[hainboka]

Hello members,

I just joined since I became an owner of 2001 Formula 1 Special Edition SL500 this week. The car seems to have been first registered in Florida and via the second owner who took the car to Korea, I have now become the third owner. The mileage on the car is approx. 8,450. So it looks quite fresh for a car that is over 12 years old.

One quick question: In my previous MB ownership, I felt the brake on my E-class was very hard by just pressing a little. I find on this car to be very, very soft. Since this model is quite rare, I would like to ask other R129 owners whether the brake pedal is very soft. If not, I guess it is time to either replace the brake pads or change the brake fluids.

Looking forward to getting to know to all better.

Thank you.
Simon

 

[RedLiner]

Hello Simon and a warm welcome to our friendly forum.
You'll soon get used us especially the 'leg pullers'

Re. your brakes, we like to call them 'progressive'. When I bought my ML I applied the same pressure on the brake pedal as I do on both of my SL500s and if I were not wearing a seatbelt, I would have gone through the windscreen/windshield*

We have a wealth of information stored here in the present and archived topics and nearly every problem and fix has been covered.
The forum search and advanced search is very clunky so you will get better results from the 'google custom search' :thumbsup:

* We are an international forum so you'll have to get used to:
Bonnet/hood
Boot/trunk
Brake disc/brake rotor
etc.etc.

 

[Steve6]

Hi Simon,
Welcome to the forum, it sounds like you have a rather special car there. My brakes have always felt soft, and it's my intention to try and improve the feel of the pedal. I've bought some braided stainless hoses and I understand that bleeding the system in the correct manner is important to get all the air out. I also intend to try EBC red stuff pads. At least you should have the bigger post 99 (?) front brakes which is a good start. I don't think they will ever be rock solid though, I reckon they were designed from the outset as a heavily - assisted system for a grand tourer rather than a real sports car. Of course an all up weight of nearly 2 tons doesn't help. Again welcome.

 

[Pete S]

Brakes are softer on the r129. Never heard of the F1 edition. I know MB races Silver Arrows in F1 maybe that's what you have a 01 Silver Arrow. Either way could you please post pics, because as we say on the forum no pics, it never happened. :thumbsup:

 

[Pete S]

Jchh

 

[Steve6]

Brakes are softer on the r129. Never heard of the F1 edition, could you please post pics. :thumbsup:


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

Just 20 cars made I believe. There is a previous thread a few years back that goes into the differences, but based on a Silver Arrow if I remember correctly.

 

[hainboka]

Thank you - Redliner, Steve6 and Pete S - for the warm welcome!

Once I figure out how to post the pictures I will. I made the mistake of giving you the wrong information on my R129. It is not 2001 model but 2000. MB celebrated re-entry into F1 by creating this car which there are only 20. These were all sold in the US and has the US spec. The Silver Arrow came after the F1 Special Edition in 2001. 1,515 Silver Arrows were made and were all sold in the US.

Also thanks regarding how to fix the brake. The brake is way, way too mushy at best. Not too familiar with this type of brakes. I will try to study the forum and see whether there are any solutions I am looking for.

Cheers,
Simon

 

[SL BRABUS]

Congratulations on a such a rare car..... Use it in good health...

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r129-sl-class/1399717-need-some-tips-selling-my-f1.html

For pictures check out post 6....^^^.....:thumbsup:

 

[seouljoe]

Welcome

Simon,,
Brakes were always soft on both r129s I have had and do ..
This in spite of changing the fluid,, airing ,, and new pads and new rotors.
Still I suggest you to change all the fluids,,,,

I am also in Korea and we have tons of resources to get the 129s fixed here in Seoul.
Are you with US forces by any chance?
This is our 129 forum in Korea Daum ??
Pay us a visit.

 

[Benica]

I am not familiar with the Formula1..did a search:

2001 SL500 Formula One Limited Edition

Basically the same car as my 2002 SL but with more bling bling!
When I was station on the peninsula... (Marine Corps liaison Officer at Osan) I drove my SL all over the country from Youngsan, to Osan to Daegu/Taegu, Camp Hialeah to Jeju-do! The stares I got...the R129's are great looking!

 

[hainboka]

Greetings Seouljoe and Semper Fi to Benica!

Sorry, I am in Seoul but not with US Forces. Just a civilian management consultant with ROK Army 2nd lieutenant background. My father was in the ROKMC as Captain during the Korean War. Whatever your roles are and were in Korea, I only have respect for what you have done and are doing. So thanks!

Now that I own this car, I hope to do what you did Benica; travel across Korea and enjoy the scenery when spring of 2014 comes around. Meanwhile, I will be adding some things to the car such as changing brake fluid, putting in a seat armour/towel, buying floor mats but also the stand to store the hard top, etc.

There are limited selection when it comes to buying classic/used cars here in Korea. I was really looking for a 280SL, the Pagoda. The same person who sold me his F1 SE has one but was asking close to US$300K. Too far out!

Hope we can connect somehow in person!

Cheers,
Simon

 

[wlb50]

When I was reading up on the R129 before buying one, a reviewer said that the brake pedal had a bit more travel than he liked before the brakes grabbed. And I have noticed that in my car - having had a 300E for 20 years.

It is a bit more travel than I would like but I am used to it now. So it is probably this extra travel that is confused with "softness"?

 

[hainboka]

Thanks wlb50. A matter of getting used to, I suppose. All my other cars have no travel which is why it is difficult to get used.

 

[lynns]

Thanks wlb50. A matter of getting used to, I suppose. All my other cars have no travel which is why it is difficult to get used.

Your MY 01 Special Edition has Brembo 4-piston Aluminum front calipers + 334x32 mm (13.2") rotors and rear ATE 2-piston steel calipers + 300x22 mm (11.8") rotors. The front calipers were upgraded on the 129 chassis in MY 99.

If you like you can choose to install Paragon SS Brake Lines on all four corners. (Please see the forum Home page last Blue Sticky for info.) You can also install Ceramic brake pads such as Akebono which will help remove that ugly black brake dust and improve performance. At that time it would probably be wise to R&R the brake fluid since it's suggested every 2-3 years.

 

[lynns]

The Silver Arrow came after the F1 Special Edition in 2001. 1,515 Silver Arrows were made and were all sold in the US.

Small thing but there were 1,450 each of the 2002 SL500 SA and 100 each of the coveted 2002 SL600 SA w/ Pano Top for a total of 1,550 each in the US. They also made a small number of RHD SL500 SA that can be found in the UK. Anybody know the quantity? (Please don't guess.)

 

[monkeymerc]

Small thing but there were 1,450 each of the 2002 SL500 SA and 100 each of the coveted 2002 SL600 SA w/ Pano Top for a total of 1,550 each in the US. They also made a small number of RHD SL500 SA that can be found in the UK. Anybody know the quantity? (Please don't guess.)

Hi Lynns,I believe there were 100 SA each with its own number and certificate

 

[hainboka]

Thanks for the clarification, Lynns.

I had logged into the German R129 club which lists all the special models of R129s. I was told by the seller that this car was a year 2000 model. But then the link below says year 2000.
Mercedes-Benz R129 SL-Club e.V. | Sondermodelle
This page also has the information around Silver Arrow, etc.

I may have to contact MB directly to find out by using my VIN numbers.

Much appreciate the information on the brakes. What would the total bill be without the labor if I were to replace the ceramic brake pads Akebono, etc.:thumbsup:

 

[Pete S]

I replaced mine and I think the Akebono front and back weren't even $120 total. This is in the USA have no idea what they would be for you.

 

[hainboka]

Luckily my son studies in the US and he can bring back the brake pads and other goodies. I pay his expensive college tuition, so he can at least do that for me. I need to look into the other things that Lynns recommended and get them all in one go. Thanks.

 

[Pete S]

Hainbok, adding Akebono brake pads, braided brake lines and ATF Racing Blue brake fluid will make petal feel a little better but if you are expecting a big change in feel you are going to be disappointed. Takes some getting use to but these "soft" brakes but they do brake relatively well especially the later 99-02 MYs with the Brembo fronts and vented rears which you have.

I did not like the brake fade on my 96 MY and was lucky enough to find a donor car and upgraded to the 99-02 MY brake system with everything mentioned above and like I said better but not plaster your face to the windshield better