SL500 R129

[Steeve]

Seen this on eBay, says one owner car, maybe a current / ex member?

MERCEDES SL 500 ONE OWNER ( CALL 07956868541 ) | eBay

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Plate is/was V500 HOT according to the seller, in case that helps find the original owner?

 

[E55BOF]

I wonder what an adaptive dumping system is...

 

[Steeve]

I wonder what an adaptive dumping system is...

Lol, maybe a premonition about the amount of cash that may need to be spent fixing the ads if it's an issue!?

However I have read that the ads issues may be exaggerated, but I guess anything hydrolic on a 20+ year old car is likely to be pricey if it breaks?

 

[Swotty]

I wonder what an adaptive dumping system is...

I wondered that.

'Til I reached my 60s.

 

[Steeve]

So I guess this doesn't/didn't belong to a member then?

 

[BTB 500]

Lol, maybe a premonition about the amount of cash that may need to be spent fixing the ads if it's an issue!?

However I have read that the ads issues may be exaggerated, but I guess anything hydrolic on a 20+ year old car is likely to be pricey if it breaks?

R129 ADS is much more reliable than R230 ABC, where struts/valve block/etc. problems are relatively common (despite the cars being younger). My system is coming up for 24 years old now and the only work needed has been replacement of the accumulators "spheres", which was about £900 for all four (fitted, including a system flush and new fluid). Those fail based on age rather than usage as they contain a rubber diaphragm which can eventually split - the suspension then becomes quite hard but it doesn't trigger an error and the car is still drivable. I've never heard of an ADS strut failing but asked a main dealer out of interest and was quoted £700 including labour. An R230 ABC strut was around £1000 for the part alone.

The car in the ad. looks like it's sitting a bit high, but it could just be that someone hit the ride level rocker switch (which is right next to the headlamp knob) by mistake - I've done this myself. The car automatically drops back down above a certain (low) speed so it's easily missed. There are red LEDs on the rocker that light up for stage 1 / stage 2 lift, but they're small and not that obvious.

 

[Steeve]

R129 ADS is much more reliable than R230 ABC, where struts/valve block/etc. problems are relatively common (despite the cars being younger). My system is coming up for 24 years old now and the only work needed has been replacement of the accumulators "spheres", which was about £900 for all four (fitted, including a system flush and new fluid). Those fail based on age rather than usage as they contain a rubber diaphragm which can eventually split - the suspension then becomes quite hard but it doesn't trigger an error and the car is still drivable. I've never heard of an ADS strut failing but asked a main dealer out of interest and was quoted £700 including labour. An R230 ABC strut was around £1000 for the part alone.

The car in the ad. looks like it's sitting a bit high, but it could just be that someone hit the ride level rocker switch (which is right next to the headlamp knob) by mistake - I've done this myself. The car automatically drops back down above a certain (low) speed so it's easily missed. There are red LEDs on the rocker that light up for stage 1 / stage 2 lift, but they're small and not that obvious.

Great info, thank you. Not yet arranged a viewing but will definitely look out for that. I'll get it professionally assessed and ask them specifically to look into this, thanks

 

[BTB 500]

You should definitely check that the ADS works properly i.e. the suspension rises and drops (quite slowly) using the switch, that the 'sport' button works OK, and that there are (of course) no warning lights on the cluster. As mentioned if the spheres have gone the suspension will be hard and the car will feel bouncy over undulations in the road. If all is working properly it should feel really solid & smooth, with flatter cornering & braking in sport mode. Assuming it checks out I would view ADS as a plus rather than a minus - it's a good system (fitted as standard to all SL600s).

Other than that check the hood very carefully - cycle it several times to make sure all works as it should. Check the condition of the plastic windows in the hood, specifically looking for the start of any cracks at the edges (on the fold line). Also raise & lower the rollbar using the switch on the console, and make sure everything electrical works e.g. windows dropping slightly when the doors open, all the electric seat/headrest door mirror functions & memory, etc.

There should be a mesh wind blocker (which attaches to the roll bar) behind the trim panel at the back of the boot (held with 3 straps). Make sure that's present & correct as they often get sold on.

 

[jasmine]

had ads on a 500 and worked as it should much better ride than springs when in sport mode. dont jack the car up with the engine running unless you press the lock button if i remember right or it will pump all of its fluid out !!!! every days a school day