For R129 Owners - Ongoing Running Costs?

[Flip Martian]

A couple of years ago I had to sell my 1999 Z28 Camaro and I decided it was going to be replaced with a proper convertible. At the time, my "look for" shortlist came down to 2, for very different reasons - an MX5 and an R129. Ultimately I went with the Mazda as it was cheaper and there were more more available to look at locally - and its been fun to drive, so not too many regrets.

However, I'm taking redundancy this month and will be getting a healthy 5 figure pay out. I'm not planning on blowing the lot, nor do I want to buy a bottomless pit to tip my money into - but the R129 itch is still there. I know I wouldn't be chucking it around our local country lanes in quite the same way as the MX5 but...the desire for one is still there and I'm thinking "cash in the MX5 and look for an R129". In all likelihood a 96-98 period SL320, with a budget of up to £9 or £10k for purchase and fettling/replacing anything that needs doing.

I've done lots of reading up on here and other forums/fonts of knowledge, so I have a fairly broad idea of what to watch out for. I also seem to be fortunate enough to have 2 vintage MB specialists near where I live (between Milton Keynes and Northampton). Which would be useful as I am a bit cack-handed with car mechanicals so don't envisage me being under the car every weekend.

So my question is, to those of you owning one already, what sort of money do you fork out a year to keep yours roadworthy? I wouldn't want to run one into the ground, nor restore one to showroom condition and never use it - I just mean in servicing and replacing things that need replacing as you go?

Any pointers welcome from those of you lucky enough to have one already.

[PositronicRay]

4 yrs ago I purchased a clean 94 320 for £5k
Since then I've sunk another £5k into it so stands me around £10k, it seems to have stopped demanding money (for now )

[Flip Martian]

PositronicRay said:

4 yrs ago I purchased a clean 94 320 for £5k
Since then I've sunk another £5k into it so stands me around £10k, it seems to have stopped demanding money (for now )

Interesting, ta! Is that DIY or using a specialist for jobs? Or both?

I figured if I (carefully) buy one now at anywhere near 5k it might well cost the same again just fettling and putting things right.

[Old Merc]

The R129 is a lovely car,well built,safe,solid and comes with all the modern features. Of course like all quality vehicles it has to be maintained correctly with O/E parts.Don`t rush,make sure the car has a good history,all that sort of stuff,you know the drill.
I`ve had my pride and joy SL320 for ten years and intend to keep it.The only major work done was front suspension ball joints,coil springs,and various bushes,AND a full geometry adjustment.This was carried out by a Merc` Indy and it transformed the handling and feel of the car.I suppose if I had that done now it would cost £1K + ?
Also the AC condenser had to be replaced.Apparently road dirt,leaves,bugs etc collect around the lower part of the condenser,act like a sponge,and rots it away. A £800+ job?
These cars also suffer with irritating electrical faults.Engine wiring can be an issue? like the harness to the coil packs and the air flow meter.Also make sure it has a top quality high output battery and is always kept fully charged or you will get roof problems.(A tip,never ever jump start a R129)
Because I want to keep this car for years to come I have spent a fair bit on the cosmetics.The front wings can get rusty and the edges around the rear wheel arches.I`ve also had all the windows in the roof replaced.
Don`t forget it has a removable hard top.In the winter its a fixed head coupe with a glass HRW.In the summer its an electrically operated soft top.
BUT!,its a two man job to remove the hard top and you will need somewhere clean and dry to store it during the summer.
Good luck,when you find a good one I`m sure you wont be disappointed.

[Flip Martian]

Old Merc said:

The R129 is a lovely car,well built,safe,solid and comes with all the modern features. Of course like all quality vehicles it has to be maintained correctly with O/E parts.Don`t rush,make sure the car has a good history,all that sort of stuff,you know the drill.
I`ve had my pride and joy SL320 for ten years and intend to keep it.The only major work done was front suspension ball joints,coil springs,and various bushes,AND a full geometry adjustment.This was carried out by a Merc` Indy and it transformed the handling and feel of the car.I suppose if I had that done now it would cost £1K + ?
Also the AC condenser had to be replaced.Apparently road dirt,leaves,bugs etc collect around the lower part of the condenser,act like a sponge,and rots it away. A £800+ job?
These cars also suffer with irritating electrical faults.Engine wiring can be an issue? like the harness to the coil packs and the air flow meter.Also make sure it has a top quality high output battery and is always kept fully charged or you will get roof problems.(A tip,never ever jump start a R129)
Because I want to keep this car for years to come I have spent a fair bit on the cosmetics.The front wings can get rusty and the edges around the rear wheel arches.I`ve also had all the windows in the roof replaced.
Don`t forget it has a removable hard top.In the winter its a fixed head coupe with a glass HRW.In the summer its an electrically operated soft top.
BUT!,its a two man job to remove the hard top and you will need somewhere clean and dry to store it during the summer.
Good luck,when you find a good one I`m sure you wont be disappointed.

Thanks, that's useful! I do have a large garage and car port so the roof will get dry stored. Getting it off the car might be an issue - my wife is only little! But I can cross that bridge further down the line... It does seem the main thing is to drive it and keep using it - many niggly problems seem to be from not using it enough (at least, that's what I'm reading).

[PositronicRay]

Flip Martian said:

PositronicRay said:

4 yrs ago I purchased a clean 94 320 for £5k
Since then I've sunk another £5k into it so stands me around £10k, it seems to have stopped demanding money (for now )

Interesting, ta! Is that DIY or using a specialist for jobs? Or both?

I figured if I (carefully) buy one now at anywhere near 5k it might well cost the same again just fettling and putting things right.

Mostly DIY, I leave bodywork to the pros

DIY
Suspension
Brakes
Servicing
Wheels and tyres
Fluids
Lambda probe
Electrics

Pro
Rust repair
Hood windows (twice)
Flex discs (shredded while on holiday so used French garage)

[Flip Martian]

PositronicRay said:

Mostly DIY, I leave bodywork to the pros

DIY
Suspension
Brakes
Servicing
Wheels and tyres
Fluids
Lambda probe
Electrics

Pro
Rust repair
Hood windows (twice)
Flex discs (shredded while on holiday so used French garage)

Thanks. 2 lots of hood windows?! I figured that would be a once every 10 years or so job at worst!

[PositronicRay]

Flip Martian said:

PositronicRay said:

Mostly DIY, I leave bodywork to the pros

DIY
Suspension
Brakes
Servicing
Wheels and tyres
Fluids
Lambda probe
Electrics

Pro
Rust repair
Hood windows (twice)
Flex discs (shredded while on holiday so used French garage)

Thanks. 2 lots of hood windows?! I figured that would be a once every 10 years or so job at worst!

1st job only lasted a couple of yrs, had it done again at cost. Next time I'll just bit the bullet and fit a new hood, I don't think messing about with them is very satisfactory.

[Old Merc]

Flip Martian said:

Getting it off the car might be an issue - my wife is only little! But I can cross that bridge further down the line... It does seem the main thing is to drive it and keep using it - many niggly problems seem to be from not using it enough (at least, that's what I'm reading).

The hardtop removal is becoming an issue for me now.I`m 70 and have a shoulder problem but luckily have a few strong mates.My SL came with one of these in the boot.

Cover it up and wheel it around.
Your correct about lack of use issues,that`s why I emphasized the need of a fully charged battery. I learned the hard way,allow the battery to get low(not flat) then the roof and roll bar will stop working.Then its a visit to Merc` for a ECU reboot.I also had the green/red alarm lights in the interior mirror playing silly buggers, it was low batteries in the key fob.

[Flip Martian]

An ECU reboot sounds a bit drastic for such a minor fault. £150 for a new battery is not a problem - my 1 concern really would be making sure its used enough. There are times the MX5 doesn't get taken out for several weeks - the SL clearly would need to be more regular, I'm guessing.

[Old Merc]

Just a thought ?

SL320`s from 1993 - 1998 had the M104 engine,24V straight six.Apart from a small oil leak around the front chest that engine is bullet proof.
From late 1998 SL 320`s came with a new V6 engine and apparently the early ones had a few issues.I would stick to the straight six engine if I was you.

Judging by the adverts I see,R129`s are fetching really good money.My 320 cost me £12K ten years ago and I reckon its worth that today,may be a bit more? what ever its worth I`m not selling.

[PositronicRay]

Flip Martian said:

An ECU reboot sounds a bit drastic for such a minor fault. £150 for a new battery is not a problem - my 1 concern really would be making sure its used enough. There are times the MX5 doesn't get taken out for several weeks - the SL clearly would need to be more regular, I'm guessing.

Use a Cetk. To reach the car I've extended the leads on mine, now 18m and fused.

[Flip Martian]

Old Merc said:

Just a thought ?

SL320`s from 1993 - 1998 had the M104 engine,24V straight six.Apart from a small oil leak around the front chest that engine is bullet proof.
From late 1998 SL 320`s came with a new V6 engine and apparently the early ones had a few issues.I would stick to the straight six engine if I was you.

Judging by the adverts I see,R129`s are fetching really good money.My 320 cost me £12K ten years ago and I reckon its worth that today,may be a bit more? what ever its worth I`m not selling.

Yes, it was that middle period I was thinking would be better (mainly due to the Chrysler takeover in 98 and stories of decreased build quality thereafter though - I'd missed about the change to a V6 engine).

I've seen every price over the last few days from under 3k (can't imagine how bad they must be) to over 20k. I imagine for £12k 10 years ago, yours was in the "far better than average" condition price bracket. I would imagine someone would pay at least similar for one where most of the work has been done, probably a bit more.

[Flip Martian]

PositronicRay said:

Use a Cetk. To reach the car I've extended the leads on mine, now 18m and fused.

On trickle charge when not in use, you mean? I do have one actually - the MX5 went flat once when I was ill for a while. Its also saved my daily Focus too. Good idea, ta

[r129sl]

If you buy the right one—which is not as easy as it sounds as (1) they take abuse very well, (2) people don't willingly part with good ones and (3) there's a lot of speculation going on right now—you should find it pretty cheap to run over, say, 10,000 mile a year.

Servicing is very cheap. They are easy to service and consumables are readily available. Brakes, suspension parts, air con parts, all are cheap (I note someone above suggests the air con condenser is an £800 job: it isn't, it's £150 for a Behr part and at most an hour's labour to fit). A lot of stuff you will be able to DIY if so inclined.

The engines and transmissions are pretty robust.

It's really gadgets, broken trim and a defective hood that will cost you big bills. On the hood, lack of use is probably the biggest cause of problems.

The right car should not cost more than £1,500 a year to run very well.

[Flip Martian]

Thanks for that. I've read your buyers guide article too; very useful stuff.

I see a fair few ads but good ones are obviously rather fewer in number. All I see are owners saying what great cars they are - not come across anyone saying they regretted buying, yet!

[PositronicRay]

Flip Martian said:

Thanks for that. I've read your buyers guide article too; very useful stuff.

I see a fair few ads but good ones are obviously rather fewer in number. All I see are owners saying what great cars they are - not come across anyone saying they regretted buying, yet!

If one were to buy a cheapo that's been in hands of a back street bodger (think electrics) it'd be easy to be in the "regretted" camp.

R129's £1500 p.a. budget figure is sensible.

[Flip Martian]

PositronicRay said:

If one were to buy a cheapo that's been in hands of a back street bodger (think electrics) it'd be easy to be in the "regretted" camp.

R129's £1500 p.a. budget figure is sensible.

Yeah I can imagine that might end up being a bit of a bottomless pit. I figured if I bought fairly low (eg 5-7k) I'd budget another few k on top to get things right. But even at that price I'd be making sure it was at least a certain standard.

[Old Merc]

[quote=r129sl]
Servicing is very cheap. They are easy to service and consumables are readily available. Brakes, suspension parts, air con parts, all are cheap (I note someone above suggests the air con condenser is an £800 job: it isn't, it's £150 for a Behr part and at most an hour's labour to fit). A lot of stuff you will be able to DIY if so inclined.

I agree with everything you say r129sl,you certainly know everything about these cars and have advised me in the past.I had my own car repair business for 25 years so my labour is "free" and parts are on my trade account.Yes,replacing the condenser was a very simple job (to an expert),I also used a genuine Behr part that cost me £228 (2 years ago).One hour to do the job?? Bloody hell !! I should have had you working for me,you would have earned me a fortune.
The price I suggested was for a normal punter using a good Merc` Indy. Parts at retail,AC vacuum & re-gas,total labour and VAT.
Now I`m retired I only do the simple servicing stuff at home. I decided not to get involved with the suspension rebuild myself so booked it into my local Merc` expert.As I said it was well worth the expense but they were charging £65 + VAT an hour labour and I did not get the parts at cost.

[r129sl]

^^^I didn't mean to be rude or critical about the condenser job, sorry if it came across that way. I've done mine twice now. First time was genuine MB at the dealer and the cost was over £700 (back in 2008, as well); then last summer using Behr from Euro Car Parts during a discount deal and again with the labour at the dealer. Again, apologies if you thought I was being shirty.