SL500 R129's ???

[Jump]

Hi all

Hope no one minds me asking this, I do know its a bit like asking how long is a piece of string but I just want to see what others on here say as I feel like I'm not understanding whats going on with R129 prices?

I've been slowly looking to buy a SL500 R129 and taking my time just as a way to educate myself with these cars after reading lots of advice from the forum..

I have seen many advertised and get a bit confused regarding price. At the moment there are 2 vehicles I like the look of, except one's not really the colour I would prefer.

They seem pretty well matched visually, same full MB history, look about the same condition, same recent MOT both with no advisories.

The difrenceces are colour, one's a 94 and the others a 96. The 96 has done about 90000 miles with 5 owners and the 94 has done about 110000 miles so more miles but is 2 grand more exspensive and not stating how many owners.

The one I would really like to view and only due to its colour at the moment is the most exspensive one out of the two.

I'm not getting why one would be that much more in what seems like simular condition cars.

What am I missing here????

Many Thanks once again for any help offered.

 

[219]

Every seller has their own ideas about value ; some are in no hurry to sell and will hold out for a high price ; others are keen to sell quickly , will price lower and may haggle .

Once you see the car and speak to the vendor you will get a feeling one way or the other .

 

[MD5]

When comparing like for like cars, apart from all the obvious visuals and feel of the car, service history is your friend. One may have had a a recent four figure garage bill (such as mine!), and the other may need four figures spent immediately. Also, trade v private?

With the two cars you mention, they are not like for like, however. The 96 car will have electronic ignition, sparing you all the repetitive niggles that come with damp and twin distributor caps of the older car, and it will also have a 5 speed box, along with a facelift, both inside and out.

 

[Vlad]

Prices on 129's are all over the place....some early 90's 500's are as much as 96/97 500's

It all comes down to History, Condition, No of Owners, Colour and Options. If it were me I would be quite happy buying an early 90's 500 if the condition was what I was looking for, even if I could get a later example for the same money.

Taking the previous generation SL, the 107, prices are ramping up on an almost monthly basis, but its only the ones with good bodywork, good history, sensible mileage and good colour combinations that are in demand. The weird colour schemed 107's with skimpy history, mega owners will continue to be passed over or only sold at knock down prices.....the same will apply to 129's in the coming years.

Go for the best 500 you can find and don't get too hung up on age/plate

 

[BTB 500]

Yup I think values for 'good' cars (as defined by Vlad) have bottomed out and are slowly creeping up now, while the others are still falling. Of course there's a slight premium on drop-tops in the summer anyway. You do have to take into account that you only ever see the asking price in adverts ... not what they actually sell for.

As MD5 suggested my preference would be for a '96 facelift car because of the ignition changes. Although I've not owned one my perception is that build quality dropped slightly from the '99 facelift (when paint processes had changed, for one thing), but late cars did have more kit fitted as standard.

 

[219]

When comparing like for like cars, apart from all the obvious visuals and feel of the car, service history is your friend. One may have had a a recent four figure garage bill (such as mine!), and the other may need four figures spent immediately. Also, trade v private?

With the two cars you mention, they are not like for like, however. The 96 car will have electronic ignition, sparing you all the repetitive niggles that come with damp and twin distributor caps of the older car, and it will also have a 5 speed box, along with a facelift, both inside and out.

My 1993 car has the 5 speed box .

 

[BTB 500]

Yup the 5 speed was an option for a while before it became standard across the range in the '96 facelift.

 

[Doodle]

My 1993 car has the 5 speed box .

It was available on the 6cyl. All pre-facelift V8s were 4spd.

The matter of distributors really comes down to just not being hands-off maintenance free like the later coilpacks. You learn when they feel in need of some TLC, and the scenarios that would lead to it. Things like ensuring the insulators are a good snug fit, the seals and mating surfaces are clean and dry etc etc. It's not a difficult chore, I generally spend about 15 mins giving them a spruce up every 2-3 months over winter, less frequent over summer

 

[BTB 500]

I would be quite happy buying an early 90's 500

Always assuming the loom has been changed of course

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/engine/193447-r129-m119-engine-wiring.html

 

[Jump]

Sorry for the late thanks on this matter.

I'm still looking for a R129, no rush.

The ones I've seen online that I liked the look of were hundreds of miles away and not tempted to travel so far. Still a bit confused over the price differences I'm seeing.

I've also got it into my head I want a SL with the ADS suspension if possible. I know some might say its too troublesome but I remember being told that about the Vito's with the air suspension but I loved it on my old 638 V Class. I wish I could have it fitted to my 639 Vito, carriage office wont let me.

What are people thoughts on ADS suspension, I know expensive when it goes wrong?

Many Thanks again

 

[BTB 500]

ADS is pretty reliable ... much better than later types of M-B suspension where strut/valve/pump failure is commonplace.

My car is 18 years old now and the only work needed on the ADS system has been replacement of the accumulators ("spheres") a couple of years back. These are effectively consumables, like shock absorbers with conventional suspension. Total bill came to just over £900 .. hopefully they'll now last another 16 years

A single strut for an R230 SL (or CL etc.) will cost over £1k for the part alone, and they go all the time.

Obviously if you view an R129 with ADS make sure it all works properly and the car drives well. ADS was standard on the SL600 btw.

 

[V12]

A single strut for an R230 SL (or CL etc.) ..., and they go all the time.

Someone's been leading you down the garden path...

Not saying ABC is as reliable but the struts are generally pretty good. The valve blocks do need seals doing from time to time. MB diagnosis = ££££s. DIY or indi is a different story.

 

[BTB 500]

I freely admit I'm only going by what I read here. If you search for 'ABC strut' that does bring back 118 different threads though!

 

[Jump]

Hi

I'm putting this out there just to see what you guys say. I can view 3 SL500's if I choose but feel I'm in a dilemma.

1st
1991 SL500 with full MB and independent service history, 90000 miles, same owner for 5 years. MOT to 2016 with no advisories. Everything working as it should, (soft top ok) ADS all working with no issues (I want ADS). Re-sprayed but looks the nuts. Stainless exhaust, new tyres, ignition renewed. Spoke with the owner and he seems really nice over the phone. I really like this but the price £6500

2nd
1992 SL500 Full Service history 95,000 miles, soft top - hard top all ok - Current MOT with offer of new MOT when purchased no advisories. Looks well looked after inside and out. 4 owners - £5000 ish.

3rd
1990 SL500 90000 miles. 1 previous owner, present owner from 2004. Full MB service history to 50000 miles then merc specialist after to present mileage. New tyres, waiting hear about MOT? No Catalyst. £4750

Does the 1st one warrant the asking price, is that possible to answer, I ask because of its age?

Are there any problems going for cars from these years. How much of an issue if any is buying a car that's had a good re-spray in its life.

Also I've seen some SL's advertised as Roadsters, what does that mean and are all R129's 2+2 as some I've seen look like they don't seem to have the rear seats. Is this something that can be added to SL's that don't have the rear seats?

If all of these cars are good cars is there such a thing as a better one from the 3???

I look forward to hear what you all say on this.

Thanks

 

[martyz]

I too have been looking at/researching the R129 .In my mind I want a
late facelift I have read a recent post by Ollie (BlackC55) his word on all things
Mercedes can be relied upon.I have copied part of an advert f or a .SL500 he is
selling and quote; The 500 SL R129 was at its best for the years 1996, 1997 and 1998, as these were the only years to have both the quad-cam V8 engine and a 5-speed transmission. They are the best SL500s ever made and are real Mercedes cars in their best tradition of quality manufacturing.So in my search I will be looking at cars in that
period.

 

[rorf]

On your side of the pond the first thing I would look at is signs of rust!

Then colour for you is important?

The 3rd one looks good with the last owner of 11 years - that says something. 90000 miles not even run in and the early ones do not have the dreaded wiring harness problems.

 

[BTB 500]

Also I've seen some SL's advertised as Roadsters, what does that mean and are all R129's 2+2 as some I've seen look like they don't seem to have the rear seats. Is this something that can be added to SL's that don't have the rear seats?

Roadster means nothing, all R129s were 2-door convertibles with a removable hard top.

Rear seats were optional on some models/years. E.g. for the 1997 model year (my car) they were only standard on the 500, 600, and SL60 - they were a cost option on the 280 and 320. You also lost the rear seats with the optional Bose sound system.

Not sure about retro-fitting rear seats and lap belts, the first thing would obviously be to get hold of a set in the right colour and good condition. I think you got storage boxes if rear seats weren't fitted, but I imagine it would be a fairly straightforward swap. Of course you'd have to notify your insurance and the DVLA.