• Hi Guest !

    Welcome to the 500Eboard forum.

    Since its founding in late 2008, 500Eboard has become the leading resource on the Internet for all things related to the Mercedes-Benz 500E and E500. In recent years, we have also expanded to include the 400E and E420 models, which are directly related to the 500E/E500.

    We invite you to browse and take advantage of the information and resources here on the site. If you find helpful information, please register for full membership, and you'll find even more resources available. Feel free to ask questions, and make liberal use of the "Search" function to find answers.

    We hope you will become an active contributor to the community!

    Sincerely,
    500Eboard Management

Contemplating the Cabriolets

Agreed with GSXR -- if your intention is to flip or sell the car within a year or two, you're going to end up putting money into it to get it repaired and running, and you will lose money when it comes time to sell.

If you want to use it as a daily driver, once you get it running and working well I think it would be a solid car for that purpose.
 
gerryvz said:
Agreed with GSXR -- if your intention is to flip or sell the car within a year or two, you're going to end up putting money into it to get it repaired and running, and you will lose money when it comes time to sell.

If you want to use it as a daily driver, once you get it running and working well I think it would be a solid car for that purpose.
Click to expand...

Yep, nothing depreciates faster than repairs.
 
Thanks for all the comments. I really have enough MBs right now (4 E320 94-95). The reasons that I am considering it are:

1) $700 for the down payment only, plus future repair cost.
2) If the body and interior are as good as described, then I would like to have nice looking car for a change. Only one of the four E320 I have has good paint. The other three, they have the paint and clear coat I put in on the roof, hood, and trunk. They don't have dents or rust but up close, they are really dated. Headliners are all sagging.

When I got my 1995 E320, my tennis friends teased me "How much the seller pay you to take it off his hands?" It does have some dents at the back, not obvious, and I too have to do some spray paint job.

So, if I get to drive a nice MB, either a good cabriolet or a good looking coupe, it would polish up my image a bit (LOL).

Mechanically, all my cars are in top conditions, ensured by Hfmscan and my picky taste of mechanical performance.

By the way, the seller replied and told me I could see the car tomorrow between 3:30 to 5, but he won't give me the address until I confirm it tomorrow. That's after two email exchanges. I am thinking not seeing it. I don't like the distrust already shown by the seller. I actually provided him my phone number in my first email.

jftu105
 
Same car from a month ago. The listing on ebay was taken down, indicating that it was no longer available.

ace10 said:
Another M120-powered R129 on ebay.

Ultra low miles. AMG styling. No Pano. Pictures are crap quality, at least on my monitor.

2001 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL600
VIN= WDBFA76F31F198307
15000 miles
$21500 BIN. Auction ends 3/17

www.ebay.com

1959 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class | eBay

A very well loved and well maintained classic. Restoration was completed by 2006 and she has been garaged and maintained, in the dry desert climate in NV, ever since. The soft top is an espresso brown.
www.ebay.com
Click to expand...
Duh_Vinci said:
14K miles SL600 anyone? $21500...

https://norfolk.craigslist.org/cto/d/virginia-beach-2001-mercedes-sl-600-low/6839248606.html

Nice multipiece wheels too!

View attachment 79866

Regards,
D
Click to expand...
 
ace10 said:
Same car from a month ago. The listing on ebay was taken down, indicating that it was no longer available.
Click to expand...
If that is not some sort of scam and there are no stories with the car, that is a smoking deal. Furthermore I would imagine the production numbers for that color were extremely low.

Maui,

This 129 would sure look awesome sitting next to your 500E. Just saying...

[emoji848]

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
 
600Eric said:
If that is not some sort of scam and there are no stories with the car, that is a smoking deal. Furthermore I would imagine the production numbers for that color were extremely low.

Maui,

This 129 would sure look awesome sitting next to your 500E. Just saying...

[emoji848]

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Thanks for thinking about me. It would look good and I'd love to have it.
 
gerryvz said:
Perhaps 600Eric is in the market for another 129 V-12 .... ?
Click to expand...

Umm.... As I'm sure you already know GVZ, one V12 in the stable is more than enough when it comes to "cost of ownership" considerations. My R230 has been on the rack at Leistung for over a month now with engine out plan on the long "to do" list. In short I'm having flashbacks to my 500E project with the bills have been getting from Matt.

:spend::spend::spend:

80096


...Equally important, I don't think I could ever buy another R129 again. If I did I think I would always be comparing it to my last one which besides being immaculate was also perfect in my opinion (ex. Silver / Black, Pano Roof, 2 Piece Wheels, Etc.). I know I have said it before by I really regret selling that car, it was definitely a mistake.

:(
 
Maui said:
Thanks for thinking about me. It would look good and I'd love to have it.
Click to expand...

Of course and I bet. However seriously again if their are no stories that car, given the mileage, color, etc. that car is money in the bank at that price.
 
600Eric said:
...Equally important, I don't think I could ever buy another R129 again. If I did I think I would always be comparing it to my last one which besides being immaculate was also perfect in my opinion (ex. Silver / Black, Pano Roof, 2 Piece Wheels, Etc.). I know I have said it before by I really regret selling that car, it was definitely a mistake.

:(
Click to expand...


This one's still on the market. Price lowered to $19K :stickpoke:



ace10 said:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1997-Mercedes-Benz-SL-Class-sl-600/223467946571

1997 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class sl 600
VIN = WDBFA76F0VF145117
44000 miles
$20750 Ask

Condition looks good. Clean Autocheck. FL & TX car. Pano Roof. New soft top. No AMG styling package.



View attachment 77051
Click to expand...
 
This is one of the least expensive, M120-powered R129s that I've come across.

Being offered by an MB dealer in Texas. Carfax does have a ding on it. And the Odo isn't the lowest, but the cosmetics look pretty clean.

She looks like she's walking on her tippy-toes.

Used 1996 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class For Sale at Mercedes-Benz of Waco | VIN: WDBFA76F6TF131431

1996 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Base
$8,923
  • Mileage : 101,657 miles
  • Stock # : TF131431
  • VIN : WDBFA76F6TF131431
 

Attachments

  • b60ecb3f21ca4128ab87cef1852b3678.jpg
    b60ecb3f21ca4128ab87cef1852b3678.jpg
    42.8 KB · Views: 5
A very clean 2001 Mercedes SL600 is now up on BaT

20k-Mile 2001 Mercedes-Benz SL600


I noticed that the car has a set of AMG logo wheels that I haven't previously seen on a late SL600. So I did some digging, and found a cached listing from the dealer (2nd pic) where it was wearing some aftermarket wheels.

The datacard shows that the car should have staggered 2 piece wheels.
Mercedes-Benz VIN Decoder

Every 2001 SL600 I can find has the 2 piece wheel.

Dealer is stating that the wheels currently on it were in storage and are original to the car.

BaT has permitted my question/comments to be published regarding the wheels... which is unusual since my account receives full moderation.

I don't dare push my luck and ask about the fender "V12" badge that is affixed to the trunk lid.

:pc1:
 

Attachments

  • 2001_mercedes-benz_sl600_1554328227674751f941082IMG_9986-940x585.jpg
    2001_mercedes-benz_sl600_1554328227674751f941082IMG_9986-940x585.jpg
    146.8 KB · Views: 10
  • sl600wheels.PNG
    sl600wheels.PNG
    464.3 KB · Views: 10
600Eric said:
Umm.... As I'm sure you already know GVZ, one V12 in the stable is more than enough when it comes to "cost of ownership" considerations. My R230 has been on the rack at Leistung for over a month now with engine out plan on the long "to do" list. In short I'm having flashbacks to my 500E project with the bills have been getting from Matt.

:spend::spend::spend:

View attachment 80096


...Equally important, I don't think I could ever buy another R129 again. If I did I think I would always be comparing it to my last one which besides being immaculate was also perfect in my opinion (ex. Silver / Black, Pano Roof, 2 Piece Wheels, Etc.). I know I have said it before by I really regret selling that car, it was definitely a mistake.

:(
Click to expand...

I was shocked when that car went away. I also have at least a dozen cars in my past that I still dream about. :hammerhead:
 
I'm posting this one because it's a perfect example of what one might encounter when looking at a lifetime Florida car....

2 Owner, clean Carfax according to the dealer ad. The paint on a white car is impossible to evaluate in pictures, IMO, but the interior looks as good or better than some 20K mile A124s. Those seats are pristine. Veneers are clear and crack free. None of the plastics appear to be shrunk. Simply wonderful for a 25 year old car which has been driven a bit. But then you get to the gauge cluster and we see that it's been afflicted with DDD (dreaded dot disease).

Florida giveth, and Florida taketh away.


1995 Mercedes-Benz E320 Convertible
Price: $16,970.00
VIN: WDBEA66E0SC251223
Mileage: 72,426
 

Attachments

  • 04.jpg
    04.jpg
    310.9 KB · Views: 23
  • 17.jpg
    17.jpg
    258 KB · Views: 25
  • 15.jpg
    15.jpg
    146.5 KB · Views: 24
  • 13.jpg
    13.jpg
    256 KB · Views: 29
  • 47.jpg
    47.jpg
    248.4 KB · Views: 31
ace10 said:
I'm posting this one because it's a perfect example of what one might encounter when looking at a lifetime Florida car....

2 Owner, clean Carfax according to the dealer ad. The paint on a white car is impossible to evaluate in pictures, IMO, but the interior looks as good or better than some 20K mile A124s. Those seats are pristine. Veneers are clear and crack free. None of the plastics appear to be shrunk. Simply wonderful for a 25 year old car which has been driven a bit. But then you get to the gauge cluster and we see that it's been afflicted with DDD (dreaded dot disease).

Florida giveth, and Florida taketh away.


1995 Mercedes-Benz E320 Convertible
Price: $16,970.00
VIN: WDBEA66E0SC251223
Mileage: 72,426
Click to expand...


A wonky oil pressure gauge, to boot.
 
Relisted after $2K price cut, now $14,970


https://www.ebay.com/itm/1995-Merce...onvertible-Florida-Car-72k-Miles/143208580961

ace10 said:
I'm posting this one because it's a perfect example of what one might encounter when looking at a lifetime Florida car....

2 Owner, clean Carfax according to the dealer ad. The paint on a white car is impossible to evaluate in pictures, IMO, but the interior looks as good or better than some 20K mile A124s. Those seats are pristine. Veneers are clear and crack free. None of the plastics appear to be shrunk. Simply wonderful for a 25 year old car which has been driven a bit. But then you get to the gauge cluster and we see that it's been afflicted with DDD (dreaded dot disease).

Florida giveth, and Florida taketh away.


1995 Mercedes-Benz E320 Convertible
Price: $16,970.00
VIN: WDBEA66E0SC251223
Mileage: 72,426
Click to expand...
 
Not a bad deal, and I'd say about market-correct in the $15K range.

I've said for years now, that the E320 cab is probably the most-underrated deal right now in MBs, and if you buy a nice one and hang onto it, it will do well in the coming years.
 
I think at least as true for 'specially nice (and more rare 320) coupes...
And some say they look and drive better.
 
Last edited:

Attachments

I am very conflicted about the future desirability of E320 cabrios. I know that, historically, many MB convertibles have become strong collector cars. But I'm not sure that trend will continue for the A124 for a couple of reasons:

1. it used to be that convertibles were a status symbol, a car to be desired but often owned only by the wealthy. These days, convertibles are owned by...no one. The market has all but disappeared. People growing up today will not have been raised with the mystique of convertibles. Now is the time to start gobbling up iconic and low production number SUVs.

2. the A124 is handsome, but it's not sexy. The MB convertibles that are collectors these days are achingly beautiful. I think the W124, in all its variants, is a triumph of design, but it doesn't set the hearts of non-car geeks aflutter.

I would love to be wrong. I was introduced into the W124 world, and in fact the Mercedes world, by the car I linked in post 522. I love these cars. But if I were to buy one, I would do so expecting not to make money.
 
There are plenty of cars out there (not just MBs) that were once decried as not notable, pedestrian cars of little to no future value. Heck, look at how 1980s and 1990s "youngtimer" Japanese cars are exploding these days, as Gen X and Gen Y buyers snap them up at the auctions. Stuff like Toyota Supras are starting to go for significant money.

History has proven time after time after time after time over the decades, that MB collectors assign premium prices to MB coupes and convertibles, particularly those that are "top of the line" for when they were offered. It's why an E320 cab will always be worth more than an E200 cab. That said, the market has not "caught on" or "caught up" to the 124 cab, but it will.

Will the 124 cab be the next 280SE 3.5 cabriolet? Likely not, as more were made and the 124 doesn't have 8 cylinders from the factory. During my time in the MB world, I've seen 1970-1972 280SE 3.5 cabs go from $30-40K for nice examples, to $400 and $500K these days. The 250SE and 280SE (six-cylinder) cabs also do well, but not nearly 3.5 money. Is the 124 cab likely the safest long-term bet on the entire W124 platform -- if you look out long enough, yes. I expect it will even eclipse the E500E.

If you don't believe me, I've got two decades'-plus worth of SL Market Letter issues with price-tracking that have documented the rise in prices for all kinds of MBs, using actual sale data, not asking price data. Unfortunately as of last year, and a 30-year run, the SLML is no longer being published.
 
The Germans currently offer dozens of convertibles. It's the rest of the manufacturers who seem to have walked away from the market segment.

BMW offers the 2,4,8, Z and M. Merc has the C, E, S, SLC, SL and the GT. Porsche has 'verts all over their product line. Audi has about a half dozen, as well.
 
One point in favour of the R129 SL600 over the W124 cabrio in terms of future collectibility is this:

In a future that may be filled with autonomous electric cars, a V12 motor will be an exotic thing indeed. A straight six? Not quite as much.
 
The R129 is at rock bottom prices right now and will start going up. The 124 cabs was at rock bottom prices about 5 years ago and have already started going up. If you're looking for bargain basement today. It would be the W208 cabs or R230's. They're cheaper than dirt at present.
 
Interesting points about the R129 and A124.

Prior to this year, I would have said that one of each were in my future. But I've been adding to my Toyota stockpile which is going to limit the space for other cars for the near future.

Both cars have an iconic Bruno Sacco shape.
Wonderful cruisers.
I don't know the production #s for the A124 versus the M120 R129, but I suspect there were more of the latter made given the longevity of that platform.

The M120 scares me a bit in terms of long term ownership. Not only for the cost, but for the ability to find someone to fix anything serious that might come up.... not unlike what I face with the 16V.

The interesting thing about pricing is that currently they are right on top of one another. $15-20K will get you a very nice example. With $35-40K being the range for a uber-pristine example. To me, it feels like neither model would have too much downside risk, which is what I tend to focus more on.

You see me post a fair number of both because I haven't made up my mind. And there are always nice examples of each model on the market.
 

Attachments

  • e36.PNG
    e36.PNG
    1.1 MB · Views: 12
  • e36b.PNG
    e36b.PNG
    1.1 MB · Views: 13
  • e36a.PNG
    e36a.PNG
    1.2 MB · Views: 13
I agree with Dunnik -- a roadster will always have more value as a collectable than a straight cabrio. The fact that 129s had eight and 12-cylinder motors just reinforces this point. It is also a great time to buy high-end 129s and 230s !!
 
600Eric said:
Umm.... As I'm sure you already know GVZ, one V12 in the stable is more than enough when it comes to "cost of ownership" considerations. My R230 has been on the rack at Leistung for over a month now with engine out plan on the long "to do" list. In short I'm having flashbacks to my 500E project with the bills have been getting from Matt.
Click to expand...

Umm... what the hell are you doing, Man?

maw
 
https://mercedesheritage.com/classified/show-ad?id=960

1998 SL70
$182,000.00 $0.182M

Details:
One of 150 constructed - 7.0 liter V12 - An early AMG/Mercedes-Benz collaboration.
ID# WDB1290761F132955
Ex-Japan - Current owner from circa January 2015 - AMG ID plates.
Silver/Black two-tone leather interior - Beautiful Burlwood.
496 HP - AMG 8 piston ft. brakes - Split-rim alloy wheels - Xenon headlights.
Recent servicing - Wiring harness - Engine reseal - New original MB soft top in 2017.
58k KM showing - Original owner' manual (in Japanese)

Located in Schondorf am Ammersee, Germany.

Recent: camshaft sensors - Window lifts - Lamda sensor - Transmission service.

sl70_amg-copy-c241cf42.jpg
 
https://www.mbca.org/classified-ad/1995-E320-Convertible-7390995

1995 E320 Convertible

Year: 1995
Model: E320 Convertible
Exterior Color: WHITE
Interior Color: Navy Blue
Body: Convertible
Mileage: 79,400
Contact: Raymond L Klein
State: California
Phone: 6504557800
Email: ray@rklein.com

HAVE FUN IN THE SUN! FOR $12,000, RIDE IN STYLE IN THIS BEAUTIFUL MERCEDEZ CABRIOLET!

20190322_095739.jpg
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Depending on how needy this A124 may or may not be, this one might be priced very attractively. IMO

.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

W
Starting Problem 2011 E550 Cabriolet
Replies
7
Views
598
Will P
W
gsxr
The internet rediscovers the 450SEL 6.9
Replies
3
Views
896
alabbasi
alabbasi
gerryvz
Hagerty : Oligarchs of the Car Hobby
Replies
5
Views
237
sheward
sheward
195910
CLK-DTM in the EPC
Replies
3
Views
352
195910
195910
gerryvz
This might get the GSXR into a C126 [finally!]
Replies
2
Views
205
2phast
2phast

Who has viewed this thread (Total: 16) View details

Who has watched this thread (Total: 5) View details

Similar threads

W
Starting Problem 2011 E550 Cabriolet
Replies
7
Views
598
Will P
W
gsxr
The internet rediscovers the 450SEL 6.9
Replies
3
Views
896
alabbasi
alabbasi
gerryvz
Hagerty : Oligarchs of the Car Hobby
Replies
5
Views
237
sheward
sheward
195910
CLK-DTM in the EPC
Replies
3
Views
352
195910
195910
gerryvz
This might get the GSXR into a C126 [finally!]
Replies
2
Views
205
2phast
2phast
AMG34Coupe
Find the correct VIN for a motornumber?
Replies
15
Views
995
AMG34Coupe
AMG34Coupe
gerryvz
The Importance of Being Able to Methodically Diagnose
Replies
10
Views
659
ABM_
ABM_
036
Another one bites the dust..
Replies
1
Views
307
kubasz
kubasz
036
Picture of the month.
Replies
7
Views
2,691
036
036
036
EPC from the past.....
Replies
3
Views
453
gerryvz
gerryvz
Back
Top