R129 SL500 Vs SL600 (US-Spec)

[195910]

Gentlemen, its time for a roadster!

The R129 has progressed from the "old car for broke people" phase to the "Classic car with memories of better times" phase, which makes it more appealing and more socially acceptable to drive in the gulf. Yes, our people are obsessed about looking rich (isn't everyone??) ... but they take it a step further by alienating relatives and friends who drive old cars

Now to the R129, I am looking at 2 US-Spec late model R129 with the 2nd facelift, Clean Titles, the first is a SL500 and the second is a SL600. I would like you though please, especially on the SL600. NLA parts, repair issues and market prices. The SL600 has one of the strangest post-warrenty repair report I have seen, clearly dealer BS.

I could provide the VIN numbers if we can find out something about these cars.

 

[gsxr]

Some of the NLA parts may depend on the options. By "facelift" I assume you mean 1996-up (USA model year) with 722.6 transmission, so there won't be any wiring harness concerns. If you shoot me the VIN via PM/DM I can see if I can turn up any additional info...

 

[Jlaa]

The R129 has progressed from the "old car for broke people" phase to the "Classic car with memories of better times" phase, which makes it more appealing and more socially acceptable to drive in the gulf. Yes, our people are obsessed about looking rich (isn't everyone??) ... but they take it a step further by alienating relatives and friends who drive old cars

I the characterization of "memories of better times" !!!! That said, I don't think this "obsession with looking rich" is nearly as strong here in many parts of the USA as it is where you are. Many people just don't give a flying fudge what others think*.

*may not apply in places like Miami or Los Angeles.

 

[195910]

Some of the NLA parts may depend on the options. By "facelift" I assume you mean 1996-up (USA model year) with 722.6 transmission, so there won't be any wiring harness concerns. If you shoot me the VIN via PM/DM I can see if I can turn up any additional info...

Hi Dave, PM sent!

Yes both are post 1998 Facelift 2 (M113 for the SL500, Rounded mirrors)

 

[195910]

I the characterization of "memories of better times" !!!! That said, I don't think this "obsession with looking rich" is nearly as strong here in many parts of the USA as it is where you are. Many people just don't give a flying fudge what others think*.

*may not apply in places like Miami or Los Angeles.

Glad you like it! My generation is too young to remember the W126/R107 in the 1980s, but the W140/R129/W124 in the 1990s
BTW the "Alienated" Part is a true story...

 

[gsxr]

The SL500 was a salvage title / total loss in USA... somehow the title was washed & cleaned on the trip across the pond. Hrmmm.

 

[Alphasud40]

My .02 having owned a 99 SL500. There was an issue with the early M113 cars where the converters broke down and rattled and my 99 was one of them. That’s a fairly expensive repair. Other than that I would consider a SL500 over the SL600 post facelift car. The SL600 is going to be harder to maintain with more parts availability issues over the SL500. And don’t shoot me but IMHO the M113 engine is overall more reliable than the M119 engine it replaced. But they still sound really good and have really strong torque delivery in everyday driving. Interior parts are all NLA so buy a car that has a good interior.

 

[BRN9121]

The M113 engine obviously is easier to source parts for as the model ranges this engine was dumped in was much broader than the previous M119 block.

And if you're lucky enough, you will come across the rare 5.4 R129.

 

[195910]

The M113 engine obviously is easier to source parts for as the model ranges this engine was dumped in was much broader than the previous M119 block.

And if you're lucky enough, you will come across the rare 5.4 R129.

View attachment 196138

A wise investment I am in the market for a classy semi-daily driver, so I have to go with the "standard models"

This might go down tomorrow, stay tuned!

 

[195910]

Gentlemen. Yesterday we drove home a 1999 SL600 in heavy rain.. could not have chosen worst weather than this to inspect a cabriolet !!

When we got there in the morning, it was cloudy but dry, so I immediately asked to check the roof. As soon as we lifted the Hardtop to inspect the roof system, it started pouring rain!! ... I was yelling "Schnell Schnell" at the owner's son as we are lifting the hardtop to install it back on the car... because the soft top did not work :/

After completely soaking us in water, the shower stopped. So I thought to check it on the diagnostics, then a test drive in the rain ... which did not go particularly well (always change the intake corner tubes & re-learn the windows motors after changing the battery!)

+3 hours later the contract was signed

 

[e500.org]

Gentlemen. Yesterday we drove home a 1999 SL600 in heavy rain.. could not have chosen worst weather than this to inspect a cabriolet !!

When we got there in the morning, it was cloudy but dry, so I immediately asked to check the roof. As soon as we lifted the Hardtop to inspect the roof system, it started pouring rain!! ... I was yelling "Schnell Schnell" at the owner's son as we are lifting the hardtop to install it back on the car... because the soft top did not work :/

After completely soaking us in water, the shower stopped. So I thought to check it on the diagnostics, then a test drive in the rain ... which did not go particularly well (always change the intake corner tubes & re-learn the windows motors after changing the battery!)

+3 hours later the contract was signed

Congratulations bro - as you know we need pictures!!!

 

[TerryA]

Congrats! That should be an awesome car.
Can’t wait to see the pics. Those 12 cylinders adds 20% more engine and a ton of torque!

Good Luck w/ it!

 

[BRN9121]

Congrats brother. Let the fun begin.

Note: We want to see the "coin on the engine" video!

 

[195910]

Thank you Gentlemen,

You will need to wait for the pictures though, I am in the habit of immediately disassembling cars I buy, can't help it

Toke all the engine bay panels off and started vacuuming, door panels off, hardtop off, washed it twice (hardtop, then softtop), inspected under the carpet, washed the floor mats, hours long diagnostics, cleaned drainage holes, inspected usual rust places, check body alignment, checked paint measurements, checked and top-off fluids UNTIL all are changed, tests drove it twice.... All in 2 days!

Love it! Thank god, it was one of our worst pre-purchase inspections and I was getting ready to blame @gsxr for making me buy this car j/k
Yet, the ex-Cal/Miami car turned out to be a fine example, imported to Germany in 2019 just before the prices shot up. It will need a bunch of things to be done, but at least I haven't seen signs of mistreatment except for a not-so-smart paint repair on the front bumper corner.

 

[BRN9121]

You're such a teaser.

 

[195910]

Gentlemen, thought I would share some of the progress.

- Got the roof to operate, Softop is OE with the date on the windows 2011. in good shape with no tears or cracks. But it was musty! the rare astronomical occurrence in Europe called "sunshine" and a good wash cleaned it up, I need to brighten up the colour as its supposed to be grey but I see its nearer to black! @BRN9121 is yours the same colour?

- All the engine bay covers are off for detailing and to change a hose and a couple of sensors.

- The senior Gentleman we bought the car from is suffering from dementia and can't drive any more.. I found one of his other car's key in the glove box so I send it back to him. He can't remember where the lower tray of the SL is, nor the inner trunk paneling next to the battery (battery bracket was also missing), the family tried to look for them but can't find them.

- Lost the US-Spec right turn signal (NLA) on the drive back , it flew off on the Autobahn never to be seen again. So I bought a set Euro spec indicators and need to figure out how to install them and cancel the side marker. This will trigger the light bulb warning, right?

- Anyone breaking a facelift R129 ? I need to source some items.

 

[a777fan]

 

[BRN9121]

I need to brighten up the colour as its supposed to be grey but I see its nearer to black! @BRN9121 is yours the same colour?

Black as black can be.

 

[195910]

Update on the work-in-progress SL600:

The 25 year old R129 is progressing slowly but steadily. Test driving the car today with the top down I can assure you the magic is still there!

I am having some trouble in locating R129 specific NLA parts, and we had some bad luck with some of the parts ordered last week (Damaged on Arrival, incomplete, NLA). The GREAT NEWS is I got the M120 back in full power! this engine and transmission are legends.

Spend 4 Hours changing the sparkplugs! Sounds alot, its because I video scoped all the cylinders, vacuumed and cleaned the spark plug holes, clamps and coils, then torqued the spark plugs. The +1999 M120 actually uses the M113 long life spark plugs, so the spark plugs were old and worn.

ADS II is an intersting system, in contrast to ABC this system is more robust and has metal lines insead of hoses, the system pressure is much lower. I think there are bad spheres in the rear, but can't confirm till the Acceleration sensor is replaced as its causing the system to go into default firm mode.

A few points I would like to know, appreciate everyone's input:

- 1999< R129 Bose Sound system, how many speakers and does the system differ from earlier face-lift cars ? I have a bad door speaker and prefer to change both side, does it have tweeters in the dashboard?

- When closing the roof, the operating time is within spec, except that in the last stage when lowering the windows section on top of the tonneau cover, the window section does not lower all the way, I release the button and press it again the the section immediately locks into place. Does not feel like a weak cylinder, any suggestions?

- Why did M-B strangle this car with a single pipe muffler ?!

Anyone breaking a facelift R129? Need a few items.

 

[195910]

Another update,

- All electronic systems are now functioning properly .. except the pending speakers upgrade.

- With the 25years old ADS II now fully functioning, I don't understand why M-B switched to ABC !? This is all the refinement you would need in a high-end luxury vehicle, without the bursting hoses, clogging valve blocks and tandem pumps running dry. ABC cars never drove like sports cars nor were they floating like Airmatic equipped cars.

- M120 ME is just beautiful, the 12 cylinders run with lower RPM difference than most modern AMG V8s.

- Anyone know a good speaker upgrade for the stock Bose systems? this is a 1 Ohm system, looking to upgrade the Mid-Bass/MidRange speaker. The 4 tweeters are fine, and the sub-woofer is a bit too much for my taste.

- I removed the dealership installed US-Frequency ETACS era phone system, if anyone interested in the phones system do send me a message.

 

[BRN9121]

Brilliant work so far! Excellent progress.

Doc, send me a private message on your current speakers. We were ex-Blaupunkt dealers and we may have some dead stock laying around.
Let me know what you're looking for and I will have a look around the warehouse.

 

[195910]

Brilliant work so far! Excellent progress.

Doc, send me a private message on your current speakers. We were ex-Blaupunkt dealers and we may have some dead stock laying around.
Let me know what you're looking for and I will have a look around the warehouse.

PM sent

 

[willard]

Nice ride, I own 6 R129s, inc 1997 SL600. ADS is soooo damn slow compared to ABC but is sturdier. M120=722.6 is a sweet combo. Put aside your exhaust and put a nic amg/magnaflow muffler and you will HEAR her.
Generally R129 are reliable, and affordable... if you can do some DIY.
Stock bose in my 600 sounds perfect, in line with bose in 99 SL500 and far better than stnd sound system in early cars... Enjoy the mighty R129!

 

[500AMM]

Update on the work-in-progress SL600:

The 25 year old R129 is progressing slowly but steadily. Test driving the car today with the top down I can assure you the magic is still there!

I am having some trouble in locating R129 specific NLA parts, and we had some bad luck with some of the parts ordered last week (Damaged on Arrival, incomplete, NLA). The GREAT NEWS is I got the M120 back in full power! this engine and transmission are legends.

Spend 4 Hours changing the sparkplugs! Sounds alot, its because I video scoped all the cylinders, vacuumed and cleaned the spark plug holes, clamps and coils, then torqued the spark plugs. The +1999 M120 actually uses the M113 long life spark plugs, so the spark plugs were old and worn.
.... .... ....

Congratulation with the SL600 - it looks great!

It's good to have a borescope check inside the cylinders, I've done that myself on my car.

Enjoy your new ride!