SL Virgin looking for find first R129- HELP

[ollymawer12]

Hi Folks,
Firstly, i'm quite new to this website. Although over the last week I've been on it for several hours each day!

I currently have a 1990 BMW 325i Convertible in white, which I use as a weekend car. I'm only 25 and wanted an E30 since a young age, and 4 years ago found a lovely example.

However, 4 years on I've decided that what I really wanted but didn't dare/couldn't afford was an Mercedes SL R129.

A relation has the Silver Arrow, and seeing it the other week set me off again.

I don't have a massive budget, but I want the best I can buy within it.

I think I want a 500, but would consider the 320 flat - based on advice from this forum.

I've viewed a few, and not been struck on any.

I'm looking at this one on Tuesday.

1995 M MERCEDES SL500 5.0 V8 CONVERTIBLE~W129~ONE PREVIOUS OWNER! | eBay


Can anybody offer me any advice on what I'm looking for? / Critque this vehicle?

Your assistance would really help me make my decison.

Best Regards

Oliver

 

[Doodle]

Looks promising, one owner, plenty of miles to suggest it hasn't been left standing all the time (SL's do not like this at all).

Some 129 specifics to check:
Distributors - it's very hard on dizzy caps and rotors, so if possible pop them off with a hex key and check they're not overly gunked up or tracking. New set is about £150 from ECP with the forum discount. If you can't, watch for lumpy idle and misfires during the test drive.

Wiring loom - has it been changed? If it's the original it'll probably be in a big mess. See the wiring loom sticky post. ~£700 to fix.

Hood mechanism - cycle it 2 or 3 times, make sure it works smoothly. Don't be worried about big clonks when locking or unlocking the catches, they all do that. Do the same for the popup roll bar. Any issues here, walk away.

 

[millo777]

Surely from 95 onwards all models would be on coil packs and not have a distributor?

Re the wiring looms, personally I'd stick to a 97 or later car to avoid all the wiring loom issues, but thats just an opinion. If it's anything like the w140 which shares the same engines the crumbly loom problem is not restricted to the upper engine harness and often takes out ETAs and ECUs and can be a nightmare. Ensure you check this on any car pre 97.

The straight 6 M104 in the 280/320 will need to be checked for head gasket problems, but it's a one off job as the gasket was redesigned and the problem solved. These engines all go before 150k. Check for oil leaks and any mixing of oil and water.

There were a couple of facelifts over it's 12 year production run, I think the first was 95/96 and then 99 but could be wrong.

The first facelift was a new interior, bumpers and side skirts, new wheel designs (15 hole to 8 hole) and i think a shift from dizzy caps and HT leads to HFM engine management and coil packs (may be engine specific). Digital odometer/tripometer added. Side airbags added.

Some of the really early ones had the huge routemaster sized steering wheel, 12v engines and manual climate (as in not digital display)control but I haven't seen any of those around for a while.

I think the biggest change is around 99 (maybe earlier?) when all the engines changed to newer versions, inline 6 changed for a v6 and m119 v8 repalced by m113 v8. The m120 v12 stayed until production ended. I have no experience of the later engines, but seem to remember them being 3 valves per cylinder and dual spark? Power remained roughly the same.

Good luck with the search.

The panoramic hard tops seem to be a sought after option, so keep a look out for those. You might also want to get a storage trolley for the hard top, or if you're really lucky, you find one thats comes with a Mercedes hoist to enable single handed removal/fitting. There were a few limited editions, silver arrows, mille miglia and some "Designo" editions which are very nice but prices remain high on these.

For ref the one you linked to is pre facelift interior, but what the hell happened to the passenger airbag? did it melt in the sun? never seen one like that before! Lovely colour though and worth viewing at that price.

Oh,and if you're new to MB ownership, don't forgot to look for rust.

 

[Doodle]

All pre-facelift v8s are still on distributors, so that covers '95 cars as well. 96-97 cars are facelifted with 119's, these had Motronic injection which did away with dizzies.

I think the difficulty will be finding a post 97 car on budget. Better to go with a good earlier car than a bad later one. Same goes for panoramic roof, I suspect.

Digital odometer is present from early 90s, only the first 2-3 years of production had the clicker dials.

 

[redbaron]

Dont forget the early 500's are onyl 4 speed auto not the later electronic 5speed

 

[d w124]

Hi Oliver and welcome to the forum.I would look for a facelift car simply because it looks better

 

[BTB 500]

What Doodle said.

Make sure you've driven a 500 before considering a 320. This is a 2 tonne car (near enough), and the 6-cyl engine has to work a lot harder.

Go over any car with a fine toothcomb, and check out the real cost of fixing any issues you spot before agreeing to buy. Preferably get a car where everything works - they are out there!

Specifically re. the car you mentioned, I notice the radio aerial is up in all the pictures ... make sure that works ok. Also check the driver's seat bolster for wear (not shown in the pics.). Check the service history - due every 12 months or 9000 miles. Check the plastic windows in the hood for cracks ... these start at the edges, on the fold line. None of those would be 'deal breakers' but may be negotiating points if you decide you want the car.

Good luck!

 

[ollymawer12]

Hi Thanks for the advice, The wiring loom does worry me. Would you suggest taking any vehicle to a local specialist before purchasing? I'm not a wiz with cars, except for my gut instinct etc.

Was also considering this one - although ideally I would prefer a 500!

 

[IanA2]

Would you suggest taking any vehicle to a local specialist before purchasing?

Definitely. These are wonderful cars, as long as you get the right one. Someone may suggest a local Indy who could give it a look over, if not there's a guy in Preston who I'm sure would do it for you.

 

[Doodle]

Hi Thanks for the advice, The wiring loom does worry me. Would you suggest taking any vehicle to a local specialist before purchasing? I'm not a wiz with cars, except for my gut instinct etc.

Was also considering this one - although ideally I would prefer a 500!

I wouldn't get too worried about the loom, just make sure you factor it in negotiations. It's easy to replace, and easy to spot if it needs doing.