Buying an R129 SL500 - some tips?

[Harris_I]

I have been following the market for a while and will be looking to buy my first R129 SL500 later this month.

I am looking at late 90s cars (ideally with pano roof) and notice that private cars tend to be at least as expensive as trade, all other things being equal. Why is this?

I am keen to get an inspection done. As it's been many years since I've been in the UK, I wonder if market practice has moved on. I presume traders would not take kindly to being asked to deliver a car somewhere to be inspected, so which mobile inspection services would you recommend? Will I be well served by the usual RAC/AA type inspection, or are these overpriced and under-specialised, so to speak?

Thanks in advance for any help,

Harris

[r129sl]

If you use the search facility you will find these cars have been comprehensively covered.

Asking prices are all over the place.

The standard of cars on offer is all over the place, too.

Good late cars seem to be very few and far between.

Any vendor worth his salt will be open to an inspection, but your inspector is going to have to go to the car.

If you are overseas, you may wish to retain someone reputable on a commission to find you a good car. The SL Shop is highly recommended by others across the board and seems to be developing a secondary specialisation in r129s (the primary interest being the 107).

[Harris_I]

Hi Jonathan.

Yes, I have been following various R129 threads here in the past and they are very helpful.

My real issue is who should inspect the vehicle - is a generalist like the AA fine for these cars, or should I be seeking a Mercedes specialist? I will probably be buying in the Surrey/South London area - which specialist would be willing to travel to inspect in these areas?

If I'm honest, although I have no doubt the SL Shop is a first class outfit, I think their prices seem a bit mad. I'm not after a low mileage garage queen (assuming that's what they must be offering at those prices) - I intend to use it every day and an honest high mileage car with no hidden story would suit me fine.

[chris333]

I can't recommend Ollie at http://www.prestigecarservice.co.uk/ highly enough. He is just outside Portsmouth, but right by the A3 and I have read several people on the various MB fora who make the trip down to get their cars serviced by him. Its probably worth contacting him to see how far he would be willing to travel to inspect a car for you.

My experience in looking for an SL500 involved looking at 5 or 6 cars at dealers that , even with my limited experience, were obviously dogs (softtop not working, knackered ADS suspension, bits falling off the bottom, obvious overspray etc) . The car I bought was from a private seller with a nice old 911 in the garage, giving me a warm feeling that he was someone who would have care for it. It felt exactly as you describe, honest and usable: I think you might know when you've found the right one.

If you only read one thread its this one: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Edited by chris333 on Wednesday 4th July 18:27

[r129sl]

It took me six months of looking and that was ten years ago when they were still at main dealers. I think most folk with good ones are holding onto them, both because they are really good and because there is not much you can replace one with at any or any sane price.

[Harris_I]

Thanks folks, very helpful pointers.

[rubystone]

r129sl said:

It took me six months of looking and that was ten years ago when they were still at main dealers. I think most folk with good ones are holding onto them, both because they are really good and because there is not much you can replace one with at any or any sane price.

But you can find good ones at decent money still and I believe that as long as you are half savvy, these are not scary cars to buy privately. Pretty much everything is built to battleship standards on them and it's only known weaknesses with certain drivetrains that are worries..

I think the R129 is a lovely long term proposition and when I buy another it'll be a facelift SL500 or maybe a 600. I think they'll appreciate in value over time..but aside from that, I know they'll never let you down.

[r129sl]

I bought mine ten years ago with 30,000 on the clock and I'm now up to 217,000miles and it has never let me down yet.

[Harris_I]

That's what I like to hear!