ChrisB

Just curious. When they were selling new ... the average buyer was apparantly a 63 year old male.

I've just turned 47.

I notice on other forums that the posts seem to be made by younger, less experienced owners.

Have the R129s become popular with younger owners? Is the R129 cool enough? Powerfull enough? Afordable enough? For younger drivers?

bzliteyear

interesting question. i used to own the 600SL when i was 34 yrs old. great car that i enjoyed, but sold it before the new SL came out and have been driving around in E320 wagon. i looked at the new SL's, but frankly not that crazy about their looks or workmanship. the new ones may driver better and be better engineered vs. the older MBs, but the $60k LS430 Lexus would kick butt on the workmanship. if i were to change cars now, i think i'd get a 2000 SL500 sport pkg...plenty of power and lighter than the 600SL. going around town, the V8's actually more nimble. the only time difference is felt is from 75mph to 100+ that you'd enjoy the V12.
p.s. i'm currenty 38.

ChrisB

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.

The SL55 on the other hand has a different apeal to me ... I'll be looking for a used 2006 +/- model in about 2009. They will have worked out the intial build quality issues by 2006 and the 2006 will have had some depreciation by about 2009.

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 .

99SL

Interesting posts...I bought my 1999 SL500 (triple silver) new in Jan 2000--I was 30 at the time. I had heard that buyers were usually older, but the SL was really what I wanted at the time and still gets looks (and looks great) even now. It's certainly a car that ages well (one reason that I wanted it) and I plan to keep it for a few more years at least. The new one would be nice, but I agree with a previous poster that it feels like just new sheet metal over the same platform as I already have. Not worth the extra $--perhaps in a few years when I can find a pre-owned with at least some depreciation.

MRNRL

When I had my 96 SL500 I purchased it when I was 38. Now Traded it and driving a 96 S600 Coupe now. Will get another SL someday unless I can get an SLR (if I win the lottery)

Floobydust

I'm 45 for whatever that's worth. A lot of cars have come and gone from my garage over the years - both "fun" and"real" cars - but always at least one convertible.

A while ago I decided I wanted make my fun car more usable as a "real" car so I bought an SLK. The concept was good (with the retractable hard top being Excellent), but the build quality and reliability of that car were abysmal!! I spent more time at the dealer with that car than I did with all my previous cars combined. I also wanted something a little bigger (again, closer to the "real" car).

So I looked at what's out there.

The Lexus SC430 has all of the Lexus quality (my "real car at the time of the SLK was a Lexus, so I know what that is), but the Lex just doesn't make it on the exterior looks.

I looked at the new SL (R230) as well. The external looks are fantastic, and you get the vario roof, but the interior looks like a cheap plastic boom box from the 70's (this annoying trend is common to many manufacturers these days).

I looked at the CLK cabrio. Very nice, but a little too much of a "real" car. Need that "personal fun" car element.

So I concluded that a recent vintage R129 might be the right combo. Classic, inside and out, high build quality (e.g., pre Chrylser), and a good value (MBs depreciate like a lead anvil dropped through a vacuum).

So I ended up with a 2000 SL500R sport. I got a Starmark with 19K miles and an extended warranty so I'm good to 100K miles and 3.5 more years. And I love the car. Now that winter is descending on the Tundra of New England I'm going to have to put it away for the winter. Bummer.

Anyway, that's my story. For what it's worth.

- FD

Floobydust

My 2000 SL500R

vraa

My uncle is in the late forties and has a 2002 SL500 but he's not on this forum.

Floobydust: May I be the first to say that your car looks amazing. The flash shows off very few swirls!

blueSL

Agree with that, the black and sand (or is it java?) interior make a nice contrast.

Your correspondent is 48 going on 49.

ChrisB

blue SL your a way too young to be retired! I'm 47 and jealous.

blueSL

Put out to grass, more like. LOL

ChrisB

blueSL

This may be more suitable for personal message (not sure how that works) or email ... but I'll ask the question here.

Is there any chance that you would know a mid 50 year old individual that over the past 15 years + has owned several Ferraris and is on his third Lamborghini?

His first name is Vic. Is a business owner. Within this last year or so has currently owned a Porshe Boxter, Aston Martin DB7, an older Ferrari (308 GT?) and a new Lamborghini Murcielago.

I know the UK is a big place. I think this person I am thinking of lives in the West Sussex area.

Love of exotic cars, occasional participation at the track and parcipation / membership in Ferrari club events over the years being a potential common thread.

My wife and I met Vic and his wife 12 years ago on a cruise. We have visited each other a few times since and write every now & then.

It would be wierd if the MB forum had led to a common aquaintence!

blueSL

No, sorry, don't know him.

BTW, you can use the pm button to send personal messages.

bruce hat

I'm 58

ChrisB

The average of 8 respondents is 45 years of age.

SL R129 owners are a very small sub-set of the population. So lots of the original opurchasers that still own currently, probably are not computer literate ... or inclined to join a forum such as this. Not represented here.

I do think the average age is getting younger, for good reasons, the car is cool. The car is powerfull. Can be modified. Etc, etc. Reliable and getting more affordable by the year.

Is handsom in apearance and will be a recognizable clasic as stining in today's cars gets to be more odd (except MB) by the year in my opinion.

chinche

I'm sorry Chris, but I would kick off your average!

I'm 27 just maked, and I've buyed the car 1 year ago.

For your interest, I am in love for this car since i am 20 or 21 more or less. I've my first Benz (my 190E 2.6) at 19, buyed 2nd hand with 70.000 km in it, and in 8 years, I've maked 160.000 more and changed only the clutch at 200.000 and the radiator (obstucted) at 180.000. And nothing else! This 190 works like new, I'ts incredible! I assure you that i've more problems with the R129 during the last year that with the190 in 8 Years.

I assume that is normal because the complex systems in the R129
Any similar experience?

Delfiki

I'm 55

chinche

Now I'm curious... Am I the younger owner of an R129 in this forum?

blueSL

You're younger than me but who knows if you are the youngest?

I'm actually intrigued that this car appeals to people now in their 20's. Traditionally, Mercedes have appealed more to older people and younger people have gone for BMW or Porsche.

muhri

A couple of my friends are 20 years old, each has a 2004 SL350 - one with the AMG kit & AMG wheels, the other is with the KLEEMAN kit & wheels. I think BlueSL is right.

NonBlondQT

I'm a 34 year old sexy little chickadee with a 98' SL500 sport...

smalk

I'm 45 going on 60! (Wife is pregnant with twins)!

Scott
92 500SL
2003 Audi Allroad
2000 Isuzu Trooper

MBenzNL

I am 30 and bought my R129 SL 5 years ago...loved the car when it first came out and was determined to get me one myself (used offcourse as life is expensive enough already here in NL).
I really enjoyed (and still enjoy) the remarks coming from the sidewalk and terraces about me driving my father's car...

greetingz,

Jim's500E

I'm 37...will have my first SL (actually my wife will) very soon...a blue 1995 SL320.

I've wanted an SL since 1990 with the new bodied R129. I've got a nice V8 Benz already so the solid I6 will do us fine.

KevinJ

I'm 27 but have had my SL320 for nearly 2 years.

I have always loved the car, especially the roof and the MB status. It drives smoothly and people still love it, especially my friends and girlfriend.

I intend to keep it for a few years yet, thats the good thing about these cars, they keep their value once over a few years old and their condition is very good too.

Thanks

Kevin