Novice seeking advice! - Buying a 1996 Mercedes SL320
Discussion
Hi there,
I wondered if anyone could give me their views on this R129 which I found listed for sale on carandclassic.co.uk.
http://www.country-classic-cars.co.uk/listings/199...
I'm completely new to the classic/modern classic car scene and therefore have little knowledge about what to look out for when going for viewings.
I've loved the shape and style of the R129 ever since I was a teenager and always wanted one but I've been too afraid of buying one and then running into engine problems etc and costly repairs.
This particular car sounds as though it has been looked after well from what I've read in the description.
Full service history with invoices to show works carried out as well as all old MOT certificates.
The car is currently owned by the company Sales Director of Country Classic Cars in Midhurst, West Sussex and is now available for sale due to needing the money for a deposit to buy a house. Well, that's what is said in the Car and Classic listing anyway. See here: https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C941420
I was drawn to this particular car as I love the combination of the Azurite Blue and beige leather interior with the AMG wheels. Plus the service history etc sounds pretty comprehensive.
I'd be really interested to see what your views are and whether you can offer me any advice for when I go and view the car.
Do you think £7,250 is a fair price?
Thanks in advance.
I wondered if anyone could give me their views on this R129 which I found listed for sale on carandclassic.co.uk.
http://www.country-classic-cars.co.uk/listings/199...
I'm completely new to the classic/modern classic car scene and therefore have little knowledge about what to look out for when going for viewings.
I've loved the shape and style of the R129 ever since I was a teenager and always wanted one but I've been too afraid of buying one and then running into engine problems etc and costly repairs.
This particular car sounds as though it has been looked after well from what I've read in the description.
Full service history with invoices to show works carried out as well as all old MOT certificates.
The car is currently owned by the company Sales Director of Country Classic Cars in Midhurst, West Sussex and is now available for sale due to needing the money for a deposit to buy a house. Well, that's what is said in the Car and Classic listing anyway. See here: https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C941420
I was drawn to this particular car as I love the combination of the Azurite Blue and beige leather interior with the AMG wheels. Plus the service history etc sounds pretty comprehensive.
I'd be really interested to see what your views are and whether you can offer me any advice for when I go and view the car.
Do you think £7,250 is a fair price?
Thanks in advance.
Right, I own the smaller sibling of this car; a 1995 S124 E320 5 speed and a friend of mine has owned a 1996? (N reg) S124 E280. A couple of mates do also fix and sell 124s/201s and the odd R129. Here is what I've picked up.
-On an M104 engined car like yours check for the engine wiring harness being replaced. Ignore this at your peril. The factory items WILL break down their biodegrable insulation, causing the wirings to potentially short out. Don't settle for 'repaired' harness either despite the big bills ; any trace of the old harness will break down eventually. If you are unlucky it can out the ECU
My friend sold his E280 for this very reason; it came to him on a repaired harness and the remaining parts are what made the car unreliable; it just wouldn't stop cutting out.
Kent Bergasma aka Mercedessource on YouTube highlights this issue. Personally, I'd want a receipt, but if like me you have some vague evidence (a faded receipt) and the engine wiring harness looks good in the key areas (camshaft sensor and coolant temp sensor are easy areas to look at in the car) you'll probably be ok.
Why have I made a big deal about this? MB want £850 for a replacement harness, which aftermarket solutions costing £500. You could do what another friend did with the E280 he bought off my friend and make your own. It did take him quite some time though. I did almost buy a W202 C280 AMG for peanuts years ago because of this, except that harness had AMG tax added onto it...
-Check which transmission it is. From memory the 722.6 5 speed auto transmission is a sturdy unit. The earlier 722.5 5 speed comes with a bit of a reputation. 5th gear can go on the 722.5 from something as simple as a switch going or the solenoid (it's an electrically activated 5th gear). Check it engages all of the gears. If one of them is missing be aware that spares are now hard to come by for the 722.5 or at least at reasonable prices; I just found this out. Rebuilds for them are reasonable but if the electrics are iffy this can compromise the box;it's something transmission folk don't seem to touch during rebuilds. The 4 speeds are considered more reliable but IMHO the 5 speeds really improve the drive of the car ; I really like mine in the S124 now it's working.
Regular servicing with coolant changes, autobox fluid go a long way as well.
Rust is another thing to look out for. The buyers guides probably cover this area mind you.
R129SL is the man to ask here, however. I'd ping him a PM personally.
In working order they're a lovely car and the M104 3.2 shifts the car along nicely.
-On an M104 engined car like yours check for the engine wiring harness being replaced. Ignore this at your peril. The factory items WILL break down their biodegrable insulation, causing the wirings to potentially short out. Don't settle for 'repaired' harness either despite the big bills ; any trace of the old harness will break down eventually. If you are unlucky it can out the ECU
My friend sold his E280 for this very reason; it came to him on a repaired harness and the remaining parts are what made the car unreliable; it just wouldn't stop cutting out.
Kent Bergasma aka Mercedessource on YouTube highlights this issue. Personally, I'd want a receipt, but if like me you have some vague evidence (a faded receipt) and the engine wiring harness looks good in the key areas (camshaft sensor and coolant temp sensor are easy areas to look at in the car) you'll probably be ok.
Why have I made a big deal about this? MB want £850 for a replacement harness, which aftermarket solutions costing £500. You could do what another friend did with the E280 he bought off my friend and make your own. It did take him quite some time though. I did almost buy a W202 C280 AMG for peanuts years ago because of this, except that harness had AMG tax added onto it...
-Check which transmission it is. From memory the 722.6 5 speed auto transmission is a sturdy unit. The earlier 722.5 5 speed comes with a bit of a reputation. 5th gear can go on the 722.5 from something as simple as a switch going or the solenoid (it's an electrically activated 5th gear). Check it engages all of the gears. If one of them is missing be aware that spares are now hard to come by for the 722.5 or at least at reasonable prices; I just found this out. Rebuilds for them are reasonable but if the electrics are iffy this can compromise the box;it's something transmission folk don't seem to touch during rebuilds. The 4 speeds are considered more reliable but IMHO the 5 speeds really improve the drive of the car ; I really like mine in the S124 now it's working.
Regular servicing with coolant changes, autobox fluid go a long way as well.
Rust is another thing to look out for. The buyers guides probably cover this area mind you.
R129SL is the man to ask here, however. I'd ping him a PM personally.
In working order they're a lovely car and the M104 3.2 shifts the car along nicely.
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