SL/R129: 1995 SL320 experience
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Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 65
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From: Richardson, Texas
1995 SL 320
1995 SL320 experience
I bought my 320SL about 3 months ago.It has 92,350 miles.It was purchased in Miami from an eBay dealer who got the car from a Mercedes dealership off a lease.After much hard work and more than a few dollars spent,I finally can say that the car is in tip top condition.It will stay this way from now on.Here is a list of things done that must be done on all pre 1996 SL320 and 500 models....new plugs and wires,powercoat the valve covers due to paint chipping,new engine wiring harness,new harness for starter solenoid and oil pressure and level,new alternator power wiring harness,rebuilt alternator,new head gasket,water pump,new front brakes and wear sensors and rotors,new Bose speakers since no one makes speakers that fit into the door frames,repair of the third brake light due to broken wire,new instument panel bulbs(if you are lucky,if not a new instrument cluster),new front flex disc,new serpentine belt,new upper shock mounts which help with the steering and suspension,and finally change all fluids and filters(which is not an inexpensve undertaking).Add another $169 for 4 wheel allignment.I have paid about $3500 so far.The point of this is if you purchase a pre 1996 SL 320,500,or 600 plan on spending a minimum of $3500 over the purchase price to get it in good condition.Remember the $1073 or so for Tax,title,and license also.If you need new tires or paint that is extra added on top.This confirms my suspicion that there is no such thing as a cheap used Mercedes.They do not exist.
Last edited by sl3204me; Nov 4, 2004 at 02:10 PM.
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: MD
95 R129
That's why you should never buy one of these cars, or any high end cars for that matter, off e-Bay unless you are a pretty good DIYer. My suggestion has always been stick with the dealer. You may have to pay a few bucks more, but at least the dealer will have most of the problems you mentioned fixed. In addition, if you find more problems after the purchase, you can always take it back to the dealer and have them make it right. PPI on these cars are essentially and I can't figure out why most people don't do it. If you go visit any of the Porsche forum, you will find no owner there will ever let go of their hard earned cash without a PPI.
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
sl3204me
Did you find a dramatic change in performance with the work to install new plugs and to change all fluids and filters?
Did you change the Air Mass Sensor?
Did you find a dramatic change in performance with the work to install new plugs and to change all fluids and filters?
Did you change the Air Mass Sensor?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 65
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From: Richardson, Texas
1995 SL 320
ChrisB
I bought the correct Bosch plugs and wires from the dealer and installed them myself.I noticed an immediate improvement in performance.The previous owner had the wrong plugs and aftermarket wires installed.Not a good idea.I changed all fluids and filters just as a matter of good maintenance,since my car has 92,000 miles.Everything seems to run smoothly,no strange noises.I can now do my regular maintenance on a regular schedule.
As far as the air flow meter,I am as we speak replacing the wiring going to it which had the insulation on the wires disintegrating in my little hands.It caused a short to ground and started to melt the wire.I am getting to know all of the wiring harnesses on this car very well.Mercedes should be fined big time for allowing substandard harnesses to be put in their cars.I am collecting all of them and will send them to the NTSB for inspection when I am done.They are definitely a safety hazzard.Now that I have experienced the Mercedes Mystique first hand,I would agree 100% with the previous post.Shop first for a Starmark Certified MB car at the dealer.If you do decide to purchase from an individual,do a thorough exam in person of the car,demand detailed,dated records along every mileage and date timeline.Everything must be perfect,no ommissions,no missing maintenance schedules,nothing.Then have a PPI done by a Mercedes trained and certified mechanic.If anything is not 100% correct and verifiable,then walk away smiling.You have just saved yourself thousands of dollars.
As far as the air flow meter,I am as we speak replacing the wiring going to it which had the insulation on the wires disintegrating in my little hands.It caused a short to ground and started to melt the wire.I am getting to know all of the wiring harnesses on this car very well.Mercedes should be fined big time for allowing substandard harnesses to be put in their cars.I am collecting all of them and will send them to the NTSB for inspection when I am done.They are definitely a safety hazzard.Now that I have experienced the Mercedes Mystique first hand,I would agree 100% with the previous post.Shop first for a Starmark Certified MB car at the dealer.If you do decide to purchase from an individual,do a thorough exam in person of the car,demand detailed,dated records along every mileage and date timeline.Everything must be perfect,no ommissions,no missing maintenance schedules,nothing.Then have a PPI done by a Mercedes trained and certified mechanic.If anything is not 100% correct and verifiable,then walk away smiling.You have just saved yourself thousands of dollars.
Last edited by sl3204me; Dec 8, 2004 at 01:00 PM. Reason: addition
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From: Tallahassee, Florida
2006 SL600, 2001 S500, 1996 SL320
Price
If you don't mind me asking what price did you pay for the SL.
I have a 96 SL320 that I am going to be selling and was curious what the real market will pay for the car. I took a step up a purchased an 05 SL600.
I have a 96 SL320 that I am going to be selling and was curious what the real market will pay for the car. I took a step up a purchased an 05 SL600.
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,181
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From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
StephenK
That is quite the upgrade.
How do you compair the handeling, interior feel,retracible hard top experience and power differnces between the R129 and the 500 cars you have driven in the past?
That is quite the upgrade.
How do you compair the handeling, interior feel,retracible hard top experience and power differnces between the R129 and the 500 cars you have driven in the past?
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Chicago
1997 SL500
Well there are a few things that you have to consider. Your car is now 10 years old so things are going to start to break down. As for a faulty wireing harness that can be contributed to the fact that the care is 10 years old and has been under extream heat for a long time. If you averaged 45 mph over those 92k miles the wiring harness has been exposed to 125+ degrees for over 2000 hours. The materials that are used with heat and time are going to break down so I don't know how far you will get with the NTSB. And there is just one more point that I always have to bring up on the older mercedes. Just because you bought the car for under 20k does not mean that it will be cheap to fix. The SL used to be one of the most expensive luxury sports cars on the market. The car has depreciate into a cheep car (relative to the starting cost). The parts have not. You should never expect to buy a car that cost 65-100k and expect it to be cheep to maintain. I understand your pain but expensive maintainence is the baggage that comes with purchasing expensive cars.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Richardson, Texas
1995 SL 320
update
The head gasket leak problem is well documented on the 94-97 Sl320 104 engines.Mine is not bad at this time,but will have to be replaced in the next 10,000 miles or so.It is true that after 10 years any car will need some repairs and maintenance,engine gaskets included.I don't mind doing some of the work.I guess the thing that bothers me most is the lack of readily available information on repairs for the SL and the cost of some of the parts.I have been searching the Interent and have found that repair information is spotty at best.As far as cost of parts,there is a huge difference in prices buying over the Interent vs the dealer.If I need something from my local MB dealer now,I request absolute wholesale price from them.That is normally 30% off ftom their quoted price.I have seen as much as a 75% difference in prices for the same parts between some Internet parts dealers and the dealer.
So using every available source is a must when owning an SL.It is a wonderful car as long as you are a prefectionist on upkeep and repairs are done on time and correctly with OEM parts.Most of my expenses so far are due to the previous owners neglect,and a dishonest eBay used car dealer.A lesson to be learned.As far as price is concerned,I paid $15000 for my 1995 SL320 with 92,000 miles.After looking back on it no one should pay more than $11,500 for an SL from a used car dealer.You need $4000 to $5000 to get everything back in order.If the previous owner has all records and it is in pristeen condition with decent mileage,then the $5000 has been spent and it is worth the $16000 or $17000.Add about $2500 for the 8 cyl model.If the car has less than 50,000 miles then add another $2000.So I would pay $20500 for a perfect SL500 with under 50,000.I would go $18,000 for an SL320 in perfect condition.No more than that.
So using every available source is a must when owning an SL.It is a wonderful car as long as you are a prefectionist on upkeep and repairs are done on time and correctly with OEM parts.Most of my expenses so far are due to the previous owners neglect,and a dishonest eBay used car dealer.A lesson to be learned.As far as price is concerned,I paid $15000 for my 1995 SL320 with 92,000 miles.After looking back on it no one should pay more than $11,500 for an SL from a used car dealer.You need $4000 to $5000 to get everything back in order.If the previous owner has all records and it is in pristeen condition with decent mileage,then the $5000 has been spent and it is worth the $16000 or $17000.Add about $2500 for the 8 cyl model.If the car has less than 50,000 miles then add another $2000.So I would pay $20500 for a perfect SL500 with under 50,000.I would go $18,000 for an SL320 in perfect condition.No more than that.
Last edited by sl3204me; Jan 16, 2005 at 04:42 PM.
