Mercedes SL320 R129
Discussion
Picked this up a few weeks ago and got it back from the Merc specialist last night, so thought I would post a few pics. They have been getting mentioned on PH more and more, in just about every "what car wont depreciate" post of late.
It is perhaps not quite in keeping with what a 27/28 year old couple would have as an only car but I love it, as does the Mrs.
Specifically wanted a 99 onwards car with the revised lights/bumpers/mirrors/seats/dash and wasnt bothered about the Xenons, they look better but I read a lot of chat about them failing at huge cost. Really wanted the panoramic glass roof, as it makes the inside a lovely place to sit, and given it will be parked on street in London, a bit safer, and drier.
It is 100% true about what they say regards the build quality of these, it is a serious bit of engineering.
It is perhaps not quite in keeping with what a 27/28 year old couple would have as an only car but I love it, as does the Mrs.
Specifically wanted a 99 onwards car with the revised lights/bumpers/mirrors/seats/dash and wasnt bothered about the Xenons, they look better but I read a lot of chat about them failing at huge cost. Really wanted the panoramic glass roof, as it makes the inside a lovely place to sit, and given it will be parked on street in London, a bit safer, and drier.
It is 100% true about what they say regards the build quality of these, it is a serious bit of engineering.
I have read people who favour earlier and later cars - for me, this is the shape that was in dealerships when I was 16/17 and the one that I preferred the look of. I know of one guy and there are probably others that have one of each!
Off to the south of France in it on Friday, for a week of cruising about sans-roof. Should be ideal for that!
Off to the south of France in it on Friday, for a week of cruising about sans-roof. Should be ideal for that!
I dont love the wheels either - but they dont bother me enough to think about changing them.
I prefer the 5 spoke wheels that I think came on the 500s of this age, but will happily keep it factory and save some £. They also seem a bit safer from kerbing due to the tyre / design. They are newly refurbished so look new, and it would be good to keep them that way.
I prefer the 5 spoke wheels that I think came on the 500s of this age, but will happily keep it factory and save some £. They also seem a bit safer from kerbing due to the tyre / design. They are newly refurbished so look new, and it would be good to keep them that way.
Thought I would give an update after euro trip and with some more thoughts on the old tank.
2300 miles over the course of the holiday and it did not skip a beat. Boring maybe but impressive none the less. I really cannot fault it, no squeaks, rattles, loose bits of trim, knocks. Could not really ask for more.
A full tank was getting 380miles before the light came on, and quick calcs were showing 30mpg at 80mph on the speedo, so all in all not too bad.
Only ball ache was getting the hard top on and off, and living in a flat in central London and parking on the street - it was a bit of a mission, but I knew it would be and its not the cars fault. I can lift and move the roof on my own just (not that powerfully built) but had to enlist the help of my 5'2 other half to get it out doorways etc, who then couldnt lift it high enough to get it back on the car, bless her.
Got the parrot bluetooth wired up and all hidden in the centre console, so have iPod and phone now which is good. Have ordered a couple of trim bits from a mates Dad who owns w140.co.uk as one of the vanity mirrors has been broken by a ham-fisted bulb change.
Got another 3k miles lined up for this month (lots of to and from Glasgow trips) and I am looking forward to it - perfect for the job.
2300 miles over the course of the holiday and it did not skip a beat. Boring maybe but impressive none the less. I really cannot fault it, no squeaks, rattles, loose bits of trim, knocks. Could not really ask for more.
A full tank was getting 380miles before the light came on, and quick calcs were showing 30mpg at 80mph on the speedo, so all in all not too bad.
Only ball ache was getting the hard top on and off, and living in a flat in central London and parking on the street - it was a bit of a mission, but I knew it would be and its not the cars fault. I can lift and move the roof on my own just (not that powerfully built) but had to enlist the help of my 5'2 other half to get it out doorways etc, who then couldnt lift it high enough to get it back on the car, bless her.
Got the parrot bluetooth wired up and all hidden in the centre console, so have iPod and phone now which is good. Have ordered a couple of trim bits from a mates Dad who owns w140.co.uk as one of the vanity mirrors has been broken by a ham-fisted bulb change.
Got another 3k miles lined up for this month (lots of to and from Glasgow trips) and I am looking forward to it - perfect for the job.
Bumping abit of an old thread here but I'd love some updates or even just some more pictures please?
Absolutely wonderful looking car btw, have a very late congrats from me
How are you finding living with it on a daily basis? I'm torn between one of these and a SLK 320 to replace my mk1 Mx5.
It's heart versus head.... the SL being the heart
Absolutely wonderful looking car btw, have a very late congrats from me
How are you finding living with it on a daily basis? I'm torn between one of these and a SLK 320 to replace my mk1 Mx5.
It's heart versus head.... the SL being the heart
Surprised to see this fresh in my contributions bit; definitely due an update!
Just been through my phone to upload some pics from the last few months.
Following on from our roadtrip, the car has done a few London to Glasgow runs, wedding duties, then sat at the airport for 3 weeks whilst we were away. Also transferred my plate onto it.
I am trying to think of anything wrong with it but cant really, its used a litre of oil total since serviced and that is it. Total 7k now in our care. Only problem is keeping the inside clean.
There are weeks where it doesnt move, what with living in London, but then when we do need to use it, its ideal. I have been a serial car changer but for just now this will be me until I get a spare £10k together to swap it for an old Arnage.
Pic up in Scotland with the roof off;
Looks better with the pano roof on, but nicer to be in with the roof down!
bit hot (not in Scotland!)
couple of weekends ago, post wash.
Just been through my phone to upload some pics from the last few months.
Following on from our roadtrip, the car has done a few London to Glasgow runs, wedding duties, then sat at the airport for 3 weeks whilst we were away. Also transferred my plate onto it.
I am trying to think of anything wrong with it but cant really, its used a litre of oil total since serviced and that is it. Total 7k now in our care. Only problem is keeping the inside clean.
There are weeks where it doesnt move, what with living in London, but then when we do need to use it, its ideal. I have been a serial car changer but for just now this will be me until I get a spare £10k together to swap it for an old Arnage.
Pic up in Scotland with the roof off;
Looks better with the pano roof on, but nicer to be in with the roof down!
bit hot (not in Scotland!)
couple of weekends ago, post wash.
Updating this as just got it back from its third service during my ownership. Off to Cote D'Azur next week in it again so wanted to put it in to get everything checked and an oil service. A complete check everything service was just over £300 mostly labour for some shims on the front suspension.
I had wanted to get it machine polished and some bodywork bits done before we went but in the end the guy couldn't fit it in, still looking good though. Hardtop has been off for a few months and whilst its louder on the motorway (with the hardtop on its coupe-silent) and its great cruising with roof down.
I think the R129 shape is getting better looking...
I had wanted to get it machine polished and some bodywork bits done before we went but in the end the guy couldn't fit it in, still looking good though. Hardtop has been off for a few months and whilst its louder on the motorway (with the hardtop on its coupe-silent) and its great cruising with roof down.
I think the R129 shape is getting better looking...
Nice car. Like the colour combination.
I have a love hate relationship with the readers cars section. Always going to the classifieds. I didn't realise that the early soft top cars were around 5K.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...
Not sure on this one.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...
I have a love hate relationship with the readers cars section. Always going to the classifieds. I didn't realise that the early soft top cars were around 5K.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...
Not sure on this one.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...
jke11y said:
Updating this as just got it back from its third service during my ownership. Off to Cote D'Azur next week in it again so wanted to put it in to get everything checked and an oil service. A complete check everything service was just over £300 mostly labour for some shims on the front suspension.
I had wanted to get it machine polished and some bodywork bits done before we went but in the end the guy couldn't fit it in, still looking good though. Hardtop has been off for a few months and whilst its louder on the motorway (with the hardtop on its coupe-silent) and its great cruising with roof down.
I think the R129 shape is getting better looking...
That looks much better. I think it has actually improved with age as a design. I remember my dad looking at these when they were new and opting for the XK8 convertible instead as it just seemed a bit more "luxury" - most of the 1995 XK8s are now completely wrecked. I had wanted to get it machine polished and some bodywork bits done before we went but in the end the guy couldn't fit it in, still looking good though. Hardtop has been off for a few months and whilst its louder on the motorway (with the hardtop on its coupe-silent) and its great cruising with roof down.
I think the R129 shape is getting better looking...
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