[wanabee]

Wanabee no more. Picked up a 1994 SL500 Triple Black with 80,000 KM on it yesterday. In awesome shape buts needs some simple fixes. One of the large speaker covers is cracked, can you still get these? It has the large Star in the grill blacked out, and I like to see it chrome again. Is the dealer the best place to get one? Anything I should do before driving to much?

 

[RKH]

I can see snow in the background and you are driving topless, be careful as the plastic windows may be brittle in cold weather.

 

[wanabee]

Just put it down to have a look. It was still in the sellers drive. Snow almost gone in Nova Scotia. Going up to 17C on wed. WAHOO

 

[NEOKEN]

Congratulations on your new ride!

Speaker grilles/covers are available of course from your local MB dealer or you may wish to try Parts.com - For every part of your life to compare pricing.
Here are the part numbers from the Russian Parts Website: R129.066 FRONT DOORS

As for the STAR, I don't see a listing for them on the Russian Parts Website unless I missed something. Unless another member here can provide us with the part numbers, you may wish to call or visit your MB dealer's parts department and have them provide you with the correct part number and a price quote so you can compare with other parts retailers such as Parts.com - For every part of your life.

First of all, I would inspect and replace the vital fluids/filters if nessecary, as a part of required general maintenance, especially if there are no recent maitenance records available from the previous owner(s).

1. Engine oil + filter

2. Preplace transmission fluid in the pan only + replace gasket & filter
(do not flush entire system as it may be catastrophic on these older transmissions)

3. Replace rear-differential gear oil

4. Replace anti-freeze/coolant

5. Replace air filters - or clean if they are K&Ns and if you wish to keep them

6. Clean MAF sensor and TB.

7. If the engine is running fine (no misfires, hesitations, etc.) then a full ignition tune-up is not required.

8. I always go with the old saying: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Good luck and enjoy the ride! :thumbsup:

 

[wanabee]

Congratulations on your new ride!

Speaker grilles/covers are available of course from your local MB dealer or you may wish to try Parts.com - For every part of your life to compare pricing.
Here are the part numbers from the Russian Parts Website: R129.066 FRONT DOORS

As for the STAR, I don't see a listing for them on the Russian Parts Website unless I missed something. Unless another member here can provide us with the part numbers, you may wish to call or visit your MB dealer's parts department and have them provide you with the correct part number and a price quote so you can compare with other parts retailers such as Parts.com - For every part of your life.

First of all, I would inspect and replace the vital fluids/filters if nessecary, as a part of required general maintenance, especially if there are no recent maitenance records available from the previous owner(s).

1. Engine oil + filter

2. Preplace transmission fluid in the pan only + replace gasket & filter
(do not flush entire system as it may be catastrophic on these older transmissions)

3. Replace rear-differential gear oil

4. Replace anti-freeze/coolant

5. Replace air filters - or clean if they are K&Ns and if you wish to keep them

6. Clean MAF sensor and TB.

7. If the engine is running fine (no misfires, hesitations, etc.) then a full ignition tune-up is not required.

8. I always go with the old saying: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Good luck and enjoy the ride! :thumbsup:

Thanks Ken,
That's the kind of stuff I was going to do, It's good to see that there is nothing out of the ordinary. I'm still a little nervous about the purchase, I've never owned a MB and feel a little intimidated by it. It seems very good but who knows. Friends say I'm crazy and I'll never be able to afford to keep it on the road. Of course none of them has ever had a MB.

 

[RedLiner]

8. I always go with the old saying: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

We must have gone to the same school

 

[NEOKEN]

Relax my friend, at 80,000 km you should be just fine. The 1998 is a good production year as many say. These engines and drivetrains are virtually bulletproof as long as general service and maintenence is properly performed. More than likley you may encounter small nick-nack issues here and there (deteriorating rubbers or plastics, etc.) so it is a good idea to have "some" funds put aside for the unexpected. At least feel fortunate that you have the R129 forum for free technical support and we do have a great team on board.

Probably the most common "more costly" repairs with these R129s is the leaking hydraulic top cylinders which I am sure you have read about here on the forum. Fortunatley, we have many affordable options these days such as sending them to Dennis for rebuild, purchasing rebuild/seal kits from Kbelov, or even purchasing remanufactured cylinders from GermanStar.

Now it is time that you uptate your BenzWorld member profile including the model-year of your new SL Roadster! Also you can find lots of details and specs about your particular unit by entering your VIN number here at MB Club Russia's website: Mercedes-Benz Club Russia | Mercedes-Benz / VIN

Congrats on the ride man! Origionally I almost purchased a 1998 triple black but I ended up with the 1995 Toumaline Metallic Green / Beige.

Enjoy your new ride! wned:

 

[RKH]

We must have gone to the same school

Like our Italian friend Mick says : we are not CHEAP, just 'inexpensive'.:thumbsup:

 

[NEOKEN]

We must have gone to the same school

Mabe its universal Religion.

 

[chriswufgator]

Wow, that's a beautiful car...

 

[wanabee]

I wish my wife would say that. After I saw it, I couldn't walk away.

 

[doctor2687]

Congrats on the purchase, the only hard part is putting them away for the winter and waiting to use again!!

 

[DALE.M]

Congratulations on your new ride!

Speaker grilles/covers are available of course from your local MB dealer or you may wish to try Parts.com - For every part of your life to compare pricing.
Here are the part numbers from the Russian Parts Website: R129.066 FRONT DOORS

As for the STAR, I don't see a listing for them on the Russian Parts Website unless I missed something. Unless another member here can provide us with the part numbers, you may wish to call or visit your MB dealer's parts department and have them provide you with the correct part number and a price quote so you can compare with other parts retailers such as Parts.com - For every part of your life.

First of all, I would inspect and replace the vital fluids/filters if nessecary, as a part of required general maintenance, especially if there are no recent maitenance records available from the previous owner(s).

1. Engine oil + filter

2. Preplace transmission fluid in the pan only + replace gasket & filter
(do not flush entire system as it may be catastrophic on these older transmissions)

3. Replace rear-differential gear oil

4. Replace anti-freeze/coolant

5. Replace air filters - or clean if they are K&Ns and if you wish to keep them

6. Clean MAF sensor and TB.

7. If the engine is running fine (no misfires, hesitations, etc.) then a full ignition tune-up is not required.

8. I always go with the old saying: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Good luck and enjoy the ride! :thumbsup:

Hi Ken, you just scared the beejabbers out of me with the transmission flush item. I recently had all the fluids and filters changed in my 1997 much as you described, did I just pull a major screw up, it has seemed fine since but haven't driven it much..what happens..seals deteriorate and flushing accelerates the failure ?? Thx, Dale

 

[NEOKEN]

Hi Ken, you just scared the beejabbers out of me with the transmission flush item. I recently had all the fluids and filters changed in my 1997 much as you described, did I just pull a major screw up, it has seemed fine since but haven't driven it much..what happens..seals deteriorate and flushing accelerates the failure ?? Thx, Dale

Hi Dale.

First of all, may I ask if you are sure they performed a "complete transmission flush hooked up to the machine" or was it a "transmission pan service, fluid replacement"?

Do you have the repair order/reciept for reference?

Best Regards.

Ken

 

[NEOKEN]

For Earlier, Higher Mileage Transmissions

I apologize as I really didn't intent to scare you there, it is just simply not recommended even by Mercedes-Benz. This is a more of a precautionary advisory but remember not all transmissions will encounter these issues.

Perhaps you have noticed I mentioned "may" be catostrophic which means this is under circumstance and there are variables involved i.e., year, mileage, previous frequency of fluid replacement, condition of transmission, etc. The older the fluid that has been ran in the transmission, and the older the transmission itself, the more you would not want to perform a complete flush for two main reasons.

1. Fluid shock

2. You dont want to stir up settled particles in the transmission (if there are any)

It really depends on how often the fluid was changed during the life of the transmission. Transmission fluid that have been negleted for longer periods of time run a higher risk of fluid shock due to a sudden drop in pressure.

1. Newer fluid - thinner

2. Older fluid - thicker

Please see posts 27-33 of the below thread I have posted:

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r12...ansmission-fluid-color-posssible-trans-2.html

Best Regards.

 

[DALE.M]

Hi, no problem, I checked and it was just a atf change along with filter and gaskets etc, my Indy doesn't have a power flush set up like the tranny shops so I should be ok. The previous posts were great info on the subject, I don't know how many folks may go to a transmission shop with a flush in mind when they think a change is due, in my mind not knowing what I do now I could easily see that happening . Great information as usual, thanks for the heads up.Dale

 

[Two Benz Garage]

I'm a new R129 owner, what are the symptoms of leaking top hydraulics? Where will I see fluid if it does or is leaking? Thanks in advance....

 

[msbarsi]

Like our Italian friend Mick says : we are not CHEAP, just 'inexpensive'.:thumbsup:

Ditto RKH.

Anyway many many congrats for your purchase wanabee but now you not only have to update your profile with the car and its year but you should update your name as well since from wannabe you became official member of the R129 owners lol.
What about the "I wish my wife would say that" bit if I can ask?

Cheers.

 

[RKH]

I'm a new R129 owner, what are the symptoms of leaking top hydraulics? Where will I see fluid if it does or is leaking? Thanks in advance....

There are 12 hydraulic cylinders but the ones likely to go first are the front latches. When they leak, fluid will be running down the A-pillar or onto your lap from the sun-visor area.

 

[chriswufgator]

I wish my wife would say that. After I saw it, I couldn't walk away.

Haven't you learned yet? LOL

They never like anything we do. I think that's a rule in their handbook somewhere...