mebeJOE

Okay, well . . .

I just bought a 2001 SL 500 w/41,200 miles on the odometer. I love it. Silver with a black/white/silver "Designo" interior. I love this car after only 3 days. And that's just when it is parked in the gargage. This is a pure weekend car for me. But I can't sleep at night thinking about it out there. I hate leaving it home alone during the day.

I've been reading many of your posts, and you all seem to be a great group, so I joined up.

Maybe you vets can have a bit of patience with a Newbie, and answer some (maybe dumb)questions:

What does the "designo" signify?

I was told when I bought it that it was a "sport" package. It has AMG wheels with 35 series tires in the rear (40 series in the front). And some slightly different body work than most, and an "SL" badge on the doors.

Were the 35 series tires OEM?

What exactly is the sport package?

Is there an place on the internet where I can save a couple of bucks on these items:

Wind screen; Owner's manual; Rear Window (which is still okay, but it doesn't look cherry like the rest of the car)?

I am not getting the envious looks I desire. Is this because I am in car-spoiled So. Cal.?

Thanks for any input you can offer.

hotel_calif

Congratulations! I'm sure you will enjoy your car as much as I do mine.

Designo refers to "options which make your car an individual work of art" (e.g. exclusive colors, unique wood). More info here.

Yes. More info here.

MB describes it as:
Package SL1 The SL-Class Sport Package 8.5Jx18 front and 9.5Jx18 rear AMG monoblock thin-spoke alloy wheels.1 245/40ZR18 front and 275/35ZR18 rear performance tires.1,2 AMG-designed aerodynamically sculpted lower bodywork, including front apron with mesh air intake, sideskirts and rear apron. $4,995

Enjoy your new SL!

mebeJOE

Thanks, Hotel Calif! Anymore info from others would be greatly appreciated.

StephenK

Post some pics of your new ride!

Let's see that baby....

ChrisB

Congratulations. Please post your age on the "How old are the R129 Owners" thread.

If you love the car when parked in the garage ... wait till you have driven it under various conditions for a few months! It is truely a great car that takes a while to get to know!

The soft top plastic windows need maintenance. The pervious owners probably did nothing to keep them in good condition. Try cleaning and polishing the plastic inside and out first. My post on exactly the same topic:

https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-r129/52326-rear-plastic-window-cleaner.html

I find that the R129 is not a real head turner. The new styles are a bit more flashy. However I think the R129 is becoming a classic in it's own way with it's "hewen from solid rock feel", inherent M-B quality and unique styling. A few people from time to time stare ... or give thumbs up or verball ackowledgment.

Ask another R129 owner how they like their car. Most like you love them alot.

AMGfan

Congrats on the new weekend car and welcome to the board...

mebeJOE

Someone asked photos of my new love. Here they are:

agentMurdoc

when I read your first post, I thought silver arrow. And after seeing the pics I still think you have a silver arrow.

I don't understand why they replaced the 6 spoke Silver arrow rims with the thin spokes

Car looks really good though.

agentMurdoc

oh and silver arrows aren't exactly a normal sl either. Limited y0! Nice find, I'm jealous :p

AMGfan

Man...never leave the top up. Your SL looks beautiful with the top down.

mebeJOE

Thank you! Well, I was looking at a Silver Arrow, it was a 2002. But they wanted something like $55,000, with similar miles.

Mine was cleaner, and about $20k less. This really was a find.

To all: Thanks for all the compliments and kind words.