Is this 129 worth it?

[mattc]

Considering one of these; is it worth the asking price?

link here

 

[gbjeppm]

Here is the spec (VIN Can be seen in the documents)
This seller does seem to get and prepare some nice cars, as for value not sure, I would say it is top end, but it does look good.

VINWDB129067*******
ModelSL500
Chassis1290672******
Engine119972 22 007496
Transmission722364 03 927234
Order0 3 537 77224
Approx. year1993
LightsBOSCH
WiperBOSCH
DealerGreat Britain (537)
Interiorleather pebble (275)
Paint 904midnight (dark) blue (T) (с 01.01.1968)
904midnight (dark) blue (T) (с 01.01.1968)
Options
038Unknown code
241left front seat electrically adjustable with memory feature. only applicable to w 210 when installed in conjunction with code 275. (с 01.03.1983)
242right front seat electrically adjustable with memory feature. only applicable to series w 210 when installed in conjunction with code 275. (с 01.03.1983)
246mirror with memory circuit (с 01.02.1988 по 01.09.1996)
283draft deflector (с 01.07.1989)
341additional lamp (с 01.09.1982)
362
440tempomat (cruise control) (с 01.09.1975)
461instrument with mileage reading and english lettering (с 01.04.1990)
538automatic antenna and front loudspeaker - without radio set (model 500SEC with loudspeaker only) (с 01.10.1989)
551anti-theft warning system (с 01.11.1978 по 31.03.1998)
565rear seats used on sl models (с 01.01.1963)
592heat-insulating glass, all-around, heated rear window pane (laminated glass), band filter
green heat-insulating glass all round, heated rear window, laminated safety glass - tinted strip (с 01.01.1972)
600headlamp wiper/washer (с 01.08.1971)
613lamp unit, asymmetrical, l.h. traffic (с 01.02.1963)
668
744folding top fabric5010 dark blue (с 01.08.1972)
860Unknown code
880closing system with infrared remote control (с 01.02.1988)

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Looks loverly - cost a reflection of current petrol prices?

 

[imadoofus]

I think you can be pretty sure that a seller that goes to that kind of effort is an honest person.

It's a lovely looking car - puts some of the 2000/01 cars I've seen to shame.

This is the multi valve 320bhp face lifted version of the SL which remained much the same right up until its replacement in 2002

Except there was another facelift in late '98(?) which saw new door mirrors, lights, bumpers(?) and interior revisions.

 

[BTB 500]

It's been mentioned here before. There are some pretty dodgy bits in the ad. given that it's a dealer one e.g.

This is the multi valve 320bhp face lifted version of the SL which remained much the same right up until its replacement in 2002

That's rubbish - the main facelift on the R129 was in 1996 ... 2 years after this car. This is a pre-facelift car that's had clear indicators fitted to make it look younger. There was another facelift in 1998.

This vehicle benefits from being in receipt of a full service history

Really? There's a gap of almost 4 years and 11,000 miles where it doesn't appear to have been serviced at all. It would have been due a service every 12 months.

 

[tromppost]

I have never dealt with this dealer for but have seen many of his cars go through ebay and always felt that he is a top rate, good sound dealer.

 

[BTB 500]

when new it represented the top of the range model costing around £100,000

Again that's rubbish. It doesn't have any expensive options (ADS, 3-piece AMG wheels, AMG body kit, BOSE, panoramic roof, etc.) and wouldn't have cost anything near £100k in 1994. List price was £80k in 1997.

The "top of the range model" was the V12 SL600, which did cost £100k approx.

 

[gbjeppm]

It's been mentioned here before. There are some pretty dodgy bits in the ad. given that it's a dealer one e.g.


That's rubbish - the main facelift on the R129 was in 1996 ... 2 years after this car. This is a pre-facelift car that's had clear indicators fitted to make it look younger. There was another facelift in 1998.


Really? There's a gap of almost 4 years and 11,000 miles where it doesn't appear to have been serviced at all. It would have been due a service every 12 months.

Bill you are absolutely right about the GAP, and I would also point that out to the dealer. Also the fact that the book is stamped, but no invoices would be a concern to me.

On the other hand it does have a full service history, i.e. a fully stamped service book. The problem is that it has not been carried out in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations, which is different to not having a full history.

On the other hand finding these with absolutely perfect servicing schedules/histories must be getting harder and harder. This gap would not necessarily put me off the car, it would be a bargaining point if I wanted to start negotiations.

 

[stats007]

Looks nice enough, however the wheels are copies, the two-tone trim has been repainted and the leather recoloured by the look of it.

Personally I'd opt for a '96 model for that price.

 

[BTB 500]

Yup a genuine facelift car (with the 5-speed gearbox) would be a better buy IMO.

 

[gbjeppm]

Just for comparison purposes

Facelift, Pano Roof 3 years younger
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...del=SL+CLASS&min_pr=&max_pr=14000&max_mileage=

 

[mattc]

OMG....so many opinions and advice..really useful folks. Sorry but it will definitely not be silver. like either the blue or red nes i have seen. Nearer the time I think i will post a "wish list" and a budget and then see what everyone can find local to them.

 

[tromppost]

Looks nice enough, however the wheels are copies, the two-tone trim has been repainted and the leather recoloured by the look of it.

Personally I'd opt for a '96 model for that price.

Only if I had had your help in the past I would have saved so much time and money not brought so many "dogs".

 

[janner]

Just for comparison purposes

Facelift, Pano Roof 3 years younger
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...del=SL+CLASS&min_pr=&max_pr=14000&max_mileage=

That looks fantastic value

Edit..
Might be worth haggling on this?..
SL60

 

[gbjeppm]

That looks fantastic value

It does, but with the poor quality of pictures on Autotrader, it is impossible to tell good from bad.

The quality of pictures from this ebay seller are much better, and enable the likes of Bill and Stats to spot anomalies.

The only real way as usual is to see the car in the flesh, when I bought mine, I saw over 15 cars, and so many that looked good in pictures were dreadful in the flesh.

 

[imadoofus]

So I know about the facelift in 1998, but what did the '96 one cover?

 

[BTB 500]

So I know about the facelift in 1998, but what did the '96 one cover?

The 98 facelift was relatively minor.

The 96 one included:

- 5 speed box as standard
- clear front indicators instead of orange
- different side vents behind front wheels
- no more "two tone" lower body cladding
- different aircon
- rain sensing wipers
- side airbags
- much improved interior door panels
- different bumpers (car is slightly longer than the pre-facelift)

Think those are the main things ... Stats?

 

[kth286]

Does that car have ESP as standard or is it ASR as standard ?

Would the 5 litre also have ADS as standard ?

 

[stats007]

I would say the 99MY facelift was major with the new engines! D2B was introduced, along with subtle changes - new door mirrors, bumper styling and rear lights, colour-coded door handles, chrome dials, Mobilo Life etc.

The two-tone bodywork went in 1995, coil-packs were introduced then to replace distributors on the 500s.

ADS was only standard on the 600s.

 

[BTB 500]

Does that car have ESP as standard or is it ASR as standard ?

ASR as standard.