing it should be flawless at that price.
If you're going to see it make sure you go Sat AM and have a look round JD classics which is just up the road.
AllyBee said:
nickod said:
My main concern is the 4 speed gearbox v the 5 speed - what the 4 speed is like at higher motorway speeds.
Allybee - the higher priced SL you drove. I'm considering going to see it. Is is totally immaculate or does it need some things doing? Guessing it should be flawless at that price.
I'm no expert but the only thing the guy mentioned was there was a problem with the roll bar activation and auto window dropping, but he's got a new control module to fit/will be resolved before sale, it also had a new mohair roof. It drove very well, no clunks or odd noise and the guy selling it seemed like a decent chap. Allybee - the higher priced SL you drove. I'm considering going to see it. Is is totally immaculate or does it need some things doing? Guessing it should be flawless at that price.
If you're going to see it make sure you go Sat AM and have a look round JD classics which is just up the road.
nickod said:
Great thanks Allybee. It seems pricey but at that mileage and condition it may be worth buying the best one I can find. Plus I don't like most of the pre facelift colours and that's my favourite prefacelift colour.
No problem, would be nice to see it go to a good home, if I could make the numbers work I'd have probably bought it. nickod said:
nav p said:
I have a 1999 500SL as well as a 190 2.5 16V
Just to add a bit of substance to this I also work for BMW and drive a wide range of that product..in the early nineties I worked for MB and sold these cars for £75k back then!
I love the 129 cars and have had several all V8 I must add, although the early 129 cars I feel prettier the late cars are far superior to live with.
As far as handling/ride etc my car has what most people dread with ADS but mine gives a great ride and handles very respectably,of course most new cars probably go round corners faster but these cars feel quite well resolved
I use mine most weekends whatever the weather and it feels a very special car still just like it did to me in the early nineties
My view is not an out and out sports car,it will hang on and grip even when the bodyroll is more than it should be but it is not ever anything but faithful and will not do anything to catch you out.The build is sublime and the ownership experience is great
It rides nearly as good as my 500SE,handles not far off my 2.5-16V and reminds me of my old 500E which is what it is based on
Get one,cherish it but remember what it really is.
Im looking to buy one. Are the late cars really that much superior? Just to add a bit of substance to this I also work for BMW and drive a wide range of that product..in the early nineties I worked for MB and sold these cars for £75k back then!
I love the 129 cars and have had several all V8 I must add, although the early 129 cars I feel prettier the late cars are far superior to live with.
As far as handling/ride etc my car has what most people dread with ADS but mine gives a great ride and handles very respectably,of course most new cars probably go round corners faster but these cars feel quite well resolved
I use mine most weekends whatever the weather and it feels a very special car still just like it did to me in the early nineties
My view is not an out and out sports car,it will hang on and grip even when the bodyroll is more than it should be but it is not ever anything but faithful and will not do anything to catch you out.The build is sublime and the ownership experience is great
It rides nearly as good as my 500SE,handles not far off my 2.5-16V and reminds me of my old 500E which is what it is based on
Get one,cherish it but remember what it really is.
The five speed box and the later engine are smoother,more economical and it feels more responsive,
braking seems stronger too.
Things like Xenons and folding mirrors/dipping just make it more modern and easier to live with,clearly these items are not essential but just nicer
The later instrument cluster and steering wheel are nicer.
From memory also the rubber seals where improved and the car is quieter with either soft top or hardtop in place than the early car..
As I said earlier the earlier car I feel is prettier,more in keeping with with the other Mercedes cars I own
The 5 speed box is nice, I wanted a 6 cylinder so one of the reasons I chose a a 320 over a 300 24v. I think the later cars had a different box again (electronic) with a taller top gear.
The earlier cars have simpler electronics, useful for the home mechanic, codes are read with an old fashioned homemade "blink code" reader. The later interior does look more up to date, but I quite like the original look.
If I were buying again, I would pay more attention to "money spent" not just service history, while the consumables aren't too expensive the costs can run away with you. Better to focus on condition than model yr, I would rather have a good early car than a tired later model.
Mines a "94" which came with colour coded bumpers and lower mouldings. I'm not sure if it came from the factory like this but again I prefer the look.
The earlier cars have simpler electronics, useful for the home mechanic, codes are read with an old fashioned homemade "blink code" reader. The later interior does look more up to date, but I quite like the original look.
If I were buying again, I would pay more attention to "money spent" not just service history, while the consumables aren't too expensive the costs can run away with you. Better to focus on condition than model yr, I would rather have a good early car than a tired later model.
Mines a "94" which came with colour coded bumpers and lower mouldings. I'm not sure if it came from the factory like this but again I prefer the look.
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