SL/R129: Interesting Maintenance Points
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 75
From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
Interesting Maintenance Points
Over 18 years owning a used 1999 R129 ... the amount of money we have spent maintain our R129 in the past 18 years = $ 25,000 CDN. Including the extended warranty cost to us & cost to the insurers - we had very few claims.
The total cost since 2018 purchase ($ 22,000 CDN) of a used 2011 E550 .... including the same things - extended maintenance, warranty & cost to insurance company = $ 23,000 CDN.
The R129 holds up pretty well.
The total cost since 2018 purchase ($ 22,000 CDN) of a used 2011 E550 .... including the same things - extended maintenance, warranty & cost to insurance company = $ 23,000 CDN.
The R129 holds up pretty well.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 428
Likes: 96
From: Houston
001 s600, 94 sl600
I reserve $150/mo for my 1994 SL-600 and the same amount ($150/mo) for my recently purchased 2001 S-600 (with all major needs recently done)
On the R-129 SL-600 I am currently replacing all the engine compartment wiring including throttle actuators and convertible top hydraulic cylinders. I need to replace the engine and transmission mounts and front of the engine complete reseal job. The seven-channel Bose amplifier has been repaired I personally completely rebuilt (successfully) the transmission (catastrophic front seal failure) less than 500 miles ago. Top is in good (6/10) or better. Need to replace A/C evaporator because of the 'running crack.' I have all the parts needed. Need major white paint 'correction' and both bumper minor repairs and repaint. Bodypaint will come out 8/10
The Obsidian Black 2001 S-600 with only 101,500 miles looks MUCH higher 'clarity of image' than new after a major 'paint correction. The COMMAND v2.5 SYSTEM sucks--with CD player on the frits-need to jumper it--connector en route. Telephone, voice control stuff long ago removed and jumped around.Has new Michelin tires, but needs a few minor inconvenience features do not work. Both rear windows move stiffly and need lubrication. Rear headrests do not retract (something in the PSE system?) Front and rear seat 'massage' features do not work---again PSE system, likely leaking bladders but seats are SO-Comfortable as-is, even of 5 hour non-stop runs. These are very costly to have Dealer fix, but do I need them?? A real PITA
P.O had 'best shop on the west coast' install LED rear lights---but did not install 'resistors' to fool the system into thinking they were still old filament technology==annoying 'check bulb messages. Everything else works 100%--no oil leaks, no coolant leaks, front AND REAR HVAC systems work perfectly, ABC works perfectly, no leaks. Transmission works perfectly--PO recently <1000 miles ago) had major service including the conductor plate and leaky electrical connector replaced.
Will have to wait for summer heat to prove the coils and power supply are good. Plugs recently replaced--no issue then.
On the R-129 SL-600 I am currently replacing all the engine compartment wiring including throttle actuators and convertible top hydraulic cylinders. I need to replace the engine and transmission mounts and front of the engine complete reseal job. The seven-channel Bose amplifier has been repaired I personally completely rebuilt (successfully) the transmission (catastrophic front seal failure) less than 500 miles ago. Top is in good (6/10) or better. Need to replace A/C evaporator because of the 'running crack.' I have all the parts needed. Need major white paint 'correction' and both bumper minor repairs and repaint. Bodypaint will come out 8/10
The Obsidian Black 2001 S-600 with only 101,500 miles looks MUCH higher 'clarity of image' than new after a major 'paint correction. The COMMAND v2.5 SYSTEM sucks--with CD player on the frits-need to jumper it--connector en route. Telephone, voice control stuff long ago removed and jumped around.Has new Michelin tires, but needs a few minor inconvenience features do not work. Both rear windows move stiffly and need lubrication. Rear headrests do not retract (something in the PSE system?) Front and rear seat 'massage' features do not work---again PSE system, likely leaking bladders but seats are SO-Comfortable as-is, even of 5 hour non-stop runs. These are very costly to have Dealer fix, but do I need them?? A real PITA
P.O had 'best shop on the west coast' install LED rear lights---but did not install 'resistors' to fool the system into thinking they were still old filament technology==annoying 'check bulb messages. Everything else works 100%--no oil leaks, no coolant leaks, front AND REAR HVAC systems work perfectly, ABC works perfectly, no leaks. Transmission works perfectly--PO recently <1000 miles ago) had major service including the conductor plate and leaky electrical connector replaced.
Will have to wait for summer heat to prove the coils and power supply are good. Plugs recently replaced--no issue then.
