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I was perusing the local ads, as I do far too often, and came across a listing that caught my eye: a 1999 SL500, Amber red, Florida car with xenons and a pano roof. It had some issues (couldn't be driven due to a supposedly stuck caliper which was removed) and had sat for two years.
Anyways, I bought it on the spot.
I wasn't intending on buying another car this year (my S211 E55 project is taking most of my time and money) but here we are. Lots of broken or missing trim, a leak from the top-left windshield cylinder, dead brakes and a few other small things. It runs well, the top moves up and down, and it looks pretty decent from afar.
First order of business is to change the front brakes, and then I need to figure out why the right rear wheel has a lot of toe-out.
Last edited by tantumaude; 09-16-2024 at 08:56 PM.
My son has a large Ebay store “thebenzgarage” . He has parts from over 60 R129’s and is a walking talking expert on the chassis. He is a one man show and very busy but I do advertise for him on some forums.
Let us know if you need anything thanks Bill
I replaced the front brake rotors and pads--turns out the stuck caliper was just fine. However, I appear to have sprung a massive fluid leak out of the drain pipe just behind the front left wheel. I'm thinking failed hydraulic cylinder for the roof, but it's really a lot of fluid (about one drop every 2 seconds). Annoying.
It's gonna cost you a lot of money to bring it up to spec, not gonna lie to you.
But once you do it'll be fine. These are pretty reliable cars. They're not Lexuses but they are built to run forever.
It seems that it's mostly the silly little trim bits that are expensive. The mechanical stuff is actually reatively cheap.
This weekend I tightened up the front bearings which had play, and did a thorough check. I've ordered the necessary brake lines, VC gaskets, top locking cylinders, bushings and so on. I'd quite like to find some AMG style 1 or 2 wheels for it as it also needs new tires, but all the local listings are for E/S class ones...
It seems that it's mostly the silly little trim bits that are expensive. The mechanical stuff is actually reatively cheap..
What are you referring to? And yeah, the M113 drivetrain is an absolute tank. And I agree, inexpensive to maintain. Sensors and piddly VCGs leaks are about all you'll ever deal with.
Originally Posted by tantumaude;9037249/
This weekend I tightened up the front bearings which had play, and did a thorough check. I've ordered the necessary brake lines, VC gaskets, top locking cylinders, bushings and so on. I'd quite like to find some AMG style 1 or 2 wheels for it as it also needs new tires, but all the local listings are for E/S class ones...
Good luck with everything! When these are running as intended they are just a hoot. I've not had one serious problem with mine. "Fun" doesn't even begin to describe the way mine drives.
What are you referring to? And yeah, the M113 drivetrain is an absolute tank. And I agree, inexpensive to maintain. Sensors and piddly VCGs leaks are about all you'll ever deal with.
I'm missing a number of small trim pieces for the interior: visor hinge frames, mirror cover, centre console button, corner piece at the top of the door cards, a couple of pieces around the trunk hinges, jack point covers, a few pieces for the hardtop, the two pieces that go around the rear roof anchor points, tow hook cover, among others...none are really necessary, but they'd make the car feel more complete. Sadly, it's next to impossible to find any used ones, and new from online shops is over 2k$ total for all that!
Good luck with everything! When these are running as intended they are just a hoot. I've not had one serious problem with mine. "Fun" doesn't even begin to describe the way mine drives.
Thanks! I really can't wait to be able to properly drive it, but I'm starting to think it won't be before the spring.
I had to replace the two lock cylinders at the top of the windshield. Nice and easy job, but I'm a bit worried; the PO said he had all cylinders replaced two years ago, it seems odd for one to leak so badly so soon.
I also tried to repair the inop antenna, but it seems there's a bigger problem there. It works fine when 12v is applied directly, but it seems it's not getting the proper signal/feed from the radio. I'll do some more digging at some point, in the meantime I replaced the tired trunk shocks.
I'm waiting for some more parts to arrive, but I'll tackle the valve cover gaskets and main belt today.
I also picked up some E55 monoblocks. They're off to refinishing!
Last edited by tantumaude; 10-01-2024 at 09:43 AM.
where did you get the new cylinders ? did you rebuild them ? there are some really cheap cylinders kits out there and some people don’t maintain the oil either.
where did you get the new cylinders ? did you rebuild them ? there are some really cheap cylinders kits out there and some people don’t maintain the oil either.
Top Hydraulics in Oregon, who, as I understand, are the only place worth dealing with for this!
Top hydraulics are very knowledgeable but there are better seals available IMO. Some directly from Germany make a very long lasting seal… I have rebuilt quite a few of them with zero complaints
Hey, i happened to have a similar story to my 99 and mine is silver and picked up form Jacksonville, FL, and also be sitted. top doesn't work, ac need recharge and rear caliper seized not to mention lots of broken stuff
I've neglected to post here for a little while.
I tried to get the car aligned, but unfortunately ran into an issue with the right rear. Where previously there was a lot of toe-out on it (corrected with new toe arms), I now have excess positive camber (2.7 degrees). I can't tell if the issue is with the lower carrier arm or the subframe yet, I'm hoping for the former. I suspect the car was damaged at some point there, as there is a new shock and spring on that corner. I need to get it up on a lift to get some measurements.
I did find some W210/R129 spec monoblocks which are currently getting refinished. I'm really looking forward to mounting those in the spring! I'm thinking the car will look good with a slight lowering as well. So many things on the list!
09-16-2024 | 08:54 PM
