My R129 500SL Progress

[MarkGolf997]

For some reason I have had 4 people contact me since yesterday evening from my Car and Classic advert which I forgot all about.
1 was a Mercedes Dealer and 1 just now has said if Monday falls through he will wire £8000 straight away and even offered £8250 to have it right now and collect tomorrow!! (Sunday)

Not sure why the sudden surge in interest, wondering if my advert has been put up on a forum or featured somewhere.

Perhaps it’s on the cheap side, I did think to initially advertise for £8500 but at £8000 it’s a quick sale and fair.

Either way, it’s got an excited new keeper coming so I’m not diverting from that as that’s not fair.

One last trip to a country pub tomorrow I think!

 

[MarkGolf997]

I do like them, a friend had one with something removed from the exhaust and it sounded like a spitfire on full chat.

The R129 has my heart though, I grew up seeing them on TV and I just love the boxy shape and build quality.

I will see if I can get a closer look at an SL55 however.

 

[alabbasi]

Drive one. If you're not used to one, they're quite terrifying when you have your foot down.

 

[Breham]

I wish I had spotted this before it was sold, would have jumped at it in heart beat


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MarkGolf997]

The car is now no longer mine.

It went Monday night after quite a long inspection by the buyers mechanic and a test drive by both, was quite nice to be driven in it with the roof down! I think I sold it too cheap as it was a very honest and genuine car in need of not much, no hidden nasties and the hard work had certainly been done. I doubt I'll ever see another one like it but I think the next will be a silver or blue one for me, that's what I've always wanted.

Quite sad that it's gone but I now have a 928 to bring up to standard. A totally different car but something which will keep me busy!

This has gone to a good home, the new owner is a true enthusiast with a collection of SL's/SEC.

I will be back in another early spec R129 500SL sometime, that's for certain!

If you read this Andrew, as said, I hope you enjoy the car and if you can add on to this diary, that would be amazing!

 

[grober]

I remember my first glimpse of a 928 under the bonnet. I was surprised by how small the engine looked-indeed how small the engine compartment looked- it was an optical illusion obviously--- possibly caused by how far back the engine was mounted in the chassis and the width of those front wings covering those enormous front wheels. Good luck with the new project!

 

[MD5]

The car is now no longer mine.

It went Monday night after quite a long inspection by the buyers mechanic and a test drive by both, was quite nice to be driven in it with the roof down! I think I sold it too cheap as it was a very honest and genuine car in need of not much, no hidden nasties and the hard work had certainly been done. I doubt I'll ever see another one like it but I think the next will be a silver or blue one for me, that's what I've always wanted.

Quite sad that it's gone but I now have a 928 to bring up to standard. A totally different car but something which will keep me busy!

This has gone to a good home, the new owner is a true enthusiast with a collection of SL's/SEC.

If you read this Andrew, as said, I hope you enjoy the car and if you can add on to this diary, that would be amazing!

I'm a bit behind here, but sorry to see you and the car go, and congratulations on the 928. They have been on my radar since I borrowed one for a weekend in 1983! However, every time I look at them, I've been put off by the dated interiors, feeling they would have looked so much better with the 968 interior, but I've come close to buying a couple of times.

I don't know about anyone else, but if you are going to give the 928 the same treatment as the 129, I'd love to see it here, so don't be a stranger!

 

[C43AMG]

I'm sure the Forum wouldn't mind if you posted your progress on the 928.

Many thanks for posting all the work you did on your SL.

 

[Gillies500SL]

Hello,

I tried to post in the MB members gallery but I do not have permissions, I hope it is OK to post here, I'm no spammer. I like to do progress threads on my cars, maybe I know some people here from the various other forums I poke around in, hi!

Like my other cars, I thought I would keep a diary on the progress of my 1991 500SL.

I picked this car up March 13th after viewing it a few weeks earlier. It needs a little work but the base is all there and solid, the car has 107k miles and full Mercedes dealer history up to 85k miles and then 2 Mercedes specialist services between then and up to 95k, although the 95k was many years ago. The previous owner only covered 1500-2500 a year and had it serviced by friend. Oil on the dipstick is still clear and the air filters looked fresh upon checking the car before buying it so I took his word on that, either way, I’ll be booking her in for a big service.

Upon viewing, the car had its issue, mirrors, steering wheel and passenger seat failing to operate. Roof got stuck half way although it turns out that was us being impatient as it had not been lifted in the guys ownership, drivers seat had a worn bolster, rust on wing, damage to lower rear bumper trim, broken indicator, cracked windscreen, new tyres required, wear and tear blah blah blah, various little things.

The main things for me was the engine and drive of the car, the engine is silky smooth and runs almost silent, the drive is cushioned and refined. I was sold! I love a little project and like annoying the wife with my “I’ll sell it one of others” excuse to accumulate a collection of cars.

I agreed to buy the cat if the owner could resolve the passenger seat and mirrors not working. After waiting 2 weeks, it turned out the owner made no attempt to sort these but knocked the price down, I had got bored of looking at the pictures I took of the car upon viewing and just wanted it, so that night, I became the owner of my first Mercedes, I had always wanted an R129, not necessarily in these colour, I like my silver and blacks but this kind of looks special and unlike ones I’ve seen before. Java leather (274a) and Pajett red or rot if you’re German paint (587). I thought the lower panels had been painted but according to the spec sheet in the back of the service book, this was a factory job. The car was also debadged from factory so someone felt it necessary to incorrectly badge the car with later spec badging. Front indicators too, I’m desperate for the orange originals but not £150 desperate.

So, enough babble, here she is upon viewing.

I felt hooked, really didn’t want to leave it after viewing but I normally hate unknown electrical problems, so as the seller offered to sort, I had to leave. Had I known he wouldn’t, I could have cracked on with the car sooner.

I always enjoy getting a new car and going through the paperwork, manuals and finding out everything I can about it. I must have sat up until 2am reading things, using the VIN decoder and making head or tail of everything.

Not as much paperwork as I would have liked but after calling Mercedes, they have everything from day 1 on record and will email it once I send proof of ID! Nice

It’s got a stack of fuel receipts, original wallet, books, manuals, service book.

The next day, I popped to Mercedes and order a new headlight switch, headlight wiper cap and trim surrounds for both sun visors.

Got the hard top off to air the roof out and stick the roof lining down

I see why he never used the soft top, going to have the windows replaced by a local hood specialist.

The roof is in decent condition so it’s worth saving.

I replaced both front indicators due to the drivers side having a bit missing.

I don’t think the car had seen a really good deep clean in a long time, if ever, so I started cleaning the stitching with warm soapy water after using gliptone and zaino products on the leather

Nice 50/50 shot of the grime!

I’m jumping around a bit here but I also tackled the bonnet pad, removing what was left of it

Last job for day1 of ownership was to poke around the passenger seat and investigate the module.

Found £2, woohoo and a filthy carpet which was slightly damp to clean and sort out.

Hi,

Do you know the part number for the light control switch? My local MB dealer seems to be having trouble locating the part number and I'd like to replace mine as it's scuffed.

Thanks,

Gillies

 

[grober]

Hi,

Do you know the part number for the light control switch? My local MB dealer seems to be having trouble locating the part number and I'd like to replace mine as it's scuffed.

Thanks,

Gillies

View attachment 79671

Its known as TRIM RING-LIGHT ROTARY SWITCH AND LIGHT RANGE REGULATOR
FOUND IN SECTION 68 COVERING - 230 SUBSECTION DASHBOARD
part no RHD A1296800265 note also it may be coloured coded to the car trim in later models and the ones with self leveling and xenon headlights are different- go back to your parts man with your chassis no and they should be able to order one up.
thats the flat trim round the switch the knob/electrical switch and headlight range vacuum adjuster are different part nos.

Mercedes-Benz R129 Headlight Switch Removal - SL500, 500SL, 300SL, SL320, 600SL, SL600 (1990 - 2002) - Pelican Parts Technical Article

 

[Gillies500SL]

Its known as TRIM RING-LIGHT ROTARY SWITCH AND LIGHT RANGE REGULATOR
FOUND IN SECTION 68 COVERING - 230 SUBSECTION DASHBOARD
part no RHD A1296800265 note also it may be coloured coded to the car trim in later models and the ones with self leveling and xenon headlights are different- go back to your parts man with your chassis no and they should be able to order one up.
thats the flat trim round the switch the knob/electrical switch and headlight range vacuum adjuster are different part nos.

Mercedes-Benz R129 Headlight Switch Removal - SL500, 500SL, 300SL, SL320, 600SL, SL600 (1990 - 2002) - Pelican Parts Technical Article

Thanks Grober,

It’s actually the round controller in the middle of the panel that I’m looking for. MB Hamilton have managed to source a part from stock so it looks like I’m sorted now. Appreciate your help.

Regards,

Gillies

 

[grober]

If its the light switch kn*b then the recommended way to remove it is by gripping it with a pair of pliers and pulling it off. If very rough jawed pliers are used or the pliers slip then the surface of the item will end up damaged. The recommended way is to grip it using something like a chamois leather between the jaws of the pliers and the kn*b. That gives enough grip but protects the surface.

 

[Gillies500SL]

If its the light switch kn*b then the recommended way to remove it is by gripping it with a pair of pliers and pulling it off. If very rough jawed pliers are used or the pliers slip then the surface of the item will end up damaged. The recommended way is to grip it using something like a chamois leather between the jaws of the pliers and the kn*b. That gives enough grip but protects the surface.

Sounds like good advice. Many thanks!!!

 

[BRN9121]

Hello Mark,
I know I'm late to the party and you are probably no longer on this forum... but I wanted to say that your thread was an inspiration to me.

Good luck with the P car

 

[MarkGolf]

Hey Smokey,

Thank you! I am still around, I am actually looking for another 500SL! I have missed this car since I sold it and regret letting it go for the shed I replaced it with (Long story)

I will be back properly, when I find the perfect 500!

 

[MarkGolf997]

Whoops, used old account there..

 

[stealth.]

Lovely