Advice re buying r129 sl500

[Gphillips26]

Hi all,

My first post here and wondering if any you would take the time to give me some advice on buying an r129 sl500.

Basically just wondering if there is anything to look out for, hidden costs, potential disasters etc!

Cheers in advance!

Gregory

[chris333]

The best guide I've seen is the one written by R129Sl on this thread: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=101...

There's a few more here:

http://www.pistonheads.com/GASSING/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/GASSING/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/GASSING/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[ras62]

They are a fantastic car that really get under your skin. Those linked threads cover just about everything, IMO the 5 speed box is a must and the pano roof is a great extra albeit comically heavy come removal time. Enjoy the hunt, buy a nice car and you will soon love its unique charms.

[Parisien]

Usual stuff, how does it look, how does it go? Any funny noises investigate. Get a fully stamped service booklet and sheaf of invoices to show how well maintained.

I'v bought one recently, issues needing addressed due to my not fully checking on purchase include, non-working aerial, broken eject button on radio-cassette head, central locking not functioning nor are remotes working either ( must have been by-passed at some stage as it immobilises engine), which also means the auto drop of drivers side window on opening door doesn't work.

Steering column adjustment not working. Need seat belt replaced as quite worn. Air-con not working ( but spotted on pre purchase)

Loose windscreen washer jet. Cracked oil filler cap.

Basically CHECK EVERY ITEM WORKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do a check list, work your way through it.

It drives well, and hood works perfectly, which means I can put up with a lot of frailties on a 20 yr old car with 140K miles on it!!!

P

[PositronicRay]

They do seem to suffer a lot of electrical niggles, particularly on little used cars.

A can of contact cleaner, multimeter and test light will become you're friend, often taking out an ECU or fuse and refitting after spray can work wonders. If you find electrical problems or suspect any bodging of electrics walk away.

I would rather buy one that's used regularly, than one that languishes and only does a couple of thousand MPA.

Try to see a few, when I was buying I found some drove well and some like old dogs.

You will miss stuff and kick yourself afterwards, it's part of the fun.

[Sid123]

Without wishing to state the bleeding obvious one of the most costly items is the electric roof.
Make sure the red roof operation button light is not illuminated or flashing or that the ASR light is on the dashboard. This means there is an issue with the roof module that lives under the back seat and Merc will charge approx £1200 for the part alone.
Don't discount the 6 cylinder models.
I have a 280 and it's more than fast enough to waft around in.

[Sid123]

I meant to add that NEVER jump start a 129 with the donor car's engine running as this will immediately blow the roof module owing to a power surge from, effectively, two alternators. I learned this the hard way when my wife asked someone for a jump start having let the battery go flat. Either use a stand alone battery or ensure the donor car's engine is switched off then you'll save yourself a big bill. I had the module rebuilt/reconditioned by a firm in Kent (who's name I forget) for, I think, £450 but save yourself the aggro.....