Off to look at an R129 SL500 tomorrow...
Discussion
This one in particular!
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...
I've done some homework and I think I know what I'm in for, but does anyone have any advice regarding the above car? I was surprised to see that it has 18" AMG wheels on it for it's age, would have these been fitted aftermarket? The advert doesn't mention the hardtop but I've called the dealer and it is supplied with the correct hardtop, they also confirmed everything works as expected. I'll give it a thorough checkover tomorrow anyway!
I come from a history of 70-90s BMWs including the 7 series, so I'm not a total stranger to classic exec barges as such, but I understand these are a step up in complexity!
Any advice would be appreciated.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...
I've done some homework and I think I know what I'm in for, but does anyone have any advice regarding the above car? I was surprised to see that it has 18" AMG wheels on it for it's age, would have these been fitted aftermarket? The advert doesn't mention the hardtop but I've called the dealer and it is supplied with the correct hardtop, they also confirmed everything works as expected. I'll give it a thorough checkover tomorrow anyway!
I come from a history of 70-90s BMWs including the 7 series, so I'm not a total stranger to classic exec barges as such, but I understand these are a step up in complexity!
Any advice would be appreciated.
Check everything works, and make sure it drives okay.
If you're familiar with buying old cars then that's it.
When I was looking some very smart looking cars drove like pigs and vica versa. Plenty of cars to choose from but not so many nice ones out there, be fussy you'll know when you've found the right car.
If you're familiar with buying old cars then that's it.
When I was looking some very smart looking cars drove like pigs and vica versa. Plenty of cars to choose from but not so many nice ones out there, be fussy you'll know when you've found the right car.
PositronicRay said:
Check everything works, and make sure it drives okay.
If you're familiar with buying old cars then that's it.
When I was looking some very smart looking cars drove like pigs and vica versa. Plenty of cars to choose from but not so many nice ones out there, be fussy you'll know when you've found the right car.
This.If you're familiar with buying old cars then that's it.
When I was looking some very smart looking cars drove like pigs and vica versa. Plenty of cars to choose from but not so many nice ones out there, be fussy you'll know when you've found the right car.
Not sure about the wheels, they look more recent than the AMG options for the time but I'm no expert.
Start it from cold and listen for any timing chain slap. It's obvious. It's also unlikely at that mileage.
Check the history for frequent oil changes. You don't really want a gap of more than 12,000miles (the scheduled interval on that one is about 9,000miles). The M119 V8 in that car is very robust but the oil supply to the far end of the camshafts can be diminished with consequential excessive wear if changes are too far apart.
Pull away from a halt briskly. Any clonk or knocking indicates worn rear subframe bushes. Likewise any rear end wandering. Put the bonnet up. Rev the engine hard. Judge whether it rocks excessively. That and any obvious bad vibration through the chassis indicate worn engine mounts.
Check everything works as others have rightly suggested.
Look for rust in the usual MB places, as others have suggested. Wheel arches, under the washer bottle, in the jacking points (behind covers in the sills).
Open the boot. Look for even joins where the rear panel is joined at each side to the rear wings. Bad or uneven joins indicate a repair after a rear end shunt. Run your fingers along the bodywork in the groove immediately above the Sacco panels. You're feeling for a paintwork edge. A car of this age will have had paint, that's OK, but it should be done properly, with the Saccos removed for the job. An edge here is a sign of a bad job.
Feel for moisture in the footwells.
A good car is fairly obvious.
This car has rear lamp lenses and wheels from a post-1998 r129. That would put me off as I like my cars original, but it is also a sign of an enthusiastic and interested owner. The wheels were expensive. The front indicator lenses should be part white, part orange. Small thing. I think the Saccos are the correct colour. 1995 cars were all one colour, not two tone, even though they sport pre-facelift Saccos and bumpers. The stereo headunit is aftermarket but it is Alpine, a good make. Is this a car from an enthusiastic owner, or is it a car whose previous owner spent all his money on big wheels and late model lamps and nothing on maintenance. That's what you have to work out. The service history and the tyres will give you the answer.
A good car will drive nicely although if you're used to moderns, the controls will feel soft.
Check the history for frequent oil changes. You don't really want a gap of more than 12,000miles (the scheduled interval on that one is about 9,000miles). The M119 V8 in that car is very robust but the oil supply to the far end of the camshafts can be diminished with consequential excessive wear if changes are too far apart.
Pull away from a halt briskly. Any clonk or knocking indicates worn rear subframe bushes. Likewise any rear end wandering. Put the bonnet up. Rev the engine hard. Judge whether it rocks excessively. That and any obvious bad vibration through the chassis indicate worn engine mounts.
Check everything works as others have rightly suggested.
Look for rust in the usual MB places, as others have suggested. Wheel arches, under the washer bottle, in the jacking points (behind covers in the sills).
Open the boot. Look for even joins where the rear panel is joined at each side to the rear wings. Bad or uneven joins indicate a repair after a rear end shunt. Run your fingers along the bodywork in the groove immediately above the Sacco panels. You're feeling for a paintwork edge. A car of this age will have had paint, that's OK, but it should be done properly, with the Saccos removed for the job. An edge here is a sign of a bad job.
Feel for moisture in the footwells.
A good car is fairly obvious.
This car has rear lamp lenses and wheels from a post-1998 r129. That would put me off as I like my cars original, but it is also a sign of an enthusiastic and interested owner. The wheels were expensive. The front indicator lenses should be part white, part orange. Small thing. I think the Saccos are the correct colour. 1995 cars were all one colour, not two tone, even though they sport pre-facelift Saccos and bumpers. The stereo headunit is aftermarket but it is Alpine, a good make. Is this a car from an enthusiastic owner, or is it a car whose previous owner spent all his money on big wheels and late model lamps and nothing on maintenance. That's what you have to work out. The service history and the tyres will give you the answer.
A good car will drive nicely although if you're used to moderns, the controls will feel soft.
Wow, thanks for the responses, especially r129sl! That's a very detailed list and I appreciate your input.
That's what I thought about the wheels, they look too modern. It's a shame that other moderner bits have been fitted too, I'd have liked this to be totally original. This car is very local so I'll check it out tomorrow, perhaps if I buy it I'll make it original looking again!
Is there any obvious things to check to OK the engine loom, I've read they can be trouble...
That's what I thought about the wheels, they look too modern. It's a shame that other moderner bits have been fitted too, I'd have liked this to be totally original. This car is very local so I'll check it out tomorrow, perhaps if I buy it I'll make it original looking again!
Is there any obvious things to check to OK the engine loom, I've read they can be trouble...
I think the same dealer has an early (1991) silver car which is a bit more money, but looks very original and sounds like it has been very well cared for by this same dealer since 2006. Would be a good opportunity to compare the two cars to see what the extra money buys. I have had a 1991 500sl for just over a year and it is superb. Good luck with your purchase....and check out the 560 sec which is there. What a lovely young classic barge that would be.
So I had an interesting morning! I went to have a look at it and was immediately handed the keys for the test drive, it was casually mentioned that it had cut out whilst driving on a trip to get fuel a few hours earlier... Apparently they knew what was up and it would be corrected before sale... I must say this didn't exactly fill my confidence.
About a mile down the road it cuts out as I approach a junction but immediately starts. Another mile or so and it cuts out again, but restarts. Then I pulled out a junction onto a busy highstreet and it cuts out for a third time and I managed to roll half on the pavement and over double yellow lines! This time everything lit up like a christmas tree on the dashboard and it will not start at all, it's turning over but not firing. In the end I had to call the dealership as I was totally stuck! A guy turns up, fiddles around with it, brings out a jump pack (battery wasn't dead though...) and after 5-10 mins it starts again.
It managed the mile or so drive back to the dealership where I handed over the keys, I had totally lost interest by now. The car was fitted with a rubbish aftermarket immobiliser and it could have been that, the fact the dash lit up with ALL lights across the bottom of the cluster including the engine management light I think there was something else at play. Back at the dealership the guy says he knows what is and it's something to do with moisture around the distributor. Hmm OK.
The AC was not working which wasn't mentioned beforehand, I mention this which I got a reply of "yeah it's not", why not mention this beforehand? Apparently they'll fit a new condensor before it's sold. They car seemed very rumbly/vibrating at speed and there was vibration through the steering wheel, there seemed like a lot of road noise/vibration than I had expected. Whether I'm too used to smaller wheels/larger profile tyres I'm not sure. I was planning to use it in an european road trip in a few weeks and I can't trust this car so I left it there!
Tyres were the correct size all round but were different brands on each axle, Khumo and something else mid range. The interior was stunning but the doors seemed a bit loose/rattley, not the solidness I expected. From what I saw of it the body/paint was in really nice condition. If it drove as good as it looked, I would have bought it.
The worst part was I brought my other half! She thinks SLs are "clunky" and "old looking", "not sleek", this fiasco did not help me trying to buy an SL! So after it conking out three times and leaving us stranded she won't be seen dead in one apparently
I'll be working on that as I STILL really want one, but I think for our trip in a few weeks I will get something a little less complex and spend more time searching one out. Unfortunately the silver one was sold last week.
A memento of being stranded!
About a mile down the road it cuts out as I approach a junction but immediately starts. Another mile or so and it cuts out again, but restarts. Then I pulled out a junction onto a busy highstreet and it cuts out for a third time and I managed to roll half on the pavement and over double yellow lines! This time everything lit up like a christmas tree on the dashboard and it will not start at all, it's turning over but not firing. In the end I had to call the dealership as I was totally stuck! A guy turns up, fiddles around with it, brings out a jump pack (battery wasn't dead though...) and after 5-10 mins it starts again.
It managed the mile or so drive back to the dealership where I handed over the keys, I had totally lost interest by now. The car was fitted with a rubbish aftermarket immobiliser and it could have been that, the fact the dash lit up with ALL lights across the bottom of the cluster including the engine management light I think there was something else at play. Back at the dealership the guy says he knows what is and it's something to do with moisture around the distributor. Hmm OK.
The AC was not working which wasn't mentioned beforehand, I mention this which I got a reply of "yeah it's not", why not mention this beforehand? Apparently they'll fit a new condensor before it's sold. They car seemed very rumbly/vibrating at speed and there was vibration through the steering wheel, there seemed like a lot of road noise/vibration than I had expected. Whether I'm too used to smaller wheels/larger profile tyres I'm not sure. I was planning to use it in an european road trip in a few weeks and I can't trust this car so I left it there!
Tyres were the correct size all round but were different brands on each axle, Khumo and something else mid range. The interior was stunning but the doors seemed a bit loose/rattley, not the solidness I expected. From what I saw of it the body/paint was in really nice condition. If it drove as good as it looked, I would have bought it.
The worst part was I brought my other half! She thinks SLs are "clunky" and "old looking", "not sleek", this fiasco did not help me trying to buy an SL! So after it conking out three times and leaving us stranded she won't be seen dead in one apparently
I'll be working on that as I STILL really want one, but I think for our trip in a few weeks I will get something a little less complex and spend more time searching one out. Unfortunately the silver one was sold last week.
A memento of being stranded!
Avoid like the plague.
You aren't meant to jump start them, lord knows what damage it might have caused, particularly if this is the way they've been resolving it's starting issues. The rest of it sounds like an utter nightmare.
edit to add: my car had Kumho Ecstas all round when I bought it and there was quite a bit of road noise, resolved by putting some decent tyres on it. The doors should be bank vault solid, I have no idea what could make them feel rattly.
You aren't meant to jump start them, lord knows what damage it might have caused, particularly if this is the way they've been resolving it's starting issues. The rest of it sounds like an utter nightmare.
edit to add: my car had Kumho Ecstas all round when I bought it and there was quite a bit of road noise, resolved by putting some decent tyres on it. The doors should be bank vault solid, I have no idea what could make them feel rattly.
Edited by Motorrad on Saturday 18th July 15:16
Edited by Motorrad on Saturday 18th July 15:16
Like I said earlier some are complete dogs. Keep looking you'll know when you find the right one. Trouble is they are now so cheap a lot of owners don't bother spending on them when required.
Couple of things. Hardtop on should drive like a nice snug coupe, soft-top up not quite as refined maybe the odd rattle and squeak (I've spent ages eliminating rattles and squeaks) and a bit more road noise, soft top down
They seem to be susceptible to tyres and wheels, I've gone back to 16". They are heavy cars so suspension can get a tough time of it. They often don't do many miles (mine had only been doing 2000 mpa before I had it) so things like tyres can look good but in reality be quite old and hard.
The more you drive them and sort out the niggles (I'm still doing it 2 yrs 12k on) the better they get. An SL that's used regularly seems to be a better car.
Couple of things. Hardtop on should drive like a nice snug coupe, soft-top up not quite as refined maybe the odd rattle and squeak (I've spent ages eliminating rattles and squeaks) and a bit more road noise, soft top down
They seem to be susceptible to tyres and wheels, I've gone back to 16". They are heavy cars so suspension can get a tough time of it. They often don't do many miles (mine had only been doing 2000 mpa before I had it) so things like tyres can look good but in reality be quite old and hard.
The more you drive them and sort out the niggles (I'm still doing it 2 yrs 12k on) the better they get. An SL that's used regularly seems to be a better car.
BobTurner said:
Oh, looking at the classifieds and the number plate, I've just seen which dealer it was. Were you dealing with the owner by any chance?
It may well have been him, I didn't catch his name though. I'm not overly bothered about the situation but just a bit gutted it didn't drive as well as the body looked 
Oh well, that's a disappointment but at least you've dodged a bullet with that one.
Looks are subjective, I know, but the r129 has about the most elegant and understated body of any roadster that I can think of. Its form requires almost no adornment, the gentle curves of the wheel arches and belt line being sufficient to set it apart.
Looks are subjective, I know, but the r129 has about the most elegant and understated body of any roadster that I can think of. Its form requires almost no adornment, the gentle curves of the wheel arches and belt line being sufficient to set it apart.
truck71 said:
Sounds like it might have a loom issue. As others have said you will know when you see the right car. Don't lose heart, you're other half will thank you when you're wafting about in the sunshine in a proper example.
Could be, or it could be the aftermarket alarm / immobiliser. Quite a few dealers stuck Clifford (I think) systems in them and they can cause havoc with the electrics. I was told you either get one that works or doesn't. Sounds like this one doesn't.rob0r said:
Well... Looks like an SL is further off the cards (might not be popular in here!!)
I found this locally today, FSH, 91K miles, drives immaculately, everything works, extensively checked everything. Left a deposit and I'm picking it up early this week.
They're dirt cheap too. Not as stiff as a Merc, but lighter feel to them. Never driven Supercharged one but I bet it's quick. (might not be popular in here!!)I found this locally today, FSH, 91K miles, drives immaculately, everything works, extensively checked everything. Left a deposit and I'm picking it up early this week.
rob0r said:
Well... Looks like an SL is further off the cards (might not be popular in here!!)
I found this locally today, FSH, 91K miles, drives immaculately, everything works, extensively checked everything. Left a deposit and I'm picking it up early this week.
Looks lovely, I could be tempted to swap my SL for one. The only thing that's stopping me is the time, effort and money I've put into the SL over the last couple of yrs. I've bonded with it, and want to see some value so I'll keep it another yr or 2 at least. (might not be popular in here!!)I found this locally today, FSH, 91K miles, drives immaculately, everything works, extensively checked everything. Left a deposit and I'm picking it up early this week.
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