Buying an R129

Author
Discussion

CharlesdeGaulle

26,103 posts

179 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
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They are very good looking cars. I particularly like them in Blue.

muchacho

255 posts

133 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
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By the way, thank you all for the intelligence gathered here on the R129 - it did lead to the purchase yesterday.

Zonergem

1,368 posts

91 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
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muchacho said:
Time will tell. But this is by no means a mal-treated car. All dealer stamps are present and correct until this recent phase of 5-10k miles during which it has had fluid services allied with local MOTs. In fact it actually feels a lot less niggly than when I took on my 190 Cosworth of the same age (though it had twice as many miles).
That sounds fine to me. It was a good price for a low-owner, low-mile example and the money you spend on a big service now will be adding value as well as keeping the car ready for you to enjoy.

Will be interested to hear how the car compares to the 190 Cosworth.

Let me know if you want any part numbers - I have lots of invoices knocking around.

mickyveloce

1,035 posts

235 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
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A run out in my 129 today (to a pre-74 classic car event where I was merely an observer) reinforced my view of the car.

It has an abundance of qualities which one would look for in an established analogue "classic car"; style, noise, poise, heritage etc etc, together with reserves of passive safety, performance, comfort and usability.

Watching exhibitors shoehorn themselves into MGs, Triumphs, Daimler Darts etc, made me wonder just how enjoyable the must be to drive home in the summer heat.

Anyway, six years into 129 ownership for me, and we're still on honeymoon.

olliete

403 posts

110 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
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I owned a 320 and now I am in the market for a 500 or possibly a 600

If anyone knows of / has an SL 500/600 that they will part with do let me know, I miss my old car and need a replacement before the sun hibernates!

Thanks,

Oliver.

0a

23,879 posts

193 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
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Zonergem said:
I did buy SL1 a new hat the other day.



It's a green/beige hardtop that I got for pennies and am stripping for the headlining and a couple of trim bits. But I quite like the three tone look. If I had the chance I'd have my actual top painted to match the Saccos.
Zoner, I nominate you to start a r129 parts business!

0a

23,879 posts

193 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
quotequote all
r129sl said:
muchacho said:
Corr! How good does that design look?

I used to have a dealer poster which showed the 129 in profile with the slogan, "It's better than it looks".
I like the fact that mine is the other way around (dark blue above, lighter below). My mechanic, who briefly acted as the middle man between me and the painter, briefly suggested that I get rid of the old fashioned look and have all the panels done the same colour!


muchacho

255 posts

133 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
quotequote all
@zonergem. A comparison between my 190 Cosworth and a 500SL. Now that is a tall order (not least because the SL is a bit of an unknown quantity to me having driven only 100 miles in it so far). Additionally I think I am being overlooked be at least two W201/R129 contributors on this very forum so I had had better be careful with what I say!

The obvious common factors : both of my cars were built in 1990 and both run on petrol managed by Bosch KE Jetronic. Interestingly I think that more in common could be found between an SL and a non 16 valve 190. My 16 valve is a development of a car built to a price and is actually quite agricultural at low speeds. It has a manual 'box with a snatchy clutch and is relatively noisy (especially with my stainless exhaust and doors stripped of sound insulation). The four cylinder engine only comes into its own at high revs whereas the five litre V8 seems to have your back at any moment. You wouldn't drive the two expecting them to perform in the same way. The SL expects to impress customers with refinement at a high monetary price. The 190 Cosworth was a brainwave by engineers making use of a regular saloon platform. And Mercedes's cheapest at that. The difference in heft is evident - the 190 is much lighter on its feet and responds well to application of throttle to correct body roll. I am not sure I am brave enough yet to find out if the same applies to a R129! However I do think that both cars feel supremely comfortable at speed. The R129 performs brilliantly on refinement and GT qualities but I am going back to my W201 the next time I head to Hockenheim and Nurburgring.

mickyveloce

1,035 posts

235 months

Monday 17th July 2017
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On the basis that my 300-24 129 and C36, which are both M104 engined cars, are vastly different I would imagine the gulf between the 190 Cosworth and a 500SL is immense.

All of which means that justifying owning both /all would be easy to do!


yme402

Original Poster:

375 posts

101 months

Monday 17th July 2017
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In response to the original post....this is what I ended up buying.
SL 320
2 previous owners
Rust free
New hard top and hood
Full history file and excellent provenance
No expense spared by previous owner (spoke to Merc specialist who looked after it for the last 15 years.)
112,000 Miles
£6000



Edited by yme402 on Monday 17th July 08:36


Edited by yme402 on Monday 17th July 08:40


Edited by yme402 on Monday 17th July 08:41

yme402

Original Poster:

375 posts

101 months

Monday 17th July 2017
quotequote all
Interior.

yme402

Original Poster:

375 posts

101 months

Monday 17th July 2017
quotequote all

yme402

Original Poster:

375 posts

101 months

Monday 17th July 2017
quotequote all

yme402

Original Poster:

375 posts

101 months

Monday 17th July 2017
quotequote all

Flip Martian

19,512 posts

189 months

Monday 17th July 2017
quotequote all
6k sounds like a bargain, given that description, congratulations. Did you have to travel far for one?

PositronicRay

26,959 posts

182 months

Monday 17th July 2017
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I like the 320s
Better HFM engine management system
Blink code reader diagnostics
Better 5s transmission
Smooth
Plenty of space for the home mechanic.

Downside
Dodgy engine harnesses (TB, upper, lower)
Dodgy A/C fan harnesses.

Worth checking the above, if not already done then worth tackling during the winter.

yme402

Original Poster:

375 posts

101 months

Monday 17th July 2017
quotequote all
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.

This one does not have aircon.
Bio degradeable harness wiring was a major concern for me as this was produced right in the middle of the production run. No sign in service history of it being changed, but on inspection I could not see any evidence of crumbling wire insulation either...


Blink code engine diagnostics - what exactly is this, and what do I need to interact with it?


Edited by yme402 on Monday 17th July 09:26


Edited by yme402 on Monday 17th July 09:27

PositronicRay

26,959 posts

182 months

Monday 17th July 2017
quotequote all
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.

This one does not have aircon.
Bio degradeable harness wiring was a major concern for me as this was produced right in the middle of the production run. No sign in service history of it being changed, but on inspection I could not see any evidence of crumbling wire insulation either...


Blink code engine diagnostics - what exactly is this, and what do I need to interact with it?


Edited by yme402 on Monday 17th July 09:26


Check around the temp sensors @ the front of the engine for crumbly harness, I first noticed mine by the plugs on the ECU (lower harness)

Google blink code, you can access diagnostic fault codes using a homemade reader (an LED and momentary switch)

Edited by yme402 on Monday 17th July 09:27

yme402

Original Poster:

375 posts

101 months

Monday 17th July 2017
quotequote all
One thing that I do need is a button for the centre arm rest. If anyone can help - much appreciated!

PositronicRay

26,959 posts

182 months

Monday 17th July 2017
quotequote all
Incidentally my 94 320 just passed it's MOT, no advisories which is a 1st for my local (sucks through teeth) garage