Mercedes SL320 R129
Discussion
Picked this up a few weeks ago and got it back from the Merc specialist last night, so thought I would post a few pics. They have been getting mentioned on PH more and more, in just about every "what car wont depreciate" post of late.
It is perhaps not quite in keeping with what a 27/28 year old couple would have as an only car but I love it, as does the Mrs.
Specifically wanted a 99 onwards car with the revised lights/bumpers/mirrors/seats/dash and wasnt bothered about the Xenons, they look better but I read a lot of chat about them failing at huge cost. Really wanted the panoramic glass roof, as it makes the inside a lovely place to sit, and given it will be parked on street in London, a bit safer, and drier.
It is 100% true about what they say regards the build quality of these, it is a serious bit of engineering.
It is perhaps not quite in keeping with what a 27/28 year old couple would have as an only car but I love it, as does the Mrs.
Specifically wanted a 99 onwards car with the revised lights/bumpers/mirrors/seats/dash and wasnt bothered about the Xenons, they look better but I read a lot of chat about them failing at huge cost. Really wanted the panoramic glass roof, as it makes the inside a lovely place to sit, and given it will be parked on street in London, a bit safer, and drier.
It is 100% true about what they say regards the build quality of these, it is a serious bit of engineering.
I have read people who favour earlier and later cars - for me, this is the shape that was in dealerships when I was 16/17 and the one that I preferred the look of. I know of one guy and there are probably others that have one of each!
Off to the south of France in it on Friday, for a week of cruising about sans-roof. Should be ideal for that!
Off to the south of France in it on Friday, for a week of cruising about sans-roof. Should be ideal for that!
I dont love the wheels either - but they dont bother me enough to think about changing them.
I prefer the 5 spoke wheels that I think came on the 500s of this age, but will happily keep it factory and save some £. They also seem a bit safer from kerbing due to the tyre / design. They are newly refurbished so look new, and it would be good to keep them that way.
I prefer the 5 spoke wheels that I think came on the 500s of this age, but will happily keep it factory and save some £. They also seem a bit safer from kerbing due to the tyre / design. They are newly refurbished so look new, and it would be good to keep them that way.
Thought I would give an update after euro trip and with some more thoughts on the old tank.
2300 miles over the course of the holiday and it did not skip a beat. Boring maybe but impressive none the less. I really cannot fault it, no squeaks, rattles, loose bits of trim, knocks. Could not really ask for more.
A full tank was getting 380miles before the light came on, and quick calcs were showing 30mpg at 80mph on the speedo, so all in all not too bad.
Only ball ache was getting the hard top on and off, and living in a flat in central London and parking on the street - it was a bit of a mission, but I knew it would be and its not the cars fault. I can lift and move the roof on my own just (not that powerfully built) but had to enlist the help of my 5'2 other half to get it out doorways etc, who then couldnt lift it high enough to get it back on the car, bless her.
Got the parrot bluetooth wired up and all hidden in the centre console, so have iPod and phone now which is good. Have ordered a couple of trim bits from a mates Dad who owns w140.co.uk as one of the vanity mirrors has been broken by a ham-fisted bulb change.
Got another 3k miles lined up for this month (lots of to and from Glasgow trips) and I am looking forward to it - perfect for the job.
2300 miles over the course of the holiday and it did not skip a beat. Boring maybe but impressive none the less. I really cannot fault it, no squeaks, rattles, loose bits of trim, knocks. Could not really ask for more.
A full tank was getting 380miles before the light came on, and quick calcs were showing 30mpg at 80mph on the speedo, so all in all not too bad.
Only ball ache was getting the hard top on and off, and living in a flat in central London and parking on the street - it was a bit of a mission, but I knew it would be and its not the cars fault. I can lift and move the roof on my own just (not that powerfully built) but had to enlist the help of my 5'2 other half to get it out doorways etc, who then couldnt lift it high enough to get it back on the car, bless her.
Got the parrot bluetooth wired up and all hidden in the centre console, so have iPod and phone now which is good. Have ordered a couple of trim bits from a mates Dad who owns w140.co.uk as one of the vanity mirrors has been broken by a ham-fisted bulb change.
Got another 3k miles lined up for this month (lots of to and from Glasgow trips) and I am looking forward to it - perfect for the job.
Surprised to see this fresh in my contributions bit; definitely due an update!
Just been through my phone to upload some pics from the last few months.
Following on from our roadtrip, the car has done a few London to Glasgow runs, wedding duties, then sat at the airport for 3 weeks whilst we were away. Also transferred my plate onto it.
I am trying to think of anything wrong with it but cant really, its used a litre of oil total since serviced and that is it. Total 7k now in our care. Only problem is keeping the inside clean.
There are weeks where it doesnt move, what with living in London, but then when we do need to use it, its ideal. I have been a serial car changer but for just now this will be me until I get a spare £10k together to swap it for an old Arnage.
Pic up in Scotland with the roof off;
Looks better with the pano roof on, but nicer to be in with the roof down!
bit hot (not in Scotland!)
couple of weekends ago, post wash.
Just been through my phone to upload some pics from the last few months.
Following on from our roadtrip, the car has done a few London to Glasgow runs, wedding duties, then sat at the airport for 3 weeks whilst we were away. Also transferred my plate onto it.
I am trying to think of anything wrong with it but cant really, its used a litre of oil total since serviced and that is it. Total 7k now in our care. Only problem is keeping the inside clean.
There are weeks where it doesnt move, what with living in London, but then when we do need to use it, its ideal. I have been a serial car changer but for just now this will be me until I get a spare £10k together to swap it for an old Arnage.
Pic up in Scotland with the roof off;
Looks better with the pano roof on, but nicer to be in with the roof down!
bit hot (not in Scotland!)
couple of weekends ago, post wash.
Updating this as just got it back from its third service during my ownership. Off to Cote D'Azur next week in it again so wanted to put it in to get everything checked and an oil service. A complete check everything service was just over £300 mostly labour for some shims on the front suspension.
I had wanted to get it machine polished and some bodywork bits done before we went but in the end the guy couldn't fit it in, still looking good though. Hardtop has been off for a few months and whilst its louder on the motorway (with the hardtop on its coupe-silent) and its great cruising with roof down.
I think the R129 shape is getting better looking...
I had wanted to get it machine polished and some bodywork bits done before we went but in the end the guy couldn't fit it in, still looking good though. Hardtop has been off for a few months and whilst its louder on the motorway (with the hardtop on its coupe-silent) and its great cruising with roof down.
I think the R129 shape is getting better looking...
bulldong said:
That looks much better. I think it has actually improved with age as a design.
I think its similar for all generations of the SL. I remember in the mid 90s my Dad had a customer who wanted to swap a minty mid 80s R107 for a £7k kitchen.. at that point, it wasnt really old enough to be cool, and the R129 was the current model. The 129 is probably coming to the end of the not old enough to be cool stage. Now that the 129s are 2 shapes "old" they will no doubt start to firm up in value.
Bumping this to the top with an update on the last few years.
Since my last post on this thread, I have been lucky enough to own some even older SL Mercs; namely my Pagoda and an R107. Those were brief ownerships but the trusty old 129 has stayed throughout.
Had a couple of kids and another on the way but the 129 is going nowhere. Its done hardly any mileage in the last few years (few thousand a year) but now that its back in Scotland full time and garaged I am going to treat it to some paint and a bit of a refresh. Years of daily use in central London have left it needing a bit of money spent on it.
Had it 6 years this year. Time flies!
Needs either new wheels or the existing ones refurbished, front end respray and maybe a new wing after my wife glanced a parked truck, and a service. Also a new windscreen and 4 tyres.
Since my last post on this thread, I have been lucky enough to own some even older SL Mercs; namely my Pagoda and an R107. Those were brief ownerships but the trusty old 129 has stayed throughout.
Had a couple of kids and another on the way but the 129 is going nowhere. Its done hardly any mileage in the last few years (few thousand a year) but now that its back in Scotland full time and garaged I am going to treat it to some paint and a bit of a refresh. Years of daily use in central London have left it needing a bit of money spent on it.
Had it 6 years this year. Time flies!
Needs either new wheels or the existing ones refurbished, front end respray and maybe a new wing after my wife glanced a parked truck, and a service. Also a new windscreen and 4 tyres.
Edited by jke11y on Saturday 4th February 14:30
Edited by jke11y on Saturday 4th February 14:31
I started a thread on both;
The pagoda thread is here - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
And the white one here
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
All great in their own ways and i would love to have kept them all but that just wasn't possible!
The pagoda thread is here - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
And the white one here
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
All great in their own ways and i would love to have kept them all but that just wasn't possible!
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