Buying an R129

[Flip Martian]

yme402 said:

Yes I live at the top of Scotland, but bought the car in Leicester!
I was down on business so had a look at a couple before deciding on this one.
£60 flybe flight Inverness to Birmingham and drove it back.

That shows devotion to purchasing if ever I saw it... At least the drive back will have given you a good idea about the car (that's a heck of a drive).

[yme402]

Yes it is a stretch .......

But with the power of t'internet ,good quality photos and a co operative vendor it can be done. In the big scheme of things a short flight and an 8/9 hr drive for the right car at the right price is nothing really.

[Flip Martian]

yme402 said:

Yes it is a stretch .......

But with the power of t'internet ,good quality photos and a co operative vendor it can be done. In the big scheme of things a short flight and an 8/9 hr drive for the right car at the right price is nothing really.

Agreed - and finding a car getting on for 25 years old that can eat up that kind of drive without a glitch says a lot. Congrats.

[muchacho]

A good day at the office for Bruno.

[Zonergem]

Dropping the Mrs off at the station this evening when a familiar shape/colour caught my eye, driving into a nearby workshop.

Turns out there's a third Pearl Blue 129.066 500SL hereabouts, that has just failed an MOT and which doesn't belong to me.











Yet.

[0a]

Time to rectify that Zoner.

Congratulations OP. A great colour combination!

[muchacho]

Thanks 0a. Clearly a Smoke Silver 190 and a blue SL is the best option Am pleased to report that the 500 passed a Mercedes free inspection this morning with flying colours. The only point to note was the crumbling bonnet pad which I need to get on with renewing plus give it some fresh oil.

[f1ten]

very nice early car you have got hold of. Hopefully we will see it out and about!
took my G reg 500 out for a run yesterday and pleased it is running brilliantly.

muchacho said:

A 500 SL joined the fold today..







1990 60,000 miles.

[purplewave]

Hi there,

I wondered if anyone could give me their view on this R129 which I found listed for sale on carandclassic.co.uk.

http://www.country-classic-cars.co.uk/listings/199...

I'm completely new to the classic/modern classic car scene and therefore have little knowledge about what to look out for when going for viewings.

I've loved the shape and style of the R129 ever since I was a teenager and always wanted one but I've been too afraid of buying one and then running into engine problems etc and costly repairs.

This particular car sounds as though it has been looked after well from what I've read in the description.

Full service history with invoices to show works carried out as well as all old MOT certificates.

The car is currently owned by the company Sales Director of Country Classic Cars in Midhurst, West Sussex and is now available for sale due to needing the money for a deposit to buy a house. Well, that's what is said in the Car and Classic listing anyway. See here: https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C941420

I was drawn to this particular car as I love the combination of the Azurite Blue and beige leather interior with the AMG wheels. Plus the service history etc sounds pretty comprehensive.

I'd be really interested to see what your views are and whether you can offer me any advice for when I go and view the car.

Do you think £7,250 is a fair price?

Thanks in advance.

[IanA2]

purplewave said:

Hi there,

I wondered if anyone could give me their view on this R129 which I found listed for sale on carandclassic.co.uk.

http://www.country-classic-cars.co.uk/listings/199...

I'm completely new to the classic/modern classic car scene and therefore have little knowledge about what to look out for when going for viewings.

I've loved the shape and style of the R129 ever since I was a teenager and always wanted one but I've been too afraid of buying one and then running into engine problems etc and costly repairs.

This particular car sounds as though it has been looked after well from what I've read in the description.

Full service history with invoices to show works carried out as well as all old MOT certificates.

The car is currently owned by the company Sales Director of Country Classic Cars in Midhurst, West Sussex and is now available for sale due to needing the money for a deposit to buy a house. Well, that's what is said in the Car and Classic listing anyway. See here: https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C941420

I was drawn to this particular car as I love the combination of the Azurite Blue and beige leather interior with the AMG wheels. Plus the service history etc sounds pretty comprehensive.

I'd be really interested to see what your views are and whether you can offer me any advice for when I go and view the car.

Do you think £7,250 is a fair price?

Thanks in advance.

I've had 2 129's, a 500 & a V8 600. The engine in the 320 imo is too small for the weight. Others say different.

I have a S6 3L in my GES300 and that struggles.

If the service history is reliable and complete, and everything works as it should, then you should buy it. Pay particular attention to the roof mechanism.

I think the wheels may be reps, and (for me) the tyre profile is silly low.

They're great cars, and if you have a good local old school specialist, it shouldn't cost a fortune t keep on the road.

Indeed, you could probably sell it in a few years for the same/more than the current asking price.

[TR4man]

For a car that has supposedly been well looked after and had no expense spared, the under bonnet area looks rather unloved.

[SebringMan]

As said in another reply I'd check the wiring harness, ideally for evidence of replacement and if the car has a 722.5 transmission, which I think that one does, check that it works and goes through all of the gears. The later '97 car that sold on there seemed to come with the 722.6 ; this transmission is alot more common than the 722.5, which can make parts cheaper for it.

[Yogioes]

Hi
I've been considering an R129.
First looked at one a year ago but it was not for me. A 97 SL320 that was a bit bit too well used.

Recently looked at this
https://www.applecrossmotors.co.uk/search_page.php...

For it's age and miles it wasn't too bad. Obviously prepped for sale, lots of black spray on the underside, wheels refurbed and new cheap tyres.
I like the look of the big wheels but I suspect it would be better with smaller narrower wheels and tyres.

Now considering this (due to getting an A Grade in man maths)
https://www.kennydunn.co.uk/used-cars/mercedes-ben...

I don't think I want an SL500 but this one does seem interesting if a little risky. Also it's too far away for me as I am near Glasgow.
Could be a bargain ..... or a money pit.
https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/r129-sl.235950...

This may,or may not, replace my BMW R1200RT so this would be a step up in terms of practicality.
As an alternative, I am also considering the MX5 as a more sensible option.

Any thoughts?

Edited by Yogioes on Thursday 1st November 14:50

[Flip Martian]

Yogioes said:

Hi
I've been considering an R129.
First looked at one a year ago but it was not for me. A 97 SL320 that was a bit bit too well used.

Recently looked at this
https://www.applecrossmotors.co.uk/search_page.php...

For it's age and miles it wasn't too bad. Obviously prepped for sale, lots of black spray on the underside, wheels refurbed and new cheap tyres.
I like the look of the big wheels but I suspect it would be better with smaller narrower wheels and tyres.

Now considering this (due to getting an A Grade in man maths)
https://www.kennydunn.co.uk/used-cars/mercedes-ben...

I don't think I want an SL500 but this one does seem interesting if a little risky. Also it's too far away for me as I am near Glasgow.
Could be a bargain ..... or a money pit.
https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/r129-sl.235950...

Any thoughts?

The last one would be my choice - subject to inspection obviously - but well worth a look. Worth traveling for the right one.

That said, might be well advised to read up and get an expert on them along if poss - if its been sat for a while you'd want to check all the usual things like the roof motor etc.

Edited by Flip Martian on Thursday 1st November 15:18

[Skyedriver]

You're in Glasgow, I'm in Oban which is further away from everything!
Well almost.
That 500 sounds like a good buy but like everything, you need to see it. Could be due a barrel load of work. I'm no expert, there are some on this thread that know these cars inside out.
Incidentally there was a red 500 for sale in Yorkshire a few weeks ago just returned to ebay with a new seller and a £2k price hike. I was interested in that car but was unable to get to view it.

[pcn1]

The 500 has been up for sale for some time now on the owners forum, and the seller has been slowly lowering the offer price.
The V8's seem to command a premium, so Im not sure why this hasnt sold unless inspection has been throwing up concerns.
I bought a SL320 earlier this year, and Im very happy with it. More than enough power to shift the car along. If your a driver who wants more, maybe an SL isnt the car for you.

Good luck

[IanA2]

pcn1 said:

The 500 has been up for sale for some time now on the owners forum, and the seller has been slowly lowering the offer price.
The V8's seem to command a premium, so Im not sure why this hasnt sold unless inspection has been throwing up concerns.
I bought a SL320 earlier this year, and Im very happy with it. More than enough power to shift the car along. If your a driver who wants more, maybe an SL isnt the car for you.

Good luck

As a matter of interest, have you driven a 500 or a 60 or a 600?

As a former owner of both a 500 and a 60, I would disagree.

IMO, the R129 SL60 AMG, is one of the very best cars MB ever made.

[pcn1]

Power, its subjective and a personal choice.
I see my SL as a premium cruiser, not a "full on" sports car. I put my foot down, it keeps up with the flow of traffic effortlessly. Top speed will break all UK speed limits, I dont need any more.

Back in the day I did a few track days and blagged a few pasenger rides in "fast" cars. Great fun, scary even. But I dont need that for the public road, you cant use it legally.

Im sure the 500 and 600 are great cars. But the 320 isn't a poor cousin to be dismissed.

Sometimes less is more...... just my 2p worth

[psi310398]

pcn1 said:

Power, its subjective and a personal choice.
I see my SL as a premium cruiser, not a "full on" sports car. I put my foot down, it keeps up with the flow of traffic effortlessly. Top speed will break all UK speed limits, I dont need any more.

Back in the day I did a few track days and blagged a few pasenger rides in "fast" cars. Great fun, scary even. But I dont need that for the public road, you cant use it legally.

Im sure the 500 and 600 are great cars. But the 320 isn't a poor cousin to be dismissed.

Sometimes less is more...... just my 2p worth

I had a 300 SL for a long time and it seemed to strain quite a bit to lug its enormously heavy body around the place, especially with the weighty pano roof I procured from a crashed later model.

It got to cruising speed in due course but it was never going to contend on the North Circular, let alone Santa Pod. My 500 never had that issue.

I've never driven a 320 so can't comment on its superiority over the 300.

[IanA2]

psi310398 said:

I had a 300 SL for a long time and it seemed to strain quite a bit to lug its enormously heavy body around the place, especially with the weighty pano roof I procured from a crashed later model.

It got to cruising speed in due course but it was never going to contend on the North Circular, let alone Santa Pod. My 500 never had that issue.

I've never driven a 320 so can't comment on its superiority over the 300.

Yes, my G-wagon has the same engine and similar weight. Could do with a lot more power. Previous posters mistakes power with speed.

The SL60 just does everything with consummate ease, such a relaxing car to drive, Pano too :-)