R129 - what should i look for?

[olliete]

Hi all,

I'd like to buy an R129 and would be very grateful for any pointers

- my head says buy an SL320, but i don't do many miles (c. 4k per year), i don't plan on keeping the car forever so resale is an important consideration which is why i am erring on the side of the 3.2, is this sensible?

- my budget is £6k-£7k; there are quite a few higher mileage cars (post facelift) - I've read that these cars can take 100k miles within their stride if well maintained, aside from electrics and suspension, is there anything i should be looking out for?

- any advice when viewing the cars? i drove a 3.2 (listed on PH actually) and it only pulled on kick down until 4k rpm, i think this could be the MAF sensor, but i walked away given that i have no idea whether it could be the 'box

Thanks,

Ollie.

[olliete]

R129SL - thanks, i didn't appreciate that the sl500 was quite that fast!

Being sensible, i actually won't need that kind of power for this car so i think an SL320 makes more sense.

There are quite a few around, the question for me is whether to go for a newer (2000) with parking sensors, panoramic roof, AMG alloys but with 95k miles, or an older (1997) with lower miles...

Tricky call! I do like them in silver though

[olliete]

Thanks chaps,

Positively identified a faulty MAF in the last test drive which has since been replaced - chances are i will complete on a 1998 SL320 tomorrow!

Very exciting - perfect stablemate to the Noble, let the wafting commence!

[olliete]

Intermittent inability to pull past 4k rpm on kick down.

Other changes through the 'box were absolutely fine so i was fairly sure it was electrical.

Any thoughts on Dark Blue car with Black leather? It isn't a colour combo that i would traditionally go for but it seems quite 'Mercedes' to me. Other option is Black with Beige leather, but i'm not convinced that thoroughly suits the SL.

Thanks.