[R129 SL] Planning on buying an SL500

[MBKindOfGuy]

It took us exactly one year to find our '98 SL500 here in the US.  We started searching in December, 2004, and finally found one we wanted to purchase in 2005.  We looked at about a dozen SL500's.  As is typical, the various definitions of mint condition and excellent condition have many interpretations.  We did get exactly what we wanted, a 1998 SL500, white with grey interior, less than 50,000 miles, exceptional condition with service records, and within our budget  And the bonus was that it came with the panoramic hard top.  It's been a great car, with just a few minor problems, easily fixed by myself with some of them being typical problems well documented on various Mercedes forums in the Internet.  And the maintenance service on the SL500 is easier than on our 300E's!  So far, so good.  Really great car.  

Regards,
Howard M. Ginsberg
1998 SL500, 75KMiles
1993 300E, 151KMiles 
2008 Chevy Silverado, 2,100Miles
1988 300E, Sold at 165KMiles
1986 300E, Sold at 180KMiles


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Peter S 
  To: SL Mailing List 
  Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 8:24 PM
  Subject: Re: [R129 SL] Planning on buying an SL500


  Hi Paul,

  Totally agree about the phrase regarding lack of use!   I have a 1992 Fire Red colour R129, with Brabus 17 inch wheels and Brabus suspension.  It was ex Japan (we get a lot of cars ex Japan in New Zealand - very good prices as well).  I saw my car enter the country in 2002 - here in Palmerston North.  It was 10 years old, had 38,000 km on the clock (23,750 miles), cream leather etc and appeared fantastic condition.  It sold for about $80,000 in 2002.  

  The car was local, and the purchaser basically left it at the dealers in storage and had a few long trips from time to time.  4 years later, the purchaser wanted the car sold so I was (of course - very interested).  So the dealer/owner had to replace the water pump, all the engine/ main gearbox seals, lock mechanisms, main roof rams, smaller roof lock rams, windscreen wiper controller, spark plugs, and so on.  They spent $Mega on the car so I paid a premium of NZ$35,000 (US$18,000 on today's rates) to get the car - it had genuine 46,000 km (28,750 miles) on the clock.  I also had the transmission checked as the plates/turbines shed materials when not used.  My transmission had shed a very small amount of material but was OK.

  Since I have had the car, I have changed all the oils - and that is it.  I have driven about 14,000 km in 2 years and am off on the Mercedes Benz Rally this Friday - we have a three day weekend this weekend.  The car is immaculate, but any older MB has to be driven. There are so many sensors and seals on the 129, that they are sensitive to being left undriven as sensors etc can 'stick', and seals dry out. I also have an immaculate W123, 280E that I drive daily.  It uses a bit of oil, runs fantastically well, accelerates well, and is quite quick for a 1983 car.  While the 1997/98/early 99 models are different, I still prefer the earlier models.  I had an R107 for 4 years - loved it, but prefer the earlier R129 as it has some characteristics of the R107 with less of the repairs ( I tend to do most of my own repairs).  

  Andy, my advice is to find a good R129 that you like the colour of, try to ensure it is already in good condition (get someone to appraise the vehicle) make sure you have a few $$ put aside for repairs, and drive it!.  For information, and as above, the rams, windscreen wiper controller, electric seat motors, fuses, battery, tyres etc. ragtop, all fail in the 129's -especially if they are not used frequently.  Note that my car is 17 years old, so parts will fail from time to time.  This also happens to out Toyota Estima Van, and our Nissan Maxima.  If you do not use any mechanical/ electrical device frequently, it can fail.  

  Happy driving!  

  My hard top is in the shed (held below the roof with a couple of $3 straps) and with the rear part resting onto a shelf.  I mostly use our 129 with the top down unless it is raining hard/ snowing/ hailing.

  Still 24 degrees C here in NZ, light easterly, a bit of high cloud, and I am off home soon to do some business with the 129 as the transportation.  Have a great day/ night.

  Kind Regards, Peter S.   



     
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Paul Samarin 
    To: SL Mailing List 
    Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2009 11:31 AM
    Subject: Re: [R129 SL] Planning on buying an SL500


    There is a site, but I can't remember a darn thing about it!  Sorry.  It claimed that 97 and 98 are the best years, with 98 being the best.  Before finding that site, I bought a 90 about two years ago with about 90K on her, but looking pristine.  Paid $12,700, but the soft top wouldn't deploy, so I took a little gamble.  Turned out to be no problem other than it hadn't been run for years b/c p/o didn't use it as a convertible.  After buying that car, a very good friend wanted one so we began shopping.  Then I was aware of the above website, so my friend found and purchased a pristine 98 (also about 2 years ago) with about 68K on her for $23,000.   


    There is a noticeable difference between the two cars.  My 90 is very reminiscent of the 80's S-class cars; my previous car was an 86 SEC and the instrument panel is nearly identical.  A big improvement (i.e., much more modern looking interior) over the R107, but the 98 is another step up from that.  So, my guess is that these days there wouldn't be *much* price difference between the early ones and the later ones, but I'd hold-out for a 97 or 98 if I were shopping today.


    One other note:  My friend and I use the same indy MB shop in Whittier, an honest and knowledgeable husband and wife team.  He noted that my friend's 98 will soon need about $3K in some sort of engine work caused by the *lack* of mileage.  IOW, if the car doesn't get used regularly, stuff sorta clogs up.  Others here may know more about that, but just some food for thought.  I'd bet that condition means much more than mileage.


    I've got about 110K now and basically maintenance-free, though the a/c--heater blower is not working right now.  Haven't had time to take her in.



    Paul


    On Jan 13, 2009, at 2:11 PM, Andrew Somers wrote:


      Hello,




         I am a current R107 owner (Her name is Freya   http://www.my450sl.com  ) which I've had for about 10 years - she runs fine,  but I am thinking that I want to upgrade now to an R129, and trying to get an idea of best years, and what kind of problems I should look for etc. For instance, I hear:




      1) The transmission in the 90 thru 95 aren't great, and the 96-98 are better.




      2) The engine in the 99-02 is not desirable.




      3) The hydraulics for the roof fail often and are expensive to fix (Is this true for all years?)




      Any website I should look at that discusses the R129 series and potential issues?







      Thanks!







      Andy



    Paul W. Samarin
    Attorney at Law
    110 Pine Street, Suite 630
    Long Beach, CA 90802
    (562)491-3538
    pauls at sbcglobal.net

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