My R129 - to stay or go...

[Allistairc]

Hi folks, I have a need for some advice relating to a question of keeping hold of my car

I have a 95 R129 SL 320. Right up front lets get a feel for the car. 81k genuine miles, Full history MB up to 75k in Azurite Blue with Mushroom.

I've done 271 miles in the last 3 years, it's flown through every MOT with single advisory of corroded coil spring x2

The car has NO RUST ANYWHERE and has been cherished previously. In 3 years I have had it in a garage, and when out in the sun it looks mint

The car has original book pack, packed with every bill including PDI sheet and original bill of sale

It has a press pack from launch of this model and a 25th anniversary hard backed catalogue with R129 and later model in it

I also have brand new die cast models supplied with the car in azurite and mushroom colour combo

We have the makings of something quite good

The car is totally original with no modifications

Hard and soft tops with the car

Original tools and wind deflector - neither have ever been used or has the spare

I'm looking to get the car through its mot again and but I'm hesitant because I've only done 271 miles in 3 years. Some niggles and problems have arisen this year while in storage which require attending to and I've decided that I only want to pursue getting these done if I can satisfy the following:

1 I can be sure that investment in the problems deliver value into what the car is worth financially other than my enjoyment (but at under 300 miles in 3 years do I use it enough)

2 if I invest in the items required I'd like to have a trouble free sl that I believe would get me to the south of France and back without trouble

I travel significantly for a living therefore when I spend time enjoying the car I don't want it to let me down, as time is precious

So the issues which have developed:

X2 cracked rear windows (I know I know nothing major)

Wipers only work on fastest speed

Central locking Inop, suspect blown unit or wiring as this charred

Instrument housing bulb X1 is out

The cars alarm has a fob type, I have been told it's a South African unit which in the day was super and mb dealer fit, it's obviously old and I now only have one fob, lost the other recently

So do you folks think it worth the investment. Am I likely to see much worse happening if I complete the work and start doing around 2k per year

Is there a general feeling these cars will hold firm in the right spec and condition?

Any thoughts would be appreciated

Thanks

Allistairc

 

[219]

Hi Allistair ,

as you will see from my thread running on here , I am fixing up a R129 which I got only 10 days or so ago . While my car is a bargain basement SL with something like 13 previous owners and 140K on the clock , it will just be a fun car for the summer , never a show car or cherished in the way yours is , I am still finding it easy enough to work on and worthwhile sorting out minor niggles and bodges done by previous owners .

I think in the case of your car , and considering the minor things you have mentioned , even solely from a financial point of view it will be well worthwhile fixing the problems .

The R129 , I would say , are at rock bottom , value-wise , right now and can only go up in value from where they currently are , as has every previous generation of SL before it .

Regarding the faults you have mentioned

The windows in the hood can easily be replaced - there are lots of specialist companies who will do this for a very reasonable price . One of my own windows needs restitching down one edge but is not cracked ; this will be another of my DIY jobs before long .

The issue with your wipers is almost certainly the control stalk - as with W124 , W126 , W201 and other models , the switch contacts do play up and this is simple enough to swap out .

The central locking is electrically controlled but vacuum actuated , while an electrical problem is possible ( you say wiring charred ? ) more usually either the vacuum pump fails ( on this model above the battery in the boot ) or a leak develops somewhere in the vacuum system ( I still have this to sort out on my car ) . If you can hear the pump running whenever you lock or unlock any of the locks ( easiest to try the boot lock and listen with the boot open ) then the electrical side is probably OK and it will be a vacuum problem ; if the pump doesn't run then likely either a burnt out pump or a control problem .

The lamp in the instrument cluster is an easy fix ( the cluster just pulls out and replacement is easy ) .

All of the above , I would consider easily DIY-able , but if you are not inclined to do this , then find a good indy who will be able to do all of this and shouldn't charge a fortune for what is listed above .

Certainly you ought to be using the car more as lack of use does more harm than putting miles on it - does your soft top still operate flawlessly ? Many owners report the mechanism playing up ( usually due to sticking microswitches ) when used first time after a winter with the hard top on , for example - although this usually clears after a bit of regular use . Mine was like this after I first took the hard top off last week , but started to work after a number of operations up and down .

Since you also have the 320 engine , please be aware there is a known issue with the engine wiring loom on that model . Due to the use of biodegradable insulation which breaks down with age , many people have experienced costly failures due to short circuits , if you are lucky and manage to replace the loom before any mishap occurs then you can look forward to another 10+ years of trouble free operation ; but others have experienced breakdowns , engine bay fires and costly damage to expensive ECU's . If this work hasn't been done on your car , notwithstanding low mileage - it is an age thing , much like tyres and fluid changes - then please get it checked for . There are plenty of threads on here and elsewhere which illustrate the problem .

Having said all the above , it sounds like you have a truly lovely car , well worth cherishing with all its provenance and completeness and I sincerely hope you continue to cherish it and get some enjoyment out of it .

Finally , please post some pictures up

 

[219]

Just a couple of mine - only iPhone pics so far as I still have to clean it and take some decent ones .

 

[jonnyboy]

+1 with Derek - it sounds like a cracking base car that just needs a bit of light TLC. Better the devil you know and all that (even though I was tempted to pm you with a ludicrously low offer for it !!!!)
Absolutely spot-on with the loom issue. That is a top priority. Also budget for a head gasket too at some point - I believe they too are due to fail at 75/100k miles.
Central locking faults can be common especially with low use. They can also cause battery drain etc. A good battery and a trickle/solar top up charger can pay dividends on a hardly used car.
Windows - plenty trimmers out there who know what they are doing. Where are you located?
Finally, welcome!

 

[dog]

+1 with Derek - it sounds like a cracking base car that just needs a bit of light TLC. Better the devil you know and all that (even though I was tempted to pm you with a ludicrously low offer for it !!!!)
Absolutely spot-on with the loom issue. That is a top priority. Also budget for a head gasket too at some point - I believe they too are due to fail at 75/100k miles.
Central locking faults can be common especially with low use. They can also cause battery drain etc. A good battery and a trickle/solar top up charger can pay dividends on a hardly used car.
Windows - plenty trimmers out there who know what they are doing. Where are you located?
Finally, welcome!

Sorry to but in but i'm a little worried now when you say head gaskets go 75/100k miles mines on 78,000 "gulp" she been well looked after is that common issue for the head gasket .
What are the signs because i have a small leak nothing major towards the front of the block drivers side,and have no problems water/oil loss and power

 

[Martyn_n]

What are the signs because i have a small leak nothing major towards the front of the block drivers side,and have no problems water/oil loss and power

That'll just be the seal between the upper and lower timing chain covers, a very common problem. If you cannot live with the drips it is not a difficult job to replace the u-shaped gasket but re-fitting the tensioner is a bit of a bugger. Just make sure you use the correct sealant where the gasket meets the head / block as it needs to be very flexible (not cheap from the dealers but probably worth it)

If however you can live with the drips it isn't a sign of imminent head gasket failure; that usually leaks at the rear of the head on the driver's side.

 

[dog]

Whew ! Thanks Martyn_n good info i'll sleep good tonight

 

[Doodle]

The car has NO RUST ANYWHERE

Unless you've had the wheelarch liners out and/or the front wings off to clean out and treat with Dinitrol, with sincerity I doubt this will be the case.

However, most of the issues mentioned are not too difficult to resolve, barring the central locking which would depend on the level of wiring damage. The wiper problem will most likely be the relay in the passenger side box, take it out, pop the casing off and give the switches a good clean with contact cleaner.

The 129 market is starting to polarise - good cars that are looked after are holding their money as the bad cars die off (generally due to faults that render them beyond economic repair). It's not likely to appreciate significantly in the short or even medium term, but it's not a bad place to be.

 

[Allistairc]

Wow, thanks guys for the response. New on here. Very helpful, will put some pics up when I work out how. Think I'll get the loom checked out and mot the car and then take it from there
Thanks for the great welcome

 

[Allistairc]

1st picture

 

[Allistairc]

 

[Allistairc]

 

[Allistairc]

 

[tali]

Just a couple of mine - only iPhone pics so far as I still have to clean it and take some decent ones .

When you said " bargain basement" i didn't expect the number plate aswell!

 

[219]

Allistair , your car looks lovely , and a very nice colour combination . I had looked at a 300SL in Nautic Blue with Mushroom leather a couple of years back , yours reminds me of it .

 

[219]

When you said " bargain basement" i didn't expect the number plate aswell!

Yes the plate came on the car , although my sister has shown interest in it .

 

[rusty55]

Hi I've had deep thoughts on ownership with having a older car as a fun drive but that's just it drive and enjoy if the worst happens it happens. Bet overall it's cheaper than taking any new car for services to keep warranties up etc. I've got break down cover as you may have mines going on a road trip soon to Scotland hope to do 1500 miles so I've had the car out every week end to feel confident . People go on about how good the engines are not all have head problems