I'm seeking advice on the MBZ 600SL R129 ​​​​​​ from the years 1996-1998, as I'm considering purchasing one. Presently, I own a 2007 MBZ SL550, and it has become one black hole of a money pit and will continue to be one. I'm considering selling the SL550 and purchasing the 600SL. Would I face the same issues I'm currently facing, or could this be a good choice? If so, what should I be looking for when purchasing a 600SL?

Thank you all in advance.

 

From cost perspective 500SL is far better option and the sacrifice in performance is not significant. It does not have the standard gas-hydraulic ADS suspension (though cheaper to repair than ABC). A neglected 600SL tends to be a nightmare. But if you go for a very good 600 it is solid build too and the V12 engine has equally good reputation then V8s. Only about 10% of the R129 production were V12s so it is more collectible.

 

Thank you for that information. What about the years I should be looking for? I have read that the 1996-1998 are the best years of production for this particular model.

 

I participated in a pretty through discussion about this issue on the other site, do a search on my ID (same as here).

https://www.benzworld.org/threads/be...06338/#replies

Read that and then follow the link on post #26 for a little more.

I'm not a fan of the jerks on the other site.

 

Thank you, Mahunt.

 

My close friend recently picked a 2001 SL500 Sport and I've been helping him restore it / catch up on the maintenance.

The R129 is a legendary platform and I've been enjoying the nostalgia.

MY1997 and 1998 have historically been regarded as the peak years for the R129.

My former SL600 was a 1997 model, the build quality of that car left an impression that is clear even to this day.

All that said, if I were to get back into an R129, a 1999-2002 SL500 with the factory Sport package and Xenon headlights would be a strong contender.

-Generally better track record with the M113 over the M119 as both platforms have aged.

-The M120 V12, despite being one of the best and most stout engines ever built, is comparatively limited today by parts being much harder to source than for the M113.

-Same goes for ADS, which is why a R129 that was factory-designed for a strut / shock / spring suspension setup will be less risky to own.

 

All I can say is thank goodness the R129 shares some of its guts with the 124 platform.

I did just swap out the front ADSII spheres (4th time) and had to go with genuine MB parts shipped from der Fatherland and a bit more expensive than the regular Corteco stuff. Hopefully, they will last the usual 7 years.

My power steering low pressure return hose also got soft and expired with the only parts available coming from Germany.

I'm still getting factory parts for the car from MB which is pretty amazing considering that the car is almost 30 years old. I can't imagine what a mechanic would charge to do the maintenance, IF you could find someone you trusted.

 

Reading what you all have posted, even though it looks and most likely is good news, I'm thinking I'm making a big mistake here. Why, you may ask? I don't know. I'm just getting the same feeling I got when I purchased my 2007 SL 550 two years ago. I never should have bought it in the first place.

 

The R129 is a LOT easier to work on than the later SL cars. It can be worked on by a home mechanic.

I wouldn't be able to do the maintenance the car needs if it were one of the later SL cars.

Definitely, if you aren't a VERY competent mechanic with a little cash and patience, I would NOT recommend owing one of the V12 cars. It's not like owning or taking care of a Toyota.

They are a challenge, but also rewarding.

 

If your gut tells you "don't", then listen to it.
That's the best advice I can give you.

 

I have a '96 SL600 and absolutely love this car. I've had 2 other SL500's and they are solid as well. I just got lucky and found a well maintained v12 and grabbed it.
After 4 years of ownership I have had to clean the contacts on the back of the cluster to clear up a finicky gas gauge. I changed all fluids first. And I had the hood repainted.

 

Ok, so if I do go with the 600SL, what is the mileage cutoff? I'm thinking no more thanking 69k-71k. Thoughts? Also, the maintenance on the 600SL can't be as bad as a '07 SL550. I mean, I'm looking down range at around 20k (or sooner) more mileage, and I'm going to need to replace the front shocks. I believe the right shock starts around 1800.00, and the left around 1700.00, plus another 1500.00 in labor. Hell, I have almost replaced everything else on my SL, so it's great. I can't take that type of hit once again. Thus is why I'm going to be selling the car—additional information. I don't drive as much as I used to. I'll drive once or twice a week. But when I do so, I drive the car hard... You know, it's early morning on the FWY to the Angeles Crest Highway.

Again, I can not thank you all enough for your input.....Thank you.

 

I've got 285K miles on my car and it still looks and runs new-ish everywhere.

I probably wouldn't want a car with unusually low miles that has sat most of its life unused (especially a SL600). There are MANY systems in the car that need regular exercise to stay healthy. But, this is more a philosophy for me, not a universal truth for others. You would be the one owning and taking care of the car, get what you think best.

I once read that the engine isn't really considered broken in until about 200K miles; that might be true.

The front "shocks" (the rear ones too for that matter) are hydraulic rams. They don't absorb anything, they just set the ride height. Also, if they don't leak; they're good. I haven't really heard of a front ADS strut going bad, but I suppose it happens. All the "give" in the suspension comes from the hydraulic spheres and the action/performance of the suspension comes from the ADS valves located near each sphere. All of this is controlled by the ADS computer in the electronics box under the hood. The springs don't even hold up the car (the front struts and rear "shocks" do that) , they just damp road oscillations.

I would think you could replace all 4 spheres (yourself) for about $1K. I just did my front spheres (with dealership parts) and that was $700, the rears are about $300 a pair. Oh, and the ZHM oil is about $25 a quart at the dealership, figure about 2 quarts for each side. About the only thing that goes wrong with ADSII cars are the spheres. They seem to last about 6-7 years whether you drive the car or not. I did have to replace 2 capacitors on the ADS computer board, but everybody will have that repair in their future. Not very hard to do and I added to another members writeup awhile ago.

 

Mahunt,
Unfortunately, I don't have the space or knowledge to DIY. That's why I vetted many mechanics and landed on one that I can trust. So, mileage-wise. Purchasing a 600SL at 80k-120k would be the norm?

 

Mileage doesn't care at these engines.

 

If you have "sorted" the issues out on the R230, why would you want to roll the dice and start all over again with an even older car? The parts will be even harder to get and you still have hydraulics to deal with in both the top mechanism and the suspension. The M273 you have is a fantastic motor and seems to be very reliable by most accounts here . I sure as hell would not sell my 2009 SL550 to go back to an R129 V12.

 

You use a nice quote under your post: "VERY Happy Benz Ninja Customer - cannot imagine owning a newer MB without his help"

I own an R129 V12 and an R230 V12, both in excellent condition. If I had to choose, the R230 would leave the fleet in less than a second.

 

That quote is directed at my W222 which is very much a software defined automobile. I have not had the ninja do anything on the R230.

So please elaborate on why you own both an R129 and R230 V12 and would dump the 230 so quickly. In my case I should clarify that I dont care for the v12s as they put way more weight on the front end . They also guzzle fuel and really cram the engine bay, making things more difficult to get to. The v8s are way more than powerful enough and you get 50/50 weight balance with the 550.

I realize this is the R129 forum and i do think they are excellent autos. Certainly a moon shot compared to the older SLs and waaay ahead of their time. But time marches on and I do personally feel the R230 was an improvement in many ways.

Ultimately buying any old Benz is a dice roll and I am sorry the OP rolled a snake eyes with his 2007. My point stands though- once you sort any of them, they should provide reliable motoring for many years to come. Why start all over again with an even older starting point?

 

TD,
You're correct. If and when I make the change, I'll go back to the BMW Z4-M or the 2006 E46 M3. Although if I can find a well-cared-for 2007-2008 SL 55 AMG.....who knows at this point.

 

Without a star diagnosis, you won't get very far with either the R129 or the R230.

The myth about the top-heavy V12 is everywhere; in fact, the weight distribution, at least in the R129, is quite balanced, roughly 52% to 48% front to rear. I haven't weighed the R230 yet, but the ABC suspension ensures good roadholding there anyway. I occasionally drive it on a racetrack, and the handling is extremely forgiving. All SLs are far too heavy for serious use.

Sure, the R230 does everything better than the R129, but it looks like all the other cars. The decision for or against a car is a matter of taste, and I don't like new cars. I bought the R230 because I'm curious about its technology. If it were gone, I wouldn't miss it.

Oh, and you really can not compare a V12 against any other engines, its like a Rolex compare to a Timex.