R129 300SL

[DBSNOOR]

Morning Gents,

Im thinking of getting a early R129 to use as a cool motorway car (90 miles per day) to save the wear and tear on the V12 that I'm currently using.

Are these older cars up to the task?
Is the 300 24v good enough or should I really be looking at the 320?

I've seen a very striking early car with the 2 tone black paint work. 120k miles for 4.5k.

Kindest regards

N

[psi310398]

I had a 1990 300SL for years. I guess it depends on your style of driving. It can get up to and keep at 70-80 all day long, and you will be comfortable, but it was a bit asthmatic if you wanted to overtake sharpish. The body is very heavy. Other than that, great cruiser.

Peter

[PositronicRay]

I've a 320 and like it. They do suffer the wiring harness problem though.

I tried a 300 24v 4 speed, I preferred the 320 5 speed and a more relaxed nature. Also benefits from the more reliable HFM engine control system.

A buddy of mine has a 12v 300 and likes it very much.

[r129sl]

DBSNOOR said:

Are these older cars up to the task?

Yes, easily. Probably more so than many newer or even brand new cars.

Subject to one caveat. These cars take a lot of neglect and so they get a lot of neglect: buy carefully and even then be prepared to spend a little time, effort and money dealing with backlog maintenance issues.

[sim16v]

Had the pleasure of covering a few hundred miles in an early 300-24 and it was great!

Suspension a bit soft, but goes well enough for normal day to day driving.

It belongs to a mate and he is thinking of selling.

A low mileage Hong Kong import so rust free, everything working including air con, but needing some TLC.

It will be sub £3k if he does decide to sell.

[muchacho]

Have just returned from a 400 mile weekend to Wales in an early 500SL. Returning very relaxed and with a sense that it more than holds its own on the road.

Edited by muchacho on Sunday 3rd September 16:38

[PositronicRay]

I do about 6k p.a. some continental, some local some 270m round trips. I have another car to use but still use the car all year round albeit more summer and less winter.

I wouldn't hesitate to use it as my only car, as R129 say's the key is preparation and maintenance.

[DannySimmons]

I also own a R129 300SL 24v (as well as many other mercs) and it certainly is a car that likes to be revved out!



As you would know, they share the engine with the W124 and I know many people from the mbclub forum that have had over 400k miles in those trusty 124s.

End of the day, it'll be the rust that'll kill them. I use both the Waxoyl and POR15 as per https://procarreviews.com/best-rustproofing/ for rust prevention paint and touch wood I haven't had the dreaded rust at the front of the arch or near the aerial at the rear!

[Lowtimer]

You say that, and rust certaibly kills the R107 SL, but you really don't see a lot of life-threatening corrosion on R129s. I think roof trouble and loom issues are more serious life-threateners for ones that fall into the hands of owners who regard them as cheap cars not worth putting money into.

[mickyveloce]

Great car. From personal experience of six years with a 5-speed 300-24 it's a consummate all-rounder and well capable of today's motoring condition.

My car completed a North Yorkshire - Surrey - North Yorkshire trip earlier this month with superb comfort and approximately 30mpg. The 5-speed box gives a relaxed motorway gait and the visibility and driving position (hard top attached) are first class.

As my car is cosmetically spot on, I don't use it in the winter months, so to describe it as a true daily driver is probably stretching the definition a bit.

Highly recommended. All the hype is true.

[mickyveloce]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Leggy, cheap but proves the longevity thing. 305,000 classy miles...