Buying an R129 500SL
Discussion
Hi All,
i am about to buy a '91 500SL.
It is a very honest car, needs minor work but nothing much that I can't do myself, over the last 6 years, it has average 1800 miles per year and a very elderly guy has owned it. Full mercedes history upto 85k and now on 107k, I will be putting it in to a specialist near to me call Star Tec once I have sorted a few bits.
I have some questions, it has a fully stamped book and some receipts but not all, do Mercedes offer a service where they will/can print off past history for work carried out by them?
The electric mirrors and passenger side electric seat do not work, I had a quick play with fuses (not entirely sure I swapped the right ones, think they were) but no joy. The passenger side rear foot well was wet as the rear window has a split so I'm wondering if water has caused an issue. Otherwise, all electrics inc the roof are fine.
Are there any common issues with the mirrors/seat?
Are there any specialist sites / forums /places to get spares/info on these? I need to order odd parts like a headlight wiper arm cap and new key cover.
Many thanks for any help
i am about to buy a '91 500SL.
It is a very honest car, needs minor work but nothing much that I can't do myself, over the last 6 years, it has average 1800 miles per year and a very elderly guy has owned it. Full mercedes history upto 85k and now on 107k, I will be putting it in to a specialist near to me call Star Tec once I have sorted a few bits.
I have some questions, it has a fully stamped book and some receipts but not all, do Mercedes offer a service where they will/can print off past history for work carried out by them?
The electric mirrors and passenger side electric seat do not work, I had a quick play with fuses (not entirely sure I swapped the right ones, think they were) but no joy. The passenger side rear foot well was wet as the rear window has a split so I'm wondering if water has caused an issue. Otherwise, all electrics inc the roof are fine.
Are there any common issues with the mirrors/seat?
Are there any specialist sites / forums /places to get spares/info on these? I need to order odd parts like a headlight wiper arm cap and new key cover.
Many thanks for any help
Great cars - I have two and love them
Start with a new high spec battery - 019 spec with at least 95A and 800CCA. And a Ctek charger if you have the facility to keep it plugged in on a trickle charger. R129s love a healthy battery.
Corroded aluminium fuses and weak batteries can often be at fault for minor electrical gremlins. Get hold of copper marine spec fuses in 8A, 16A and a few of 25A.
https://www.sheridanmarine.com/product/ceramic-fus...
Used to be the preferred supplier but may struggle now. Flösser in Germany do - you might need them sent from the USA or Australia from an eBay seller. If you have a Dremel tool you can try to brush any oxidation off the fuse holder contacts. Do this for both fuse boxes - the main one under the bonnet and the auxiliary one in the boot.
I resolved a small seat issue by dismantling the door mounted controls and cleaning the contacts there. A can of contact cleaner is also a good idea.
If the water ingress is at fault there are quite a few breakers on eBay and it won't be hard to find a replacement control unit.
Parts supply is generally very good. Mercedes OE is best but can be very pricey (not in every case though). Lemforder and other ZF group brands such as TRW or Sachs are fine.
Your car will probably be in want of new plugs, dizzy caps, rotor arms and sealing rings/suppressors (MB best by far but v expensive). At 100k+ the damper struts, top mounts and other suspension wear items will be in want of replacement. Bite the bullet and do it, if money allows. You'll love the car more if it handles correctly.
Start with a new high spec battery - 019 spec with at least 95A and 800CCA. And a Ctek charger if you have the facility to keep it plugged in on a trickle charger. R129s love a healthy battery.
Corroded aluminium fuses and weak batteries can often be at fault for minor electrical gremlins. Get hold of copper marine spec fuses in 8A, 16A and a few of 25A.
https://www.sheridanmarine.com/product/ceramic-fus...
Used to be the preferred supplier but may struggle now. Flösser in Germany do - you might need them sent from the USA or Australia from an eBay seller. If you have a Dremel tool you can try to brush any oxidation off the fuse holder contacts. Do this for both fuse boxes - the main one under the bonnet and the auxiliary one in the boot.
I resolved a small seat issue by dismantling the door mounted controls and cleaning the contacts there. A can of contact cleaner is also a good idea.
If the water ingress is at fault there are quite a few breakers on eBay and it won't be hard to find a replacement control unit.
Parts supply is generally very good. Mercedes OE is best but can be very pricey (not in every case though). Lemforder and other ZF group brands such as TRW or Sachs are fine.
Your car will probably be in want of new plugs, dizzy caps, rotor arms and sealing rings/suppressors (MB best by far but v expensive). At 100k+ the damper struts, top mounts and other suspension wear items will be in want of replacement. Bite the bullet and do it, if money allows. You'll love the car more if it handles correctly.
Edited by Zonergem on Tuesday 13th March 14:28
Hi Guys,
Thank you for your input!! Great tips and advice, luckily, at some point, my car had owners who cared and the fuse box has clearly been attacked with WD40 which has kept it in very good condition and the fuses all to be non standard newer items, I've since ordered some copper fuses as I have heard the ally ones aren't always up to the job, I have found the I have blown the window fuses on a few occassions already so I hope some better quality fuses resolve this.
Lovely collection there.
So I got the car and it's lovely, it does have it's issues and I have already become great friends with the girl on parts at Mercedes, ordering some minor trim bits.
Suspension and mounts seem to have been changed thankfully, top mount appear new and the nuts holding them there have clearly been on and off, everything looks great and the rides lovely, actually handles less like a boat than I thought it would.
My main issues with the car are the electric seat, interior mirror, steering column and exterior mirrors not working. However, last night the passenger side mirror started trying to move up by itself and it carried on trying, thud thud thud thud thud... I'd love to get the steering column working over anything else as it is in a really crap position, it is as far and high away as can be.
The ABS and ASR light sometimes pop on when I first start it, the engine sounds rough when they appear. Sometimes it will just clear itself after running for 10 seconds, other times I have turned the car off and then back on and it's fine.. It is 50/50 so far.
I'm OK with checking fuses, cleaning earths and putting power via a probe directing to a motor, swapping control units out but beyond that, I hate electrics and the patience required.
Any tips would be great!
Thank you for your input!! Great tips and advice, luckily, at some point, my car had owners who cared and the fuse box has clearly been attacked with WD40 which has kept it in very good condition and the fuses all to be non standard newer items, I've since ordered some copper fuses as I have heard the ally ones aren't always up to the job, I have found the I have blown the window fuses on a few occassions already so I hope some better quality fuses resolve this.
Lovely collection there.
So I got the car and it's lovely, it does have it's issues and I have already become great friends with the girl on parts at Mercedes, ordering some minor trim bits.
Suspension and mounts seem to have been changed thankfully, top mount appear new and the nuts holding them there have clearly been on and off, everything looks great and the rides lovely, actually handles less like a boat than I thought it would.
My main issues with the car are the electric seat, interior mirror, steering column and exterior mirrors not working. However, last night the passenger side mirror started trying to move up by itself and it carried on trying, thud thud thud thud thud... I'd love to get the steering column working over anything else as it is in a really crap position, it is as far and high away as can be.
The ABS and ASR light sometimes pop on when I first start it, the engine sounds rough when they appear. Sometimes it will just clear itself after running for 10 seconds, other times I have turned the car off and then back on and it's fine.. It is 50/50 so far.
I'm OK with checking fuses, cleaning earths and putting power via a probe directing to a motor, swapping control units out but beyond that, I hate electrics and the patience required.
Any tips would be great!
Sorry to hijack this thread but my question also relates to the original title.
I'm interested in buying a Mercedes SL (R129) to use as a daily driver. I would prefer a 500 but would also consider a 320.
I'm not too bothered about higher mileage cars as long as they have been properly maintained and are in good, original condition.
I will be doing up to 10,000 miles a year.
These cars caught my attention:
http://www.freewheeler.co.uk/carsDetail.php?153
https://www.globalautomobiles.co.uk/used-mercedes-...
Does anyone know anything about either car or the garages that are selling them?
Thanks in advance.
I'm interested in buying a Mercedes SL (R129) to use as a daily driver. I would prefer a 500 but would also consider a 320.
I'm not too bothered about higher mileage cars as long as they have been properly maintained and are in good, original condition.
I will be doing up to 10,000 miles a year.
These cars caught my attention:
http://www.freewheeler.co.uk/carsDetail.php?153
https://www.globalautomobiles.co.uk/used-mercedes-...
Does anyone know anything about either car or the garages that are selling them?
Thanks in advance.
MarkGolf said:
Hi Guys,
Thank you for your input!! Great tips and advice, luckily, at some point, my car had owners who cared and the fuse box has clearly been attacked with WD40 which has kept it in very good condition and the fuses all to be non standard newer items, I've since ordered some copper fuses as I have heard the ally ones aren't always up to the job, I have found the I have blown the window fuses on a few occassions already so I hope some better quality fuses resolve this.
Lovely collection there.
So I got the car and it's lovely, it does have it's issues and I have already become great friends with the girl on parts at Mercedes, ordering some minor trim bits.
Suspension and mounts seem to have been changed thankfully, top mount appear new and the nuts holding them there have clearly been on and off, everything looks great and the rides lovely, actually handles less like a boat than I thought it would.
My main issues with the car are the electric seat, interior mirror, steering column and exterior mirrors not working. However, last night the passenger side mirror started trying to move up by itself and it carried on trying, thud thud thud thud thud... I'd love to get the steering column working over anything else as it is in a really crap position, it is as far and high away as can be.
The ABS and ASR light sometimes pop on when I first start it, the engine sounds rough when they appear. Sometimes it will just clear itself after running for 10 seconds, other times I have turned the car off and then back on and it's fine.. It is 50/50 so far.
I'm OK with checking fuses, cleaning earths and putting power via a probe directing to a motor, swapping control units out but beyond that, I hate electrics and the patience required.
Any tips would be great!
I had the driver side window blowing fuses, replaced (Halfords) fuses and all fine. I just use ally, clean them and treat to some switch/contact cleaner and all is fine. If you don't have any contact cleaner keep some handy, if you ever re-seat a connector or ECU use it.Thank you for your input!! Great tips and advice, luckily, at some point, my car had owners who cared and the fuse box has clearly been attacked with WD40 which has kept it in very good condition and the fuses all to be non standard newer items, I've since ordered some copper fuses as I have heard the ally ones aren't always up to the job, I have found the I have blown the window fuses on a few occassions already so I hope some better quality fuses resolve this.
Lovely collection there.
So I got the car and it's lovely, it does have it's issues and I have already become great friends with the girl on parts at Mercedes, ordering some minor trim bits.
Suspension and mounts seem to have been changed thankfully, top mount appear new and the nuts holding them there have clearly been on and off, everything looks great and the rides lovely, actually handles less like a boat than I thought it would.
My main issues with the car are the electric seat, interior mirror, steering column and exterior mirrors not working. However, last night the passenger side mirror started trying to move up by itself and it carried on trying, thud thud thud thud thud... I'd love to get the steering column working over anything else as it is in a really crap position, it is as far and high away as can be.
The ABS and ASR light sometimes pop on when I first start it, the engine sounds rough when they appear. Sometimes it will just clear itself after running for 10 seconds, other times I have turned the car off and then back on and it's fine.. It is 50/50 so far.
I'm OK with checking fuses, cleaning earths and putting power via a probe directing to a motor, swapping control units out but beyond that, I hate electrics and the patience required.
Any tips would be great!
Do your mirrors/seat motor etc work if you open the door?
gttastic said:
Sorry to hijack this thread but my question also relates to the original title.
I'm interested in buying a Mercedes SL (R129) to use as a daily driver. I would prefer a 500 but would also consider a 320.
I'm not too bothered about higher mileage cars as long as they have been properly maintained and are in good, original condition.
I will be doing up to 10,000 miles a year.
These cars caught my attention:
http://www.freewheeler.co.uk/carsDetail.php?153
https://www.globalautomobiles.co.uk/used-mercedes-...
Does anyone know anything about either car or the garages that are selling them?
Thanks in advance.
The vendor of the silver car posts on here, but I don't know his user name. That car has been for sale a very long time indeed - it doesn't look like poor value at that mileage if it's in at least fair condition, but the time it has been on sale is at least cause for curiosity. The blue car looks very smart - not sure how much value there is in the Limited Edition tag.I'm interested in buying a Mercedes SL (R129) to use as a daily driver. I would prefer a 500 but would also consider a 320.
I'm not too bothered about higher mileage cars as long as they have been properly maintained and are in good, original condition.
I will be doing up to 10,000 miles a year.
These cars caught my attention:
http://www.freewheeler.co.uk/carsDetail.php?153
https://www.globalautomobiles.co.uk/used-mercedes-...
Does anyone know anything about either car or the garages that are selling them?
Thanks in advance.
Stegel said:
The vendor of the silver car posts on here, but I don't know his user name. That car has been for sale a very long time indeed - it doesn't look like poor value at that mileage if it's in at least fair condition, but the time it has been on sale is at least cause for curiosity. The blue car looks very smart - not sure how much value there is in the Limited Edition tag.
Thanks for the info Stegel.I think my ideal R129 is the Silver Arrow Edition because it's a late model with a V8. Unfortunately, I don't think my £15K budget will get me into one of those, even if it has high miles.
So, I might have to make do with a Designo Edition SL320 or an earlier SL500/500SL.
I spoke to the dealer who is selling the Mystic Blue Designo Edition. He said it had 2 new front wings fitted about 3 years ago.
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