SL/R129: How old are the R129 drivers on this forum?
Newbie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
87' 190E 2.6, 99' SLK 320 & 91' 300 SL
I was 36 when I first saw R129 in 1990, but I have 2 kids to save money for college and mortgage payment to worry about.. but at 54 years old with the my two boys graduated college and after surviving 25 months in Afghanistan.. whether my wife approved or not.. 
it's time for my first love..
an Arctic White 91' 300 SL.. 
it's time for my first love.. an Arctic White 91' 300 SL..
Last edited by Barook Agra; May 1, 2009 at 12:50 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 9
From: Daytona, Florida
SL600
I was 36 when I first saw R129 in 1990, but I have 2 kids to save money for college and mortgage payment to worry about.. but at 54 years old with the my two boys graduated college and after surviving 25 months in Afghanistan.. whether my wife approved or not.. it's time for my first love.. an Arctic White 91' 300 SL..
it's time for my first love.. an Arctic White 91' 300 SL.. 
Newbie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
1994 MB 600sl
Age: 36
Bought a 1994 two tone silver sl600 this month. Aside from the harness and self levelling system issues
the build quality of this particular model is outstanding
! Smooth power. Black interior with wood accents in the right place. Recently told by a Very Hot 27/30ish 5'10" fashion designer friend who doesn't care about cars,"That is Sooo "SEXY", what is it? She couldn't believe it was a 1994 That said all I needed to know about the R129 design. Even after the ride, she still couldn't believe it.
Bought a 1994 two tone silver sl600 this month. Aside from the harness and self levelling system issues
the build quality of this particular model is outstanding! Smooth power. Black interior with wood accents in the right place. Recently told by a Very Hot 27/30ish 5'10" fashion designer friend who doesn't care about cars,"That is Sooo "SEXY", what is it? She couldn't believe it was a 1994 That said all I needed to know about the R129 design. Even after the ride, she still couldn't believe it.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Eastern Shore of Md and Big Island
sl600
I can't agree more. Since mine is not a daily driver the maintenance cost between the 8 and 12 did not make a difference.
R.S.
age 60
two tone black/grey
1995 SL 600
R.S.
age 60
two tone black/grey
1995 SL 600
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, Canada
1992 300SL
I bought my '92 SL at 39. It was a good choice for me because I wanted a quality German roadster for summer fun without an obscene price tag, and it hasn't disappointed. An additional perk is that it has aftermarket rear seats/seat belts installed, so I can take my 7 & 10 year old boys cruising with me.
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Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ USA
2009 CL63, 2013 GL550
I got my 2001 SL500 when I was 26 (2 years ago). I like the R230 also, but you can't fit golf clubs in the trunk. I've always loved the R129 bodystyle, especially growing up seeing these cars and thinking I could never have one. Good thing I got into software engineering!
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Bahrain
SL500 560SEL 300SE
I've had my first Mercedes, 300SE imported from Germany, when I was 17 and instantly fell in love with MB. After a few years I bought a 280SE but it was gone in a couple of months, I had a great offer, so I sold it. I always had a thing for the R129 until I got my SL500 AMG last year along with a 560SEL both imported from Japan. I'm planning to sell the 560SEL next month, but my SL is for keeps
I'm almost 34 now
I'm almost 34 now
Last edited by SL500AMG; Jun 25, 2009 at 04:30 PM.
Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, Ga.- Sarasota, Fl.
Mercedes: 1998 SL500, 1997 S500, 1998 SLK230 K
I just turned 80 in june and still love driving any of my 3 Mercedes, however my 98 SL 500 is my love. She likes to be driven early mornings and late afternoons at minimum 85 mph.
Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 78
Likes: 2
From: Alabama gulf coast, formerly Charlottesville, Virginia
2004 W220 (S430), 2001 R129 (SL500 Sport)
Happy Birthday, R.S.
I turned 60 June 21, and I am picking up my '01 SL500 Sport in a couple of hours. I've had my '04 S430 for a bit over a year, but it's too pristine to really enjoy (except the pleasure of driving it and its impact on onlookers). I was a passable "shade tree" for a long time, so I'm looking forward to the relative simplicity of the R129 and doing some of the maintenance chores myself.
My first MB was a wonderful '72 W108 280SEL 4.5, and I had a '94 W124 (E300) for a while a few years ago. I've enjoyed the W220, but it is extremely complex and not a car to meddle with with hand tools. I think the R129 will be more like the first two.
Cheers.
I turned 60 June 21, and I am picking up my '01 SL500 Sport in a couple of hours. I've had my '04 S430 for a bit over a year, but it's too pristine to really enjoy (except the pleasure of driving it and its impact on onlookers). I was a passable "shade tree" for a long time, so I'm looking forward to the relative simplicity of the R129 and doing some of the maintenance chores myself.
My first MB was a wonderful '72 W108 280SEL 4.5, and I had a '94 W124 (E300) for a while a few years ago. I've enjoyed the W220, but it is extremely complex and not a car to meddle with with hand tools. I think the R129 will be more like the first two.
Cheers.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Fort Pierce, FL
2011 E550, 2002 SL500
R129 and age
Sorry young ones but I have to throw the average off.........I'm 67
and as you'll hopefully learn, age is really just a number. Physically, yes,
I'm 67 but mentally I'm in my mid 20's. My R129 is a 2002, has just 24,000
miles and I bought about 6 months ago. I am neither computer illiterate nor
am I missing the fun of these forums - actively involved in the local MBCA
chapter, do most of the simple maintenance myself and detail it every 3 months - yes....all by myself with no mechanical help. My other ride is a 2011
E550. Hope you guys all live a long, healthy and fun filled life.
Ciao
and as you'll hopefully learn, age is really just a number. Physically, yes,
I'm 67 but mentally I'm in my mid 20's. My R129 is a 2002, has just 24,000
miles and I bought about 6 months ago. I am neither computer illiterate nor
am I missing the fun of these forums - actively involved in the local MBCA
chapter, do most of the simple maintenance myself and detail it every 3 months - yes....all by myself with no mechanical help. My other ride is a 2011
E550. Hope you guys all live a long, healthy and fun filled life.
Ciao
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Grand Rapids, MI
'97 SL500
First Mercedes exposure--Dad's then-new '69 280SEL when I was 18. Best car he's ever had and best in the family.
First toy car--'73 Mustang convertible (low-end, 3 on the floor) when I was 36. A fun indulgence and cheap to own.
Next toy/first MB of my own--'89 560SL when I was 51. Last of the SLs to have a pleasantly anachronistic feel.
Just bought my '97 SL500 last fall at 60. Maybe not the character of the 560 but I love the car; just an incredible automobile, and my taste seems to be maturing as I do. Plan on keeping it until they don't sell gasoline or until I need attendants to clean the soup off my bib, whichever happens first. The only other toy I'd go for would be a Pagoda if I win the lotto.
First toy car--'73 Mustang convertible (low-end, 3 on the floor) when I was 36. A fun indulgence and cheap to own.
Next toy/first MB of my own--'89 560SL when I was 51. Last of the SLs to have a pleasantly anachronistic feel.
Just bought my '97 SL500 last fall at 60. Maybe not the character of the 560 but I love the car; just an incredible automobile, and my taste seems to be maturing as I do. Plan on keeping it until they don't sell gasoline or until I need attendants to clean the soup off my bib, whichever happens first. The only other toy I'd go for would be a Pagoda if I win the lotto.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: France ..Loire valley
W 129 500 SL
Worse than C5gold .....I'm 68 almost 69 (good figure!!
)
Have waited for my retirement 2 years ago to afford a SL ...
Here ,SL is considered either like "a gigolo car " or "a rich man car" ...and both are bad in your customers opinion ...so ...only "earnest cars"!!!
)Have waited for my retirement 2 years ago to afford a SL ...
Here ,SL is considered either like "a gigolo car " or "a rich man car" ...and both are bad in your customers opinion ...so ...only "earnest cars"!!!
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Ann Arbor, MI
1991 300SL
First, I'd say that the 63 average stat is bogus.
Second, I bought mine at 63.
FWIW, I bought RX7s in my 30s, and 9XXs in my 40s.
All used cars; although my first RX7 had only 6K on the clock, and my first 944 had 8K.
I think my next one will probably be an SL500.
Second, I bought mine at 63.
FWIW, I bought RX7s in my 30s, and 9XXs in my 40s.
All used cars; although my first RX7 had only 6K on the clock, and my first 944 had 8K.
I think my next one will probably be an SL500.
Last edited by Rod300SL; Apr 20, 2012 at 03:31 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: O.B., AL
1983 380SL
MB Owner age
I just turned 37 this month and am in my 3rd MB, I had a BMW in college and Trans Ams afterwards, but I just get a kick out of the performance and the German leather smell, racing and handling I would lean more towards the Toyota Supra, I have had three of those as well, but the MB roadster I have now is easy to work on, diagnostics rather simple and fun, a real headturner, 83 380SL, do have it up for sale as of now and thinking about a 560, a little more room. I restored a 75 MB, an 85 MB and found my 83 in P'cola last year, great little car.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 2
From: Anniston, AL
1998 SL600
I'm 51. Third Benz but first SL.
I love it and my coworkers are a bit crestfallen about their
Vets, Camaros and Mustangs. My SL600 is fourteen and looks
better than any three year old American Iron.
I'm obviously suffering from bias issues but the engineering,
build quality and materials win every time we have to discuss
the justification for expensive repairs, etc.
We all have our reasons for buying these machines but I think
Mercedes Benz is it.
I love it and my coworkers are a bit crestfallen about their
Vets, Camaros and Mustangs. My SL600 is fourteen and looks
better than any three year old American Iron.
I'm obviously suffering from bias issues but the engineering,
build quality and materials win every time we have to discuss
the justification for expensive repairs, etc.
We all have our reasons for buying these machines but I think
Mercedes Benz is it.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Fort Pierce, FL
2011 E550, 2002 SL500
R129 Owner's Age
Unless I'm mistaken, this post is going on several years old......
In any case, I'm now at the point of asking......
who cares how old the owners are.......the cars are beautiful, well built,
and most of us who have them really enjoy them.
What else is important ?
In any case, I'm now at the point of asking......
who cares how old the owners are.......the cars are beautiful, well built,
and most of us who have them really enjoy them.
What else is important ?
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
66 years and lots of cars, many "Love Hate" relationships. Mostly European and only a few pacific rim manufactures. All the winners have been rolled thru. The 2 twelve cylinder vehicles that are still around are fun but not near breakeven!
