R129 Mercedes-Benz SL - Why the gap in values?
Discussion
sinbaddio said:
The prices of R129's are crazy. I first bought a 95 SL320 for £1.8k, with a view to restoring it. Bit off a lot more than I could chew so sold it on to someone who knew what he was doing. Then a month later I got a two owner, 95k miles '93 500SL with fsh for £3.5k, which now seems like a bit of a bargain. I think the general consensus on here is correct, R107 values are going sky high, therefore pushing demand for the R129. It's irrelevant for me as it's going nowhere, still it's nice to have a car appreciate for once!
Just love Bornite colour scheme. Very nice.SSL said:
I appreciate that the following are very low mileage examples of gorgeous early R129s but they are indicative of the kind of trend discussed above.
www.edward-hall.co.uk/showroom/1992-mercedes-benz-...
www.edward-hall.co.uk/showroom/1991-mercedes-benz-...
Even if you don't agree they are lovely to look at.
Anyone ever had dealings with Edward Hall? Never came across his place till this thread. I must say his place comes across as an enthusiast run garage rather than the usual pile on the polish and double the price classic merc places.www.edward-hall.co.uk/showroom/1992-mercedes-benz-...
www.edward-hall.co.uk/showroom/1991-mercedes-benz-...
Even if you don't agree they are lovely to look at.
shopper150 said:
I'm looking for a R129 500SL.
What do people think about Japanese imports? Are they worth buying? Would I be able to resell easily?
I am not 100% certain but the black over grey 500SL featured in the Edward Hall link above looks like it could be a Japanese import.What do people think about Japanese imports? Are they worth buying? Would I be able to resell easily?
Its doesn't have rear seats and its mileage is given as a conversion from kilometres with distance recorded in kilometres.
The advertised price for that car was £20,000.
There is a Japanese import specialist up in Durham but can't remember the name.
As regards price you might find you will pay less for the car than you would a UK spec model but correspondingly sell for less than a UK equivalent.
Not sure that helps much perhaps others can do better.
SSL said:
shopper150 said:
I'm looking for a R129 500SL.
What do people think about Japanese imports? Are they worth buying? Would I be able to resell easily?
I am not 100% certain but the black over grey 500SL featured in the Edward Hall link above looks like it could be a Japanese import.What do people think about Japanese imports? Are they worth buying? Would I be able to resell easily?
Its doesn't have rear seats and its mileage is given as a conversion from kilometres with distance recorded in kilometres.
The advertised price for that car was £20,000.
There is a Japanese import specialist up in Durham but can't remember the name.
As regards price you might find you will pay less for the car than you would a UK spec model but correspondingly sell for less than a UK equivalent.
Not sure that helps much perhaps others can do better.
The Edward Hall stuff is all Japanese. There is this nice looking car, too: http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C731709
The theory with Japanese cars is that they are better than UK cars for the following reasons. First, no salt. Second, less intense use. Third, much more rigorous statutory inspection standards. Fourth, an ownership culture in which maintenance is given a much higher priority than here (I think it is fair to say that on the whole British people pretend there is no need to maintain a car at all). The imports that I see generally look a lot better than their UK equivalents.
The downside with Japanese cars are as follows. First, there is a chronic clocking problem in Japan. Second, the documents and the wireless are in Japanese. Sometimes there are aftermarket gadgets fitted which will be a mystery here in the UK. Third, the market (perhaps irrationally) values a Japanese import less than its UK equivalent (although that cuts both ways). Fourth, there may be minor spec differences, although the standard spec seems to have been higher there than here.
It is untrue that Japanese market Mercedes-Benz were built to a different standard to UK market cars. They have the same rust-proofing and the same emissions.
env said:
Loving the thread.
Quick one, I have a 500 that is very tidy but let down by stained speaker covers on the bottom of doors (it is a facelift model)... anyone know where you can buy replacements?
Thanks
They will probably be available from Mercedes. 10% Discount to Mercedes Benz club members. Quick one, I have a 500 that is very tidy but let down by stained speaker covers on the bottom of doors (it is a facelift model)... anyone know where you can buy replacements?
Thanks
Alternatively eBay.de is a great parts resource.
The speaker covers scrub up quite well with whatever interior cleaner you prefer and a microfibre cloth. I always spray them liberally from an angle so the spray doesn't go through onto the speaker, not that I suppose it would make much difference. They are available as a separate part but I seem to recall they are £100-odd each.
r129sl said:
The speaker covers scrub up quite well with whatever interior cleaner you prefer and a microfibre cloth. I always spray them liberally from an angle so the spray doesn't go through onto the speaker, not that I suppose it would make much difference. They are available as a separate part but I seem to recall they are £100-odd each.
mine are mucky too, I think its going to be the cleaner/cloth approach !Get a Japanese SL up on the ramps that's spent all of it's life on salt free roads in a humid climate and your decision will be an easy one! Night and day compared to some crusty UK examples that have seen 20+ years worth of salt,clocking in Japan is certainly not as rife as some like to make out,you need to get the car properly inspected for sure and never buy blind,if a car appears well worn and shows low miles it's a bit of a no brainer,just walk away as you would in any other country,good genuine low mileage cars are making good money and are fought after by dealers all over.
Just do your homework carefully,buy from a good importer,a collector friend of mine has two low miles SL's,both sourced from Japan,an SL60 AMG and an SL600,both beautiful cars in fantastic condition.
Just do your homework carefully,buy from a good importer,a collector friend of mine has two low miles SL's,both sourced from Japan,an SL60 AMG and an SL600,both beautiful cars in fantastic condition.
Edited by evojam on Wednesday 13th July 09:16
sinbaddio said:
The prices of R129's are crazy. I first bought a 95 SL320 for £1.8k, with a view to restoring it. Bit off a lot more than I could chew so sold it on to someone who knew what he was doing. Then a month later I got a two owner, 95k miles '93 500SL with fsh for £3.5k, which now seems like a bit of a bargain. I think the general consensus on here is correct, R107 values are going sky high, therefore pushing demand for the R129. It's irrelevant for me as it's going nowhere, still it's nice to have a car appreciate for once!
Here is my Bornite 92 SL500 very rare colour.
Hereward said:
I have just bought a 1996 SL600 with 80k miles for £13,500.
Some of the sale prices I have seen are, in my opinion, ludicrous. I'm assuming the dealers asking for close to £20k for some of these models are adding on a 100% Summertime tax.
Very nice, please show us some photos! Congratulations.Some of the sale prices I have seen are, in my opinion, ludicrous. I'm assuming the dealers asking for close to £20k for some of these models are adding on a 100% Summertime tax.
0a said:
Hereward said:
I have just bought a 1996 SL600 with 80k miles for £13,500.
Some of the sale prices I have seen are, in my opinion, ludicrous. I'm assuming the dealers asking for close to £20k for some of these models are adding on a 100% Summertime tax.
Very nice, please show us some photos! Congratulations.Some of the sale prices I have seen are, in my opinion, ludicrous. I'm assuming the dealers asking for close to £20k for some of these models are adding on a 100% Summertime tax.
r129sl said:
0a said:
Hereward said:
I have just bought a 1996 SL600 with 80k miles for £13,500.
Some of the sale prices I have seen are, in my opinion, ludicrous. I'm assuming the dealers asking for close to £20k for some of these models are adding on a 100% Summertime tax.
Very nice, please show us some photos! Congratulations.Some of the sale prices I have seen are, in my opinion, ludicrous. I'm assuming the dealers asking for close to £20k for some of these models are adding on a 100% Summertime tax.
Yes, that's the one. I was somewhat fortunate; I hit "refresh" on the Car and Classic page and it had just appeared, so I called the vendor immediately and viewed the car and agreed the deal that night. He wouldn't budge on price, but I didn't push hard, I wanted it.
The interior is impeccable but it's going to need many thousands to get it to the standard I want. Vendor wanted rid of it due to engine oil leak, rear diff seal leak and leaking air conditioning condensor. I assume that lot could cost me £5k+. Need to find a decent speciliast now; anyone recommended in Surrey/Gatwick area, please?
I will keep you updated, if interested? I will also take some pics and upload soon.
Beautiful car, can't wait to get it perfect.
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