historlee
SL/R129: How old are the R129 drivers on this forum?
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, Va.
2000 SL 600, 2006 GMC Denali, 1997 Chev. 3500 Dooley Diesel
Gotta part with my 2000 SL600
Hey,
I'm relocating to honduras and need to sell my baby. All good ideas of where to advertise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the help.
I'm relocating to honduras and need to sell my baby. All good ideas of where to advertise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the help.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, Georgia
2001 SL600
37 years old
37 and LOVE my '01 SL600 w/17K miles...sat on dealer's showroom floor until 3/03...so still under warranty.
Boss just picked up a '07 SL550. New tranny allows him to leave me in the dust. Love the pano hardtop option...hate his interior, love his electronics, suspension and the fact it does not have a plastic rear window!
Boss just picked up a '07 SL550. New tranny allows him to leave me in the dust. Love the pano hardtop option...hate his interior, love his electronics, suspension and the fact it does not have a plastic rear window!
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
From: So. Cal.
SL500 2001 Formula 1 Edition;
Gosh, when I was 18, my decision on what I drove depended on large measure on whether I thought it would help me to get laid... Maybe, as I'm staring 50 in the face, I don't understand what's what for teenagers these days but I would doubt a ten year old R129 would hack it in that department.
And my 2001 SL500 seems to be quite effective. At least it doesn't hurt.
See my post above about the wide appeal of this car.
And, you know, any chump with enough money can have a hot NEW car. Having an older car in prime condition says a lot about the owner as a person: That person has substance, is not swayed by every new trend, and is confident and self-assured. The person appreciates beauty, style, and class.
When the car is an SL anything, it also says that that the owner doesn't settle for anything less than a classic top of the line type of vehicle. And he isn't cheap.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
I'm 20 years old and had the option of buying a 1994 sl500 for only a couple thousand more then the '87 560sl I ended up buying. The sl500 had 150,000 miles and the hardtop was missing, and everything was stock. The 560sl only had 80,000 miles, already had lorinser rims, perfect paint, brand new Pirelli's, exhaust and recaro interior so I thought that was the better buy and saved a couple thousand.
I definately think that the 560sl gets more looks too if in mint condition
I definately think that the 560sl gets more looks too if in mint condition
Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
2002 C32 AMG, 1991 SL500 AMG sport
sl500
I am 37 and drive a 91 sl500 and a 2002 c32AMG. Both are fun to drive. Believe it or not the sl500 is a smoother car in my opinion, i think mainly because of the light weight of the c32.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,681
Likes: 2
From: SF
07 E63 06 CLK55 Cab 03 P-car C4S
You have owned loots of cars in your time. You have expressed an interesting point of view.
The retractable hard top, brake by wire and ABC systems are very interesting to me in the R230. However the R230 SL500 has the same HP and torque as the 1999 R129 I own ... so I have felt that the R230 is basically new sheet metal. Nice but not worth $ 40 K more.
Regarding your comments about SL500 being better arround town than SL600. I've heard others complain that the SL600 was too front heavy which influenced the cornering. ABC in the R230 may help with that sirtuation?
In your opinion, would the SL55 offer more than the SL600 in town and about the same as the SL600 at highr speeds on the highway? In other words SL55 better than SL600?
All highly theoretical ... with the new baby, you will be driving that station wagon for a long time
.
The retractable hard top, brake by wire and ABC systems are very interesting to me in the R230. However the R230 SL500 has the same HP and torque as the 1999 R129 I own ... so I have felt that the R230 is basically new sheet metal. Nice but not worth $ 40 K more.
Regarding your comments about SL500 being better arround town than SL600. I've heard others complain that the SL600 was too front heavy which influenced the cornering. ABC in the R230 may help with that sirtuation?
In your opinion, would the SL55 offer more than the SL600 in town and about the same as the SL600 at highr speeds on the highway? In other words SL55 better than SL600?
All highly theoretical ... with the new baby, you will be driving that station wagon for a long time
.i've looked at the new SL's many times, and i still don't like it...the interior still seems it belongs on a $30k car(unless you get the SL600), the door still slams cheap, and the hard top squeeks. i think for the money, i'd rather drive an E55 or CL500 as daily a daily and a 2000-2001 SL500 sport as a nice wnkd car.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
From: So. Cal
1985 380 SL 2001 SL 500 2007 E350 Sport 2008 T & C Ltd.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Central Valley, Cali
Benz/Bimmers/Vdubs
Aaahhhh...this thread has been revived after 2 years of being dormant...thanks Indiepath...hahahaha 
!
Anyway, I'm 42 years old owning a 94 SL500 that I inherited from my late father. Back in 94 when our Sl was new and owned by my dad no one took me seriously when I drove it. I was 28 back then and everyone would ask me if it was my dads car (which it was). Not one thought it was mine. It's funny that now I'm the owner people still ask if it's my dads car! I love the car and I always admire the design and details of the SL. Since I don't use it as a daily driver the car remains in the garage under a car cover. It only comes out during nice sunny weather which is almost everyday here in California . With just over 27,000 miles I consider it my new "old" soon to be classic car ! Unfortunately my wife see's it differently. She calls the SL a DOM (Dirty Old Man's) car 
!
!Anyway, I'm 42 years old owning a 94 SL500 that I inherited from my late father. Back in 94 when our Sl was new and owned by my dad no one took me seriously when I drove it. I was 28 back then and everyone would ask me if it was my dads car (which it was). Not one thought it was mine. It's funny that now I'm the owner people still ask if it's my dads car
! I love the car and I always admire the design and details of the SL. Since I don't use it as a daily driver the car remains in the garage under a car cover. It only comes out during nice sunny weather which is almost everyday here in California . With just over 27,000 miles I consider it my new "old" soon to be classic car ! Unfortunately my wife see's it differently. She calls the SL a DOM (Dirty Old Man's) car !
Senior Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
From: So. Cal
1985 380 SL 2001 SL 500 2007 E350 Sport 2008 T & C Ltd.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 904
Likes: 3
2001 S500 Sport "Klaus"
I'm 38, and bought my 2002 "Silver Arrow" SL500 last year when I was 37.
When I was shopping for my first ever "new" car back in 2001 (an '01 SLK 320 in very attractive white on red & black), I remember seeing the silver arrow in the MB showrooms and falling in love with the special silver paint and mostly the two-tone grey/black interior (admittedly, it's a love or hate thing with most people). At the time these things were about $90k new, and I couldn't have afforded one if I'd wanted to. Last year I picked mine up with only 26k miles on it for $36k.
Well worth the wait!
I like the lines of these cars with the hardtop on most of all, but with the top down it's also really hot. Softtop up, though, is kind of unattractive imo.
The 129 and its predecessor from 1973-89 are funny cars because in terms of their exterior styling, they are fairly obviously "borrowing" many design cues from their respective contemporary Ford Mustangs. Compare the 73 SL to the first-gen Mustang. Then compare the 90 SL (129) to the mid/late 80's Mustang. There are definite similarities, and likely because the Mustang is the epitome of "pony car". In that sense, though, since the SL took off in its own direction with the 2003 redesign (just as the 60's SL's were "their own man", so to speak), the R129 is even more interesting.
To me, the 70s/90's SL's are to the Mustang what the Rolling Stones' "Emotional Rescue" was to the BeeGees (and by extension, what "the World's Greatest Rock 'n Roll Band" was to disco). Just a funny thought.
When I was shopping for my first ever "new" car back in 2001 (an '01 SLK 320 in very attractive white on red & black), I remember seeing the silver arrow in the MB showrooms and falling in love with the special silver paint and mostly the two-tone grey/black interior (admittedly, it's a love or hate thing with most people). At the time these things were about $90k new, and I couldn't have afforded one if I'd wanted to. Last year I picked mine up with only 26k miles on it for $36k.
Well worth the wait!
I like the lines of these cars with the hardtop on most of all, but with the top down it's also really hot. Softtop up, though, is kind of unattractive imo.
The 129 and its predecessor from 1973-89 are funny cars because in terms of their exterior styling, they are fairly obviously "borrowing" many design cues from their respective contemporary Ford Mustangs. Compare the 73 SL to the first-gen Mustang. Then compare the 90 SL (129) to the mid/late 80's Mustang. There are definite similarities, and likely because the Mustang is the epitome of "pony car". In that sense, though, since the SL took off in its own direction with the 2003 redesign (just as the 60's SL's were "their own man", so to speak), the R129 is even more interesting.
To me, the 70s/90's SL's are to the Mustang what the Rolling Stones' "Emotional Rescue" was to the BeeGees (and by extension, what "the World's Greatest Rock 'n Roll Band" was to disco). Just a funny thought.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 904
Likes: 3
2001 S500 Sport "Klaus"
but as they say, it's just an observation i've had over the years. carry on.
Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
96 SL500, 97 E420
try again, hoss. the silhouettes and the head- and tail-lights share similarities. the mercedes' lines are stretched, lowered, made more elegant, but if you don't see the similarities when looking at one then the other, then you don't want to see them; they are there nonetheless.
but as they say, it's just an observation i've had over the years. carry on.
but as they say, it's just an observation i've had over the years. carry on.
But MUSTANG, MUSTANG
pass some of that stuff you're smoking!
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 904
Likes: 3
2001 S500 Sport "Klaus"
The XLR was explicitly conceived to compete with the SL, so it would be odd that the SL is imitating it, a clearly inferior (by market regard/sales standards) product. The Mustang, on the other hand, was in the 60's and 80's ("Taurus-look") incarnations a bazillion-selling car; taking some cues from that formula seems like good business sense to me.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
From: SW of Chicago
2019 GLC350e 2007 E350 1999 E320 1998 SL500
I bought a 98 SL500 for my son as a graduation present last sept. He was 21 at the time. We now have 2. The wifes is white. The sons is black. Oh I'm 48.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Tucson
'96 SL320
Bought my first SL new in '83 at the age of 28. It was silver blue with a gray interior and the best car I've ever owned. I traded in a 1980 twin turbo Porsche that I imported from the factory. I've owned five MBZ's over the years and now I'm 54. My current ride is a '96 SL320 with brilliant silver over gray interior.
I need a hardtop if anyone knows of one in AZ.
I need a hardtop if anyone knows of one in AZ.
