R129 Questions
Discussion
Hi guys, the R129 has long been a favourite of mine and one has come up that I've sort of fallen for and have a few questions before I commit. (I wasn't actually looking at buying a car at the moment!) It's a bit of a project which is want I want. It's an April 1994 SL280 with 152k miles which doesn't worry me as it has a stack of history and the engine/ gearbox seem perfect. If I decide to buy it will be a long term car that I'd probably never sell. To be used on weekends etc.
Some background - My understanding is the car was used daily up until approx. 7 months ago at which point it was parked up under cover until 2 weeks ago. The battery was flat and it was started using a jump pack. Some Google searches reveal that you should never jump start an R129.... is this correct? It has a few electrical problems:
- Soft top roof is currently up but will not go down. It tries to but won't release. The roll bar goes up and down fine.
- The instrument cluster doesn't work - fuel guage, rev counter, speedo etc. nothing registers.
- Passenger seat electrics do not work
- The driver's window only goes up most of the way leaving an inch gap. It tries it's best but seems like it's not seated/ aligned properly.
Could the above all be caused by jump starting? The roof was apparently diagnosed by someone as requiring a new sensor but I understand there is a resetting procedure that I don't think has been carried out yet?
Could the instrument cluster be a simple fuse?
It's not an immaculate car but this is why I like it as it seems 'honest' and is priced right. I like the idea of making it immaculate over time but the electrics slightly concern me!
Also, the front seats could do with a re-trim. Any ideas of costs on this at all?
It is an April 1994 car in dark blue but not 2 tone and has orange indicators and 8 hole 16" wheels. Can anyone confirm this is original? It also has the original hardtop and wind deflector which is great. Would anyone know what radio system would be the original? Would it be Bose?
Would appreciate any help!
Some background - My understanding is the car was used daily up until approx. 7 months ago at which point it was parked up under cover until 2 weeks ago. The battery was flat and it was started using a jump pack. Some Google searches reveal that you should never jump start an R129.... is this correct? It has a few electrical problems:
- Soft top roof is currently up but will not go down. It tries to but won't release. The roll bar goes up and down fine.
- The instrument cluster doesn't work - fuel guage, rev counter, speedo etc. nothing registers.
- Passenger seat electrics do not work
- The driver's window only goes up most of the way leaving an inch gap. It tries it's best but seems like it's not seated/ aligned properly.
Could the above all be caused by jump starting? The roof was apparently diagnosed by someone as requiring a new sensor but I understand there is a resetting procedure that I don't think has been carried out yet?
Could the instrument cluster be a simple fuse?
It's not an immaculate car but this is why I like it as it seems 'honest' and is priced right. I like the idea of making it immaculate over time but the electrics slightly concern me!
Also, the front seats could do with a re-trim. Any ideas of costs on this at all?
It is an April 1994 car in dark blue but not 2 tone and has orange indicators and 8 hole 16" wheels. Can anyone confirm this is original? It also has the original hardtop and wind deflector which is great. Would anyone know what radio system would be the original? Would it be Bose?
Would appreciate any help!
Given the mileage, age and condition I wouldn't pay much more than £2k for it. SL280s are under-powered and the least popular of all the models. The electrics could render the project a no-go financially for a start. 'Project' R129s really don't make any sense given the expense of spares.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...
This one is £2.5k.
Same sort of money bought me mine a few weeks ago:
This one is £2.5k.
Same sort of money bought me mine a few weeks ago:
Edited by Justayellowbadge on Tuesday 23 April 22:29
Lot of "IF`s" here? Shame its a 280,the 320 is much better.I think you could do better if you look around.As for this one,I think a lot of the electrical faults particularly the roof is a result of the flat battery.All I can say is I let my 320`s battery go down,the roof did not work and my local Merc` Indy re-set the ECU to bring it all back to life.As said above don`t pay much for it and be prepared to fork out a lot more!! By the way my 320 has a Blaupunkt radio.
Well, a thanks to everyone that replied and Justayellowbadge for posting the link to the red one. Went and viewed it last night and ended up doing a deal!
It's a thousand times better than the blue one I was looking at and £500 less. Has had new roof/ frame and control module at a cost of £1200 so all perfect. All electrics work.Recent service. Currently being MOT'd and should pick it up next week. I know the colour and engine combo won't be everyone's cup of tea but I love it. Extremely pleased! Now deciding whether to get AMG Monoblocks and clear indicators or keep as is...
It's a thousand times better than the blue one I was looking at and £500 less. Has had new roof/ frame and control module at a cost of £1200 so all perfect. All electrics work.Recent service. Currently being MOT'd and should pick it up next week. I know the colour and engine combo won't be everyone's cup of tea but I love it. Extremely pleased! Now deciding whether to get AMG Monoblocks and clear indicators or keep as is...
Crikey.
Usual caveats apply!
I merely posted it, and mine, as examples of (still crossed fingers) half way decent cars at the bottom of the price range, for comparison purposes.
That original car sounds like a very hard sell at 3k, when you consider what else can be found.
Keep it original. Mine will go back to ambers.
Usual caveats apply!
I merely posted it, and mine, as examples of (still crossed fingers) half way decent cars at the bottom of the price range, for comparison purposes.
That original car sounds like a very hard sell at 3k, when you consider what else can be found.
Keep it original. Mine will go back to ambers.
Don't worry... I won't hold you responsible if it breaks down! I spent well over an hour looking at every detail and mastering the art of removing/ fitting the hard top.
If I do decide to go with 18" Monoblocks, does anyone know the correct fitting as there seems to be a few different sizes? Should they be staggered?
If I do decide to go with 18" Monoblocks, does anyone know the correct fitting as there seems to be a few different sizes? Should they be staggered?
That looks tidy and a bargain for the money. The aerial mast looks like it has seized as it's still up and the keys are out of the ignition. You can buy a replacement mast from a dealer for about 20 quid. There'll be a letter on the very end of it, you'll need that or the VIN to order a replacement.
74merc said:
That looks tidy and a bargain for the money. The aerial mast looks like it has seized as it's still up and the keys are out of the ignition. You can buy a replacement mast from a dealer for about 20 quid. There'll be a letter on the very end of it, you'll need that or the VIN to order a replacement.
I was thinking the same. It can be caused by, and cause, a water ingress problem.
The grommet can perish with time and allow water to run down to the aerial assembly, causing it to fail. It can also follow the lead down into the passenger compartment, leading to water in the footwell behind the passenger seat. If the aerial has failed and there is any dampness there, it's probably the problem.
Thanks 74merc. When I viewed last night the aerial was all the way down. It has an aftermarket Sony radio that doesn't work (problem with fascia) so I plan to replace with a headunit I already have and hopefully it will go up/ down as it should. If not, £20 sounds good for a new one!
Yep! Got it home on Friday after it passed its MOT with no advisories. It's done 200 miles over the weekend and the drive is pefect, not a single rattle/ knock or squeak. Very comfortable and engine pulls well despite only being the 2.8.
Managed to fit a new mirror switch and gave it a quick wash. (It will be getting the full Meguiars treatment soon along with some better photos)
Have decided to keep the 8 holes which will be getting refubished at some point.
Only minor thing I can't seem to fix is the remote locking. The central locking works using the key but not from the fob. Changed the batteries but still nothing! Not a big deal but would like to get it working.
JAYB I saw yours at MB World the other week - looked great. Lovely colour.
Managed to fit a new mirror switch and gave it a quick wash. (It will be getting the full Meguiars treatment soon along with some better photos)
Have decided to keep the 8 holes which will be getting refubished at some point.
Only minor thing I can't seem to fix is the remote locking. The central locking works using the key but not from the fob. Changed the batteries but still nothing! Not a big deal but would like to get it working.
JAYB I saw yours at MB World the other week - looked great. Lovely colour.
Edited by Lukos on Tuesday 7th May 18:00
Unfortunately the re-sync didn't work.
I'm wondering if it may be a fuse issue...possibly No. 6 in the boot?
My boot light doesn't work (element still in tact) and I assume 'aut. antenna' relates to the aerial? Which only goes fully down but only half way up.
I switched No. 6 with No. 4 and it still didn't work. However, the roll bar still went up and down but it had the lights lit up on the switch which it doesn't normally do.
None of the lights illuminate on the rear view mirror which I understand they should when locked/ unlocked?
So next step is to try some new fuses and change the boot light bulb (just in case). Also maybe change fuse 8 in the front as this seems to relate to the infrared remote control as well. All the locks work using the key so it's not a massive problem but would be good to get it working!
I'm wondering if it may be a fuse issue...possibly No. 6 in the boot?
My boot light doesn't work (element still in tact) and I assume 'aut. antenna' relates to the aerial? Which only goes fully down but only half way up.
I switched No. 6 with No. 4 and it still didn't work. However, the roll bar still went up and down but it had the lights lit up on the switch which it doesn't normally do.
None of the lights illuminate on the rear view mirror which I understand they should when locked/ unlocked?
So next step is to try some new fuses and change the boot light bulb (just in case). Also maybe change fuse 8 in the front as this seems to relate to the infrared remote control as well. All the locks work using the key so it's not a massive problem but would be good to get it working!
glad to hear we have another owner in our midst.
glad your keeping it original.
mine is a Jan 1990 car so it literally is one of the first and its absolutely standard. i think its best to keep it as original as possible. Ive literally just refurbed the alloys on mine and very pleased with the result.
mine has long lost the flick keys and had the vaccum stripped out so the central locking only works on the key. my dads got one as well and his is on an aftermarket alarm to operate the locking as well. my understanding is that the central locking /remote system was a bit ahead of its time and its quite expensive to sort back to full original working order.
glad your keeping it original.
mine is a Jan 1990 car so it literally is one of the first and its absolutely standard. i think its best to keep it as original as possible. Ive literally just refurbed the alloys on mine and very pleased with the result.
mine has long lost the flick keys and had the vaccum stripped out so the central locking only works on the key. my dads got one as well and his is on an aftermarket alarm to operate the locking as well. my understanding is that the central locking /remote system was a bit ahead of its time and its quite expensive to sort back to full original working order.
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