Here we go again... R129 SL500 my second SL
Discussion
Right then... I really to stop buying cars and spending a load of money on them and selling them... Enjoy the Elise Michael! 🤣
Anyway bit of a recap... Two years ago I sold my 996 GT3 bought a Caterham and then 6 months later in a mad eBay moment added an SL320 to the stable. Initial plan was to tidy it up and sell it on...but it got well under my skin. I loved it, strange considering I've always been about steering feel, geo setups, gear change precision etc..
Anyway once I got the Elise and sold the Caterham, I let the SL go thinking the Elise was more of a halfway house....(mistake that was). Anyway ever since I sold that car I've missed it... Like really missed it strangely more than anything else I've owned... Which is odd considering that includes a raft of what many would consider icons, E46 M3, Caterhams, Cayman Rs, 996 GT3s, 981 Spyder etc.
So...even though I chucked a ton of cash at the Elise, again you're welcome Michael I never quite gelled with it. When it was in the right moment it was Nirvana, when it wasn't it was annoying (I'm an old man at heart even at 36).
So I decided I'd let the Lotus go and then maybe try and find another SL but this time a 500 and go and do some touring in... Then next year get a cheap track car to accompany it.
Get on with it already...(yeah I know I waffle a lot)
So fast forward and my criteria was a pre facelift SL500 but not a 500SL in a metallic colour and a dark interior. Knowing I'd got lucky with my last car I wanted history, history and more history and turn a warranty...
I expected not to find that car easily.... But seemingly I was wrong.
So on to today...and I convinced the old man to drive me up north...
So yeah I've always wanted to buy a car from the SL Shop but never in my mind did I think I'd be able to afford one (The 996 GT3 money went into the house)
Well luckily for me a customer of there's had traded his leggy but loved SL500 in for a very special R107.
So the car itself....it's on 132k is silver / grey over black and about as far away from my brightly coloured track weapons as you can get....but I fell in Love. It feels worlds away from my eBay special 320 from last year.
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/ajv3hWGL[/url]
The guys were very fair and I've got a number of niggles included in the deal, some interior refreshes, fresh service, new bonnet insulation etc.
The reason for buying the car is I'm not afraid to put miles on it (it's off on a European jaunt this year) and it's just had an absolute fortune spent on it (£8k in one bill).. this included but not limited to....Loom / roof refurb / every fluid / fuel pump / new radiator and fans and much much more.
Overall I was hugely impressed with the SL shop experience, I was treated just like I was buying something that was £150k not £14k.
Will be a few weeks till pick up...and in that time it's over to me to restore stereos and speakers.
Thanks for listening!
Anyway bit of a recap... Two years ago I sold my 996 GT3 bought a Caterham and then 6 months later in a mad eBay moment added an SL320 to the stable. Initial plan was to tidy it up and sell it on...but it got well under my skin. I loved it, strange considering I've always been about steering feel, geo setups, gear change precision etc..
Anyway once I got the Elise and sold the Caterham, I let the SL go thinking the Elise was more of a halfway house....(mistake that was). Anyway ever since I sold that car I've missed it... Like really missed it strangely more than anything else I've owned... Which is odd considering that includes a raft of what many would consider icons, E46 M3, Caterhams, Cayman Rs, 996 GT3s, 981 Spyder etc.
So...even though I chucked a ton of cash at the Elise, again you're welcome Michael I never quite gelled with it. When it was in the right moment it was Nirvana, when it wasn't it was annoying (I'm an old man at heart even at 36).
So I decided I'd let the Lotus go and then maybe try and find another SL but this time a 500 and go and do some touring in... Then next year get a cheap track car to accompany it.
Get on with it already...(yeah I know I waffle a lot)
So fast forward and my criteria was a pre facelift SL500 but not a 500SL in a metallic colour and a dark interior. Knowing I'd got lucky with my last car I wanted history, history and more history and turn a warranty...
I expected not to find that car easily.... But seemingly I was wrong.
So on to today...and I convinced the old man to drive me up north...
So yeah I've always wanted to buy a car from the SL Shop but never in my mind did I think I'd be able to afford one (The 996 GT3 money went into the house)
Well luckily for me a customer of there's had traded his leggy but loved SL500 in for a very special R107.
So the car itself....it's on 132k is silver / grey over black and about as far away from my brightly coloured track weapons as you can get....but I fell in Love. It feels worlds away from my eBay special 320 from last year.
[url]|https://thumbsnap.com/ajv3hWGL[/url]The guys were very fair and I've got a number of niggles included in the deal, some interior refreshes, fresh service, new bonnet insulation etc.
The reason for buying the car is I'm not afraid to put miles on it (it's off on a European jaunt this year) and it's just had an absolute fortune spent on it (£8k in one bill).. this included but not limited to....Loom / roof refurb / every fluid / fuel pump / new radiator and fans and much much more.
Overall I was hugely impressed with the SL shop experience, I was treated just like I was buying something that was £150k not £14k.
Will be a few weeks till pick up...and in that time it's over to me to restore stereos and speakers.
Thanks for listening!
sidewinder500 said:
These 129s really go under the skin, had two (both 500) and rate them as the top 5 of all my cars, ever.
They are from a time when engineering came before costs at MB, they are easy to work on, parts availability is great and cheap, not prone to rust and the electrical gremlins are only a few, if any.
Engines bulletproof, the 4-speed is better than the 5-speed, so you have that sorted anyway.
Mine have both been high milers when I bought them, they like to be used.
I think it's one of the best all-purpose cars, quite practical with an usable boot, that perfect roof, amazing built quality, sound and go still up to date, side planks so you can use car parks, small enough etc etc
Enjoy!
Hmmmm, should get a third one maybe...
Thanks pal. Yeah I have an affinity with old mercs as I grew up in the back of S123s but I didn't expect like you say for them to get quite so under my skin. They are from a time when engineering came before costs at MB, they are easy to work on, parts availability is great and cheap, not prone to rust and the electrical gremlins are only a few, if any.
Engines bulletproof, the 4-speed is better than the 5-speed, so you have that sorted anyway.
Mine have both been high milers when I bought them, they like to be used.
I think it's one of the best all-purpose cars, quite practical with an usable boot, that perfect roof, amazing built quality, sound and go still up to date, side planks so you can use car parks, small enough etc etc
Enjoy!
Hmmmm, should get a third one maybe...
On the 4 speed box, only drove it briefly but it did feel smoother than my old 5. Engine though most impressive, mighty thing!
sidewinder500 said:
Hi Joe, thanks for your reply.
What year is it, does it still have the KE-jetronic (up to 8-92)?
If so you have the purest and best of them, the LH-jetronic has its problems with decomposition of the wiring loom, and bean counters kept creeping in.
Drove all versions of the engine, for me the latest 3-valve was smoother and with the 5sp quite frugal.
The KE cars are beasts, the engine is a slightly domesticated racing engine, the trans is for maximum performance, not economy
If the little vacuum hose on the trans is not tightly fitted though, you get brutal gear changes so always take care of that and if not fit with spannering you need a sympathetic mechanic for the KE.
The LH cars are a little in no-mans-land, the loss of power is real.
Best years are considered 97, 89-92, 00-01, in that order.
Mine have been 98 and 01 ones, the 01 one was at least as brutal as a KE one, and it had 220k miles when I bought it.
Should have pulled the engine as it was outstandingly powerful.
Hey pal, no it isnt a jetronic car as it's 1995. So it's still the quad cam V8 but on slightly more modern injection. But it has had all the looms done as it falls right in this period. What year is it, does it still have the KE-jetronic (up to 8-92)?
If so you have the purest and best of them, the LH-jetronic has its problems with decomposition of the wiring loom, and bean counters kept creeping in.
Drove all versions of the engine, for me the latest 3-valve was smoother and with the 5sp quite frugal.
The KE cars are beasts, the engine is a slightly domesticated racing engine, the trans is for maximum performance, not economy
If the little vacuum hose on the trans is not tightly fitted though, you get brutal gear changes so always take care of that and if not fit with spannering you need a sympathetic mechanic for the KE.
The LH cars are a little in no-mans-land, the loss of power is real.
Best years are considered 97, 89-92, 00-01, in that order.
Mine have been 98 and 01 ones, the 01 one was at least as brutal as a KE one, and it had 220k miles when I bought it.
Should have pulled the engine as it was outstandingly powerful.
Edited by sidewinder500 on Monday 19th February 22:43
It certainly felt strong as a unit when I drove it.
Skyedriver said:
Joehow said:
I loved it, strange considering I've always been about steering feel, geo setups, gear change precision etc..
I had a 1994 SL500 R129, it had none of the above, felt dead at any speed. Sold it after 6 months or so.
Thanks all for the positive response! Karl at The SL Shop has kept me up to date on all the prep and the car is on track for collection on the 4th March.
I've then booked the car in with CarAudioSecurity on the 15th to get that all sorted.
Really doesn't look bad for 130k miles and near 30 years old!
I've then booked the car in with CarAudioSecurity on the 15th to get that all sorted.
Really doesn't look bad for 130k miles and near 30 years old!
Nunga said:
Looks like a nice thing. Does it have rear seats or parcel tray? I’m starting a slow search for one as I’d like to get into an M119/M120-powered car before they’re legislated into oblivion. Tempted by a W140 coupe but I think an R129 500 might be the sweet spot.
Interested to hear why people don’t get on with the 5G. I thought it was meant to be excellent and strong, at least by the time it found its way into W211s. Early teething problems?
Looking forward to seeing how you get on.
Rear seats albeit you can't use them unless you have basically no legs! Interested to hear why people don’t get on with the 5G. I thought it was meant to be excellent and strong, at least by the time it found its way into W211s. Early teething problems?
Looking forward to seeing how you get on.
I found the 5G box in my SL320 had no issues was perfectly smooth. The 4 speed in this car does seem a little smoother but I'd imagine that's also down to it having had what looks a better life.
So car is all paid for! Off to pick it up Monday, I'm inheriantly quite a tight individual on things outside of cars and holidays. So managed to get some tiles from an old office block to cover the nasty concrete floor in the garage.
Got a week off coming up after getting the car so hoping to spend some time on it. Already booked in for matching tyres to the fronts at Tyrepoint on Tuesday (I cannot abide by mismatched tyres)
Got a week off coming up after getting the car so hoping to spend some time on it. Already booked in for matching tyres to the fronts at Tyrepoint on Tuesday (I cannot abide by mismatched tyres)
Well.... What a whirlwind of a day collection day has been!
Service was impeccable and drive home was brilliant. That V8 is an absolute gem and it's miles faster than my 320 was.
Now this is where it gets a bit mad... Got home parked the car in the garage.... It fits!
But then that sinking feeling.... What are those little drops?!
Yup that's not right... At first I thought it was gearbox oil but the location made no sense so quickly realised it was power steering fluid...
At this point I was just a bit fed up! So called the SL Shop not in a huff but to explain the situation, they were very apologetic and said let us call you back....
30 mins later and Karl called me to let me know they'd diverted a technician who was doing an inspection on another car to my house.
Really nice chap turned up about 6pm, was grateful for me at least giving the heads up on the fluid. He set about stripping the undertrays and engine covers off. Followed all the hoses and water pump housing... No dice... Then he found a slight weep on a union joint.... And bingo thinks he's found the culprit.
Guys straight on the phone to Karl and confirmed what it is. So he's back up tonight to the SL Shop will get the part and then he should be back tomorrow or Wednesday latest as he's confident it's an easy fix on the drive.
Car hasn't really done any miles since September and it is 30 years old so I think it's just one of those freak things. I am annoyed but so far the process of rectifying the issue seems to be being dealt with well.
....so what is it like to drive compared to the 320?
Well as I said above it is a lot faster, the engine sounds brilliant as you push on and the ride is brilliant.... It stops but feels like it could do with a bit more bite which should be an easy fix.
Service was impeccable and drive home was brilliant. That V8 is an absolute gem and it's miles faster than my 320 was.
Now this is where it gets a bit mad... Got home parked the car in the garage.... It fits!
But then that sinking feeling.... What are those little drops?!
Yup that's not right... At first I thought it was gearbox oil but the location made no sense so quickly realised it was power steering fluid...
At this point I was just a bit fed up! So called the SL Shop not in a huff but to explain the situation, they were very apologetic and said let us call you back....
30 mins later and Karl called me to let me know they'd diverted a technician who was doing an inspection on another car to my house.
Really nice chap turned up about 6pm, was grateful for me at least giving the heads up on the fluid. He set about stripping the undertrays and engine covers off. Followed all the hoses and water pump housing... No dice... Then he found a slight weep on a union joint.... And bingo thinks he's found the culprit.
Guys straight on the phone to Karl and confirmed what it is. So he's back up tonight to the SL Shop will get the part and then he should be back tomorrow or Wednesday latest as he's confident it's an easy fix on the drive.
Car hasn't really done any miles since September and it is 30 years old so I think it's just one of those freak things. I am annoyed but so far the process of rectifying the issue seems to be being dealt with well.
....so what is it like to drive compared to the 320?
Well as I said above it is a lot faster, the engine sounds brilliant as you push on and the ride is brilliant.... It stops but feels like it could do with a bit more bite which should be an easy fix.
swampy442 said:
Thats some great service! Do these have SLS hydraulic, air or just standard shocks/springs?
You can get a hydraulic system but the majority are on standard springs and dampers. And yeah good service, guy is coming back tomorrow to sort the issue. So I've done what you always do with a new car, clean it and find all the things you missed when going to see it 🤣
I'm actually quite pleased how the old girl has come up, it's always quite difficult to get a proper glossy finish on a silver I think but considering this is just a hand polish and then a few layers of dodo juice and then swiss wax I'm really pleased.
Then once the V5 is on I can put my private plate on complete. Massive thanks to Retro Plates for sorting me some period correct ones out.
Technically the car is from Tooting so I'm cheating a bit here but I wanted maximum w
kyness in terms of the dealer stamp because well why not!
Roll on tomorrow when the SL Shop guy comes out to fix it!
Then once the V5 is on I can put my private plate on complete. Massive thanks to Retro Plates for sorting me some period correct ones out.
Technically the car is from Tooting so I'm cheating a bit here but I wanted maximum w
kyness in terms of the dealer stamp because well why not! Roll on tomorrow when the SL Shop guy comes out to fix it!
It's fixed!!! Josh from the SL Shop arrived about 11 and set to work and that job was done and signed off by 12. He did 3 road tests of varying lengths to check he was happy.
He then offered some time if I wanted anything else doing or checking, gave him a couple of jobs which he set about... Amazing service all round.
With that sorted it was into tyre point (the only place I'll use) in Maidstone. These guys are brilliant and source things like the below... Which we can all guess what they're for..
So two new Continentals to match the fronts which only went on in August. Quite amusing that 320bhp and a shed load of torque go through a 225/55/16 rear section. I had everything rebalanced as well.
New tyres have definitely had an improvement. But I've still got a slight and I mean super slight vibration at 68-72 mph. So will need to investigate.
The damper return on the rear also doesn't feel as fresh as it could so I've booked in with my local specialist NJS who are brilliant (they did the work on th SL73 Chris Harris filmed with) to have a new set of rear dampers.
Oh and I also saw a rather 'famous' R129 which lives near me! Very jealous of those wheels!
He then offered some time if I wanted anything else doing or checking, gave him a couple of jobs which he set about... Amazing service all round.
With that sorted it was into tyre point (the only place I'll use) in Maidstone. These guys are brilliant and source things like the below... Which we can all guess what they're for..
So two new Continentals to match the fronts which only went on in August. Quite amusing that 320bhp and a shed load of torque go through a 225/55/16 rear section. I had everything rebalanced as well.
New tyres have definitely had an improvement. But I've still got a slight and I mean super slight vibration at 68-72 mph. So will need to investigate.
The damper return on the rear also doesn't feel as fresh as it could so I've booked in with my local specialist NJS who are brilliant (they did the work on th SL73 Chris Harris filmed with) to have a new set of rear dampers.
Oh and I also saw a rather 'famous' R129 which lives near me! Very jealous of those wheels!
Edited by Joehow on Wednesday 6th March 20:31
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