SL/R129: Working with contractors
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Western NC Mountains
1999 SL500
Working with contractors
So, over the last few years, I've acquired a couple R129s - 1995 & 1999
As y'all know, they aren't expensive. The '95, with under 80k miles, was $7000 including shipping on eBay, the '99, with sub-40K miles only about twice as much, including a pano roof.
I'm building a house. When I've shown up to meet with contractors, there is a marked difference in estimates depending on my vehicle. Every single time I've met with a contractor in a Mercedes, the estimates are through the roof. When I show up in my 20 year old Dodge pickup, they tend to be more reasonable.
In our current home, we're having septic trouble. I just spent the last half hour hiding my SLs so they aren't visible when the septic guy shows up for my estimate. Seems stupid because these cars are less than an equivalent age/mileage Camry or even a Ford.
Anyone else experience this stupidity?
As y'all know, they aren't expensive. The '95, with under 80k miles, was $7000 including shipping on eBay, the '99, with sub-40K miles only about twice as much, including a pano roof.
I'm building a house. When I've shown up to meet with contractors, there is a marked difference in estimates depending on my vehicle. Every single time I've met with a contractor in a Mercedes, the estimates are through the roof. When I show up in my 20 year old Dodge pickup, they tend to be more reasonable.
In our current home, we're having septic trouble. I just spent the last half hour hiding my SLs so they aren't visible when the septic guy shows up for my estimate. Seems stupid because these cars are less than an equivalent age/mileage Camry or even a Ford.
Anyone else experience this stupidity?
Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 223
Likes: 16
From: Bloomington IL
2006 C55, 2004 ML350
Definitely depends on where you live. In the midwest and south, absolutely! I have a 2006 C55 that I bought for $7k five years ago, and people think I'm rich here in IL because I have a mercedes, even though they just dropped 50k on a grand cherokee. Its crazyness.
When I lived in California, no one cared.
Smart on you to hide it.
When I lived in California, no one cared.
Smart on you to hide it.
Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 171
Likes: 53
From: Aurora,CO
06' Audi Quattro, 00'SL500
I swap a lot of cars, my neighbor thought I was selling drugs. I had to point out to him its legal to own grow houses and pot shops in Colorado. No, I don't give discounts 
When I see a couple really nice rides in the driveway I figure they owe the bank. Not my business anyway.
When I see a couple really nice rides in the driveway I figure they owe the bank. Not my business anyway.
Last edited by BenzBopper; May 25, 2022 at 07:25 PM.
