SL/R129: 2nd Edition - How Old are the R129 Owners?
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Age 60 - 1997 Silver SL500, 68,000 miles. I previously owned air-cooled Porsches as summer drivers but my wife didn't like to ride in them - too spartan and too raw. She loves the the R129. Not as much fun in the handling department but a wonderful driver on sunny days.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 924
Likes: 3
From: Socal
1991 300sl 5 speed manual
I was at my friends shop about a year ago and he has this 91 300sl black on black automatic. THe car had 265,000 miles on the odo and it was in for its second transmission rebuild. But the engine was still going. I havnt seen the car since but I imagine the car is still going. JJ
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
I am 50 years old and in my 18th year of driving SL's. Started out in 88 with a 1980 450SL with only 18K miles on it, but some moron hit me IN MY DRIVEWAY during a rare socal rainstorm. Was it on my 40th birthday you ask? why yes it was thank you very much. Followed that with an 86 560SL for 8 years before finally moving to the R129 in 2005 with a 99 Sport Silver/Gray. To me one of the best innovations in the 129 over the 107 is the windows going slightly down when you open the door and then back up when you close the door. My 107s all were pretty windy from gasket/grommet abuse by the window glass but the 129 is still rock solid quiet.
I want to say thank you to all of the wonderful people who buy brand new SL's and take great care of them so that I can buy them used and they still look (and run) like new.
Probably 2-3 times a month somebody on the road, at a parking lot, or at a drive through will compliment the car. LA must have more SL's than anywhere else but they are still worth a look. Even the cops are fans. My wife was picking up the car from the mechanic and driving home when she got stopped for going 90 (she said it was only 89). She patiently explained to the cop that the car was "just too fast" and it wasn't really her fault. After asking her all about the car and admiring it (and maybe also my wife who is super easy on the eyes) he agreed that the car was just too fast and let her go with a warning.
I want to say thank you to all of the wonderful people who buy brand new SL's and take great care of them so that I can buy them used and they still look (and run) like new.
Probably 2-3 times a month somebody on the road, at a parking lot, or at a drive through will compliment the car. LA must have more SL's than anywhere else but they are still worth a look. Even the cops are fans. My wife was picking up the car from the mechanic and driving home when she got stopped for going 90 (she said it was only 89). She patiently explained to the cop that the car was "just too fast" and it wasn't really her fault. After asking her all about the car and admiring it (and maybe also my wife who is super easy on the eyes) he agreed that the car was just too fast and let her go with a warning.
Last edited by kingjnod; Mar 27, 2007 at 02:08 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
I have not moved up but that retractable hardtop is pretty irresistable. I will probably wait a few more years before moving into an r230. My current 99 only has 50K miles so I have a lot of driving to do in that car. It is currently in the shop with the famous "center vent" not opening problem. Luckily I read the forums and was able to get the mechanic headed in the right direction right away. In fact, every issue I have ever had with the car had an answer right here in this great group.
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Newbie
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Sioux City
2009 SL63 Black
I'm 54 and on my third R129, a 2002. I've also owned a 1993 and 1996. I was 44 when I got the first one. I considered the 230 but I think the 129 is built like a tank. I get plenty of thumbs up with my car. I love to drive it.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 75
From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
Iv'e been busy and have had no time to post stats.
Hopefully new members will post to this thread and make it worth my effort to re-calculate.
Enjoy!
Hopefully new members will post to this thread and make it worth my effort to re-calculate.
Enjoy!
Almost a Member!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
SL500
Wow! I'm not the only young guy driving an SL500!
Wow! I'm very glad to hear that there are other young guys out there who drive these cars. I started to feel as if I should hurry up and put on some years 
!
I'm 20, just bought my SL500, and it drives like a dream
(after an 87 Toyota, an 89 Camaro, a 51 ******, and a 67 Camaro!).
And it has 170,000 miles on it (thats the only reason I could afford it!), and runs like its brand new (the last owner spent 4,500.00 in maintainance before he sold it!)
.
! I'm 20, just bought my SL500, and it drives like a dream
(after an 87 Toyota, an 89 Camaro, a 51 ******, and a 67 Camaro!).And it has 170,000 miles on it (thats the only reason I could afford it!), and runs like its brand new (the last owner spent 4,500.00 in maintainance before he sold it!)
.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
SL500
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 75
From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
1) I have proof that the R129 owners are actually getting younger.
47 respondents now and the average age is now 39.4 years.
2) Not only are you one of the youngest R129 owners (congratulations) ... you have the second (or third) highest mileage R129. EsEl had reported 195,000 miles at one stage. The next to you is jnorth who reported 155,000 miles on his 1991 back in March 2007. He may be higher than you by now.
47 respondents now and the average age is now 39.4 years.
2) Not only are you one of the youngest R129 owners (congratulations) ... you have the second (or third) highest mileage R129. EsEl had reported 195,000 miles at one stage. The next to you is jnorth who reported 155,000 miles on his 1991 back in March 2007. He may be higher than you by now.
