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I've always loved the look of R129 model since I was young and the fact that my grandfather had owned one about 20 years ago. I've been looking for one for myself and found a candidate R129. It is 2002 Silver Arrow Edition with low miles. (only wanted silver color)
I test drove today but disappointed a bit with the current condition of it as i could see many imperfections compared to pictures I was given. (I know it is almost 20 years old and I'm not expecting as if it is a brand new car
Seller was asking $12K and I have negotiated down to $10.5K but want to ask experienced owners if I should purchase or stay away from this particular one.
Problems: --- (I was not able to lift up the car)
1. Front passenger side rim got damaged. it seems like it got scraped one side against curb or something.
2. It makes some clunking sounds from the front passenger side when steering wheel is turned all the way to either right or left. so i guess it could be the axle or ball joint issue.
3. The front passenger side blinker has been replaced but it does not seem fit correctly. not sure if it is an after market part with bad fitment
4. I could feel the engine shoots up when I tested engine mount by putting brakes and pressing gas pedal in R or D gear position - could be bad motor mount.
5. It seems like there is an oil leak between engine and transmission when I lie down and looked under the car.
6. seller mentioned some issues with soft top convertible and he had the hardtop on it when he showed the car. --> I guess this could be a common issue
7. Leather seats were good condition as I did not see any creases or tear but those white leather portion were pretty dirty... I'm not sure if I can remove those discoloration.
8. It seems like blinkers are not turning off itself after making a turn. I needed to manually turn them off. (my 94 W124 and 11 X164 don't do that... in fact, all cars I have driven so far turns blinkers off by itself)
9. the wood trim on center console has been damaged and parts of it came off
10. in addition to #4 above, i heard some loud noise randomly when i changed gears from P to R.
Other than above, i saw several spots with paint nicks and car pulls strong.
Do you think I should get it or stay away from it?
Sounds like the car has been neglected or abused. I personally would run and find a good car you can enjoy and not just pour money into. I made this mistake once with my 2004 CLK Cab. You will only grow to despise the car. I know the price is cheap and mileage is low but that is not the gold standard when buying a car.
To the OP. I suggest passing on this car. The oil leak sounds like a rear main seal gone bad. To fix that the engine has to be dropped. That alone will cost big bucks. Sounds like there are a bunch of other issues to deal with. Rather than buy the car for $10K and spend another 3 or 5 grand more to make it nice I suggest looking for another SL in better condition. You can find them on AutoTrader in good condition for $12 to $15K. Good luck!
To the OP. I suggest passing on this car. The oil leak sounds like a rear main seal gone bad. To fix that the engine has to be dropped. That alone will cost big bucks. Sounds like there are a bunch of other issues to deal with. Rather than buy the car for $10K and spend another 3 or 5 grand more to make it nice I suggest looking for another SL in better condition. You can find them on AutoTrader in good condition for $12 to $15K. Good luck!
Thank you for your response and that's was my main concern... other than that i might be able to handle myself but if that leak i mentioned was from the main seal... then I guess i will need to move on.
I'm meeting the seller this afternoon and this time I'm going to put it up on lift and look closely.
Sounds like the car has been neglected or abused. I personally would run and find a good car you can enjoy and not just pour money into. I made this mistake once with my 2004 CLK Cab. You will only grow to despise the car. I know the price is cheap and mileage is low but that is not the gold standard when buying a car.
Thank you for your response and I'm meeting the seller this afternoon and I will put it up on lift to have a 2nd look
Negotiate down to 8k then it’ll be worth it. Then find a competent Indy who will let you bring your own parts and get the car fixed up. Fix it, clean it and throw it onto bring a trailer, you’ll make a nice profit because silver arrows are desirable
Negotiate down to 8k then it’ll be worth it. Then find a competent Indy who will let you bring your own parts and get the car fixed up. Fix it, clean it and throw it onto bring a trailer, you’ll make a nice profit because silver arrows are desirable
Thank you for your response and I ended up buying it today. Since it was about 30 miles away from my home, i drove it to the shop where I take my mercedes so my trusted mechanic can take a look at it.
It drove much better than I expected when I was driving back today and also verified the soft top works ok but the clear plastic or vinyl turned to dark yellow color...
btw, does anyone know if I can fix the rim or do I need to replace the whole rim? i
Thank you for your response and I ended up buying it today. Since it was about 30 miles away from my home, i drove it to the shop where I take my mercedes so my trusted mechanic can take a look at it.
It drove much better than I expected when I was driving back today and also verified the soft top works ok but the clear plastic or vinyl turned to dark yellow color...
btw, does anyone know if I can fix the rim or do I need to replace the whole rim? i
good to hear you purchased. Fix everything and detail it and you have a nice cash cow ready for if you wish to sell.
the wheel damage and curb rash should be repairable, go see wheel repair shops for quotes.
A drill and buff pad + meguiars plastx should restore clarity to the soft top windows (or you could use your hands and a microfiber towel like me, but it was hard work, both sides for all windows.)
check your hydraulic fluid. Could be dirty and in need of flushing , and pray none of your top cylinders leak
good to hear you purchased. Fix everything and detail it and you have a nice cash cow ready for if you wish to sell.
the wheel damage and curb rash should be repairable, go see wheel repair shops for quotes.
A drill and buff pad + meguiars plastx should restore clarity to the soft top windows (or you could use your hands and a microfiber towel like me, but it was hard work, both sides for all windows.)
check your hydraulic fluid. Could be dirty and in need of flushing , and pray none of your top cylinders leak
Except those windows, the condition of soft top was pretty good. I guess before I purchase anything like this, I will try to buff it out to see if I can restore the window.
Ok, my mechanic called me with a list of things I might need to do.
- the clunking noise when I turn either left or right was due to a loosen bolt on control arm so he took care of it.
- one of bushings got missing so it made the rough transmission gear changes
- there is a small leak started on driver side valve cover but recommended to do both side if i want to otherwise keep an eye on those- $440
- serpentine tensioner is original one and seems ok but recommended to replace with new version which is made of plastic - $195
- no leak from the transmission has been identified.
- if I want the transmission flush, it is about $250.
- right corner light is bulging out a bit because it is missing a bracket to secure. - anyone knows where to find one?
- one of hydraulic cylinder is leaking - i may just remove all and have it rebuilt later.
- the headliner on hard top is sagging - i called one of upholstery shops and their rough estimate is about $350-$400... I may call around a few more shops near north Atlanta area. anyone from Atlanta area and knows a good shop?
Do you guys recommend replacing the plastic serpentine tensioner and tranny flush @ 50k or should I wait till @ 60k?
Ok, my mechanic called me with a list of things I might need to do.
- the clunking noise when I turn either left or right was due to a loosen bolt on control arm so he took care of it.
- one of bushings got missing so it made the rough transmission gear changes
- there is a small leak started on driver side valve cover but recommended to do both side if i want to otherwise keep an eye on those- $440
- serpentine tensioner is original one and seems ok but recommended to replace with new version which is made of plastic - $195
- no leak from the transmission has been identified.
- if I want the transmission flush, it is about $250.
- right corner light is bulging out a bit because it is missing a bracket to secure. - anyone knows where to find one?
- one of hydraulic cylinder is leaking - i may just remove all and have it rebuilt later.
- the headliner on hard top is sagging - i called one of upholstery shops and their rough estimate is about $350-$400... I may call around a few more shops near north Atlanta area. anyone from Atlanta area and knows a good shop?
Do you guys recommend replacing the plastic serpentine tensioner and tranny flush @ 50k or should I wait till @ 60k?
I don’t about the serpentine tensioner, but if the transmission has no record of service, do it ASAP, and change out the pilot bushing connector as well. Get any and all trans codes erased and shift adaptations reset
I don’t about the serpentine tensioner, but if the transmission has no record of service, do it ASAP, and change out the pilot bushing connector as well. Get any and all trans codes erased and shift adaptations reset
I've always loved the look of R129 model since I was young and the fact that my grandfather had owned one about 20 years ago. I've been looking for one for myself and found a candidate R129. It is 2002 Silver Edition with low miles. (only wanted silver color)
I test drove today but disappointed a bit with the current condition of it as i could see many imperfections compared to pictures I was given. (I know it is almost 20 years old and I'm not expecting as if it is a brand new car
Seller was asking $12K and I have negotiated down to $10.5K but want to ask experienced owners if I should purchase or stay away from this particular one.
Problems: --- (I was not able to lift up the car)
1. Front passenger side rim got damaged. it seems like it got scraped one side against curb or something.
2. It makes some clunking sounds from the front passenger side when steering wheel is turned all the way to either right or left. so i guess it could be the axle or ball joint issue.
3. The front passenger side blinker has been replaced but it does not seem fit correctly. not sure if it is an after market part with bad fitment
4. I could feel the engine shoots up when I tested engine mount by putting brakes and pressing gas pedal in R or D gear position - could be bad motor mount.
5. It seems like there is an oil leak between engine and transmission when I lie down and looked under the car.
6. seller mentioned some issues with soft top convertible and he had the hardtop on it when he showed the car. --> I guess this could be a common issue
7. Leather seats were good condition as I did not see any creases or tear but those white leather portion were pretty dirty... I'm not sure if I can remove those discoloration.
8. It seems like blinkers are not turning off itself after making a turn. I needed to manually turn them off. (my 94 W124 and 11 X164 don't do that... in fact, all cars I have driven so far turns blinkers off by itself)
9. the wood trim on center console has been damaged and parts of it came off
10. in addition to #4 above, i heard some loud noise randomly when i changed gears from P to R.
Other than above, i saw several spots with paint nicks and car pulls strong.
Do you think I should get it or stay away from it?
The very FIRST thing is to pay for and GET a Prepurchase Inspection and report from a Mercedes Dealer. cost maybe $250 best money to ever spend. That will find lots more things needing fixing and give cost estimates. A top not working CAN BE a $10,000 fix. Wood trim replacements on EBAY very reasonable. Turn signal auto cancel a low cost replace broken plastic lever, Engine mounts replace is a $1000- job Oil leaks are very common, valve cover gaskets likely. Need to pin down the leak.
fixing minor curb rash a $100 job unless the wheel bent. Never consider purchasing a 'sick' R-129 until you KNOW what ails it.
The very FIRST thing is to pay for and GET a Prepurchase Inspection and report from a Mercedes Dealer. cost maybe $250 best money to ever spend. That will find lots more things needing fixing and give cost estimates. A top not working CAN BE a $10,000 fix. Wood trim replacements on EBAY very reasonable. Turn signal auto cancel a low cost replace broken plastic lever, Engine mounts replace is a $1000- job Oil leaks are very common, valve cover gaskets likely. Need to pin down the leak.
fixing minor curb rash a $100 job unless the wheel bent. Never consider purchasing a 'sick' R-129 until you KNOW what ails it.
I guess you can throw a welcome hug for me for joining the R129 SL club
As I reported above, most of my concerns were resolved.
- The soft top is working fine but the windows need to be cleaned so I ordered a bottle of Meguiar's PlastX and try to restore before I look for other solution.
- one of hydraulic cylinders is leaking and planning to remove all of cylinders and send it for rebuilt.
- There is very small amount of oil leakage (it seems like it has started not too long ago) from the driver side valve cover and planning to take care of it soon.
- Engine and tranny mounts are fine but a bushing was missing so it caused some rough gear changes. (my mechanic just installed the missing bushing)
- ordered some leather cleaner and conditioner to clean the leather seats before taking to detailing shop
- planning to take it to wheel repair shops next week to get estimates for damaged trim rings.
- my mechanic is doing the tranny service so i should be able to pick it up tomorrow.
10-12-2020, 05:30 PM
