R129 service parts and running costs

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BAZ-500SL

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Jul 2, 2014
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155
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500sl
Hello guys need some help , I am going to be using a 500sl-32v 1990 an needed some advice what to look out for and also what the drive of it's like and best way to keep it going, and how reliable they are, also where to buy good oem standard parts I know to keep away from cross land and heard they ain't the best but what other makes could I use , all help appriciated also I noticed red coolant and been told to drain it out before driving it and replace it with blue before it gives problems , would this be true?
 
I noticed red coolant and been told to drain it out before driving

Hello and welcome, the first thing that you need to do is ignore idiots that tell you not to drive a car because the coolant is the wrong color.

Just about any coolant will work provided that you change often. MB at the time used G05 chemistry which is the yellow stuff for its long life coolant.

As far as reliability, it depends on how it was treated and what was taken care of before you bought it and the service history will tell you more than anybody here can because we don't know what was addressed.

Distributor caps can be expensive for these early cars and the CIS fuel injection system does not like to sit. If the car is in good running order, I would change the fluids unless they were recently changed as well as the belts and hoses. Then move on to the brakes, brake hoses, tires etc.

That's the bare minimum to prevent you from being stranded.
 
The car has been serviced by mercedes and mercedes benz specialists all it life with receipts of other work carried out throughout it life , going by the service booklet it's been service every year up to 2012 where it just only covered 900miles, till now, driving wise it won't be used everyday just occasionally, as I feel it not being used is just making it worser, also is there part availability or breakers just incase I fall in to a pickle with parts, and is there anyone who owns one and can give me a insight on how it's like, also with service parts what's the best place to go without dealership price but good brands , sorry for all the questions just want to know what to expect thanks in advance
 
Lots of parts interchange with other Mercedes Benz. If you're planning to do work yourself. Get EPC either by subscribing or buying a CD from Ebay which should give you access to part #'s. Not sure what online vendors exist in the UK. When I lived in London, there was only Euro Car Parts and German & Swedish.

There are plenty of vendors like www.autohausaz.com who ship word wide and will stock most service items. Ebay and Amazon are also your friends.

Best of luck!
 
Thanks, so are the filters like bosch or Mann good for the mercedes, as an alternative to oem filters, thanks
 
I prefer Mann filters, Pagid brakes, Lemforder suspension, Sachs shocks and recently fitted a Febi coolant pump. I only use breakers for parts that don't wear, or maybe risk it on a non critical part that's easy to replace.

I tend to get the part number and google it, sometimes some real bargain NOS parts pop up on the "bay of dreams" (brand new rear light assembly for £50) Often suppliers don't list the part correctly under the description.

I use various suppliers
MB parts dept (MB Newcastle advertise good prices on ebay)
Eurocar Parts (wait till they have a 30% off sale most weekends)
SKS car parts (cheap, but rubbish website, delivery times and customer service)
Mister Auto
KMS parts online (ebay but check P/N not discription/fitment detail)

If I were you I'd check the coolant with MB. AIUI the original coolant was G05 (yellow) replaced by G48 (blueish green)

The colour is only a dye, not a type, but red tends to be a 5yr coolant, it doesn't mix with the other two and can cause mayhem if you try.
 
The car has been serviced by mercedes and mercedes benz specialists all it life with receipts of other work carried out throughout it life , going by the service booklet it's been service every year up to 2012 where it just only covered 900miles, till now, driving wise it won't be used everyday just occasionally, as I feel it not being used is just making it worser, also is there part availability or breakers just incase I fall in to a pickle with parts, and is there anyone who owns one and can give me a insight on how it's like, also with service parts what's the best place to go without dealership price but good brands , sorry for all the questions just want to know what to expect thanks in advance

Not sure where you are , but assuming you're in the UK like most of us here , then your best source of used parts is Carl Burgess of W140.co.uk - Home of the largest used parts specialist for the Mercedes Benz W140 series S-Class Saloon and CL-Class Coupe

Carl is a specialist breaker who primarily breaks W140 and R129 models ( the two share a great deal in common ) .

Also check his eBay store http://stores.ebay.co.uk/r129-co

I have bought many parts from him and never been disappointed , as you will see from his eBay shop , his prices are very reasonable . If something isn't listed , phone him up and ask - he's very helpful and likely to have what you require .

For service parts , I tend to go either to the dealership for stuff like belts , hoses and filters , but for stuff like brake discs , pads , ball joints , flex discs etc etc , then I go to EuroCarParts or GSF , but only if they can supply genuine OEM parts .
 

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