Hopeful 500 SL owner
Discussion
Hi folks.
After going a complete different route from buying a new hatchback as a 2nd car my wife suggested a classic instead.
So narrowed it down to a Porsche 944 S2 and a 1990-94 500 SL (r129)
Always loved both cars, my uncles sed to buy 944's and sell on and my dads always had mercs with odd exception of a jag.
Im looking to spend upto £6000 on an SL. Are the models that were built in that period (90-94) reliable if looked after?from my dad always having mercs i know of how unreliable his cars were from 98-2007
Having come from Lexus IS200, nissan 350z and driving wifes bmw and now insignia (cough cough) plus im only 30yrs old im wondering if i will be in for a shock.
Love to hear from current owners of these lovely machines.
After going a complete different route from buying a new hatchback as a 2nd car my wife suggested a classic instead.
So narrowed it down to a Porsche 944 S2 and a 1990-94 500 SL (r129)
Always loved both cars, my uncles sed to buy 944's and sell on and my dads always had mercs with odd exception of a jag.
Im looking to spend upto £6000 on an SL. Are the models that were built in that period (90-94) reliable if looked after?from my dad always having mercs i know of how unreliable his cars were from 98-2007
Having come from Lexus IS200, nissan 350z and driving wifes bmw and now insignia (cough cough) plus im only 30yrs old im wondering if i will be in for a shock.
Love to hear from current owners of these lovely machines.
Edited by mitch05 on Wednesday 14th August 20:18
Wonderful cars and criminally undervalued at the moment. This recent thread on someone's purchase, albeit not a 500, might be useful for you. Good luck with the search. 
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=...
I will also be on the lookout for a 500 when I have a little spare time to start viewings.
I am 29 and had only driven modern cars (everything from a Yaris to a z4m), and last year I purchased a 1991 w124 mercedes. The car is fantastic as a daily driver - in many ways far better than a brand new car for the job. Great visibility, narrow on the outside yet spacious on the inside, impeccable build quality, a ride that deals successfully with modern roads.
I am loathed to move to a more modern car because in many ways it would be a step back - 2 colleagues have had a £500 bill for a service on a bora and an Astra recently (both diesels with big wheels), using my local chap (who loves working on mercs of this era) that would be a lot of work on my mercedes!
I want more w124 with a bit of performance: the sl500 seems to be the answer as I just don't want to downgrade to a flimsy modern car.
I think you will be surprised - my experience of mercedes of this era is that they make you question the direction modern cars have moved in. And they are unlikely to depreciate.
I am 29 and had only driven modern cars (everything from a Yaris to a z4m), and last year I purchased a 1991 w124 mercedes. The car is fantastic as a daily driver - in many ways far better than a brand new car for the job. Great visibility, narrow on the outside yet spacious on the inside, impeccable build quality, a ride that deals successfully with modern roads.
I am loathed to move to a more modern car because in many ways it would be a step back - 2 colleagues have had a £500 bill for a service on a bora and an Astra recently (both diesels with big wheels), using my local chap (who loves working on mercs of this era) that would be a lot of work on my mercedes!
I want more w124 with a bit of performance: the sl500 seems to be the answer as I just don't want to downgrade to a flimsy modern car.
I think you will be surprised - my experience of mercedes of this era is that they make you question the direction modern cars have moved in. And they are unlikely to depreciate.
Hi guys.
Thanks for the replies
The other thread you posted was interesting and had some useful info about the years and changes of the facelifts etc.
My question is which is best year to buy an 500 SL from? I figured 90-94 but i see they carried that model through to 2000 albeit with facelifts and minor engine changes. Will cars from 1998 be as bullet proof,having been looked after properly of course, as cars from 90-94??
0a glad to see another young guy with classic mercs.
Thanks for the replies
The other thread you posted was interesting and had some useful info about the years and changes of the facelifts etc.
My question is which is best year to buy an 500 SL from? I figured 90-94 but i see they carried that model through to 2000 albeit with facelifts and minor engine changes. Will cars from 1998 be as bullet proof,having been looked after properly of course, as cars from 90-94??
0a glad to see another young guy with classic mercs.
there are quite few pages on here and mercedes forum about buying guides. I will sum them up for you as an owner of 2 500sl's from that era...
i love the 944s2 cab to death but they are very brittle. the engines are known to be weak in certain situations and need quite a bit of attention. this is why i didnt buy one in the end.
the 500SL is in a different league. the v8 noise is excellent, the performance is better than a 1992 porsche 911 c2. the electronics were state of the art and yet most modern hatchbacks dont even have the technology nowadays. They frankly cannot get any cheaper and they are the last of the properly well built mercedes. the Early 1990-92 cars are the most powerful and the best made, end of story. I had my 1990 at 130mph for a second a few weeks ago and then realised i might go to prison so slowed down but the car would have happily gone up to 155 Im sure.
as an Alround package it cannot be beaten!
i love the 944s2 cab to death but they are very brittle. the engines are known to be weak in certain situations and need quite a bit of attention. this is why i didnt buy one in the end.
the 500SL is in a different league. the v8 noise is excellent, the performance is better than a 1992 porsche 911 c2. the electronics were state of the art and yet most modern hatchbacks dont even have the technology nowadays. They frankly cannot get any cheaper and they are the last of the properly well built mercedes. the Early 1990-92 cars are the most powerful and the best made, end of story. I had my 1990 at 130mph for a second a few weeks ago and then realised i might go to prison so slowed down but the car would have happily gone up to 155 Im sure.
as an Alround package it cannot be beaten!
I had a 91, 500 for 3 years about 4 years ago. It had 120k miles on when I bought it.I loved every moment of owning it. Cost me £80 when a the serpentine belt tensioner went and a few bob for some big AMG wheels.
My mate bought a 97 facelifted one because he liked mine. His was smoother, sharper to drive and had better seats and had the panoramic roof option, seemed completely devoid of any character to me though. I keep looking at the pre facelift ones and can't believe the value.
My mate bought a 97 facelifted one because he liked mine. His was smoother, sharper to drive and had better seats and had the panoramic roof option, seemed completely devoid of any character to me though. I keep looking at the pre facelift ones and can't believe the value.
mitch05 said:
Hi folks.
So narrowed it down to a Porsche 944 S2 and a 1990-94 500 SL (r129)
Always loved both cars, my uncles sed to buy 944's and sell on and my dads always had mercs with odd exception of a jag.
I think you need to try both. The Merc is a big cruiser the Porsche more of .........................dare I say it, "A drivers car". So narrowed it down to a Porsche 944 S2 and a 1990-94 500 SL (r129)
Always loved both cars, my uncles sed to buy 944's and sell on and my dads always had mercs with odd exception of a jag.
Edited by mitch05 on Wednesday 14th August 20:18
mitch05 said:
theironduke said:
mitch05 said:
another young guy with classic mercs.
Another one here.28 and have a 500 SEC. My third W126 no less.
So ive found A couple cars on ebay that look good. What do you experts reckon to them??
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=3...
Above one looks lovely but not keen on wheels.the colour looks stunning
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=1...
again nice looking apart from wheels.
Car needs the lighter interior as I dont think it shows the cracks and ageing as much as darker versions.
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=3...
Above one looks lovely but not keen on wheels.the colour looks stunning
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=1...
again nice looking apart from wheels.
Car needs the lighter interior as I dont think it shows the cracks and ageing as much as darker versions.
Hi folks
Looks like there's another one looking for a 129 SL500- having farted about for a while went to have a proper look at one today. I'd be interested in thoughts;
SL500 1996, 118,000 miles
The good
Fully stamped service book every 18000 miles or so up until 97000, then an independent service more recently.
Invoices totaling circa 20k to support, most of it in the last few years.
All electrics work with the exception of the headlight wipers and n/s mirror (only works for angle not height).
Air con blows cold.
Boot and cabin floor bone dry although the boot material has traces of mould (I notice the electric aerial has recently been replaced, could the old one have been the cause?)
Interior ok, scuff to drivers seat bolster and a nick in the n/s door cloth near the speaker.
New hood at some point, rear screens all uncreased and clear, works fine, hard top in good nick.
Pulls like a train, gears all work, kicks down readily, pulls up straight, no nasty noises.
Original stereo and huge 90's car phone!
The not so good
Front suspension top bushes both cracked.
Alloys all need a refurbish- not totally mullered but have scuffs.
Body work looks good but has the odd nick and scuff commensurable with age (actually this is ok so wrong to say not so good).
New tyres all round, trouble is fronts are Hankook and rears are Dayton?
I'm going to look at another couple tomorrow hopefully to gauge condition/ value but would be very interested in comments on some of the faults listed- in particular what the cost would be to replace the suspension top mount bushes?
Many thanks and good luck to the rest of you potential R129 ers.
Andrew
Looks like there's another one looking for a 129 SL500- having farted about for a while went to have a proper look at one today. I'd be interested in thoughts;
SL500 1996, 118,000 miles
The good
Fully stamped service book every 18000 miles or so up until 97000, then an independent service more recently.
Invoices totaling circa 20k to support, most of it in the last few years.
All electrics work with the exception of the headlight wipers and n/s mirror (only works for angle not height).
Air con blows cold.
Boot and cabin floor bone dry although the boot material has traces of mould (I notice the electric aerial has recently been replaced, could the old one have been the cause?)
Interior ok, scuff to drivers seat bolster and a nick in the n/s door cloth near the speaker.
New hood at some point, rear screens all uncreased and clear, works fine, hard top in good nick.
Pulls like a train, gears all work, kicks down readily, pulls up straight, no nasty noises.
Original stereo and huge 90's car phone!
The not so good
Front suspension top bushes both cracked.
Alloys all need a refurbish- not totally mullered but have scuffs.
Body work looks good but has the odd nick and scuff commensurable with age (actually this is ok so wrong to say not so good).
New tyres all round, trouble is fronts are Hankook and rears are Dayton?
I'm going to look at another couple tomorrow hopefully to gauge condition/ value but would be very interested in comments on some of the faults listed- in particular what the cost would be to replace the suspension top mount bushes?
Many thanks and good luck to the rest of you potential R129 ers.
Andrew
truck71 said:
Hi folks
Looks like there's another one looking for a 129 SL500- having farted about for a while went to have a proper look at one today. I'd be interested in thoughts;
SL500 1996, 118,000 miles
The good
Fully stamped service book every 18000 miles or so up until 97000, then an independent service more recently.
Invoices totaling circa 20k to support, most of it in the last few years.
All electrics work with the exception of the headlight wipers and n/s mirror (only works for angle not height).
Air con blows cold.
Boot and cabin floor bone dry although the boot material has traces of mould (I notice the electric aerial has recently been replaced, could the old one have been the cause?)
Interior ok, scuff to drivers seat bolster and a nick in the n/s door cloth near the speaker.
New hood at some point, rear screens all uncreased and clear, works fine, hard top in good nick.
Pulls like a train, gears all work, kicks down readily, pulls up straight, no nasty noises.
Original stereo and huge 90's car phone!
The not so good
Front suspension top bushes both cracked.
Alloys all need a refurbish- not totally mullered but have scuffs.
Body work looks good but has the odd nick and scuff commensurable with age (actually this is ok so wrong to say not so good).
New tyres all round, trouble is fronts are Hankook and rears are Dayton?
I'm going to look at another couple tomorrow hopefully to gauge condition/ value but would be very interested in comments on some of the faults listed- in particular what the cost would be to replace the suspension top mount bushes?
Many thanks and good luck to the rest of you potential R129 ers.
Andrew
Front shock top mounts from memory are about £200 parts and labour at the main dealer. Using non-Merc but OEM quality parts (eg Febi Bilstein or Leforder), I'd expect a pair to be about £50 max and labour at any independent about the same. I did them on my 124 myself (it was piss easy even for a DIY knacker like myself) and the parts were £15 each.Looks like there's another one looking for a 129 SL500- having farted about for a while went to have a proper look at one today. I'd be interested in thoughts;
SL500 1996, 118,000 miles
The good
Fully stamped service book every 18000 miles or so up until 97000, then an independent service more recently.
Invoices totaling circa 20k to support, most of it in the last few years.
All electrics work with the exception of the headlight wipers and n/s mirror (only works for angle not height).
Air con blows cold.
Boot and cabin floor bone dry although the boot material has traces of mould (I notice the electric aerial has recently been replaced, could the old one have been the cause?)
Interior ok, scuff to drivers seat bolster and a nick in the n/s door cloth near the speaker.
New hood at some point, rear screens all uncreased and clear, works fine, hard top in good nick.
Pulls like a train, gears all work, kicks down readily, pulls up straight, no nasty noises.
Original stereo and huge 90's car phone!
The not so good
Front suspension top bushes both cracked.
Alloys all need a refurbish- not totally mullered but have scuffs.
Body work looks good but has the odd nick and scuff commensurable with age (actually this is ok so wrong to say not so good).
New tyres all round, trouble is fronts are Hankook and rears are Dayton?
I'm going to look at another couple tomorrow hopefully to gauge condition/ value but would be very interested in comments on some of the faults listed- in particular what the cost would be to replace the suspension top mount bushes?
Many thanks and good luck to the rest of you potential R129 ers.
Andrew
Hankook I could live with until I was feeling flush but those rears I'd have to burn up ASAP!
From your description the car sounds honest and pretty well-maintained. Not a garage queen, not a money-no-object job, but a sensibly maintained, well-looked after vehicle which has been used as intended. The wheels and bodywork issues sound cosmetic (and who wants a polished turd). A proper wheel refurb is £300 max (assuming they're no splits). The mould in the boot could be caused by a dried out aerial grommet or a bade seal between bodywork and the old or new aerial but who knows? Maybe something spilled in there? If it's a worry, get a hosepipe and flood the closed boot lid/aerial area with water for five minutes. Then open the boot. If it's dry, you're laughing. If it's soaking, you know there's a problem. And if it is merely ever-so-slightly damp then you can let it niggle you every now and again but do nothing about it.
Edit: the headlamp wipers always go awol. If it's both of them, you may need simply to flick the washers with the lights on. If it's only one of them, then there'll be a problem with the motor. The mirror may just need a poke to get it moving again.
Edited by r129sl on Friday 16th August 16:41
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