My 1994 R129 SL500

[Watchcame430]

This was the headrest after some scrubbing with Dr Leather wipes ... As mentioned not amazing but definitely the best product I have come across so far. Just did half to show in the photo.

 

[jamesfuller]

I think we all have regrets on cars we havent bought. I was offered a Bronze Lotus Esprit that was the back up Bond car from the spy who loved me film.
Here is the actual film car ..
RE: Bond's Esprit up for sale - PistonHeads
I could have bought the back up car in 1998 for £8k but had just bought a house and couldnt afford it ... It had low miles too

yes definately been there got offered a bmw e30 m3 in 2008 for 6k funnily enough that was just as i was buying my house. no chance now of getting one for that price.
i just went into the garage to see if i had the 200 odd page dealer service manual for an sl500 but cant find it,if it turns up ill send it to you will come in handy for you new purchase.

I so want an E30 M3 too ... Especially a convertible. I dont think it will happen now though ...
That would be amazing if you do come across it ... You might be getting another though in the future?

I had a few homologation specials, including the M3. Managed to sell them all before the values really went up:fail My mate traded a mint Macau blue E30 M3 Cab with hard top for a lhd Porsche 964
I really still do regret missing the 129 as I found it by chance on the way to view another car, unforunately I bought the other car and it turns out it wasn't really what I wanted!

Anyway, I love the retro red look with the amber lights. After seeing your wheel/ebay post made me think some of these would suit your car very well....
http://www.mese.fi/forum/userpix/153_lorinser1_1.jpg

 

[Watchcame430]

I had a few homologation specials, including the M3. Managed to sell them all before the values really went up:fail My mate traded a mint Macau blue E30 M3 Cab with hard top for a lhd Porsche 964
I really still do regret missing the 129 as I found it by chance on the way to view another car, unforunately I bought the other car and it turns out it wasn't really what I wanted!

Anyway, I love the retro red look with the amber lights. After seeing your wheel/ebay post made me think some of these would suit your car very well....
http://www.mese.fi/forum/userpix/153_lorinser1_1.jpg

I might actually kill to own a Macau M3 convertible ... Especially with black leather (most seem to have grey?)
Hindsight I suppose is that wonderful thing ... I see so many cars at the moment that are too cheap but working out which will be the winners is hard. RS2000 maybe? I think it is the 70s stuff that is growing ... 80s a bit, 90s still to come?

I am really looking forward to getting the Amber back on there ... Still looking for a brand new right hand side indicator. If no luck will buy both used.
Also looking for side repeaters but will buy from a dealer I think as they are cheap.

I do like the wheels you posted very much and I might consider some like that when she is finished. Would be a good look!

 

[Watchcame430]

Few updates ... I managed to buy a pair of brand new genuine front amber indicators so looking forward to these arriving.
Also picked up a Blaupunkt Toronto head unit. I wanted to keep the Mercedes head unit but all my music is on my iPad. Also it has hands free so I can make calls also. Will hang on to the factory head unit also.
It's a subtle unit with no flashing lights so should fit well. (In many ways like the retro unit some people might be aware of that my company were developing but that has stalled)
I will be putting in new speakers in custom mounts to keep the factory look.
Also at the moment I have stripped out the wiper mech and have been waiting nearly a week for a 'puller' so I can finish the strip down and rebuild.
The leather I have found a great cleaner (Gtechnique) which is amazing. Also I have booked it in to D:class for repairs/refinishing. I nearly went for a total retrim but a tad too pricey I think.
Lastly ... Will be booking it back in with Mercedes for the coolant change and wheel bearing adjustments.

 

[Watchcame430]

No polish on this yet but after a clean and cut with meguairs compound and a da it's looking promising?

Hood wouldn't go up today so something else to look at!

 

[IanA2]

Hope this doesn't turn out to be a really expensive 129.

 

[Watchcame430]

Hope this doesn't turn out to be a really expensive 129.

Fingers crossed but I bought it expecting some outlay.
The hood is gorgeous condition and was working faultlessly so that is a bit of a mystery. I oiled it up before putting it away manually.
If I need to replace / repair bits of the hood mech so be it ... It's 20 years old so will forgive it.
The wiper thing I am a bit annoyed at ... It was working fine just too slow until I touched it so a bit frustrating! One of those things though.
Wanted to work on the car more but tiling two bathrooms the rest of the day sadly.
Popping back on here in my breaks the wife is allowing me

 

[IanA2]

Fingers crossed but I bought it expecting some outlay.
The hood is gorgeous condition and was working faultlessly so that is a bit of a mystery. I oiled it up before putting it away manually.
If I need to replace / repair bits of the hood mech so be it ... It's 20 years old so will forgive it.
The wiper thing I am a bit annoyed at ... It was working fine just too slow until I touched it so a bit frustrating! One of those things though.
Wanted to work on the car more but tiling two bathrooms the rest of the day sadly.
Popping back on here in my breaks the wife is allowing me

The wiper went on my C220 many years ago. I took in in for repair, after I got up from the floor (having fallen there on hearing the price), I asked if the part would take long to arrive. "Oh no Sir, we keep them in stock" was the reply!

 

[Watchcame430]

The wiper went on my C220 many years ago. I took in in for repair, after I got up from the floor (having fallen there on hearing the price), I asked if the part would take long to arrive. "Oh no Sir, we keep them in stock" was the reply!

It is expensive ... Just over a grand for Mercedes to replace the mechanism. I got a quote when I had her inspected a couple of weeks ago. Most of that is parts (all plus vat)

 

[IanA2]

It is expensive ... Just over a grand for Mercedes to replace the mechanism. I got a quote when I had her inspected a couple of weeks ago. Most of that is parts (all plus vat)

Yes, and is in such demand that dealers keep them in stock

 

[Watchcame430]

I guess it's why they moved away from the single wiper?
It's like many things on the older Mercs ... Precision made which is fine until the grease goes hard! The hood is a thing of engineering beauty too.

 

[Watchcame430]

Few updates ... Fixed the wiper mech with a replacement part.
Then the roof packed up last week but have it booked in at Mercedes Monday to be looked at plus the coolant and so e adjustments to brakes also.
I suspect Mercedes won't be able to fix the roof so also booked it into a roof specialist the following week.
Other things I have been doing. Cleaned the rear seat tonight ... It came out like new in the end. Here is a third if the way..

Finished, shame about the shadow.

Also I took the entire boot apart at the weekend, cleaned the carpet and all trim. Cleaned under the rubber and gummi pfledged ... Came out really well so pleased with that.

 

[Watchcame430]

Here some boot pics ... They don't do it justice and no before shots as I didnt have the camera handy. The carpet had several grease marks and was very grubby.

i think thats a shadow of my head in the middle!
Close up of the rubber..

Looks great all around the boot now.

 

[Watchcame430]

Here is a link to my roof problem discussion to keep things together ..

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/bodywork/170621-r129-roof-fault-finding.html

 

[DSB SL AMG]

Just hope its not the roof module...i think they are around £1k from stealer...but much cheaper if you can find one from spares network...

 

[Watchcame430]

Just hope its not the roof module...i think they are around £1k from stealer...but much cheaper if you can find one from spares network...

Agree ... Not what I want but these are old cars now so things like this are to be expected..... Just going to hurt if it is the module. It was working fine and was so smooth up and down. Very strange!
I need the roof working quickly ... Missing driving with it down..

If it is the module I will get it reconditioned so I get the guarantee I think. Unless someone comes along with a really cheap unit.

 

[IanA2]

Agree ... Not what I want but these are old cars now so things like this are to be expected..... Just going to hurt if it is the module. It was working fine and was so smooth up and down. Very strange!
I need the roof working quickly ... Missing driving with it down..

If it is the module I will get it reconditioned so I get the guarantee I think. Unless someone comes along with a really cheap unit.

There's a few on eBay, this one is still at a low price. Most seem higher than eBay Germany prices .
MERCEDES SL ROOF | eBay

 

[John Jones Jr]

Have a look here too. I think Dieselman recommends them?

BBA reman online catalogue

 

[Watchcame430]

There's a few on eBay, this one is still at a low price. Most seem higher than eBay Germany prices .
MERCEDES SL ROOF | eBay

Thanks, will keep an eye on that one. On my watch list ready if the worse happens!

 

[Watchcame430]

Have a look here too. I think Dieselman recommends them?

BBA reman online catalogue

These are the guys that quoted me £425 and I then found them offering the same service for £295 (or offer!) on ebay which is a bit off?

Having said that I may use them as they offer the guarantee and so potentially a less risky option.

Keep the suggestions going though please everyone ... I had missed the other one Ian found.