R129 Mercedes-Benz SL - Why the gap in values?
Discussion
Funny old game innit, I think the newer cars are better looking but probably haven't bottomed out in price.
At under £8k this SL500 probably represents something like the best value sports/gt car money can buy (maybe a 6 series or Xk8 is better I dunno)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/used-cars/mercedes-ben...
(That garage with the R129 looks a bit premium added aswell)
At under £8k this SL500 probably represents something like the best value sports/gt car money can buy (maybe a 6 series or Xk8 is better I dunno)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/used-cars/mercedes-ben...
(That garage with the R129 looks a bit premium added aswell)
mickyveloce said:
New mot, new Pirelli P7's and ready for the season. Value more or less irrelevant, but as its almost certainly appreciated from the cost five years ago, I'm sending it to the paint shop to resolves stonechips etc.
A wonderful, wonderful pleasure.
r129sl said:
You'll go to gaol if you're caught at that speed Oa, especially up in Jockland. I can't help it either, though.
When I said some specialist dealers are chancing their arms with the 129, I kind of meant it in the way that those same specialist dealers would ask 25grand for a 3/4full tinfoil ashtray at the moment on the basis that it's a sure-fire investment, guv. But what SSL has written above makes a lot of sense. I remember when Pagodas were where 107s are now and the rise and rise of the Pagoda has undoubtedly pulled up the 107 which in turn may pull on the 129. It is also a fabulously under-rated car.
In Germany of course!When I said some specialist dealers are chancing their arms with the 129, I kind of meant it in the way that those same specialist dealers would ask 25grand for a 3/4full tinfoil ashtray at the moment on the basis that it's a sure-fire investment, guv. But what SSL has written above makes a lot of sense. I remember when Pagodas were where 107s are now and the rise and rise of the Pagoda has undoubtedly pulled up the 107 which in turn may pull on the 129. It is also a fabulously under-rated car.
I agree - the r129 will follow the curves of previous SLs. I don't envisage making money on mine, however I think that over time the costs of maintenance will be more or less offset by the lack of depreciation.
When I was looking for mine I went to see a right dog of a car. The owner said it was nice on the phone but every panel had significant rust, the interior was in terrible condition with even the passenger seat worn through, and the car's wipers were controlled by an aftermarket electrical switch!
My car is a 300-24. When I did my homework, I wanted a very early production version- this a 1990 pre-airbag car- and, being a fan of the M104, I wanted a straight six. The early cars seem to be better made, and I love the design of the wheels, gingercators and interior details.
This car has an optional 5-speed auto, and a good spec, but the originality and history made it a good buy at £5k.
I've done about 7500 miles in five years, and other than a water pump, the car has only needed consumables.
I just took mine of for a nice clearing of the cobwebs - the sound and performance are very amusing after driving my w124. It has a naughty exhaust on it at the moment that I am in two minds about; it's fantastic when pressing on, but a bit too loud for commuting. As the SL is one of several cars in balance i thinkI may only get it quietened a little - it's really amusing to hear the full v8 noise!
acme said:
That looks wonderful, do tell us about your ownership experience.
I occasionally look on AT, almost no 500's at the moment.
I always look at the Mercedes AT sections that just give the numeric ref such as 230, 240 etcI occasionally look on AT, almost no 500's at the moment.
This one looks quite interesting but no indication of service history
www.castlemotors.com/1991-j-mercedes-500-sl-conver...
Early 500SL with convertible roof switch on righthand side of central console, two tone paint, fifteen hole alloys, gingercators.
Nice.
Edited by SSL on Saturday 2nd April 12:27
The interior looks ok in the op dealer link, but then look again, certainly not like not new, have a closer look at the o/s footwell, like most out there it's awful.
If the 16750 is anything to go by at 50k I should get in excess of 17500 for my 28k car when I sell it, which is in a better preserved state inside in comparison.
They vary massively in price, but the condition perceived by people looking also does. Some people can't see where things could be better, or treat it like it's unimportant, hence migrating to the cheaper car, because as long as they have one outside the house or in the garage, it's enough, even though they have to sit in a bin of a car while 'wafting around'.
I'm only the second owner of mine, and it isn't used anymore really, I sold my house on the Isle of Wight and brought it back here where it just sits, yet I still look at various ad's for others and am frequently confused myself as to why some are cheap, and others dear, yet I have been amazed at the descriptions of junk too, priced as a pearl, crazy. I went to look at four or five over the last few years, the ideas people have of nice, or what you call history, and original is quite bizarre.
These aren't Ferrari's, where they mustn't be used or thousands fall from the value, or worse, serviced by a superstar at a main dealer or anywhere else or the value falls through the floor. They aren't temperamental cars needing constant fettling, but are deserving of understanding and sympathetic custodians, as they are indeed the next car under the spotlight. The pigs all being sold to the blind and uninterested for peanuts won't be around or of interest when that happens, if they are they'll be the basket cases some wish to have the satisfaction of restoring from the ground up, in which case good luck.
Modern classics will never be the same prospect as older cars, in terms of full restoration I suspect, I think care in preserving elements of the vehicle is more vital as time goes on. We are living in a disposable world now, money is worth less, and these cars are a trinket to the wealthy, or were, and are purchased as good value right now, like said above, the 230 may be better value, but it is not a classic for the future that most of us can see, I've driven many, and they are heavy feeling, frumpy, unreliable, cramped for the size, and over rated quite unpleasant shape cars in my own humble opinion haha, but hey they're the new thing and all that is available, so the followers buy them. Just like the 129 was cheap for what you got, i's happening to the 230, but just watch and see, I think the 129 will do better, some here are thinking it, they are a landmark of true Mercedes Benz style which will live on I suspect.
Enough rambling, hope the op finds the best example.
If the 16750 is anything to go by at 50k I should get in excess of 17500 for my 28k car when I sell it, which is in a better preserved state inside in comparison.
They vary massively in price, but the condition perceived by people looking also does. Some people can't see where things could be better, or treat it like it's unimportant, hence migrating to the cheaper car, because as long as they have one outside the house or in the garage, it's enough, even though they have to sit in a bin of a car while 'wafting around'.
I'm only the second owner of mine, and it isn't used anymore really, I sold my house on the Isle of Wight and brought it back here where it just sits, yet I still look at various ad's for others and am frequently confused myself as to why some are cheap, and others dear, yet I have been amazed at the descriptions of junk too, priced as a pearl, crazy. I went to look at four or five over the last few years, the ideas people have of nice, or what you call history, and original is quite bizarre.
These aren't Ferrari's, where they mustn't be used or thousands fall from the value, or worse, serviced by a superstar at a main dealer or anywhere else or the value falls through the floor. They aren't temperamental cars needing constant fettling, but are deserving of understanding and sympathetic custodians, as they are indeed the next car under the spotlight. The pigs all being sold to the blind and uninterested for peanuts won't be around or of interest when that happens, if they are they'll be the basket cases some wish to have the satisfaction of restoring from the ground up, in which case good luck.
Modern classics will never be the same prospect as older cars, in terms of full restoration I suspect, I think care in preserving elements of the vehicle is more vital as time goes on. We are living in a disposable world now, money is worth less, and these cars are a trinket to the wealthy, or were, and are purchased as good value right now, like said above, the 230 may be better value, but it is not a classic for the future that most of us can see, I've driven many, and they are heavy feeling, frumpy, unreliable, cramped for the size, and over rated quite unpleasant shape cars in my own humble opinion haha, but hey they're the new thing and all that is available, so the followers buy them. Just like the 129 was cheap for what you got, i's happening to the 230, but just watch and see, I think the 129 will do better, some here are thinking it, they are a landmark of true Mercedes Benz style which will live on I suspect.
Enough rambling, hope the op finds the best example.
SSL said:
acme said:
That looks wonderful, do tell us about your ownership experience.
I occasionally look on AT, almost no 500's at the moment.
I always look at the Mercedes AT sections that just give the numeric ref such as 230, 240 etcI occasionally look on AT, almost no 500's at the moment.
This one looks quite interesting but no indication of service history
www.castlemotors.com/1991-j-mercedes-500-sl-conver...
Early 500SL with convertible roof switch on righthand side of central console, two tone paint, fifteen hole alloys, gingercators.
Nice.
Edited by SSL on Saturday 2nd April 12:27
That's lovely. I was at a Merc event today & there were quite a few later 129's, I certainly prefer the earlier ones, far less blingy to my eyes, but all a matter of opinion naturally.
I've just got back into R129 ownership this week. Many moons ago I had a modified SL60, lowered, with Brabus bits, fat alloys and a dubious provenance that I loved to pieces but sold on. Been hankering after another for ages. Bought this from the brother of a pal at work. He's spent £££'s on...new seats, new hood, new conti tyres, cleaned up bodywork... and some on the internals too. Although not completely original...alloys for instance....the car itself was immaculate.
It's a 95 and had 98K on the clock although that's starting to creep up already
I'd forgotten what a relaxing drive these cars are. If I'm going near motorways now it's hard not to choose this one. I'll post some better photo's when it's not raining!!...but this is one that the previous owner took. Classic car insurance is good too ~£200 p.a 
It's a 95 and had 98K on the clock although that's starting to creep up already
I'd forgotten what a relaxing drive these cars are. If I'm going near motorways now it's hard not to choose this one. I'll post some better photo's when it's not raining!!...but this is one that the previous owner took. Classic car insurance is good too ~£200 p.a Thank you Oa. He he... it's 'just' a 500 however the 500 can still lift it's skirt up when you push the accelerator pedal down enough to kick down.
What I like about this car is the super smooth ride. My old car had been lowered and the suspension was rock hard this is much more Mercedes like and appropriate for the sl.
Also back to the OP question I think so many cars that are collectable or desirable in some form or other are being bought as commodities. With interest rates as they are people are putting their money into other things like cars. Dealers take advantage of that and private sellers see dealer prices and think they can price accordingly.
I didn't mention I paid & £5k for this car. Even if I have to spend a bit on unknown issues over the near term that I'd missed it's still helluva lot of car for the money.
What I like about this car is the super smooth ride. My old car had been lowered and the suspension was rock hard this is much more Mercedes like and appropriate for the sl.
Also back to the OP question I think so many cars that are collectable or desirable in some form or other are being bought as commodities. With interest rates as they are people are putting their money into other things like cars. Dealers take advantage of that and private sellers see dealer prices and think they can price accordingly.
I didn't mention I paid & £5k for this car. Even if I have to spend a bit on unknown issues over the near term that I'd missed it's still helluva lot of car for the money.
Plenty to choose from, lots of dogs and a few nice cars, be picky.
Check everything works and it drives well, heavy cars, so hard on suspension. Get it warm and up to motorway speeds, hood up.
Interview the owner as much as the car, buy from an enthusiast, any signs of bodgery walk away. Check for rust around the wheel archs, plastic windows will cost around £400, a new hood £1-1.5k. Electrical gremlins seem to be par for the course.
Leave yourself a decent repair budget, a lot of theses cars only have occasional use, so plenty of stuff waiting to rear it's head. A can of electrical contact cleaner will become your best friend and the ability to DIY will aid your ownership experience.
Things I'd want to check & change if no record of it being done, DIY costs below.
Shocks..........................................£300
Top mounts......................................£100
Control arms....................................£300
4 Wheel alignment...............................£100
All fluids/filters..............................£150
Pads & Discs....................................£250
Flex discs......................................£250
Throttle body and Engine harnesses (93-96 cars).£500 (2.8/3.2 HFM + V8 & V12 engines)
Tyres...........................................£400
Engine fan clutch...............................£100
Waterpump..............I Don't know the cost, mine had already been changed.
Good parts availability but shop around, some of the MB prices are ok, others eye watering.
Lovely and satisfying cars to drive and own, but if not careful you can be playing catch up on 20yrs of maintenance.
Check everything works and it drives well, heavy cars, so hard on suspension. Get it warm and up to motorway speeds, hood up.
Interview the owner as much as the car, buy from an enthusiast, any signs of bodgery walk away. Check for rust around the wheel archs, plastic windows will cost around £400, a new hood £1-1.5k. Electrical gremlins seem to be par for the course.
Leave yourself a decent repair budget, a lot of theses cars only have occasional use, so plenty of stuff waiting to rear it's head. A can of electrical contact cleaner will become your best friend and the ability to DIY will aid your ownership experience.
Things I'd want to check & change if no record of it being done, DIY costs below.
Shocks..........................................£300
Top mounts......................................£100
Control arms....................................£300
4 Wheel alignment...............................£100
All fluids/filters..............................£150
Pads & Discs....................................£250
Flex discs......................................£250
Throttle body and Engine harnesses (93-96 cars).£500 (2.8/3.2 HFM + V8 & V12 engines)
Tyres...........................................£400
Engine fan clutch...............................£100
Waterpump..............I Don't know the cost, mine had already been changed.
Good parts availability but shop around, some of the MB prices are ok, others eye watering.
Lovely and satisfying cars to drive and own, but if not careful you can be playing catch up on 20yrs of maintenance.
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