Advice on an SL please, but which one??

[Chris Merc E320]

Thanks, Ierton, acronyms understood.

Appears Mercedes went through an interesting period late nineties, my W210 Avantgarde has been affected but keeping it presentable/up together requires constant monitoring esp to body. This was a shock as previous E class estate had bomb proof bodywork.

May have free time soon to search forum for SL information - But welcome owners views on why they like the SL so much and why they have them plus any views held about the car and what in their opinion is good and bad. Experience is invaluable.

 

[IanA2]

Thanks Ian,

What does MY98, ASSYST, and IMHO,

MY=Model Year, ASSYST=Active service system. IMHO=In my humble opinion

why is servicing costs reduced

Cars with assyst can go up to two years between services.

is build quality better on earlier models?

Ask the Accountants!

seen rear storage box, only rear seats, area behind seats perfect for my ageing field spaniel (beats footwell I guess)

Not so sure about that, the shelf/ledge with opening lids, might be more comfortable for Fido.

 

[IanA2]

Experience is invaluable.

Go and drive a few....

 

[Chris Merc E320]

Trying one tomorrow snow permitting !

 

[Chris Merc E320]

Why ask the bean counters, taxation purposes?

 

[Ierton]

This was a shock as previous E class estate had bomb proof bodywork.

W124s rust just as badly as W210s.. well almost.

 

[edgersoldchap]

Why ask the bean counters, taxation purposes?

It's a widely held view that cost cutting, initiated by accountants, is responsible for the decline in quality at the end of the 1990's, and the disappearance of the famous over-engineered, solidly built reputation.

 

[Chris Merc E320]

What was the build year referred to when MB accountants had their way?
What areas of the car were affected by MB changes?
I presume from IERTON's reply one area was quality of steel used, any other quality issues?

 

[Chris Merc E320]

What was the build year referred to when MB accountants had their way?
What areas of the car were affected by MB changes?
I presume from IERTON's reply one area was quality of steel used, any other quality issues?

 

[BTB 500]

The paint finish was changed across the whole M-B range for 'environmental' reasons ... IIRC this coincided approximately with the Daimler-Chrysler merger in 1998.

 

[edgersoldchap]

Have a read of this www.kenrockwell.com/sl/r129history.htm according to which the author thinks the 1997 model is the best although this is in the USA. Whether or not the same applies to European specification models, others may know better than me.

 

[Ierton]

That's just another personal opinion, the US cars are also somewhat different in spec.

 

[markjay]

What was the build year referred to when MB accountants had their way?
What areas of the car were affected by MB changes?
I presume from IERTON's reply one area was quality of steel used, any other quality issues?

Apparently, the 'bad years' were 1998-2002, inclusive.

 

[Ierton]

As the R129 remained mostly unchanged apart from the new (and very good) engines it's not something you really have to worry about.

 

[Charles Morgan]

Precisely, there is no qualitative change (other than engines and trim) through the life of the car. Buy the car on condition and don't worry about it.

 

[BTB 500]

Subjectively, I've seen more rust on later cars (although it's minor compared to other contemporary M-B models).

 

[BTB 500]

the US cars are also somewhat different in spec.

Are they? I didn't think so, possibly they had some UK options as standard. Of course more and more became standard in the UK anyway as time went on.

 

[Chris Merc E320]

Thank you all, esp Edgersoldchap, link provided very informative and well written.

Interesting coments regarding paint, yes when I locate the right car I will judge on, condition, history, data reports (HPI, service history, and Insurance recordings).
It can be easy to be duped by something which is not right, in my opinion essential to take time researching. As travelling, viewing, penultimately buying is a tiring time and to later find out that something is not what it appeared can be very upsetting.
There have been and unfortunately continue to be opportunists and rogues in society - so for me to educate myself from your experience, knowledge, understanding of SL's is very important to me.
Thank you all for taking time to update this post on SL ownership with your opinions.
Due to snow my SL 500 rendezvous yesterday had to be postponed, but we have agreed to reschedule for a day with better weather.
I have arranged to meet with another local owner this week to see his SL (weather permitting) so I can begin to experience an SL first hand.
I was given a present this Christmas to drive a classic car for 48 hours, I think I will choose an E type as unfortunately no SL's were on the company's list. So I am very grateful to the two local SL owners who have agreed to meet with me and show, discuss, ride in their cars as this is very important to find what is right for me/my family.
Any further advice welcomed, or any links to information gratefully received and what SL books would you recommend ( I have had some woeful books in the past on E30's that are basically reprints of test drives and to be honest were a waste of time - car boot fodder).
Thanks

 

[edgersoldchap]

Before I bought my R129, I did some on-line research through Google and came up with www.bayhas.com/mercedes/r129/contents/default/htm and www.benzwiki.com/index.php?title=R129 There may be others.

 

[edgersoldchap]

For some reason, the first link doesn't seem to work but the second is OK.