[LWB250]

I currently drive a W140 and have owned many MBs prior to this. I have decided that I would like to purchase an R129 model now that I'm an "empty nester" and can justify not having four seats in my car.

I have pored over the stickies at the top of the forum in great detail, but would be interested to hear from current owners about their issues and/or concerns when it comes to buying one of these.

My budget is going to put me in the pre-1996 range, so I know to watch for AC evaporators, wiring harnesses, etc. I know the 96 and later models are more desirable for a number of reasons, but I won't have the budget to buy a really nice one in this model year range. I would rather buy the best I can in an older model year.

I do nearly all of the work on my cars, as I am a formally trained mechanic with access to tools and parts necessary. This puts me in a position to acquire a car that might have some needs, such as hydraulic cylinders, for example, and end up saving myself some costs during acquisition.

Other than the obvious items discussed in the stickies, if you are an owner and have encountered something you think is important either with acquisition or ownership I would appreciate your sharing it.

Thanks to all in advance,

Dan

 

[Pete S]

If you have read the stickies you should have a good base on what to look for in the R129. Considering you have a 95 S500 you should be quite familiar with many of the mechanics as they share many.

Personally if I were in your shoes I would wait to save a few more bucks so I could get a 96 or newer R129 or hold off until you are able to score a better price on a 96 or newer.. The seats and door panels are nicer (IMO) and the subtle changes such as the fender openings, the front side markers, and how they slightly tinted the rear taillight turn signals so they blend better are all subtle but very good changes, and you get side airbags which will lower your insurance slightly.

Being that you are in FL you should have a easier time finding the best example to fit your needs as there are simply more to choose from. Good luck with your search!

 

[LWB250]

Thanks, Pete.

Yes, R129s are literally all over the area, so finding one shouldn't be difficult.

I have about $5k to spend on the car itself, which, based on my current observations, makes me think that a 96 or later is probably out of my price range right now.

If someone disagrees with that, I'm all ears!

I want to buy the best car I can for the money, as I know all too well, as many of us do, that going for that "project" or "fixer-upper" ends up costing far more in the long run.

Dan

 

[Pete S]

99 for $5795 in Tampa area with 77k miles. Little description, salvage title?

1999 mercedes benz sl500 convertible 77000 miles

Go get er'

 

[LWB250]

Heh. Thanks for that.

Gotta wonder what the hitch is at that price for that car. Too low for the market. Notice that they have the paper floor mats, too? Never see those in a private sale....

Interior looks a little rough, too.

I have no issues with a salvage title if I can verify the reason. I have two cars right now that have salvage titles, both due to small damage and the insurance company wanting to total the car out. In both cases if you didn't know the car had been damaged or was a salvage there is no way you could tell. Makes for a nice "discount" on the value. Good if you're buying, not so if your selling.

Dan

 

[Poundy]

The only thing that I personally would be uncomfortable with would be the fear of a wiring harness issue. So I would probably shy away from 93-95. I like the 92 CIS model I have and would be very reluctant to change it. So if a 96 on is not in the budget, you may get a well cared for 92 model in your range. It's good that you may be capable at doing repairs, but the parts prices can cripple a low budget. So you still need to get one with some decent service history.

 

[Pete S]

Its worth a look I would guess. You never know when someone has a need for money and fast. I'd rather have that and need to buy new seat covers and some mats over having to replace all the RST cylinders.

Also agree with Poundy of steering clear of the 93-95 unless you can confirm that the wiring harness has been updated.

 

[LWB250]

I have an electrical control background and have direct experience with the "biodegradable" wiring harnesses, so that's not a big concern if the car is running well otherwise.

If anything, it works to my advantage, as I've done the work before...

And a PPI is always a requirement. I'm not foolish enough to pretend that I know these cars better than a shop that works on them day in/day out. Not to mention its a great negotiating tool and often pays for itself!

Dan

 

[SinSL]

Your budget is a bit too low for any convertible. They don't generally go below 10-8K range without a very strong REASON.

Make sure to only buy pre-96 R129 with wiring harness already replaced. Otherwise it will unending hassle.

 

[SinSL]

I have an electrical control background and have direct experience with the "biodegradable" wiring harnesses, so that's not a big concern if the car is running well otherwise.

In that case, your budget is reasonable. Buy one with failing harness, owner will be glad to offload it because nobody else would want it.

 

[scottejupiter]

If the hydraulic cylinders aren't working, you can pick them up for around $5k. Then you can get Klaus to rebuild all 12 for $560.

 

[RKH]

If you are comfortable with Salvage Title. I think you can score pretty good deals when buying, but will have same proble selling in the future.

 

[LWB250]

Your budget is a bit too low for any convertible. They don't generally go below 10-8K range without a very strong REASON.

Make sure to only buy pre-96 R129 with wiring harness already replaced. Otherwise it will unending hassle.

Not in this market. I just saw a 94 with 120k sell for $5000 yesterday. It was in very good shape with records, etc. that seems to be the sweet spot around here for nice 95 and earlier models unless the owner has unrealistic expectations of the value.

I'm talking private sales, too, no dealers.

 

[LWB250]

If the hydraulic cylinders aren't working, you can pick them up for around $5k. Then you can get Klaus to rebuild all 12 for $560.

Exactly. This is the sort of car I'm looking for, as the hydraulic cylinder R&R is well within my abilities. Looks like Klaus does a great job documenting the process as well.

 

[mahunt]

You REALLY need to start LOOKING at the cars that are selling in your price range.

Aside from mechanical problems, the interiors will be absolutely trashed (think Godzilla's playpen with Ghidorah attacking). When I originally shopped for mine in Tampa, I was surprised at the condition of some of the cars and was thinking, "Who would treat a car that once cost $140K (97 SL600) in this manner". Two new leather matching SL600 sun visors will set you back a couple thousand. Almost as much as completely gutting a used/tired tranny for all new internals (see where I'm going?).

If you really are an above average mechanical guy, then I would suggest the 2 out of 3 rule of car buying. Interior, exterior, drivetrain. If 2 out of three are perfect, then the car is a candidate for purchase.

Florida being Florida and idiots being idiots; you will find a GREAT number of R129s with absolutely trashed/sun faded/gutted/cigarette burned interiors. While nothing on these cars is particularly cheap to replace, I associate interior condition with overall car maintenance and a telling insight into what lies beneath.

All else being equal, get a 96 and newer SL for ALL the reasons that the fine folks (and conventional wisdom demonstrated) on this website mention: just a newer year car, better brakes, electronic ignition, wiring issues, more tranny gears, etc.

They are fun cars, but you don't have to get one that's at 0 out of 3 to get a good price. I suppose you can pay too little to get into an SL, but why when you can have your pick of nice ones in the $5-10K range?

Actually go see some of these cars.

It's fun to shop for a R129.

 

[LWB250]

You REALLY need to start LOOKING at the cars that are selling in your price range.

Aside from mechanical problems, the interiors will be absolutely trashed (think Godzilla's playpen with Ghidorah attacking). When I originally shopped for mine in Tampa, I was surprised at the condition of some of the cars and was thinking, "Who would treat a car that once cost $140K (97 SL600) in this manner". Two new leather matching SL600 sun visors will set you back a couple thousand. Almost as much as completely gutting a used/tired tranny for all new internals (see where I'm going?).

If you really are an above average mechanical guy, then I would suggest the 2 out of 3 rule of car buying. Interior, exterior, drivetrain. If 2 out of three are perfect, then the car is a candidate for purchase.

Florida being Florida and idiots being idiots; you will find a GREAT number of R129s with absolutely trashed/sun faded/gutted/cigarette burned interiors. While nothing on these cars is particularly cheap to replace, I associate interior condition with overall car maintenance and a telling insight into what lies beneath.

All else being equal, get a 96 and newer SL for ALL the reasons that the fine folks (and conventional wisdom demonstrated) on this website mention: just a newer year car, better brakes, electronic ignition, wiring issues, more tranny gears, etc.

They are fun cars, but you don't have to get one that's at 0 out of 3 to get a good price. I suppose you can pay too little to get into an SL, but why when you can have your pick of nice ones in the $5-10K range?

Actually go see some of these cars.

It's fun to shop for a R129.

I have been buying and seling MBs in the Tampa area since the mid 1990s, so the conditions you describe are nothing new to me and things I have been seeing throughout this time. I expect it would be more pronounced in an R129 due to the top being open.

A tired interior is easy enough to deal with, and something that would not be a deal breaker for me. And yes, I agree - interior condition is almost always an indicator of how a car was maintained (or not.)

I just did some rebalancing of an investment portfolio that will provide a portion of my budget for the car, and in doing so it looks like I'll have a little more capital to work with, probably in the range of $5k-$7k, which begins to put some of the 96 models in the range.

I'm not going to start looking until after the holidays. This helps a little, since January is a lousy month to sell a convertible, even in Florida.

Since you're in the area, if you happen to come across something it would be great if you would be willing to pass it along. I live in Valrico and work downtown, so I'm close by and will travel anywhere in the area for a potential deal.

Thanks,

Dan