Mercedes R129 SL Buying Guide - Classy Convertible With Benz Quality

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The R129 generation of Mercedes SL carried forward the bulletproof reliability and drop-top style of the R107, but added some more technology, safety improvements and more engine choices. They're a fast-appreciating classic Benz, but in you fancy one there are plenty of things to check for...
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Пікірлер: 97

@detonator2112 2 жыл бұрын

They sold over 200.000 R129's. It's quite a number for a car that expensive. I guess it just speaks volumes how good this car actually was. Bruno Sacco himself said that it was his most perfect creation.

@BEGGARWOOD1 2 жыл бұрын

Had my 320 96 SL for 18 years . Would never be without it

@print-master 2 жыл бұрын

Nicely done video Joe, one crucial point of rust can be where rain runs down the wind screen into the bulk head. This rust can build up and crack the wind screen as happened to mine. Autoglass said at first they couldn't replace the ws so i got to it with a wire brush and brushed away all the rust then whacked a load of waxoil all along the bulhhead while the ws was out. Touch wood no more cracked ws. THe other thing is my throttle body on my '95 SL500 failed with the exact fault you describe at 30,000 miles. I bought the car at 66,000 with the hidden fault ( as it was intermittent) when the fault became permanent, I took the throttle body to bba reman who rebuilt it and rewired it. When it was refitted ( this is no easy task) the fault was still there. I had to have a new thottle body $$$$ and since then the car has been perfect.The reason BBA's rebuild didn't work is bc MB don't pass every detail of how some parts work to even their trained techies and the throttle body on an M119 engine is an extremely complex device. The engine managment on these cars is second to none which is why they were £70,000 new in 1995. but the driving experience is the most rewarding one will ever have. I have owned mine for 14 years , put over 60,000 miles on it and she still drives like a new car but then again i have spared no expence. PS these cars thrive on being driven hard, fast and regular; under use kills them.

@shaywhelan1 6 ай бұрын

Very thorough and informative. I'm on my second and it's interesting to hear the explanations for some of the faults Ive experienced, the vibration at idle

@rodgerjohnson3375 2 жыл бұрын

11 years ago I bought my friends 2002 SL500 Silver Arrow edition. It looked like new and I have done a good job of keeping it up. The MB mechanics who service the car tell me not to sell it as its the best Benz made in years. I still love driving the car and get many complements on it.

@LaBeardedGamer 7 ай бұрын

is it reliable ?

@christophervan6966 2 жыл бұрын

The SL320 straight six 5-speed auto is IMHO the pick of the litter. Revs like crazy and has sweet handling. I have one and it's amazing. 170kW and plenty of torque.

@saketnaik1 2 жыл бұрын

Does this come in a manual tho??

@carloduroni5629 2 жыл бұрын

@@saketnaik1 No. Manual was only available on the bottom-of-range 280. Actually in such a car (luxury GT) a top quality auto is the best option.

@Stijn5 Ай бұрын

@@carloduroni5629 300 also.

@Yorkshiremadmick Жыл бұрын

Just a point the hardtop doesn’t suffer rust as it’s aluminium. It can still look like rust with blistered paint. Had my 1999 SL320 since 2010

@julianhickman5874 2 ай бұрын

ADS transforms the handling, sport mode is great and when it does go wrong if you have patience you can fix it yourself....people always get scared of hydraulic suspension but it truly is a wonderful thing

@carloduroni5629 2 жыл бұрын

Ehm... you forgot to mention the TWO most common issues with old R129's: soft-top hydraulics and interior plastic fittings. The soft-top hydraulic system was a technological tour-de-force: the first car to have a TOTALLY automatic soft-top (no need to manually latch/unlatch). The downside is a fantastically complicated contraption, prone to gasket leaks. It's not really difficult to fix it but you need to know a VERY experienced guy to do it. Not every mech will be able to. The interior plastic fittings (mainly the covers of the sunshades stems and the rear mirror housing) do get brittle with time and break under the minimum pressure. Some items (like said stem covers) are reproduced by 3D printing (still costing, though) but the mirror housing is hugely expensive and you must get the right version, depending on the type of mirror (with/without auto antiflashing, with/without electrical position adjust). But the biggest problem is COLOUR. In this super-luxury car, all interior fittings and details are colour coordinated so, if you have a "popular" black interior things are a bit easier (if not cheaper) but if - like me - you have a rare dark red (burgundy) interior... well, it's gorgeous but nothing can be found 2nd hand.

@mtlsi Жыл бұрын

Thank you, great video.

@hasrinmacintoshjawie 2 жыл бұрын

A very good Q&A. Having a Mercedes Benz SL600 R129 1994, caution is essential. Greatly appreciated, mate.🇧🇳

@TheMervK Жыл бұрын

I also have a 94 SL600 ! So did you have the ASR and SRS lights come on? If so, what finally was the answer?

@SirPierreSe 2 жыл бұрын

great video!

@robertbarnes1444 Жыл бұрын

subscribed and just watch this video ... excellent information / review ... 😆

@ClassicsWorldUK Жыл бұрын

Thanks Robert!

@XSAILOR65 5 ай бұрын

Tomorrow will drive mine home from the seller. Bought in a moment of madness :) 1997 SL280 4 speed automatic, inline 6, all original, including cassette player :) Just for cruising so engine is good enough, idle is incredible smooth.

@ClassicsWorldUK 5 ай бұрын

Enjoy it!

@Stijn5 Ай бұрын

@@ClassicsWorldUK Does the panoramic hardtop fit on every SL R129?

@FleetAdmiral215 Жыл бұрын

Mercedes should have to pay for the Biodegradable looms , Gorgeous Car

@swissroadtrip Жыл бұрын

Lots of detail, useful stuff. I’ve owned my ‘99 SL320 for a few years now, but it’s got a starting fault that we’re struggling to identify. 😢

@jon3584 7 ай бұрын

Interested. What kind of starting fault?

@iancairns7398 2 жыл бұрын

Of topic but when are you going to do some more Miller corner videos?

@jonboy9912 Жыл бұрын

Owned a 1999 SL320 for 8 years that has rusted on front wings as shown, real weak point,. Roof went needing new management unit, a recon unit came with a lifetime guarantee. Had rear windows replaced, plastic just goes brittle with age. Just had the driver window motor and regulator replaced for a whopping £960, these go regularly as rubber window seals go over time and water can get in. Going in for paint next month on bumper, offside front wing (again) and drivers door where clear coat has started to break down, bumper especially bad as paint has cracked, hope crazing elsewhere can be wet sanded and re clear coated. Common niggle is that the sun visor arm trims crack as the car flexes, there is a knack to getting them off but these small bits of plastic are over £25 at dealers now! Also watch out for unscrupulous sellers taking rear wind screens and covers out of the boot - mine came without but was so nice I bought it anyway - the covers are no longer made and sourcing them in the right carpet colour used is almost impossible! Sounds like a load of trouble but they are great cars with many redeeming features and the V6 320 is the pick of the bunch in the final generation form imo!

@bartandeer3831 2 жыл бұрын

I have an '02 Silver Arrow, and I would say that make sure the car has been driven fairly regularly prior to purchase. The SRS computer under the driver's seat replacement is about $2500 at the dealer. I personally would not look at a garage queen with low miles. I purchased mine with 68,000. It has cost me maybe $6,000 to put mine mechanically right, and I love it - it is not offered for sale.

@mrbenz2392 2 жыл бұрын

I have one too.The best!

@print-master 2 жыл бұрын

same with mine hence not for sale, to me it's the best car in the world. Mine is 27 years old and everything inc the roof works perectly speaks volumes

@jimmyquinn9639 2 жыл бұрын

Interesting video 🚗🚙🚘👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

@paulie-Gualtieri. 2 жыл бұрын

I had a 600SL wish I still had it

@quonston Жыл бұрын

My wife is a Catholitic converter, but I have resisted so far.

@bernardwarr4187 2 жыл бұрын

The people with knowledge and experience with these cars favour the M119 engine. The M119 engine if looked after, is probably one off the highest quality engines ever build by any car manufacturer

@print-master 2 жыл бұрын

The highest. An american selling his M119 SL with 500,000 miles (he used to traverse the united states back and forth) had the cam shafts checked on a micrometer and there was no visible wear! It is the same engine as used in the Sauber C9; the championship was closed bc the C9 was unbeatable and the M119 100% reliable

@CogitareEstVivere 3 ай бұрын

@@print-masterthis is the 500 from 96 to 01 ?

@print-master 3 ай бұрын

@@CogitareEstVivere mine is 1995

@CogitareEstVivere 3 ай бұрын

@@print-master I heard something about that championship but on wiki I can’t find it. You have any articles ready ?

@christophers7070 2 жыл бұрын

I thought the biodegradable wiring affected ALL Mercedes-Benz from 1992-1995, not just SL280 and SL320.

@jasontoth7965 2 жыл бұрын

I think you’re right

@chrisforrest4836 2 жыл бұрын

Yes not just restricted to R129. However for the R129 its 93 - 95. The biodegradable wiring was only fitted to cars with Bosch HFM injection. 92 is KE-Jetronic and not affected. Late 95 (96 MY) facelift cars are also free from this issue.

@print-master 2 жыл бұрын

@@chrisforrest4836 My '95 SL500 was build in August and so far so good what do you reckon?

@shadychrisuk 2 жыл бұрын

@@print-master if yours is August 95 then its a 2nd gen facelift yes?? In which case it's not affected

@brianhoefer7148 2 жыл бұрын

Already got two, an 8 and a 12.

@ClassicsWorldUK 2 жыл бұрын

Good man!

@douglasthompson9482 Жыл бұрын

I love my 1991 r129…300sl. Excellent car but replace ignition system and all sensors including the crankshaft position sensor. This sensor gets forgotten but needs replacement if starting problems occur. Not sure about this quid thing?

@goblse1 Жыл бұрын

Hello, I just bought a 300 sl 24v 1993. Looking in the service book it seems the changed spark plug quite often. What kind of replacement ignition system did you buy? BR Gösta in Sweden

@Simple_Jack82 Жыл бұрын

Wow, I can't believe they came with rear seats in Europe. I had a 1992 320 that was the most expensive used car I have ever owned. The hydrologics in the roof went out, multiple relays went out...it was in the shop every other month, literally. I don't miss that car at all. Replaced it with a 2003 Lincoln Town Car and haven't looked back.

@Stijn5 Ай бұрын

Not fixed properly.

@Stijn5 Ай бұрын

I would just buy the panoramic hardtop and leave it as is. Driving with the roof down is stupid, I'm not a woman.

@emspera 2 жыл бұрын

Nice review but you haven't touched the hydraulic actuators for the convertible top! A very common and sometime quite expensive issue on the R129.

@rodgerjohnson3375 2 жыл бұрын

The biggest expense I've had with the car was replacing these. Otherwise the car has been problem free.

@Stijn5 Ай бұрын

I would just buy the panoramic hardtop and leave it as is. Driving with the roof down is stupid, I'm not a woman.

@MrFrobbo 2 жыл бұрын

Had my R129 500SL ('93) for several years, oh that blasted ASR light and also check wiring looms. Soft top plastic windows begun cracking and yellowing too. The electronic throttle needed rewiring, lots of guides at the time on forums but it had to go in the end, mind you, should have popped it in the garage and waited for the appreciation 🤣

@ofmanynicknames 2 жыл бұрын

So the crucial question: this, or a late-model Jaguar XJS convertible? (sits back and waits for the arguments)

@donaldrobson6479 2 жыл бұрын

Good question,both cars extremely stylish and competent.Having had my 320SL for over 4 years my answer is obvious.Late model & had minor issues as you would expect on a 21 year old car but still brings a smile to my face!!

@berwhaletheavenger 2 жыл бұрын

Dare I say it, but a Ford era 4.0 XJS Convertible might be a better bet.

@dhdove 2 жыл бұрын

Having owned an 03 R230 SL350 and currently an SL400 and lots of XJS’s in the past I’d say no contest. The R129 always seemed a rather square 90s design to me whereas the XJS is a timeless beauty. As always, rust is the enemy on these cars.

@barta844 10 ай бұрын

The last high quality MB

@ClassicsWorldUK 10 ай бұрын

Quite possibly!

@matthewdavidpope Жыл бұрын

I go to buy one then hear these reviews, just hear rust, rust rust a d think maybe not

@izyfication Жыл бұрын

It is not V6 but L6

@TG-pd3ft 2 жыл бұрын

When Joe says 'Rust' 11 times inside the first 3 minutes then that's all you need to know...

@mrbenz2392 2 жыл бұрын

Yes that he lives in Europe.

@mattbod Жыл бұрын

I wanted a 500 SL over a Ferrari back as a kid. I’ll get around to buying one at some point but it will have to be a minter. I am a bit put off by it being a potential money pit. 500 the way to go: 600 just pointless.

@MDavidG1 Жыл бұрын

I would never trade my 1998 SL600 for any other car, including the SL500. I had the ECU's reworked and straight-piped the exhaust. Quiet and well behaved around town, but a very fast screamer when called for. The perfect mix of everything! And there's nothing like the look on the face of a SL500 owner when he sees you have the V12. A good example, treated properly, has excellent investment potential.

@redline1916 9 ай бұрын

@@MDavidG1 Would you say it's okay to buy if you're not extravagantly rich due to the maintenance costs?

@MDavidG1 9 ай бұрын

@@redline1916 Yes, but the V12's are much harder to find than the SL500, which is unsurprising considering how comparatively few were built. But they are about the same price as the SL500, amazingly. What costs on these cars is dealing with the roof hydraulics, which are problematic on ALL R129's. Any V12 car is in an entirely different league than a six or eight cylinder car. Rarity, power, prestige...it's all there.

@Stijn5 Ай бұрын

@@MDavidG1 The 1998's interior style is rubbish.

@Stijn5 Ай бұрын

@@MDavidG1 The V12's in LHD aren't hard to find and offers no real advantages compared to the 500. No one with class is interested in straightpiping a classy car like the R129.

@davidm4099 10 ай бұрын

Benz quality is crap after the 90s!! Is this car sort of reliable?

@ClassicsWorldUK 10 ай бұрын

If well-maintained, an R129 could go on forever!

@jrgb9945 4 ай бұрын

It’s no 107.

@Stijn5 Ай бұрын

107 is too old. You can drive an R129 like a modern car.

@lawrence5039 Жыл бұрын

Their cars were good at the best of times, but crap since 2000. They are using dirt cheap parts in areas that are very annoying, because I found myself at the dealership each month for them to repair several important items. After 3 months of this nonsense, I returned both a S430 and a CLK430 that I bought the same day. (Loss of $20K not worth my time to sue them). Both were crap, and I feel sorry for new buyers having to put up with their arrogant crapola at the service dept.

@henryovalles1163 2 жыл бұрын

R129 great car r129 power top worst convertible top ever made the end ...

@Stijn5 Ай бұрын

I would just buy the panoramic hardtop and leave it as is. Driving with the roof down is stupid, I'm not a woman.

@oldjonesy123 Жыл бұрын

This guy failed to mention one thing to look out for when buying a R129, square number plates, especially the square pressing on the rear panel indicates that the car is an import usually from Japan so you need to check that there is proof of all taxes being paid and all UK/Euro light conversions have been completed.

@CogitareEstVivere 3 ай бұрын

This downfall can happen to any car. The guy didn’t ‘fail’ anything brother …. Talking specifically about 129 causes….

@joesmith9216 2 жыл бұрын

I will always like the R129, but R230'S are better in every way, so if you you are considering an r129 because it's cheaper DON'T save up more and get an r230, remember the r230 gets rid of the the two tops shit.

@Beedji 2 жыл бұрын

the R129 looks better though, especially WITHOUT the shitty convertible top on

@joesmith9216 2 жыл бұрын

@@Beedji Nope, the headlights alone ruin it, don't get me wrong, it's an epic design, the r230 just outdid it.

@Stijn5 Ай бұрын

@@joesmith9216 R230 was Mercedes of the 2000's, all class gone.

@joesmith9216 Ай бұрын

@@Stijn5 WRONG, r129 headlights fail the car alone, those parking lamps fall out over time.

@Stijn5 Ай бұрын

@@joesmith9216 Waaaw, such a big issue to fix.

@johnbee7729 2 жыл бұрын

Fun car if you have a fat arse. Not good otherwise as you slide from side to side on the seat. Typical Mercedes build quality - awesome powertrain coupled with dodgy electrics (too complicated roll bar and top mechanism).

@joesmith9216 2 жыл бұрын

the two top situation on that car ruins it, as does the headlights.