Discussion
OK, I've got a 1990 R129 '500.....
OK, from what I know or have learnt:
1) Check EVERYTHING electrical. If it don't work, walk away. In particular, the roof. If that goes awry, have deep pockets ready. You'll need them. I know of an SL60 AMG that even MB can't get the roof working on.
2) MPG is around 17-22. Depends on how you drive. Mine has the 4 speed auto, your vintage will have the '5 speeder. If so, if its a high miler, make sure the tranny oil has been changed recently, or plan to get it done (pay £120 or so at an indie). The later autoboxes are much, much better with new oil in 'em (my E240 has the same 5 sp auto).
3) If it hasn't got the hard top, walk away. They're about 5K from MB, but they do come up on E-bay. Oh, a new hood from MB is around 3K as well, so make sure its in A1 condition. Mine is good, I just invesnted in some "Hindsight" to clear the (plastic) rear windows.
4) A lot of parts (as I've found) are bespoke to the SL. The price reflects this! For example, my column stalk failed last weekend. It performs EXACTLY the same functions as the E-Class stalk, and the stalk in thousands of other MBs. A new stalk for the E is around £50, the stalk for the SL set me back £108 plus VAT
5) The only problems I've had so far have been: drivers window needed adjusting (door wouldn't close easily); aircon needed re-gassing, and a pair of new distributor caps (earlier models had ones made from blancmange, fixed in later cars). Other than that its as reliable as a Swiss watch.
6) Theres quite a few out there, so be choosy. I bought mine from a PH-ers brother, and the car had been in the family since new. They had quite clearly cherished the car. I do too. It has a tad over 40K from new. Low mileage cars are out there, so get hunting!
7) One final word of advice: theres a LOT of electrical equipment in these cars, and if you don't use them they will kill a battery stone dead in about 2 weeks. So if you intend to use it, fine, if you are going to garage it or lay it up, invest in a battery conditioner.
If I can help further, please reply or mail me via my profile.
Good luck, and good choice!
Greg
OK, from what I know or have learnt:
1) Check EVERYTHING electrical. If it don't work, walk away. In particular, the roof. If that goes awry, have deep pockets ready. You'll need them. I know of an SL60 AMG that even MB can't get the roof working on.
2) MPG is around 17-22. Depends on how you drive. Mine has the 4 speed auto, your vintage will have the '5 speeder. If so, if its a high miler, make sure the tranny oil has been changed recently, or plan to get it done (pay £120 or so at an indie). The later autoboxes are much, much better with new oil in 'em (my E240 has the same 5 sp auto).
3) If it hasn't got the hard top, walk away. They're about 5K from MB, but they do come up on E-bay. Oh, a new hood from MB is around 3K as well, so make sure its in A1 condition. Mine is good, I just invesnted in some "Hindsight" to clear the (plastic) rear windows.
4) A lot of parts (as I've found) are bespoke to the SL. The price reflects this! For example, my column stalk failed last weekend. It performs EXACTLY the same functions as the E-Class stalk, and the stalk in thousands of other MBs. A new stalk for the E is around £50, the stalk for the SL set me back £108 plus VAT
5) The only problems I've had so far have been: drivers window needed adjusting (door wouldn't close easily); aircon needed re-gassing, and a pair of new distributor caps (earlier models had ones made from blancmange, fixed in later cars). Other than that its as reliable as a Swiss watch.
6) Theres quite a few out there, so be choosy. I bought mine from a PH-ers brother, and the car had been in the family since new. They had quite clearly cherished the car. I do too. It has a tad over 40K from new. Low mileage cars are out there, so get hunting!
7) One final word of advice: theres a LOT of electrical equipment in these cars, and if you don't use them they will kill a battery stone dead in about 2 weeks. So if you intend to use it, fine, if you are going to garage it or lay it up, invest in a battery conditioner.
If I can help further, please reply or mail me via my profile.
Good luck, and good choice!
Greg
Yes, plenty of nice cherished ones around so no excuse for buying one that's not..
You might want to be aware that they switched from the 5.0 326bhp 32valve M119 V8 (some rate it as the best Mercedes engine) to the current 5.0 306bhp 24 valve V8 at some time (98 ish?). I'd probably rather have the newer engine as it's a more modern design and I didn't particularly love the older 5.0 in a 1990 car I drove, but I have limited experience. Perhaps it's worth a drive in both anyway if you're feeling picky?
A six cylinder is much cheaper on parts but not all that much better on fuel and not terribly fast. The 320 straight six is probably the best six but there's a V6 too. Believe it or not it the sixes even came as a manual....
Russell
You might want to be aware that they switched from the 5.0 326bhp 32valve M119 V8 (some rate it as the best Mercedes engine) to the current 5.0 306bhp 24 valve V8 at some time (98 ish?). I'd probably rather have the newer engine as it's a more modern design and I didn't particularly love the older 5.0 in a 1990 car I drove, but I have limited experience. Perhaps it's worth a drive in both anyway if you're feeling picky?
A six cylinder is much cheaper on parts but not all that much better on fuel and not terribly fast. The 320 straight six is probably the best six but there's a V6 too. Believe it or not it the sixes even came as a manual....
Russell
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