Monday 24th March 2014

Mercedes SL320 (R129): PH Carpool

A classifieds favourite, this week's PHer talks about his love for the Merc SL

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Name: Kashif Alam
Car: Mercedes-Benz SL320 Designo Edition
Owned since: February 2010
Also own: Alpina D3 Touring and Porsche 993 Carrera 2 S
Previously owned: Mercedes SL320, Porsche 930, Honda S2000 and Volkswagen Golf GTI

The Merc poses with another member of the fleet

Why I bought it:
"At the time there were not many examples on the used car market. The mileage was really low (30,000) and having owned one before I knew it would be a good purchase as the engines go on forever. The last few years of R129 production saw a number of limited editions released. In my opinion the subtle updates to the bodywork and interior made all the difference. SLs prior to the R230 series came as 2+2 enabling you to fit small children in the back. This was ideal for my kids and unfortunately it's a disappointment that current SL models do not feature this option anymore.

"Finally what sealed the deal for me was the AMG pack, which being a rare option on R129s transformed the SL Designo Edition into something more aggressive."

What I wish I'd known:
"The hardtop came with an optional winch you can install in your garage enabling you to easily remove or install the roof. Unfortunately as I didn't have one it takes two individuals to do this.

I have known people who have tried to do it themselves resulting in injury and a very expensive bill, be warned!"

Special edition gets all the trimmings

Things I love:
"Where do I begin? It simply is a classic, all SLs over the Mercedes history are iconic designs and this is no exception. The limited edition Mystic Blue looks modern by today's standard. The AMG pack, rims and cross drilled brakes convey an aggressive stance while the panoramic roof gives unparalleled visibility that would give cars of today a run for their money. Being an X-plate, it also sits in the lower road tax bracket and best of all it always turns heads."

Things I hate:
"The R129s are not exactly what you call sports cars. The steering is a bit dull, the cabin feels immensely dated and it weighs just shy of two tons. This is clearly noticeable when driving around country roads. What it lacks in driver involvement it makes up in its grand touring credentials."

Smart set of wheels for the school run

Costs:
"Running the SL has been surprisingly affordable. I put it down to the legendary Mercedes build quality of the older cars. Apart from the obvious petrol costs to fill her up followed by the annual service at my local M-B dealership the only other cost to date has been a wheel refurbishment on the split rim alloys."

Where I've been:
"Down to Somerset and up to Yorkshire a few times. Pottering around town on the weekends and the odd PH Sunday Services when possible. It can consume motorway miles at a phenomenal rate but at the moment it is being used on the school run."

What next?
"A V8 AMG, preferably a CLK63 or a C63 Coupe."

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Want to share your car with PHers on Carpool? Email us at [e-mail]!

[ZesPak]

Love the car! By far one of the best looking SL's imho (a part from the older stuff of course).

I do agree on the shame of dropping the 2+2, makes them just a elongated SLK imho.

[Wills2]

I loved mine but it was very expensive to run, electrics is all I'll say.

[AC43]

Love that colour.

[pSyCoSiS]

The R129 SL is a thing of beauty and sheer quality. It will always look good, even 30 years down the line. Timeless classic.

The build is on the level of the W126 and W140 S Class models - basically like a bank vault.

The later models really do look great and modern, however I do have a thing for an early model in two-tone silver with orange indicators!

This 129 SL and an 8 Series BMW are cars I would like to own within the next year or so.

An excellent Carpool article and a great car.

[silverthorn2151]

I have pretty well decided that one of these will be my next purchase. I only hear things that make me more determined to have one.

The plethora of variations in terms of early late, special editions and what nots make it a little confusing. I think I have decided on earlier 3.2 in any colour but silver.

Can't wait!

[garypotter]

Still a great looking car and still looks a million$
IMHO

[J4CKO]

These get better looking with age, very colour sensitive and I would say that is about as suitable colour as they come in, stunning.

[405dogvan]

Only thing I can't get away with is the wheels - they're trying too hard for the car - but otherwise that's a lovely thing...

I assume being a late model there's a risk the (electric) roof actually works too? Certainly the first 2+ years of production didn't produce many which did (unless leaking-in gallons of water was a feature?)

You can't be concerned with weight when you have 2 roofs tho - one of which takes TWO people to install ;0

[silverthorn2151]

405dogvan said:

Only thing I can't get away with is the wheels - they're trying too hard for the car - but otherwise that's a lovely thing...

I assume being a late model there's a risk the (electric) roof actually works too? Certainly the first 2+ years of production didn't produce many which did (unless leaking-in gallons of water was a feature?)

You can't be concerned with weight when you have 2 roofs tho - one of which takes TWO people to install ;0

I've not picked up in my reading that there is an issue with the roofs. Do tell.

[hwajones]

Loved this model - My dad had a very nice Red SL320

Electrical gremlins seem pretty common though...
The electric seats had a mind of their own!

[HumbleJim]

I've not heard of any roof issues, my 94 SL has been very good with a few minor electrical niggles (hopefully sorted now).

It's the sort of car that if you can do a few things yourself helps keep costs down.

[iloveboost]

I agree that even though they look a bit dull and boxy they still look classy somehow probably because of the cost when new! Growing up this was one of the few really expensive and rare cars I ever saw in my area. I think the entry level models cost about the same as a top of the range 7 series, A8 or S class at the time.

[Bargenosenti]

If I needed to deliver milk and a newspaper to Monaco, I'd pick one of these (well, a 600). Lovely motor, keep the posts coming.

[405dogvan]

silverthorn2151 said:

I've not picked up in my reading that there is an issue with the roofs. Do tell.

Early R129s all had problems with their roofs - they all leaked and some had electrical issues which would leave them stuck up/down/halfway too.

A mate of mine, who was the Parts Manager for a local MB dealership at the time, effectively took the role of "leaky roof customer service manager" for at least 2 years after the launch - they went from fixing customer cars to fixing cars pre-delivery to finally not having any issues in that sort of timeframe.

Being MB - and this is the height of their 'overengineering is everything' period - I'm sure there was a proper solution and not a bodge but I might be wary of cars which have spent their time in garages/sunnier climes (tho the amount of time which has passed probably means any issue will be long-since-solved).

Remember that in 89, when these first appeared, the idea of driving a convertible through a carwash was seen as ridiculous and yet MB were suggesting their car could do that and so people DID that. SLs were everyday cars too - that wasn't a convertible's job back then either and the electric roof was almost entirely a new thing.

I'm sure you'd be hard-pushed to find any with factory-problem roofs now (13 years after they stopped making them!!) but the first couple of years was a disaster for MB (and their dealers who often found themselves with angry customers demanding replacement cars).

Edited by 405dogvan on Monday 24th March 16:04

[405dogvan]

iloveboost said:

I agree that even though they look a bit dull and boxy they still look classy somehow

There's something about classic MB designs that grows BETTER with age - I think they were all a bit 'chiselled' and 'heavy' when new but as cars have gotten bigger, they just look more graceful and well-proportioned.

The SL which replaced this (R230?) was one of the best looking cars ever made in it's day BUT I'd argue that the R129 now looks classier (tho no R129 can do what the R230 SL55 AMG does!) - and I think the new car (R231?) hankers back towards the R129 in proportion terms (esp in the metal - not so much in pics)

[HumbleJim]

405dogvan said:

(tho no R129 can do what the R230 SL55 AMG does!)

Oh I don't know though, rare but one or two hot R129s made



Production

1989–2002


Mercedes-Benz R129

Engine

2.8L 193 hp (144 kW) I6
2.8L 204 hp (152 kW) V6
3.0L 190 hp (142 kW) I6
3.0L 231 hp (172 kW) I6
3.2L 231 hp (172 kW) I6
3.2L 224 hp (167 kW) V6
5.0L 326 hp (243 kW) V8
5.0L 306 hp (228 kW) V8
5.5L 354 hp (264 kW) AMG V8
6.0L 381 hp (284 kW) AMG V8
6.0L 394 hp (294 kW) V12
7.0L 496 hp (370 kW) AMG V12
7.3L 525 hp (391 kW) AMG V12

[KMA880]

Thanks for the posts, The SL320 is now gone (4 months ago). my little ones were beginning to find the rear seats a tad uncomfortable on long drives and in its place i now have a slightly more practical E46 M3.
Its still in mint condition and being sold by Avantgarde. beware of the hefty price tag....

Kash

[KMA880]

Link attached...
http://www.avantgardecars.co.uk/viewcar/MERCEDES%2...

[bozzy101]

HumbleJim said:

405dogvan said:

(tho no R129 can do what the R230 SL55 AMG does!)

Oh I don't know though, rare but one or two hot R129s made



Production

1989–2002


Mercedes-Benz R129

Engine

2.8L 193 hp (144 kW) I6
2.8L 204 hp (152 kW) V6
3.0L 190 hp (142 kW) I6
3.0L 231 hp (172 kW) I6
3.2L 231 hp (172 kW) I6
3.2L 224 hp (167 kW) V6
5.0L 326 hp (243 kW) V8
5.0L 306 hp (228 kW) V8
5.5L 354 hp (264 kW) AMG V8
6.0L 381 hp (284 kW) AMG V8
6.0L 394 hp (294 kW) V12
7.0L 496 hp (370 kW) AMG V12
7.3L 525 hp (391 kW) AMG V12

That 7.3L sounds awesome!

[Wills2]

bozzy101 said:

That 7.3L sounds awesome!

That engine found its way into the Zonda.