Which R129 model?

[RKC-benz]

Bump - I'm hoping to get a few final words of help/support before branching out into a new Merc model...

 

[DSB SL AMG]

A few years ago whilst still half asleep in my dark garage...I wired up the R129 battery after winter hibernation opposite way around...big spark woke me up...and my heart sank as I knew potential major damage...

After correctly bolting up the terminals...car started first time with every dash warning light on...took to my local indie cap in hand....turns out I was very lucky as the fuses did their job and protected me, fuses all replaced only, car fine...would not recommend tho as it could have cost ££££

I've jump started thousands of MBs by pack and by other vehicles and many R129s at that. Never had a fried module.

When a battery is removed or fitted it creates similar voltage spikes to junp starting and although some old timers will tell you to put your headlights on whilst changing the battery to smooth the voltage peaks, MB do not recommend this procedure at all.

 

[RKC-benz]

Ouch

 

[JASCHEEMAKS560]

R129
Best SL to date so far I have owned a few of these cars!
SL 7.3 V12& SL 600 SL500 by far the best of the best!
There is a SL600 1995 Onxy Grey 44,000 miles for sale at Bramley Cars!
Check it out good luck!

 

[RKC-benz]

R129 Best SL to date so far I have owned a few of these cars! SL 7.3 V12& SL 600 SL500 by far the best of the best! There is a SL600 1995 Onxy Grey 44,000 miles for sale at Bramley Cars! Check it out good luck!

Thanks - I'm glad to see someone supporting this generation of the SL ... I think a V12 at £25k doesn't really fit my bill: it's a bit rich. At the top of the thread you'll see I'm after a car that will end up living outside for a while. Can't be too precious about having a super rare or expensive model.

 

[IanA2]

Thanks - I'm glad to see someone supporting this generation of the SL ... I think a V12 at £25k doesn't really fit my bill: it's a bit rich. At the top of the thread you'll see I'm after a car that will end up living outside for a while. Can't be too precious about having a super rare or expensive model.

This one:

Mercedes-Benz SL600 | Surrey Near London Hampshire Sussex | Bramley

Way overpriced. Interesting signs of seat wear given the stated mileage.

Notwithstanding, if correct 44K miles in twenty years is ridiculously low for the car. These are cars better driven than languishing in the garage.

 

[RKC-benz]

This one: Mercedes-Benz SL600 | Surrey Near London Hampshire Sussex | Bramley Way overpriced. Interesting signs of seat wear given the stated mileage. Notwithstanding, if correct 44K miles in twenty years is ridiculously low for the car. These are cars better driven than languishing in the garage.

I saw this one after the previous poster mentioned it. It's way too much money and seems overpriced anyway as you say. No - it's still not the one for me.

If you look further up the thread you'll see I'm after a different thing.

 

[IanA2]

I saw this one after the previous poster mentioned it. It's way too much money and seems overpriced anyway as you say. No - it's still not the one for me.

If you look further up the thread you'll see I'm after a different thing.

I wasn't suggesting it for you, I don't like the V12's, I was just posting the link to the one mentioned.

 

[RKC-benz]

I wasn't suggesting it for you, I don't like the V12's, I was just posting the link to the one mentioned.

Thanks - understood. I'm quite excited about looking at one of these now.

 

[IanA2]

Thanks - understood. I'm quite excited about looking at one of these now.

Have you one in mind?

 

[RKC-benz]

^^^ see the earlier post... I do have one in mind to see after the weekend...

Thanks all for your input. I have made some plans to see one early next week... I have learnt the following from this thread: - You want the 500 really. You don't want the 280 at all. I am settling on a 320 as 500 is offered at close to double the money. - You don't want to surprise the car electrics with big surges. - You check the roof works. And all the other bits. - You are better off with certain years of the car. - Panoramic roof is only so desired... But I want one. - You want super service history. I am going to see a reasonably specced SL 320 from late 1999 with just a few over 100k miles. Good service history and pan roof. What sort of price do people imagine for this? Car and seller seem totally honest.

 

[mabz]

What's your ideal budget

 

[IanA2]

^^^ see the earlier post... I do have one in mind to see after the weekend...

OK...caught up now!

I'm surprised at the 320 costing so much less than the 500. I had thought that the 320's were holding their prices relative to the 500 as they were in greater demand due to the mistaken belief that the do gazzillions more to the gallon.

In other words, although they were originally significantly cheaper cars, that price-wise were pretty much keeping up their 500 counterparts.

Still I guess it all depends on age/condition/mileage.

500 is deffo the best

 

[BTB 500]

Yup I have to say I thought values were similar, but less 500s around.

Of course price varies a LOT based on mileage/condition/history etc. anyway.

 

[RKC-benz]

Thanks for replies.

Yes it seems similar age/condition/ mileage 500s are often nearly double the price of 320s. And they are rarer. Plus we all know they're a bit more desirable so it's reflected in pricing ... All in all the 320 is suddenly getting to be the value R129; it's built right, looks the same but cheaper to nab now at the bottom of the market. Special editions also seem to bump upwards significantly in price too.

I know the 500 will go better and sound better but I'm buying another car for lazy days and grand touring days/weeks. I'm not really that bothered by the performance difference.

I think £5k on a well chosen late V6 SL320 is going to make my day!

 

[IanA2]

Can I just check.

1. Have you ruled out the straight six?

2. Have you had an opportunity to drive both the 320 and the 500?

 

[SLMILLEMIGLIA]

I'd go for a '95 or earlier 500, with full service history, mileage not an issue but no accident damage!! I've recently sold my SL320 we ran for 19 years and would opt for the V8 for a change.

 

[RKC-benz]

Can I just check. 1. Have you ruled out the straight six? 2. Have you had an opportunity to drive both the 320 and the 500?

Going to drive 320 tomorrow... If I like it I buy one. I don't fancy paying proportionally so much more for the 500 at this point. Once I have a garage sorted I may chop it in for a mint low mileage V8 500.

All the cheaper 500s have looked a bit too tired for me.

Thanks.

 

[RKC-benz]

Can I just check. 1. Have you ruled out the straight six? 2. Have you had an opportunity to drive both the 320 and the 500?

I already have an E280 S124 straight six. Fancy something different...

 

[mabz]

http://ebay.to/1ruC5aK
I would seriously take a punt on this one mate has the pano,good miles and genuine Amg splits which retail secondhand for about 1 grand in this condition alone.
Cheers