Klink,
I am been contemplating an R129 purchase for the past year. Based on your experience and personal preference would you mind listing your top three favourite models?
I was leaning towards a simple (and bargain-basement) 90-92 500SL or a 96-97 SL500 with the M119+5spd combo. The V12 models are very appealing but maybe more of a maintenance cost gamble than I am wanting to take on.
Surely these cars are every bit as well made as my .036?
The 129s are tanks. They are essentially 124 architecture. There really isn't a bad one in the bunch, at least not when comparing them to the kind of cars that you're already used to. Based on what you've already told me, I kind of like what you've already pre-picked. To what you've already said, I'll add the following: The '90-'92 model year cars with the mechanical injection are kind of zingy, happy motors. I really like the response of a sorted KE equipped M119, and that's easy to experience becuase they aren't hard to sort, seldom need sorting, and then they stay sorted. They were, and they remain underappreciated, IMO, and they can be bought for pocket lint these days. I love traction controls, so I'd prefer a '91 or '92 with ASR. Note that carefully if that's important to you in either direction. No USA version '90 will have it. I don't remember if it "phased in" during the '91 model year, or if all '91's have it, so note care fully and shop according to you're preference.
Remember that the '98 also still has the M119, if it must be a 119, and you are right in your model year picks as the Bosch DME engine management system avoids all of the PITA repair possibilities that the LH engines have. One thing to be aware of on the 96-97s: that was the first couple of model years of the 5 speed electronically controlled transmission, and they had a couple of possible lurking mechanical issues, then again, I'd bet that all but very low mileage cars likely have been repaired by now, anyway. Like the prior 4 speed units these 5 speeds are serviceable and repairable. If it shifts smoothly, particularly on coasting downshifts, then you are probably in the clear. If it feels like the motor is rough, and / or like the front shocks are weak, it's likely collapsed or broken motor mounts.
If you are open to cars without the M119, the cars with the 3.2 liter M104 are happy. The combo works for me, and they all have the benefit of 5 speeds, the '97 having the newer electronically controlled version (the V-8's and 12's got it in '96).
If you push them
really hard, then the USA V8's will benefit from the exact same brake upsizes that can be done to the E5E. The 6 cylinder cars won't likely need them, however the same mods could be done on them as well.
If your mind and wallet are open to it, consider the '99. It has all the benefits of the '96 on V8's with 60-100 pounds less weight in the front end AND it already has superb brakes, with lower unsprung weight, and stamina, as they are dimensionally identical to the SA brakes that so many like to put on the E5E. They just plain drive better. Pay little attention to the naysayers. The M113 may look like crap, have a few less HP, and be assembled by robots using wood screws, but it is has a nice flat torque plateau (it hardly qualifies as a "curve"), is as durable over time as a M119, burns way less gas in the real world, and has less go wrong with it than even a late M119, and those already didn't have much going wrong.
If you are considering any thing '98 or later, let me know because there are a couple of things to consider there regarding engine oil changes, etc. That was the first year of the extended oil intervals in the US. Not the end of the word that so many imagine, but still a couple of things to look out for...
Best!
What are your thoughts?
