SL/R129: Relaibility
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Bunbury Australia
1993 500 SL
Relaibility
Hi Everyone,
Just bought a 1992 500sl here in Australia.
Now obviously its a 20 year old car, love driving it, great styling.
Question is are these old girls reliable as a daily drive ?
Are there any common problems ?
Cheers
Just bought a 1992 500sl here in Australia.
Now obviously its a 20 year old car, love driving it, great styling.
Question is are these old girls reliable as a daily drive ?
Are there any common problems ?
Cheers
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 598
Likes: 19
From: Eastern Kansas
94 SL 600, 98 993, 89 XJS Conv., 85 Daimlier Princess 16 Hybrid Lincoln 16 Chevy crewcab
Welcome.
Yes, maybe!
Many! old plastic parts that break and are not inexpensive to replace. cylinders that move the top and lock the tops need the hydraulic renewed or else they may oil the leather seats! Interior switches, like windows,seat controls, mirror adjustment, also not a bargain, but do wear out! Fuses of an old metal that look good but the cu replacement is better (IMHO). HVAC fan strap that is a "snap on" flange over plastic that "snaps off" the tab, so you can spend a day or three exploring the complexity of the Germanic engineering mind.
Some of us go on about tire profile and wheel design. Some of the R 129's have a wonderful but not fail proof suspension system.
I do not drive any of my convertibles daily, because I hate door dings on my toys! I find the thought of rain, snow and sleet something that postal workers may endure but not my vanity cars!
There will be those in the forums who daily drive the R 129, and enjoy it!
Good luck with your new mistress!
Yes, maybe!
Many! old plastic parts that break and are not inexpensive to replace. cylinders that move the top and lock the tops need the hydraulic renewed or else they may oil the leather seats! Interior switches, like windows,seat controls, mirror adjustment, also not a bargain, but do wear out! Fuses of an old metal that look good but the cu replacement is better (IMHO). HVAC fan strap that is a "snap on" flange over plastic that "snaps off" the tab, so you can spend a day or three exploring the complexity of the Germanic engineering mind.
Some of us go on about tire profile and wheel design. Some of the R 129's have a wonderful but not fail proof suspension system.
I do not drive any of my convertibles daily, because I hate door dings on my toys! I find the thought of rain, snow and sleet something that postal workers may endure but not my vanity cars!
There will be those in the forums who daily drive the R 129, and enjoy it!
Good luck with your new mistress!
Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 159
Likes: 11
From: B.C. Canada
SL500, GLC300
SRHsl600 is right about everything. i use mine as a fairly daily driver, not so much anymore, but i find it reliable. but with everything that is older things need to be fixed. a Mercedes, an older one in particular, isn't cheap to be fixed, even the little things will cost you a few pennies.
i would say they are quite reliable though, even as daily drivers.
i would say they are quite reliable though, even as daily drivers.
