Wanted SL500 R129 project

[Watchcame430]

Hi All,

Considering buying a R129 SL500 project so thought would put feelers out on here.

Looking for something a bit unloved but not rotten. I don't mind spending some money but not looking for a total money pit.

I know they pop up on ebay but cant hurt to see what you guys have stashed away!

Thanks

 

[Ierton]

What's your budget? The £3-4k R129s that are out there need the same again to bring them up to any kind of standard. You may as well buy a decent car in the first place? Obviously if you want a project then it's nice to know everythings been done, but parts aren't cheap and any roof issues could leave you with a headache.

 

[Watchcame430]

I want a project, not to save money but to enjoy bringing it back from the edge.
Budget for car is sub £2k - something like the below:

1991 MERCEDES 500SL-32 AUTO WHITE. ROADSTER CONVERTIBLE WITH HARD AND SOFT TOP.S | eBay

This had a decent history and a new recent soft top plus included a hard top to put into perpective. Yes it might be hiding some horrors, but it was too far away to look at so left it.

There was another 94 plate with 90k miles that sold for £2.4k recently with very light panel damage, so budget not un realistic.

So something similar with a few faults/needing a bit more work would be ideal. South of Birmingham unless it is really cheap! Might travel further for right car or possibly buy without seeing if in Scotland etc (which seems to be the norm when I am looking for a car!)

Not wanting to rebuild engines or cut out floors etc.
Tired interiors, electrical problems, light unrecorded damage, tatty etc would be perfect.

 

[Ierton]

You might get lucky on eBay, however owners could break their car and sell the parts for double that.

Good luck though, will be an interesting story.

 

[mabz]

keep looking mate you will find one.i had 2 sl r129's last year

this facelift sl280 set me back £2650.00 2 owners.fmbsh.pretty much unused soft top.pano roof,all the toys etc.
bargains can be had but you have to be quick.goold luck with the search i am always looking so if i see one ill let you know,there are a few 500's on ebay at the moment i saw one go the other day for 1900.00 but i wouldnt have touched it as i didnt look to hot?

 

[Watchcame430]

You might get lucky on eBay, however owners could break their car and sell the parts for double that.

Good luck though, will be an interesting story.

True, but I am sure a great deal wouldnt bother breaking them. Especially if they dont have the space or time.
I had a car in bits on my drive and the neighbours started legal action.
I'll find one - seem to come up every couple/three weeks or so.

Will start a project thread on here when I do. Late Feb is better time to start the project anyway as have some time off.

 

[Watchcame430]

keep looking mate you will find one.i had 2 sl r129's last year

this facelift sl280 set me back £2650.00 2 owners.fmbsh.pretty much unused soft top.pano roof,all the toys etc.
bargains can be had but you have to be quick.goold luck with the search i am always looking so if i see one ill let you know,there are a few 500's on ebay at the moment i saw one go the other day for 1900.00 but i wouldnt have touched it as i didnt look to hot?

That is lovely! nice buy at £2650 - very nice! Do you have both still?

I have only just started looking. It's early days and agree will have to be ready to pounce! Thanks for the second set of eyes, would be very helpful.
I think ebay most likely place to find something suitable, but checking out Autotrader and a few other places too daily, sometimes hourly!
Was the £1900 one you saw the same as my link?
If it was - I know it had problems, but I quite liked the white. With the new roof I thought it was an ok buy, but of course it could have had lots of hidden horrors.I almost bid on it, but timing not quite right in addition to it being a bit of a trek. I will need to work on it outside, I am doing a few bits to mine at the moment and better weather only a few weeks away.
Would love an unusual colour too, but cant be too fussy!

 

[mabz]

cheers mate they are both sold but i was on the hunt for another funnily enough a white pre facelift aswell but an sl300-24 instead of a 500.that was the one in your link i was referring too i checked the link after i posted,i was going to have a look as it was about 10mins away but couldnt be bothered as i knew i didnt want a 500.
i found both of mine on autotrader but i always search the usual places.i spent around 15-20 hours on the sl280 to get it looking like that,it was a gorgeous car.
theres a black one on ebay at the mintue that looks ok
1990 MERCEDES 500 SL AUTO BLACK | eBay

 

[Watchcame430]

cheers mate they are both sold but i was on the hunt for another funnily enough a white pre facelift aswell but an sl300-24 instead of a 500.that was the one in your link i was referring too i checked the link after i posted,i was going to have a look as it was about 10mins away but couldnt be bothered as i knew i didnt want a 500.
i found both of mine on autotrader but i always search the usual places.i spent around 15-20 hours on the sl280 to get it looking like that,it was a gorgeous car.
theres a black one on ebay at the mintue that looks ok
1990 MERCEDES 500 SL AUTO BLACK | eBay

I am keeping an eye on that one. It does look ok.
Not sure whats going on with the wheels?
Was going to see where the bidding went before contacting the guy.
If it stays cheap I might have a punt.

You did a great job on the 280 - the interior looks stunning!

 

[mabz]

cheers mate i love a clean ride!!!
the one in the link i cant see it going much higher trust me i have been watching daily for the past year i would say thats 2200-2500 max,the wheels are period azevs(c's i think) but are not a nice wheel although i have seen worse.azev a's are the ultimate azevs for me.tbh you could sell these on for a few hundred which will buy you some standard 8 holes if you want it stock.

 

[Watchcame430]

cheers mate i love a clean ride!!!
the one in the link i cant see it going much higher trust me i have been watching daily for the past year i would say thats 2200-2500 max,the wheels are period azevs(c's i think) but are not a nice wheel although i have seen worse.azev a's are the ultimate azevs for me.tbh you could sell these on for a few hundred which will buy you some standard 8 holes if you want it stock.

I am thinking the same - I would want shot of the wheels if I bought it and go back to standard.
They might need refurbing anyway - I dropped the guy an email for some more info. Would like to find out about the bodykit etc
There are a couple of met green ones floating around at the moment that float my boat too. Bit more money, but might stretch myself if I save in other ways.

 

[mabz]

the bodykit is amg and worth big money,the bodkit is hot i love it,sit it on some period amg's and it will be one hell of a car...

 

[Watchcame430]

the bodykit is amg and worth big money,the bodkit is hot i love it,sit it on some period amg's and it will be one hell of a car...

Shhhhh ... People will see!

It is a great idea though - I do like the kit. Not sure its a factory fit as it would have had an exhaust too?
I am not an expert though, so will bow to others superior knowledge on that.
I just have a few pics of the AMG kit showing passenger side exhaust exit cut into the lower valance.

 

[mabz]

apparently parts like wheels and exhausts were all options so they could not have been ticked at the dealers but the most likely reason is that the wheels would have been the very collectable 17" o.z amg period 3-piece splits so were most likely sold on by a previous owner and the exhaust is a consumable item so most likely got replaced with a cheapie!!who knows.
if it still had the splits on i would have been on it like a rash.still a nice ride but needs the wheels to go with the bodykit for defo.

 

[Watchcame430]

Unless there is an issue with the datacard it didnt leave the factory with the bodykit.
Will see what it climbs to and make a call later in the week.
I fear Amg splits and tyres might cost almost as much as the car?

 

[mabz]

yes mate they are rare and expensive to buy,infact i bought one sl with them on just for the wheels,i took the wheels off and sold the car with standard wheels on.after i got fed up cleaning them i sold them on for nearly 1500 schmackers!!still they are the dogs on the r129.
make sure to report back and let us know how you get on

 

[Watchcame430]

Not surprised on the wheels, they are very nice!
Will do on the reporting back. Will be tapping in to the knowledge on here when I get my hands on one.

 

[mabz]

I'm sure I recognise your username are you on e36coupe.com??

 

[Watchcame430]

I'm sure I recognise your username are you on e36coupe.com??

Yep, tis me - had a couple of 328 convertibles in 2011/12
BMWless at the moment though...

 

[mabz]

Yep, tis me - had a couple of 328 convertibles in 2011/12
BMWless at the moment though...

had my fair share of e30/e36 in the past i love them

lovely motors