[quincy k]

The R129 600 brings a couple of downsides in exchange for a hundred horsies over the 500. There's 200 pounds extra on the front end compared to the 500. That affects handling. The 500 feels surprisingly lighter on its feet in comparison.
Plus the 600's nitrogen-topped hydraulic "Active Body Control" suspension is fun to watch lift the car a couple inches, and there's a button to change the damper rate. It hasn't been a horrible repair pig in my experience, but it's unnecessary other stuff to go wrong. It's time to replace the accumulators on my 600 (115,000 miles), whereas my 500 (167,000 miles) just keeps going.

Look at the prices of bmw 840 and 850s and you can see the argument that the 600sl will be worth more in value relative to the 500

 

[lazz]

Whatever you do be sure to have the car inspected. I bought a 2001 SL500 a few years ago off of EBay from a high end dealer and boy, what a nightmare. The car looked beautiful in the pictures and I paid a premium for it but it had well over $3500 worth of repairs needed just to get it in proper shape. The reason I say get the car inspected is that the salesman and his mechanic told me the car had no issues. WRONG! Lesson learned. Don't trust a used car salesman. They're about a truthful as a prostitute who tells you she's a virgin. BTW, I dumped the car and found a good one.

 

[RESTO SL]

If you don't know what you're looking at, you're leaving it to chance. That's a poor bet on a 20+ year old Mercedes-Benz.

 

[W Mullis]

Hello everyone! My grandparents like my R129 so much despite all the things wrong with it they are strongly considering their own. They are looking at a later model SL500 ideally but SL320 or SL600 they would consider. Looking for well maintained great condition, no issues and ideally garage kept most of all. An AMG Sport would be nice but Grey Silver or Tan interior would be ideal. No modifications except for an aftermarket radio would be best. Budget is up to $20,000 but maybe higher for a special edition model. Higher miles aren’t a problem. Have y’all seen any listings that meet these criteria somewhat or are selling your own R129s?

Edit: Mods, If this is the wrong place to ask this please move it or delete.

San Diego craigs list: 95 sl500 hard top one owner ,168 k well kept garaged maintained. Regards JM. Check it out

 

[cls121147]

Hello everyone! My grandparents like my R129 so much despite all the things wrong with it they are strongly considering their own. They are looking at a later model SL500 ideally but SL320 or SL600 they would consider. Looking for well maintained great condition, no issues and ideally garage kept most of all. An AMG Sport would be nice but Grey Silver or Tan interior would be ideal. No modifications except for an aftermarket radio would be best. Budget is up to $20,000 but maybe higher for a special edition model. Higher miles aren’t a problem. Have y’all seen any listings that meet these criteria somewhat or are selling your own R129s?

Edit: Mods, If this is the wrong place to ask this please move it or delete.

I have a 2003 sl500 with only 32k miles always serviced at dealer or MB speciality shop Everything works as it should. Car looks

I think your best bit is to look on bringatrailer.com which is a online auction. Sign up for free listings to see Mercedes r129 cars and you will automatically receive emails of new listings. A r129 comes up with a new listing almost once a day. Sometimes there are bargains, however prices are beginning to go higher. You will see the conditions of the cars and usually their honest sellers but they must lists the good and bad items pertaining to the car there selling.

Hello everyone! My grandparents like my R129 so much despite all the things wrong with it they are strongly considering their own. They are looking at a later model SL500 ideally but SL320 or SL600 they would consider. Looking for well maintained great condition, no issues and ideally garage kept most of all. An AMG Sport would be nice but Grey Silver or Tan interior would be ideal. No modifications except for an aftermarket radio would be best. Budget is up to $20,000 but maybe higher for a special edition model. Higher miles aren’t a problem. Have y’all seen any listings that meet these criteria somewhat or are selling your own R129s?

Edit: Mods, If this is the wrong place to ask this please move it or delete.

I have a 2003 sl500 I am looking to sell. It is in showroom condition and has only 32k miles. Everything works as it should and all work on the car has been done at the dealer or MB specialty shop. It is a Arizona car and always garaged. If interested my email is [email protected]

 

[cls121147]

I have a 2003 sl500 I am looking to sell. It is in showroom condition and has only 32k miles. Everything works as it should and all work on the car has been done at the dealer or MB specialty shop. It is a Arizona car and always garaged. If interested my email is [email protected]

 

[sushipaste]

I have a 2003 sl500 I am looking to sell. It is in showroom condition and has only 32k miles. Everything works as it should and all work on the car has been done at the dealer or MB specialty shop. It is a Arizona car and always garaged. If interested my email is [email protected]

a 2003 SL isnt an R129. Go to the R230 subforum

 

[Kenkess6]

I think your best bit is to look on bringatrailer.com which is a online auction. Sign up for free listings to see Mercedes r129 cars and you will automatically receive emails of new listings. A r129 comes up with a new listing almost once a day. Sometimes there are bargains, however prices are beginning to go higher. You will see the conditions of the cars and usually their honest sellers but they must lists the good and bad items pertaining to the car there selling.

 

[Kenkess6]

I have a 1997 SL500 with 95k miles. It's in pretty good condition. The current issue is the vacuum operated door locks which I'm working on repairing. I have both tops and the wind screen. Asking less than $10k and live in the Kansas City area. [email protected] if you'd like more details. Thanks, Ken

 

[Mema]

Here ya go... lol

lol

 

[Sean97SL500]

I'm going to take a guess and assume your grandparents just want to enjoy the wonderful and unique driving experience of an R129. Keep it simple, and they will. There's nothing simple about about a 30yo German V12.

I love mine! Much easier than the V12, agreed.

 

[Sean97SL500]

I've had two cars with the M119, my 97E420 and the 97 SL500. The E420 had 190K on, the SL has 98K. In general the M119 is a reliable trouble free engine. Now the vacuum hoses, another story, they need replacing every 6-8 years. Normal maintenance is easy peasy. Some have had problems with the plastic cam oiler system, and/or valve cover gaskets leaking.

As the years have gone by, I see R129's splitting into two classes, with the classes moving further and further apart.
1) the Majority have gone through mulitple owners, getting rough, little maintenance and way up there in "dog years".
2) A few with one/two maybe 3 owners, well maintained, full or near full service records from dealer or good indy and kept in very good shape.

or (3) a complete deal killer, 97 or later without at least TWO working keys!!!

8 years ago we spent over a year looking for a (2), and we wanted red, and a 96 or later. Those 3 complicated the search but we did finally find one, zero door dings, paint in excellent condition, interior looked new, one owner, full service records, well maintained, seldom driven in the rain, soft top still in decent condition. Even with that it did have some things I needed to fix, drivers side mirror had leaked it's stuff out, a few switches needed replacing, hood pad breaking down, and the vacuum hoses deteriorated. along with getting new shocks and tossing the OEM brake pads for a set of Akebono's and new rotors.

I got tired of dealing with the remotes… I just took the chips out and put them in standard key heads. Works like a charm.