SL/R129: New member looking for advise
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 25
Likes: 2
From: Minot, Me.
00 SL-500SOLD,05SL600 SOLD 09 SL550 Silver Arrow
New member looking for advise
In the next couple of months I will be buying a 129, My budget for this will be30grand. Does anyone have any idea of what I should look for and also what I should stay away from?? I would REALLY like to have a SL600, maybe a 97-99 What do you all think? Thanks for your help. Paul 
Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 196
Likes: 6
From: Byblos,Lebanon
SL 55 , Infinity FX37, Aprilia Caponord Rally
Hi Paul,with your budget,and I gather you're in the states,you can go for a late 99-01 car...
Of course,the 600 or SL60 AMG are wonderfull cars if you get good ones..
But this young,they must be good and not have led a hard life..
or there is the rare SL55 AMG but I think they would be extremely rare in the US and probably nearer to $40000.
Whatever you get,have it thouroughly checked ,for chassis damage as well,
and most importantly that the roof works properly...
Of course,the 600 or SL60 AMG are wonderfull cars if you get good ones..
But this young,they must be good and not have led a hard life..
or there is the rare SL55 AMG but I think they would be extremely rare in the US and probably nearer to $40000.
Whatever you get,have it thouroughly checked ,for chassis damage as well,
and most importantly that the roof works properly...
Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
'87 W124, '95 R129, '04 G35
You can get a real nice late model SL for $30K. I would look for MY 97 or 98 with pano roof. The 600 is nice, but do bear in mind the up keep may be costly especially if you plan on keeping the car long.
Full service history for this car is a must. Check out the roof and make sure no oil stain at the A pillar and in the trunk, an indication of failing roof mechanism. Take the car through a car wash and check for water leak, both soft and hard tops. Put the hard top on and off a few times to make sure the mechanism works properly.
I am sure there are plenty of things to look for, just be patient and find the right car. Mileage should not be a concerned as long as the PO took good car of the car. Good luck hunting!!!
Full service history for this car is a must. Check out the roof and make sure no oil stain at the A pillar and in the trunk, an indication of failing roof mechanism. Take the car through a car wash and check for water leak, both soft and hard tops. Put the hard top on and off a few times to make sure the mechanism works properly.
I am sure there are plenty of things to look for, just be patient and find the right car. Mileage should not be a concerned as long as the PO took good car of the car. Good luck hunting!!!
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: US-Philadelphia
SL600
Definately try to get a MB certified pre owned from a dealership. You'll pay a little more, than you would from a private seller, but it is well worth the peace of mind. And purchasing from a MB dealer will lessen your risk of exposure to bad surprises.
You have a great car in mind, you will not regret your purchase!!!
You have a great car in mind, you will not regret your purchase!!!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 75
From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 25
Likes: 2
From: Minot, Me.
00 SL-500SOLD,05SL600 SOLD 09 SL550 Silver Arrow
Thanks so much for the advise, Someone said that rear main oil seal leaks are common in the sl600? Is the difference in the two SL's a large one?? These cars are VERY RARE in my part of the country,and so I will plan to travel to make the purchase.I have been checking on e-bay and it looks like they are all over Florida,Texas,and Arizona.Anybody have any other places to look. 
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
I picked up my 97 SL600 for $19,995 with 68k on it for point of reference. It did need some minor things repaired like interior bulbs and soft top windows. I'm a do it yourselfer and this is a spare car for me so that was OK. If you're looking for a daily driver than a 500 or 320 would be a better bet. There is one problem with the suspension that I had to take to a dealer to diagnose. It needs the front air cells replaced and the hydrolics bled. The dealer quoted me $1700 bucks to do it, but they charge more than double what germanstar.com does for parts and $125/hr. I think that buying this type of car on Ebay can be dangerous, since even minor repairs can be expensive and pictures decieving. Good Luck!
Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, Ga.- Sarasota, Fl.
Mercedes: 1998 SL500, 1997 S500, 1998 SLK230 K
If you buy on e-bay it is worth the money to have a third party pull a complete thorough inspection. There are a lot of firms rendering this service. Dont trust pictures and fancy sales pitch. You can get burned.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
From: So. Cal.
SL500 2001 Formula 1 Edition;
Try this link for advice on buying an R129
Hi,
Try this link for advice on buying an R129:
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-r129/122618-r129-buying-advise.html
Also, from what I understand, the SL600 is a lot more maintance costs than the SL500, and not all that much faster. Probably with a chip and exhausts, you could get close to the same performance on an SL500.
I highly recommend these options if you can find them on a used car:
Sport Suspension; Designo; Bose w/CD changer in trunk; Vented seats; Wheels you already like (because they will cost you a fortune to change).
I understand that there are a very few manual transmissions out there. I think I would like that; the low-end torque with the auto seems a little bit weak sometimes (but maybe that is just in comparision to the mid and upper range torque).
Also, if you are buying from a 2nd owner or car lot, you may get lucky like I did and find out that the car is still under a Starmark warranty, but the seller doesn't know. Just call the dealer with the VIN and they can tell you.
Finally, do not dismiss what appear to be small problems. They can cost you BIG. For example, $900 for a power rearview mirror (pre 1997). $600 for an antenna. $150 for the trunk floor carpet (just that one piece on the floor). $200 for a xenon headlamp.
Get the picture?
If so . . . get ready to fall in love. They are such great cars.
Try this link for advice on buying an R129:
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-r129/122618-r129-buying-advise.html
Also, from what I understand, the SL600 is a lot more maintance costs than the SL500, and not all that much faster. Probably with a chip and exhausts, you could get close to the same performance on an SL500.
I highly recommend these options if you can find them on a used car:
Sport Suspension; Designo; Bose w/CD changer in trunk; Vented seats; Wheels you already like (because they will cost you a fortune to change).
I understand that there are a very few manual transmissions out there. I think I would like that; the low-end torque with the auto seems a little bit weak sometimes (but maybe that is just in comparision to the mid and upper range torque).
Also, if you are buying from a 2nd owner or car lot, you may get lucky like I did and find out that the car is still under a Starmark warranty, but the seller doesn't know. Just call the dealer with the VIN and they can tell you.
Finally, do not dismiss what appear to be small problems. They can cost you BIG. For example, $900 for a power rearview mirror (pre 1997). $600 for an antenna. $150 for the trunk floor carpet (just that one piece on the floor). $200 for a xenon headlamp.
Get the picture?
If so . . . get ready to fall in love. They are such great cars.
Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 89
Likes: 1
From: UK - south east
'93 SL500
Just one minor point - for those worried about replacing their antenna (if it's stuck or getting stuck) you can simply replace the metal retractable section, not the whole assembly.
Cost me 20GBP :-)
Lea
Cost me 20GBP :-)
Lea
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Manchester, UK
500 SL R129, Blue - 1991. Mini Cooper S, Works Kit Silver - 2007. Mitsubishi FTO, Silver - 1996.
Originally Posted by LeaUK
Just one minor point - for those worried about replacing their antenna (if it's stuck or getting stuck) you can simply replace the metal retractable section, not the whole assembly.
Cost me 20GBP :-)
Lea
Cost me 20GBP :-)
Lea
Cheers
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 290
Likes: 3
bah, the sl600 maintaince myth is pish posh. Sl600 I drive is dealer-maintaince-free since the day I got it. On it's way to 120k on the clock and still running strong. So far the only real "maintaince" done was the routine oil changes and having the tranny flushed. And most of the time I change the oil myself. Isn't hard and plus I find that most non-mercedes dealership places have a hard time figuring out how to change the oil. I use OEM filter and Mobil 1 synthetic oil.
Oh and don't think I baby this car, in my opinion, the car has 12 cylinders for a reason, to use them, and boy do I use them.
Oh and the SL600 is a WHOLE lot FASTER than the SL500, I know first hand. My mom drives a SL500 and that thing has more problems than the 600. Just food for thought, tracked the 600 at 13.6 in the quarter mile, and that was with an "easy" launch, no flooring it off the line cause I wouldn't catch traction.
Oh and don't think I baby this car, in my opinion, the car has 12 cylinders for a reason, to use them, and boy do I use them.
Oh and the SL600 is a WHOLE lot FASTER than the SL500, I know first hand. My mom drives a SL500 and that thing has more problems than the 600. Just food for thought, tracked the 600 at 13.6 in the quarter mile, and that was with an "easy" launch, no flooring it off the line cause I wouldn't catch traction.
Last edited by agentMurdoc; Dec 8, 2005 at 05:38 AM.
Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 196
Likes: 6
From: Byblos,Lebanon
SL 55 , Infinity FX37, Aprilia Caponord Rally
The moral of the story is:people who use their car properly and regularly have no problems and the others who molly cuddle them and use them
once a month will have problems....
Use your SL and let it breathe...
Don't be afraid to floor it....
I red line mine at least once a week[ 7000 rpm....300SL24V]...The car never misses a beat and everything works in it,because everything gets used all the time....
SL's are not made to sit in a garage doing nothing...No car is for that matter...
once a month will have problems....
Use your SL and let it breathe...
Don't be afraid to floor it....
I red line mine at least once a week[ 7000 rpm....300SL24V]...The car never misses a beat and everything works in it,because everything gets used all the time....
SL's are not made to sit in a garage doing nothing...No car is for that matter...
