Hi there folks,
As you might know, I put together a buyer's guide using a lot of the information I found here, the official 129 club, in books and magazines, or from members of MBCA. That guide is online here:
https://mb.clifton.io/r129/
I've approached the editor of "The Star" magazine about writing a buyer's guide for the R129 and I got approval. I need your help to fact check my work and also see if I missed anything. Here's what I have so far:
Good reasons for buying a R129 SL:
• Right now you get a lot of value for your dollar. These are outstanding cars.
• With 4 airbags and a roll bar, these cars are extremely safe convertibles.
• The trunk is pretty spacious compared to other convertibles.
• Cars without ADS or ADS II have reliable and easy to maintain suspensions.
• Parts are readibly available and components are generally simple to repair.
Good reasons for NOT buying a R129 SL:
• Can only hold 2 people; back area can not fit anyone safely.
• Limited trunk space compared to a sedan.
• It has a hard top and a soft top; you need someone to help take off the hard top.
• Model year 1993 – 1995 can have wiring harness issues which are expensive to fix.
• SL600 with ADS or ADS II can be extremely expensive to maintain.
• If the car has staggered wheels, tires can be expensive. A set of Michelin PS2s costs about $1600.
Checkpoints
1.Does the car have a wiring harness issue?
If the car is model year 1993, 1994, or 1995 more than likely there was or will be a wiring harness issue. It’s a known problem but a recall was never issued. Repairing this can cost several thousand dollars (unless you do it yourself; parts cost roughly $500 - $700). If you are considering a 1993 - 1995 model year and can’t verify if the harness was replaced, take the car to a good Mercedes-Benz mechanic. Someone that has worked with these cars a lot should be able to quickly tell and give an estimate if the harness needs replacement.
2. Does the car have a windscreen?
Starting with model year 1993, the windscreen (also called a draught-stop) is standard equipment. The windscreen snaps onto the roll bar and helps provide a super quiet ride when you have the top down. If the car has one you’ll find it in the trunk. Pop the trunk and you should see a compartment held by 3 straps. Un-strap those and you should see the windscreen, hopefully in good shape.
3. Does the car have a removable hard top? If the car you’re looking at does not have a hard top, you will have to find one that fits. The roofs for all R129s are not entirely interchangeable. Late model SLs have a much larger seal around the A-pillars and windshield surround.
4. Does the car have a panoramic roof? You’ll notice the very top is black and the rest is body colored. If the car is black, you’ll probably have to jump in to notice. Regardless, you can tell the difference in the hard tops from the outside. The panoramic roof has a more round and much smoother shape to it. Having the roof from the beginning is a huge plus; Buying the roof afterwards can cost anywhere from $500 - $2500 and you may have to match the paint and interior after that. I am not positive, but I think the panoramic roof is only compatible on model year 1995+ because of the seals.
5. The soft top and rollover bar When you look at the car you should always work the soft top and rollover bar several times and check for hydraulic leaks at the front A pillars by the visors and at the pistons that lift the top and soft top boot. In my experience the tops that are not exercised occasionally have a better chance of leaking.
You can tell if the soft top is original by examining it; when you look close, you should see a checkered pattern. You can also test to make sure the soft top still works well by trying to pour some water on it and see if any water makes its way through the plastic window. The canvas top comes in two pieces and just the rear with the plastic windows can be replaced if needed.
6. Is the car a special edition? There are several different special editions of the 129-body SL. These could significantly affect the long term value of the car. It’s possible the owner doesn’t know what they have. Here is a list of the editions to keep an eye out for:
Mille miglia, Designo edition, 40th Anniversary Roadster Edition (1997), Special Edition (1998), Final Edition (2000), SL Edition (2000), Silver arrow edition (2002).
7. Is the car an AMG model? Watch out because a lot of folks put fake AMG badges on the car. There are only 4 types of AMG modified SLs and they are rare. The SL55 (65 units made), the SL60 (633 units made), the SL70 (150 units made), and the SL73 (42 units made). Most of these cars live in Europe. Keep in mind; only 204,940 total units of the R129 SL were made so the AMG models are extremely rare and valuable. If the buyer is questionable, most likely it’s not really an AMG original.
Chronology: Dates of important specification changes
1994 models... were the first to have the new designation (e.g. 500 SL is now SL 500).
1996+ models... featured facelifts for the car:
• V8 and V12 upgraded to 5 speed electronic transmission; previous transmission was 4-speed.
• Bumper and side panels are now body color.
• Grill now only has 6 slats instead of 7.
• Front fender vents updated; 2 rounded slots instead of 3 squared slots (behind front wheels).
• Panoramic roof is now an option.
• Xenon HID headlamps standard on SL600, optional on SL500.
• Clear front turn signal indicators.
• Addition of side airbags.
1997+ models... featured:
• A new sensor can deactivate the passenger airbag when determined that the passenger seat held less than 26 pounds (for baby carrier). Also has a switch for disabling manually.
• "Sport" package became an option.
• Automatic rain-sensing windshield wipers standard
• Programmable garage door opener "HomeLink" transmitter built into the rear-view mirror
• Earlier climate control panel replaced with new larger LCD control panel
1999+ models... featured a second facelift occurred for models which included:
• V8 engine switched from M119 to M113.
• Body color door handles.
• Side mirrors more rounded, similar to the SLK.
• Soft Nappa leather seats replace the perforated leather seats.
• Tail lights with curved faces replacing the square stepped lights.
• New engine vanity cover.
• Instrument cluster now has chrome rings around each gauge.
2001 / 2002 models… include sport package standard.
As you might know, I put together a buyer's guide using a lot of the information I found here, the official 129 club, in books and magazines, or from members of MBCA. That guide is online here:
https://mb.clifton.io/r129/
I've approached the editor of "The Star" magazine about writing a buyer's guide for the R129 and I got approval. I need your help to fact check my work and also see if I missed anything. Here's what I have so far:
Good reasons for buying a R129 SL:
• Right now you get a lot of value for your dollar. These are outstanding cars.
• With 4 airbags and a roll bar, these cars are extremely safe convertibles.
• The trunk is pretty spacious compared to other convertibles.
• Cars without ADS or ADS II have reliable and easy to maintain suspensions.
• Parts are readibly available and components are generally simple to repair.
Good reasons for NOT buying a R129 SL:
• Can only hold 2 people; back area can not fit anyone safely.
• Limited trunk space compared to a sedan.
• It has a hard top and a soft top; you need someone to help take off the hard top.
• Model year 1993 – 1995 can have wiring harness issues which are expensive to fix.
• SL600 with ADS or ADS II can be extremely expensive to maintain.
• If the car has staggered wheels, tires can be expensive. A set of Michelin PS2s costs about $1600.
Checkpoints
1.Does the car have a wiring harness issue?
If the car is model year 1993, 1994, or 1995 more than likely there was or will be a wiring harness issue. It’s a known problem but a recall was never issued. Repairing this can cost several thousand dollars (unless you do it yourself; parts cost roughly $500 - $700). If you are considering a 1993 - 1995 model year and can’t verify if the harness was replaced, take the car to a good Mercedes-Benz mechanic. Someone that has worked with these cars a lot should be able to quickly tell and give an estimate if the harness needs replacement.
2. Does the car have a windscreen?
Starting with model year 1993, the windscreen (also called a draught-stop) is standard equipment. The windscreen snaps onto the roll bar and helps provide a super quiet ride when you have the top down. If the car has one you’ll find it in the trunk. Pop the trunk and you should see a compartment held by 3 straps. Un-strap those and you should see the windscreen, hopefully in good shape.
3. Does the car have a removable hard top? If the car you’re looking at does not have a hard top, you will have to find one that fits. The roofs for all R129s are not entirely interchangeable. Late model SLs have a much larger seal around the A-pillars and windshield surround.
4. Does the car have a panoramic roof? You’ll notice the very top is black and the rest is body colored. If the car is black, you’ll probably have to jump in to notice. Regardless, you can tell the difference in the hard tops from the outside. The panoramic roof has a more round and much smoother shape to it. Having the roof from the beginning is a huge plus; Buying the roof afterwards can cost anywhere from $500 - $2500 and you may have to match the paint and interior after that. I am not positive, but I think the panoramic roof is only compatible on model year 1995+ because of the seals.
5. The soft top and rollover bar When you look at the car you should always work the soft top and rollover bar several times and check for hydraulic leaks at the front A pillars by the visors and at the pistons that lift the top and soft top boot. In my experience the tops that are not exercised occasionally have a better chance of leaking.
You can tell if the soft top is original by examining it; when you look close, you should see a checkered pattern. You can also test to make sure the soft top still works well by trying to pour some water on it and see if any water makes its way through the plastic window. The canvas top comes in two pieces and just the rear with the plastic windows can be replaced if needed.
6. Is the car a special edition? There are several different special editions of the 129-body SL. These could significantly affect the long term value of the car. It’s possible the owner doesn’t know what they have. Here is a list of the editions to keep an eye out for:
Mille miglia, Designo edition, 40th Anniversary Roadster Edition (1997), Special Edition (1998), Final Edition (2000), SL Edition (2000), Silver arrow edition (2002).
7. Is the car an AMG model? Watch out because a lot of folks put fake AMG badges on the car. There are only 4 types of AMG modified SLs and they are rare. The SL55 (65 units made), the SL60 (633 units made), the SL70 (150 units made), and the SL73 (42 units made). Most of these cars live in Europe. Keep in mind; only 204,940 total units of the R129 SL were made so the AMG models are extremely rare and valuable. If the buyer is questionable, most likely it’s not really an AMG original.
Chronology: Dates of important specification changes
1994 models... were the first to have the new designation (e.g. 500 SL is now SL 500).
1996+ models... featured facelifts for the car:
• V8 and V12 upgraded to 5 speed electronic transmission; previous transmission was 4-speed.
• Bumper and side panels are now body color.
• Grill now only has 6 slats instead of 7.
• Front fender vents updated; 2 rounded slots instead of 3 squared slots (behind front wheels).
• Panoramic roof is now an option.
• Xenon HID headlamps standard on SL600, optional on SL500.
• Clear front turn signal indicators.
• Addition of side airbags.
1997+ models... featured:
• A new sensor can deactivate the passenger airbag when determined that the passenger seat held less than 26 pounds (for baby carrier). Also has a switch for disabling manually.
• "Sport" package became an option.
• Automatic rain-sensing windshield wipers standard
• Programmable garage door opener "HomeLink" transmitter built into the rear-view mirror
• Earlier climate control panel replaced with new larger LCD control panel
1999+ models... featured a second facelift occurred for models which included:
• V8 engine switched from M119 to M113.
• Body color door handles.
• Side mirrors more rounded, similar to the SLK.
• Soft Nappa leather seats replace the perforated leather seats.
• Tail lights with curved faces replacing the square stepped lights.
• New engine vanity cover.
• Instrument cluster now has chrome rings around each gauge.
2001 / 2002 models… include sport package standard.