Buying an R129
Discussion
Hello
I am very interested in the car below
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Any advice would be appreciated, and does this look over-priced?
Thanks
I am very interested in the car below
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Any advice would be appreciated, and does this look over-priced?
Thanks
I had a R129 300 SL for years. Great car. Try it out but for my money, I'd look for a 500. I know 3 litres is a lot but the car weighs a lot and it can feel slightly asthmatic under load. Other than that, I enjoyed owning it and only paid out about £500 a year, year in, year out keeping it on the road.
Check that the hydraulics on the hood work perfectly - they are a pig to sort out. Check it through three or four cycles. Also ask to see the spanner which you need if you need to resort to mechanical fixing of the hood. Check the hard top for storage damage, especially on the rear edge and that the rubber seals are in good nick. Also check the entire suspension especially the front shocks and springs. The battery should be in top order; if not, replace asap as bad things happen with low juice - see hydraulics above.
Edit - I looked up my old notes:
I'd suggest keeping away from Konis if you are planning on uprating/changing from standard. You change the standard set up at your peril in my experience - you might get "firm" but it is at the cost of the refined ride generally, which rather misses the point of these cars.
I see I also changed the engine oil every six months or so.
As suggested above, apart from the hydraulics, the big thing you need to watch out for is the steering set up which does get progressively sloppier over time, if not kept under review. It is, after all, a relatively heavy car and the box and idler are prone to wearing badly.
HTH
Peter
Check that the hydraulics on the hood work perfectly - they are a pig to sort out. Check it through three or four cycles. Also ask to see the spanner which you need if you need to resort to mechanical fixing of the hood. Check the hard top for storage damage, especially on the rear edge and that the rubber seals are in good nick. Also check the entire suspension especially the front shocks and springs. The battery should be in top order; if not, replace asap as bad things happen with low juice - see hydraulics above.
Edit - I looked up my old notes:
I'd suggest keeping away from Konis if you are planning on uprating/changing from standard. You change the standard set up at your peril in my experience - you might get "firm" but it is at the cost of the refined ride generally, which rather misses the point of these cars.
I see I also changed the engine oil every six months or so.
As suggested above, apart from the hydraulics, the big thing you need to watch out for is the steering set up which does get progressively sloppier over time, if not kept under review. It is, after all, a relatively heavy car and the box and idler are prone to wearing badly.
HTH
Peter
Edited by psi310398 on Wednesday 28th June 13:57
If it's not too far away I'd try this for comparison and keep the difference in price as a fighting fund.
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C885886
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C885886
I was looking at that one in the OP too this evening. Looks at least like its worth seeing. The dealer sounds like a car enthusiast and there's lots of info there and on their website about the car. Price perhaps just reflects that its had most major work done that's needed doing. Only an inspection could confirm that of course but if its nearly 9k and saves you 4 or 5k's work, then its perhaps worth it.
For me though, it was a bit too early. Although to be honest, that analogue instrument panel seems quite "classic" compared to the electronic mile gauge that came after.
For me though, it was a bit too early. Although to be honest, that analogue instrument panel seems quite "classic" compared to the electronic mile gauge that came after.
If you thought paying 9k for a 114k mile 300-24 SL was alright then you should be biting the arm off this seller.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Early 500SL (code 828, so no catalysts = full 326 bhp), same colours as the OP's posted car, no ADS, MOT history reads like a dream, car appears very original down to correct grill, clocks, wheels etc.
9.5k seems very good for the mileage/condition when you see that Charles Ironside is currently asking 24k or something for a very similar car.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Early 500SL (code 828, so no catalysts = full 326 bhp), same colours as the OP's posted car, no ADS, MOT history reads like a dream, car appears very original down to correct grill, clocks, wheels etc.
9.5k seems very good for the mileage/condition when you see that Charles Ironside is currently asking 24k or something for a very similar car.
Zonergem said:
If you thought paying 9k for a 114k mile 300-24 SL was alright then you should be biting the arm off this seller.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Early 500SL (code 828, so no catalysts = full 326 bhp), same colours as the OP's posted car, no ADS, MOT history reads like a dream, car appears very original down to correct grill, clocks, wheels etc.
9.5k seems very good for the mileage/condition when you see that Charles Ironside is currently asking 24k or something for a very similar car.
That is a special looking car. Doubt it will be around for long, although part service history might put some off.http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Early 500SL (code 828, so no catalysts = full 326 bhp), same colours as the OP's posted car, no ADS, MOT history reads like a dream, car appears very original down to correct grill, clocks, wheels etc.
9.5k seems very good for the mileage/condition when you see that Charles Ironside is currently asking 24k or something for a very similar car.
I agree that full service history is very desirable - I would only stress that it doesn't innoculate you against big bills to come.
Unless it's all just been done and you have the invoices to hand I think you have to budget for a baseline service for any R129. "Recently-serviced" in adspeak just means oil and filter, doesn't it? To really do it properly you're talking all fluids, filters, brake fluid and pads, coolant, a nice new 019 battery, spark plugs, four or five new tyres. You won't see much change out of 1250 for that lot and if you need two new distributor caps on a V8 then add another 500 on top. Low mileage won't save you from having to tackle those things - it might save you from more in-depth suspension work but under-use can bring other problems like dried-out seals.
On top of which you should be able to painlessly afford a grand or two if something craps out on you in the roof system, the A/C, the exhaust, the vacuum locking pump or the cluster.
Unless it's all just been done and you have the invoices to hand I think you have to budget for a baseline service for any R129. "Recently-serviced" in adspeak just means oil and filter, doesn't it? To really do it properly you're talking all fluids, filters, brake fluid and pads, coolant, a nice new 019 battery, spark plugs, four or five new tyres. You won't see much change out of 1250 for that lot and if you need two new distributor caps on a V8 then add another 500 on top. Low mileage won't save you from having to tackle those things - it might save you from more in-depth suspension work but under-use can bring other problems like dried-out seals.
On top of which you should be able to painlessly afford a grand or two if something craps out on you in the roof system, the A/C, the exhaust, the vacuum locking pump or the cluster.
Edited by Zonergem on Friday 30th June 21:28
Top mounts are the easiest suspension item to inspect, aside perhaps from a missing wheel!
https://youtu.be/1S33rat3YkM
They're also an easy fix, though you'll probably be doing shocks at the same time.
https://youtu.be/1S33rat3YkM
They're also an easy fix, though you'll probably be doing shocks at the same time.
Looks very very decent for a 1994 car, from that description. And a fair price - no mention about the electrics but still allows wiggle room for anything that crops up over the next year or so. Can't imagine it will hang around long. Kent is a bit far for me at the moment unfortunately.
Edited by Flip Martian on Thursday 6th July 12:59
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