6 years with a 129 300-24
Discussion
There's a great deal of chat in these hallowed pages concerning the 129 SL, so I thought I'd share some photos and experiences having owned my car for a little over six years.
I've never ever bought a car like you should. All have been impulses, happy accidents or mild errors of judgement.
This was different though. I looked at several and did actual research before parting with cash. I decided that earlier-the-better was the way forward. I love the two-tone paint, the 15-hole wheels and the solidity of the first edition 129s, so the search began.
Six years ago, £5k was a reasonable budget for a 129, so that's what I paid for my car.
It's a 1990 300-24 with a 5-speed auto. This 'box was the first production 5-speed auto apparently, and this version is the earliest known to the Mercedes club. The car had three previous owners and 133,000 miles when I bought it with a huge history detailing expenditure since its delivery to an Oxford based company in 1990.
It is painted in 735 Astral silver (a hangover from the 107 and available in the first year of 129 production only) with navy leather.
So, do they really live up to the hype?
Absolutely. I love the M104 straight six, so this was always going to be the first choice for me.
The engine is a jewel. High revving, efficient, brisk enough to be relevant and interesting and capable of allowing silence at tickover and a glorious howl when extended. It's a sports car engine in a touring car, which may be an odd juxtaposition for some V8-biased enthusiasts, but I think it works well.
I've had a really easy ride with the bills thus far. I've changed the water pump and spent around £1200 fitting and painting new wings (and other bits and bobs) as the originals were starting to blister at the fore of the front arches.
I've added two three-point belts to the rear seats which Ibe documented elsewhere on PH.
Further jobs to do include a replacement soft top at some stage, as whilst it never leaks, it's a touch shabby compared to the bodywork.
I've just completed a 500 mile round trip this week in superb comfort, 30ish mpg and outside lane domination which prompted this column. The C36 I own has always been the car I talk about most, but neither will be sold.
Happy 129ing everyone
I've never ever bought a car like you should. All have been impulses, happy accidents or mild errors of judgement.
This was different though. I looked at several and did actual research before parting with cash. I decided that earlier-the-better was the way forward. I love the two-tone paint, the 15-hole wheels and the solidity of the first edition 129s, so the search began.
Six years ago, £5k was a reasonable budget for a 129, so that's what I paid for my car.
It's a 1990 300-24 with a 5-speed auto. This 'box was the first production 5-speed auto apparently, and this version is the earliest known to the Mercedes club. The car had three previous owners and 133,000 miles when I bought it with a huge history detailing expenditure since its delivery to an Oxford based company in 1990.
It is painted in 735 Astral silver (a hangover from the 107 and available in the first year of 129 production only) with navy leather.
So, do they really live up to the hype?
Absolutely. I love the M104 straight six, so this was always going to be the first choice for me.
The engine is a jewel. High revving, efficient, brisk enough to be relevant and interesting and capable of allowing silence at tickover and a glorious howl when extended. It's a sports car engine in a touring car, which may be an odd juxtaposition for some V8-biased enthusiasts, but I think it works well.
I've had a really easy ride with the bills thus far. I've changed the water pump and spent around £1200 fitting and painting new wings (and other bits and bobs) as the originals were starting to blister at the fore of the front arches.
I've added two three-point belts to the rear seats which Ibe documented elsewhere on PH.
Further jobs to do include a replacement soft top at some stage, as whilst it never leaks, it's a touch shabby compared to the bodywork.
I've just completed a 500 mile round trip this week in superb comfort, 30ish mpg and outside lane domination which prompted this column. The C36 I own has always been the car I talk about most, but neither will be sold.
Happy 129ing everyone
Edited by mickyveloce on Thursday 14th September 20:40
Nice car. Interesting that these have finally started appreciating after so long at rock bottom.
My dad was after one but ended up with a first-gen SLK - a car that hasn't quite reached classic status yet in terms of design. The 129s have already reached that status and will continue to get better with age. Yours especially looks like a good investment.
My dad was after one but ended up with a first-gen SLK - a car that hasn't quite reached classic status yet in terms of design. The 129s have already reached that status and will continue to get better with age. Yours especially looks like a good investment.
Lovely car. Sounds like you got a great example.
I've really started reading up on these and following the market, for a possible purchase in a year or so.
I've decided I'd want an early two tone car like yours.
I may be focussing on the wrong engine though.
I'd read that the M104 is the one with the engine wiring harness issues so the simpler M103 is better if slightly lower on power?
Are the M104 issues overblown online?
As most issues usually are.
Anyway, cool car. 90's car are where it's at for me.
I've really started reading up on these and following the market, for a possible purchase in a year or so.
I've decided I'd want an early two tone car like yours.
I may be focussing on the wrong engine though.
I'd read that the M104 is the one with the engine wiring harness issues so the simpler M103 is better if slightly lower on power?
Are the M104 issues overblown online?
As most issues usually are.
Anyway, cool car. 90's car are where it's at for me.
marky911 said:
Lovely car. Sounds like you got a great example.
I've really started reading up on these and following the market, for a possible purchase in a year or so.
I've decided I'd want an early two tone car like yours.
I may be focussing on the wrong engine though.
I'd read that the M104 is the one with the engine wiring harness issues so the simpler M103 is better if slightly lower on power?
Are the M104 issues overblown online?
As most issues usually are.
Anyway, cool car. 90's car are where it's at for me.
Thanks for the comments. I've really started reading up on these and following the market, for a possible purchase in a year or so.
I've decided I'd want an early two tone car like yours.
I may be focussing on the wrong engine though.
I'd read that the M104 is the one with the engine wiring harness issues so the simpler M103 is better if slightly lower on power?
Are the M104 issues overblown online?
As most issues usually are.
Anyway, cool car. 90's car are where it's at for me.
The early m104 in this car was essentially an m103 with a multi valve twin ohc popped on top. It's around 40bhp more powerful than the standard 103 300, but very much top-endy as we're all multi valve engines of this period. It revs effortlessly to 7000 rpm, although with the 5-speed 'box sits at around 3000 revs at a healthy canter.
It doesn't have the wiring loom issues of the later m104. My C36 is the later type (and ultimate derivation I suppose) but wiring looms have probably all been fixed by now. They aren't that dear to sort anyway.
The engines leak a little from the front left hand corner of the block, above the alternator, but again a straightforward fix. Total head gasket failures are quite rare.
My car is now on 142000 miles and uses neither oil or water between services. Which is good.
Zonergem said:
Am heading to the York HVA show on Sunday on the Knavesmire, joining the MB Club stand. SL1 has been given a professional beauty treatment and is now very shiny indeed. Are you going?
Looks great Alex. Where did you get the titivation done? I can't make the York event I'm afraid. My old man and his SLS usually goes though. Edited by Zonergem on Friday 15th September 21:43
MAS (Mobile Auto Shine) NE, over by Stokesley. Ask for Ash.
https://www.facebook.com/mobileautoshineltd/
There are quite a few before/during/after photos on their FB page and a walkaround video. Not cheap but it really needed doing properly.
_________________________________
I love your car - really looked so smart down at Ripon.
https://www.facebook.com/mobileautoshineltd/
There are quite a few before/during/after photos on their FB page and a walkaround video. Not cheap but it really needed doing properly.
_________________________________
I love your car - really looked so smart down at Ripon.
One of the benefits of the 129 is its comparative practicality and unquestionable strength.
The car had a design brief to counter an influential US movement which planned to legislate against convertibles.
As is well known, the car has a deplorable pop up roll bar which together with a hugely strong structure made it an attractive proposition as family transport.
Tests show the 129 with the roof off was as stiff as the 107 with the hard top in place.
In order to reassure my children's mother, I fitted two three-point harnesses to my car, as below
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/vjQYsylv.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/Xx2YDOi4" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/Xx2YDOi4.jpg)
Always remember to deploy the roll bar before setting off with passengers in the back, as per the handbook, but I'm sure you'll agree that it's a smashing family car
The car had a design brief to counter an influential US movement which planned to legislate against convertibles.
As is well known, the car has a deplorable pop up roll bar which together with a hugely strong structure made it an attractive proposition as family transport.
Tests show the 129 with the roof off was as stiff as the 107 with the hard top in place.
In order to reassure my children's mother, I fitted two three-point harnesses to my car, as below
Always remember to deploy the roll bar before setting off with passengers in the back, as per the handbook, but I'm sure you'll agree that it's a smashing family car
High time this was updated.
My 300-24 is turning 30 on 1st October, and just been serviced for the 28th time.
It’s been an odd year for everyone, and the holiday in the Lakes will have to wait until next year, but the SL soldiers on.
It’s had a new battery and wheel bearings since the last update, but continues to run beautifully returning 27-30 mpg and using no oil between services.
It’s going into winter storage soon, and will tick over 150,000 miles next year.
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