[e-420]

DW now has the 97 E420, we just picked up a Red 97 SL500- MINE. Been looking for some time now for a Red SL500, tan interior, black top, in good shape and found one yesterday. 89K miles, but in what appears to be excellent condition. Owner was anal about the cosmetics, there are no scratches, and one very very minor ding in a panel, no scratch though. Looks like they had the common stuff for maintenance I found on the E420, all the M119 vacuum hoses had been replaced, new spring in the transmission, even had the fluid changed a few times. Been garaged most of the time so no cracked dash, and the top is still in excellent shape, rear window isn't yellowed or cracked.

Did take out the old NAMPS cell phone so the sunglass case will now hold sunglasses!

Only thing I really wished it had was heated seats, but oh well. That kinds good news/bad news IMHO. Don't know about the R129's but the 210's heated seats are a real pain to keep working and aren't near as good as our silverado's.

Seriously looking at just installing a good aftermarket heated seats in the E420 and SL this winter.

And will be sending the radio off to becker to get the volume control fixed and add the ext audio in like I did in the 420. Meanwhile, CD player will suffice.

DW fell in love with it at first site, she was ready to lay down the cash before we even test drove it after she saw the color. Maybe we are the oddballs, but personally we like the red better than any of the other colors.

Course the E420 is an seldom seen color as well, Royal Indigo. Which we also love.

PO had the car since 99, and I have what they claim is all the service records.

Next addition is a set of akebono brake pads to get rid of the dust problem. Forgot how bad the black dust is with factory pads, since I installed akebono's on the 420 just after I got it from my brother in 2008. And it will need new struts/shocks soon. They did recently have the strut mounts replaced so I guess I'm ok there.

Nice to have two cars with basically identical engines and transmissions.

Now the 04 silverado will need to reliquish it's garage space to the SL500.

Only thing in a quandry right now is that the light around the seat adjuster for the drivers side needs replacing and haven't figured out how to get the panel out. any hints?

And I guess I need to update my signature with the SL500 info!

 

[lowesguy]

Welcome! congratulations on your new car, you sir,now have a work of art, and design!:thumbsup:

 

[Pete S]

First let me say congratulations on your purchase I think you purchased the sweet spot of years for the R120 96-98. I too was looking for a Red with Black interior and was able to find one but seller would not move on price so I walked away, after owning mine for a year I can't say I regret it one bit.

Next us no pictures means it didn't happen post some soon. I know a fellow member sapphirexae added aftermarket heated seats to his and said it was fairly simple.

To remove the door panel is fairly easy. If you don't have set of interior panel and fastner removers I suggest you purchase one. I purchase this one and works ok: http://www.harborfreight.com/5-piece-auto-trim-and-molding-tool-set-67021.html Remove the triangle at the top of the door by using a pry being careful to not break a tab that holds it in place. Next remove the light located at the bottom of the door by using a flat head screwdriver and remove a phillips head screw on the speaker grille both located on underside of door. Speaker grille will the slide forward and out. I think you have to remove speakers, 4 phillips head screws. Inside the door map pocket (this is where I can't remember 100%) there are either one or two black covers. I think there are 2 screws in there just can't remember if both are covered with a small black tab one for sure is. After you get those 2 off you will have to pull around the perimeter of the door to free it from the push fasteners. Have some extras on hand as one or two always seem to break. Once you get all those loosened grab the door panel on each side at the very top and pull upward this should fee it from the top of the door. Now I think you will have enough space to get your arm to the seat adjuster to remove and replace the bulb otherwise you will need disconnect the airbag (I would advise unplugging the battery and waiting an hour) and you will also have to undo the door release cable, and possibly the plug for the upper speaker don't remember. Repeat steps in reverse to put panel back.

Sorry about being foggy about the speaker removal and screws in the map pocket but its been sometime and I can't remember exactly.

Good luck and get some pics up!

 

[e-420]

Pete S

thanks for the info on the seat control access. Sounds like it is pretty much like the 420, taking the door panel off. Was hoping for something simpler, but I've got the tools and removing the door panel isn't all that bad, just a hassle. Guess while I'm in there I'll replace both all the lamps for the seat controls.

 

[scottejupiter]

Congratulations on the purchase! Hope you enjoy. Post some pictures.

 

[SL BRABUS]

Ditto.....^^^......

 

[wlb50]

Congrats on the new SL - my personal opinion - no not many others will disagree - is that an SL should be either red -or silver.

Or blue
or white
or black ;-)

I think under the skin your SL and the E420 are identical. Well, the SL has the 722.6 which I believe - if you ignore the original factory "sealed for life" edict and change the fluid/filter every 60K miles - that transmission will go 300K+

Next to silver red is my favorite color. And in regards to not finding the heated seats if you have found a car in the color you wanted and condition you are already ahead of the game.

Buying a used car is by nature a compromise.

 

[e-420]

Congrats on the new SL - my personal opinion - no not many others will disagree - is that an SL should be either red -or silver.

Or blue
or white
or black ;-)

I think under the skin your SL and the E420 are identical. Well, the SL has the 722.6 which I believe - if you ignore the original factory "sealed for life" edict and change the fluid/filter every 60K miles - that transmission will go 300K+

Next to silver red is my favorite color. And in regards to not finding the heated seats if you have found a car in the color you wanted and condition you are already ahead of the game.

Buying a used car is by nature a compromise.

97 E420 has the 722.6 as well, and both have the M119 engine, E420 is the 4.2 L 275HP version. And E420, believe it or not is lighter weight by a few hundred pounds, and the 420 is only about a foot longer than the SL500.

On my E420 fluid had been changed once by 90K miles by PO, I change it every 25K. And the 420 needed a new gearbox spring at about 120K, original was in 3 pcs. Replaced the conductor plate at the same time.

We will see how the 500 motor does, between 100K and 145K miles I ended up replacing all the coil packs, seems like one or two was failing every 8K miles or so. But other makes of cars seem to have the same problem with coil packs.

But at least coil pack and spark plug changes are probably the easiest of any vehicle I've owned. (Well, we will exclude my duramax diesel for plugs!)

Service records for the 500 show the fluid having been changed once, along with a new conductor plate and spring as well. hum...... common theme between the E and SL class......

And yes, I think the lack of heated seats will be a blessing in disquise. The 420 heated seats have been a PITA to keep working, had to replace the elements in both seats, using elements from a C class since for the E class you can't buy the element, need to buy the whole seat cover. And they aren't the warmest or fastest warming either.

So.... the SL is going to get an aftermarket seat heater set, and if it works well, the 420 will follow.

It would have been fantastic if the SL had the panorama top, Here in in Western Oregon, not many convertible days, so a sunroof or similar is nice. But I looked long enough to find the Red and tan I wanted.

 

[aam]

Congratulations.
Do a search, there are about 20 different (MB) videos to help you with the repairs.
Also on You Tube I think that his name is it tamaco?
Or something...
Guys give me a hand, hard, memory work. Lol.
Grab them while they are still there.

Regards,
aam.

 

[SL BRABUS]

Congratulations.
Do a search, there are about 20 different (MB) videos to help you with the repairs.
Also on You Tube I think that his name is it tamaco?
Or something...
Guys give me a hand, hard, memory work. Lol.
Grab them while they are still there.

Regards,
aam.

https://www.youtube.com/user/tamango/videos

Here you go Albert....^^^...:thumbsup:..

 

[tdoriot]

DW now has the 97 E420, we just picked up a Red 97 SL500- MINE. Been looking for some time now for a Red SL500, tan interior, black top, in good shape and found one yesterday. 89K miles, but in what appears to be excellent condition. Owner was anal about the cosmetics, there are no scratches, and one very very minor ding in a panel, no scratch though. Looks like they had the common stuff for maintenance I found on the E420, all the M119 vacuum hoses had been replaced, new spring in the transmission, even had the fluid changed a few times. Been garaged most of the time so no cracked dash, and the top is still in excellent shape, rear window isn't yellowed or cracked.

Did take out the old NAMPS cell phone so the sunglass case will now hold sunglasses!

Only thing I really wished it had was heated seats, but oh well. That kinds good news/bad news IMHO. Don't know about the R129's but the 210's heated seats are a real pain to keep working and aren't near as good as our silverado's.

Seriously looking at just installing a good aftermarket heated seats in the E420 and SL this winter.

And will be sending the radio off to becker to get the volume control fixed and add the ext audio in like I did in the 420. Meanwhile, CD player will suffice.

DW fell in love with it at first site, she was ready to lay down the cash before we even test drove it after she saw the color. Maybe we are the oddballs, but personally we like the red better than any of the other colors.

Course the E420 is an seldom seen color as well, Royal Indigo. Which we also love.

PO had the car since 99, and I have what they claim is all the service records.

Next addition is a set of akebono brake pads to get rid of the dust problem. Forgot how bad the black dust is with factory pads, since I installed akebono's on the 420 just after I got it from my brother in 2008. And it will need new struts/shocks soon. They did recently have the strut mounts replaced so I guess I'm ok there.

Nice to have two cars with basically identical engines and transmissions.

Now the 04 silverado will need to reliquish it's garage space to the SL500.

Only thing in a quandry right now is that the light around the seat adjuster for the drivers side needs replacing and haven't figured out how to get the panel out. any hints?

And I guess I need to update my signature with the SL500 info!

Congrats on the new acquisition :thumbsup: I too have been looking for the same color, but probably another V12 unless I stumble across a nice 500. I see you are in Portland. Perhaps we can get a group together in good weather and make a gorge run. In the meantime, here at BW, no pictures means it didn't happen, or doesn't exist !

 

[e-420]

ok folks, here is the "proof"

 

[NEOKEN]

ok folks, here is the "proof"

Congratulations on your new purchase, and welcome aboard the BenzWorld R129 SL forum! :thumbsup:

 

[scottejupiter]

Sharp!

 

[tdoriot]

ok folks, here is the "proof"

Quick, get it in the garage till spring ! (unless you have a fondness for gravel and rock chips )

 

[e-420]

Quick, get it in the garage till spring ! (unless you have a fondness for gravel and rock chips )

yes, Portland does have a tendency to go overboard on any hint of snow or ice and lay down way to much gravel. Other places use sand, Portland uses IMHO gravel, I'd sware it's darn near 1/4 minus!!

so, it's back in the garage unless the weather is nice and roads had a chance to get rid of the gravel.

 

[tdoriot]

yes, Portland does have a tendency to go overboard on any hint of snow or ice and lay down way to much gravel. Other places use sand, Portland uses IMHO gravel, I'd sware it's darn near 1/4 minus!!

so, it's back in the garage unless the weather is nice and roads had a chance to get rid of the gravel.

That's for sure. On top of that, I'm not sure the bastards aren't using salt too. I know one thing for sure, my SL's aren't seeing the light of day till the weather turns warm ! It just isn't worth the windshield cracks and rock chips. On top of that, it's a bit chilly to bomb around with the top down