sl r129 anyone taken the risk on a 3/4k car

[Zonergem]

I can cope with missing history at the 3 to 5k level, because you're probably buying trouble anyway.

This was the extent of SL2's available history when I bought it.



Obviously I got very lucky knew what I was doing as the car has been basically good, though I have spent plenty on it. The MOT history didn't hint at anything awful down under.

SL3 has a wodge of bills an inch and a half thick, dating back to new. I've not started adding them up but I think it will easily exceed 30k. Unfortunately, and as per the dire MOT advisories, the underside is pretty grotty and the car would need new arms, springs and piping to be good again. So you pays your money and you takes your chances.

[Zonergem]

Since this thread is occasionally read by people looking for an R129 I'll just throw this up here: seems very fair value indeed for a solid early car with excellent MOT history and low mileage. You could do a lot worse.



https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Willwors]

Yep, a grand under-priced maybe. Looks nice.

My only complaint would be that the Saccos are too glossy - a '92 car should be two-tone or at least have a satin finish on the lower panels. No air con either.

But it's KE-Jetronic which means the wiring loom won't be a-crumblin'.

[Lowtimer]

If that's as it appears to be, it's a very attractive proposition.

[Zonergem]

The wiper is parked on the wrong side and also is fouling the A pillar. They've changed the blade but used the wrong size - there's a specific fit and you sometimes have to reverse a clip. Needs a new aerial grommet.

It does have A/C but not the automatic climate control. There were three options on the early cars.

1. No air-con. Just two large buttons either side of the dials.



2. Air-conditioning. REST = recirculating hot air after engine switch off. EC = economy, i.e. A/C off. Double squiggle over rectangle = air drying.




3. Automatic climate control = a/c + digital temperature selection & maintenance. Not often seen on early UK cars.

[SSL]

Willwors said:

I'm 99% sure that Diana's car is Almandine and that Pajett and Barolo weren't available on the R129 at that point.

Mine's an identical spec - Almandine over Mushroom leather.

I thought it was Almandine too. If you look at shots of the car in the MB museum and posted on youtube it definitely looks like it.

That said both Pajett and Barolo red were available on the later R107 models and they were around for the early 129s.

In fact Barolo was an option for the Sacco panels where Almandine was the main body colour.

[Zonergem]

Apparently that dark 500SL is an ex-Cyprus car with a misfire and several other flaws which point to a much higher mileage than shown, so best avoided.

[pcn1]

Zonergem said:

Apparently that dark 500SL is an ex-Cyprus car with a misfire and several other flaws which point to a much higher mileage than shown, so best avoided.

It did seem a little "cheap" for a 5.0 with that low milage.
Guess there's a reason why.......

[em177]

What do you all think of this?

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...

Edited by em177 on Wednesday 16th May 11:03

[PositronicRay]

em177 said:

What do you all think of this?

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...

Edited by em177 on Wednesday 16th May 11:03

It's got an auto roll bar!

Seriously you just can't tell much from an ad

Buy from an enthusiast. It's an old car so check it. drive it, then check it again.

Unless evidence of work carried out budget for.
Engine wiring harness
Suspension refresh
Flex discs
Brakes
Tyres
Rusty wings (hurried repairs, rust reappears 6-12 months later)
Soft top (albeit this one looks okay in the photos)
All fluids (gearbox)
Myriad of odd and random electrical problems, confusing if inexpensive
Water pump, drive belt, thermostat
Full service

I like the 320 I6, pre facelift used blink code diagnostics and no auto drop window feature on door opening, post facelift needs star.

[f1ten]

Pajet was available on the r129 in 1990 and definitely 92 as I remember seeing one back then.
Diannas car is 100% almandine red and I've seen it in the merc museum

Willwors said:

I'm 99% sure that Diana's car is Almandine and that Pajett and Barolo weren't available on the R129 at that point.

Mine's an identical spec - Almandine over Mushroom leather.

[Zonergem]

This one is Pajett and I can see why people think Diana's was as well. Rare to see this colour or the Palomino interior in the UK, and the car is being revived by a capable new owner.



https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/my-r129-500sl-...

[tobinen]

Great thread. I love the colour, looks super.

[harrykul]

Seconded. That colour combination is wonderful, makes my black/black car seem a bit boring.

[Crook]

That thread makes me feel all sorts of guilt / laziness about mine!

Looks fantastic though.

It's in for an annual service soon (it's been a year already) and a couple of other bits: check strap, speaker cover and a wierd vacuum noise from behind my right shoulder which I suspect is central locking for the fuel cap. It also has a bit of a petrol smell occasionally that needs looking at, oh and new front pads...

[Rocksteadyeddie]

Crook said:

That thread makes me feel all sorts of guilt / laziness about mine!

Looks fantastic though.

It's in for an annual service soon (it's been a year already) and a couple of other bits: check strap, speaker cover and a wierd vacuum noise from behind my right shoulder which I suspect is central locking for the fuel cap. It also has a bit of a petrol smell occasionally that needs looking at, oh and new front pads...

+1

[Zonergem]

Can someone persuade me not to try and buy a spare M119 engine?

The bidding is currently lower than the price of a packet of ciggies.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-500SL-R129-MB1...

I have nowhere to keep it, nothing to lift it with and no stand. But still...

[Skyedriver]

Useful as a door stop and really on your doorstep......not

[0a]

£10.50!

[Zonergem]

Don't. 15 minutes with the spanners and a hex key and you'd have had a set of metal cam-shaft oil feeder tubes and a decent KE-Jetronic fuel distributer for refurbishment. Easily £250.

To say nothing of the block, camshafts, timing advance magnets and valve covers and so on.

Meanwhile this breaker car has already been bid to £2200 despite being well beyond economic repair IMHO. Shame as I could really use quite a lot of the parts.

https://www.copart.co.uk/lot/33242278