1990's SL's ? (A what car ? thread)

[Patrick1964]

Im thinking about one of these for my next car - something like this http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/856193.htm would seem ideal. I don't do a lot of miles (10 miles each way commute), and I fancy a comfy, reliable barge for relaxing driving, with adequate power (I'd like it to be quite swift, without needing to be a sportscar). Have I picked the right model ? Any comments re running costs, common problems etc ? Any other suggestions up to about £5K that aren't going to be crippling to run ?

Thanks

Patrick

 

[Big_Jon]

I had an SL500 that was an absolute joy to own and was very affordable to run.

Having driven a smaller one, I would endorse the 500 anytime, especially as you arent doing heaps of miles for fuel economy to be crucial.

As much as I hate beemers, I did have an 850 in my hands once which nearly converted me!

 

[BTB 500]

High and welcome.

Do a search on "R129" ... lots of threads here on buying one!

 

[mikeouk]

Im thinking about one of these for my next car - something like this http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/856193.htm would seem ideal. I don't do a lot of miles (10 miles each way commute), and I fancy a comfy, reliable barge for relaxing driving, with adequate power (I'd like it to be quite swift, without needing to be a sportscar). Have I picked the right model ? Any comments re running costs, common problems etc ? Any other suggestions up to about £5K that aren't going to be crippling to run ?

Thanks

Patrick

i owned a 93 300sl for 2 years and never had any great problems with it. The central locking vacum pump went, that wasnt cheap, and also some relay gave up as well, that wasnt cheap either. Dont buy one with sketchy history, its worth paying a grand or 2 more for a well looked after car. Check the condition of the hood and also if it goes up and down as it should, to replace a ripped or worn hood would cost the best part of a grand.

 

[stats007]

Early cars do suffer from a few niggles and I've seen two that have had intermittent failed reverse gear which is a £2k repair.

 

[Sp!ke]

bloomin heck, another person with the same idea as me.. that's about 5 in the last week that have come on here saying the same thing.

I guess we'll all be bidding against each other on ebay for the same cars.

Perhaps we should form an orderly queue instead and save ourselves some money. Nahhh....W129's are really unreliable expensive to run monstrosities, you should consider something else, perhaps a BMW or Audi

 

[Patrick1964]

Hi Spike - don't worry, I don't plan to travel as far as Surrey, so I'll keep out of your way if you'll keep south of Watford