Tell me about R129 SL's

[pikeyboy]

Thinking of buying one for a fun cruiser over the summer months. Doesn't need to be fast, I have the caterham for that. What's the best model to buy I want to avoid fancy suspension issues etc., is a 280 6 cylinder the one to have ?

Edited by boy on Friday 7th February 13:30

[PositronicRay]

boy said:

Thinking of buying one for a fun cruiser over the summer months. Doesn't need to be fast, I have the caterham for that. What's the best model to buy I want to avoid fancy suspension issues etc., is a 280 6 cylinder the one to have ?

Edited by boy on Friday 7th February 13:30

I've a 320 straight six, it's fine 5 speed gearbox too.

Buy on condition.

[Skyedriver]

SL500/500SL

There's no substitute for cubes

[jimdollar]

Skyedriver said:

SL500/500SL

There's no substitute for cubes

Agreed, have had one for over 5 years, superb car.

[kilarney]

boy said:

Thinking of buying one for a fun cruiser over the summer months. Doesn't need to be fast, I have the caterham for that. What's the best model to buy I want to avoid fancy suspension issues etc., is a 280 6 cylinder the one to have ?

Edited by boy on Friday 7th February 13:30

I had a new 280 v6 back in the day sold it then bought it back again 3 yrs later, I thought it couldnt be as bad as i remembered it but it was. So sold it on again.
Its just too slow and that was way back then, really its a slug. Its a cruiser, there is no pleasure to be had from hustling it whatsoever. In the end I grew to hate it although I had come from a 911. I would say minimum 320 but really best with the 500 engine then at least its a nice cruiser.
Still the best built car I have ever owned and lovely to look at imo.

[Skyedriver]

kilarney said:

boy said:

Thinking of buying one for a fun cruiser over the summer months. Doesn't need to be fast, I have the caterham for that. What's the best model to buy I want to avoid fancy suspension issues etc., is a 280 6 cylinder the one to have ?

Edited by boy on Friday 7th February 13:30

I had a new 280 v6 back in the day sold it then bought it back again 3 yrs later, I thought it couldnt be as bad as i remembered it but it was. So sold it on again.
Its just too slow and that was way back then, really its a slug. Its a cruiser, there is no pleasure to be had from hustling it whatsoever. In the end I grew to hate it although I had come from a 911. I would say minimum 320 but really best with the 500 engine then at least its a nice cruiser.
Still the best built car I have ever owned and lovely to look at imo.

Can't fault the build quality. Compared to the TVR I have just sold, the quality is superb, no signs of corrosion underneath on body or suspension parts. It's like my old Volvo Estate. It also has so many gadgets, toys, power this and that which worry me should they fail.
However, it doesn't have the charisma nor provide the driving experience of the TVR. So after 6 months it's a great distance cruiser but no sports car although it's pretty well fast enough for modern roads. Can't make my mind up if it's a keeper or to sell it.

[pcn1]

Had my 1998 320 SL for about 2 years now.

I have no complaints, does what it says on the tin. Enough power to cruise you along, with a little to spare for a quick overtake when needed.
Classic insurance, decent mpg, great buid quality, parts supply still good even from MB dealers.
Theres enough cars out there to keep the prices realistic, but not so many you see one on the road every day.

The 320 has enough power, but the 5.0 if you really want the V8 sound.

Summers coming, drop the top and cruise in style, whats not to like ?

Edited by pcn1 on Wednesday 12th February 17:03

[Old Merc]

I`ve had my 1997 SL320 for 13 years,nothing serious has ever happened to it. These R129`s are a lovely modern classic,really good examples,particularly V8`s can fetch a good price. Take your time,do some research, when you do look at one just go through all the normal checking stuff. When you find a good one I`m sure you wont be disappointed.

[PositronicRay]

I think the 90s were a bit of a sweet spot, modern enough, but also straight forward and rugged.

I use mine daily, not pampered or garaged, even tackles farm/forest tracks (and they're pretty stty this time of Yr) . Front wings are the worse for wear but otherwise all okay.

[pcn1]

Looking to get a set or original alloys for mine. The AMG's look nice, but for a touring trip into france having standard 16's with a identical spare in the boot is a must. The ride is fine at the moment for my local trips, but Im expecting the 16's to give a more comfortable ride over longer distances.

[Deefor62]

pcn1 said:

Looking to get a set or original alloys for mine. The AMG's look nice, but for a touring trip into france having standard 16's with a identical spare in the boot is a must. The ride is fine at the moment for my local trips, but Im expecting the 16's to give a more comfortable ride over longer distances.

What size and age of tyre are you running on the AMG wheels?
The reason I ask is that I bought a used set of 18” AMG alloys and tyres for my SL and the ride was awful. The tyres fitted were quite old but still legal, but were slightly narrower than Mercedes specified for the R129. They were 235 wide at the front and 265 at the rear

I replaced them with a new set of Dunlops of the correct size ie 245 at the front and 275 at the rear, and the ride was transformed.
I grant that 16’s would provide yet more comfort, but those AMG wheels do look good.

[pcn1]

Deefor62 said:

pcn1 said:

Looking to get a set or original alloys for mine. The AMG's look nice, but for a touring trip into france having standard 16's with a identical spare in the boot is a must. The ride is fine at the moment for my local trips, but Im expecting the 16's to give a more comfortable ride over longer distances.

What size and age of tyre are you running on the AMG wheels?
The reason I ask is that I bought a used set of 18” AMG alloys and tyres for my SL and the ride was awful. The tyres fitted were quite old but still legal, but were slightly narrower than Mercedes specified for the R129. They were 235 wide at the front and 265 at the rear

I replaced them with a new set of Dunlops of the correct size ie 245 at the front and 275 at the rear, and the ride was transformed.
I grant that 16’s would provide yet more comfort, but those AMG wheels do look good.

I'd have to check the sizes, the ride isnt bad, but can feel a tad harsh on badly paved roads, i.e. most of them these days !
But its more the benifit of having 1 spare wheel that can fit any corner if your away from home on a touring holiday. Plus Im always a big fan of original wheels on an old car

[Deefor62]

pcn1 said:

I'd have to check the sizes, the ride isnt bad, but can feel a tad harsh on badly paved roads, i.e. most of them these days !
But its more the benifit of having 1 spare wheel that can fit any corner if your away from home on a touring holiday. Plus Im always a big fan of original wheels on an old car

I still have my standard wheel as the spare, as the rolling radius is the same (give or take a mm). Also, as the AMG wheels are staggered, it’s the only option open to me.
I agree that the original wheels look good, but the rear wheels to me always look buried too far into the arches.

[pcn1]

Deefor62 said:

I still have my standard wheel as the spare, as the rolling radius is the same (give or take a mm). Also, as the AMG wheels are staggered, it’s the only option open to me.
I agree that the original wheels look good, but the rear wheels to me always look buried too far into the arches.

You should to post a pic of your ride. Share some love for the R129

[Old Merc]

PositronicRay said:

I think the 90s were a bit of a sweet spot, modern enough, but also straight forward and rugged.

I use mine daily, not pampered or garaged, even tackles farm/forest tracks (and they're pretty stty this time of Yr) . Front wings are the worse for wear but otherwise all okay.

My SL was my daily driver but has now replaced my classic car and spends the winter SORNed. While these R129`s are not out of place in a classic car tour,the main reason I changed was safety. I was very aware that my early 60`s Pininfarina cabriolet had zero safety,my SL has everything,they are strong, very well made and I was very unfortunate to find out how safe and robust these cars are.

While stationary at traffic lights I was rear ended by a huge Iveco van.The impact was so great the role bar and the seat belt pre tensioners were deployed. Thanks to the super safety seat I did not feel a thing.The damage was just cosmetic,I could open and close the boot lid, and drive the car home. As for the Iveco, it was in a pool of oil and water and had to be towed away. (and the driver still had arms and legs)

[Old Merc]

When I first got my R129 I was never happy with the ride and handling. The front suspension on these can get tired,so I left it with my local Mercedes Indy.
Lower ball joints,bushes and other components were replaced, but the most important job was adjusting the geometry. As well as the tracking the lower wishbones are adjustable and its very important to get it right.
It felt like a different car on the way home,money well spent.

[Deefor62]

pcn1 said:

You should to post a pic of your ride. Share some love for the R129

Well, as you asked - here it is.

[pcn1]

Has it been lowered ?

[vpr]

Love a 129 but for me it’s crying out for the staggered AMG wheels. As mentioned, the std wheel is lost in the rear arch

[Deefor62]

pcn1 said:

Has it been lowered ?

Yes it has. It’s on H&R springs with no 1 spring seats/bushes at the front and number 3s at the rear. I’m quite impressed with the ride considering the combination of springs and 18” rims, as it’s not at all crashy, and the car is very composed in corners.