Prices of R129 SLs

[oscarisapc]

Is there any way of assessing the correct ballpark price for an R129? I am surprised at the enormous variation in price between apparently similar specified cars. Leaving aside special editions with rarity value, how can these cars be assessed? I am prepared to pay what it takes for a car at the better end of the market, but want to avoid buying high on a car that isn’t worth it. I know I could go to a specialist dealer and pay for peace of mind, and that might turn out to be the best solution for a mechanical ignoramus like myself but are there some guidelines that I am missing? Saying “buy on condition” is all very well, but what constitutes condition? Or is it just a magic box?
Thanks. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Sp!ke]

I think if you started viewing some cars you'll get a better idea on pricing as most R129's I saw when looking were getting rather tired and in need of TLC.

The ones with the right engine and spec in tip top condition were selling for reasonable money (10k or more) whereas the tired ones were struggling to sell for half that. I found plenty of well looked after 320's at 6k or less but when it came to the 500's, for the same condition of car, I was immediately looking above 8k (for a facelift model) and the really low mileage ones were up for sale at more than 15k.

Special edition models and less common 6L and 7.3L variants can command serious money as they are already collectors pieces.

Personally my preference is for the final edition 5.0 L M113 engined R129 with the facelift body and interior but many consider the earlier M119 engined models to be the one to go for.

 

[IanA2]

What he says.

Also, you don't say where your are, but if you do find one that looks good, it would very very worth while getting a good indie to give the car the once over. Might cost you a hundred or so, but it might save you a fortune.

EDIT: Imho, the 129 is one of MB's greatest cars.

 

[oscarisapc]

I am in the South West so there are not that many local cars to choose from. I will most certainly get my local indie to inspect anything I am considering - I take my SLK to Autospec in Bristol and have been very pleased with the care and the service there, so I hope the firm will take on an R129. I am reckoning on spending the sort of sums Sp!ke recommends but there are a lot of overpriced cars around and I want to separate the sheep from the goats (so to speak) before we get to the inspection stage.

 

[IanA2]

Well if you decide to look at one elsewhere in the country, there are quite a few indies known to these fine folks on the board who may be able to help. Iirc Ollie ventured a fair way to look at one for someone. Certainly the east-mids and Preston way is well covered.

 

[Sp!ke]

The first thing to do is to go and see all the ones reasonably local and get a feel for whether the model is what you want and if so, which flavour you like most. V8, v6, straight 6, face lift or not and the kind of budget you need to be thinking of.

A couple of members here are selling R129s currently which might be worth investigating, failing that, put something in the wanted section and folk will keep an eye out for something suitable.

 

[BTB 500]

Depending on where you are try to come to come of the club GTGs too as there will certainly be members happy to let you look at / ride in their cars. I'm hoping to be Brooklands this Sunday and will definitely be at Olly's (PCS) meeting in May.