New SL owner - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

S Jones · #1 08-26-2006, 11:21 AM

Hello group, Just purchased a 99 SL500 wonderful vehicle, like it came off the showroom . Just going over it, learning it. It has a couple issues, brakes sound like like they need pads ( 52K miles) right side and antenna makes noise but doesn't go up. I'm a backyard mechanic on some things but not brakes-
What do you think, Benz star service of good brake shop?
They'll be more stuff if you're willing to listen-
Thanks-
sj

tecqboy · #2 08-26-2006, 02:06 PM

Brake pads on that vehicle are real EASY if you don't also need to replace the rotors. Look in the DIY section of this forum for the W124 chassis for step by step instructions with photo's. The hardest part is jacking up the car and taking off the wheel. Go for the low dust replacements. I like the PBR's. Get them at Mercedesshop.com forum sponser. Also, be sure to replace the wear sensors. The antenna has a flexible nylon cord which pushes the metal rods up. The nylon breaks and then the motor just runs. It's a project to replace the nylon cord, but it can be done. However, it is a standard Hirshman antenna and you can buy an entire unit cheap on e-bay. Search under Mercedes SL. If you aren't comfortable with DIY's on this car, seek out a good independent shop. ( Post your location here and ask for recommendations. ) Mercedes dealer repairs are exceptionally expensive.

Pete Geither · #3 08-26-2006, 06:47 PM

Welcome to the forum SJ. There are tons of info here and LOT of good people. This will be the best resourse for your Benz you will ever come across. If you are not a DIYer yet,,, you will be. WELCOME !!

S Jones · #4 08-27-2006, 11:23 AM

First, thanks for the help so far ! Already found out how to hopefully DIY the antenna problem and I like doing that stuff-
OK, I'd like to get oil changed, fluids topped, general look over by a good local mechanic in Fort Collins, Colorado
1) Rudy's Star Service
2) Poudre Sports Car
3) Mercedes Autobaun ( riverside)
4) European Auto ( riverside)
5) OTHER ??????????????

Suggestions ? Where NOT to go ? I see a lot of MBs in town, where are they going.... ( never caught one yet to ask)
Appreciate it-
SJ

Dee8go · #5 08-27-2006, 09:24 PM

Check the section of this forum that has shops by state. You'll probably find some good feedback there.

Mike Miller · #6 08-30-2006, 03:44 PM

SJ,
I hope you discovered that the antenna is almost a no brainer to replace. Mine quit and just made noise. I bought a new antenna replacement and brought it to my indy guy. I couldn't believe how simple it was to replace.

He unscrewed the nut at the base of the antenna. Then while gripping and pulling the antenna, he had me turn on the radio. AS the motor tried to extend the antenna, the entire antenna and nylon "tail" came right out of the motor in one piece. Then, with the radio still on, he simple fed the new antenna into the motor as far as he could push it. He had me turn off the radio. As the motor ran to retract the antenna, he fed it in. He tightend the retaining nut and a couple of on and off's of the radio and it worked perfectly. Definitely a DYI next time!

bamerson · #7 08-30-2006, 05:54 PM

Welcome to the SL forum. I recently purchased a 1986 560 SL and have found the forum to be VERY helpful with issues related to maintaining the vehicle. Having driven Mercedes since 1988, I have a good knowledge base related to the cost of maintenance. If you can find a good independent Mercedes mechanic, go for it. Usually, there are shops who have mechanics who previously worked for a MB dealership and now have branched out into the private sector. I am not a real DYI type of guy but I have benefited from suggestions/directions in the forum. Good luck.

page62 · #8 08-30-2006, 06:18 PM

If you haven't noticed by now, there's a real strong DIY orientation on this forum. Mercedes vehicles were new to me 2 years ago. Although I'm a serious gearhead, these vehicles intimidated me at first. But now I won't hesitate to dig in and do repairs. In fact, these cars are actually easier to work on than domestics!

Oil changes are easy. Just get yourself 9 quarts of Mobil 1 0w40 (the car has an 8.5 qt. capacity) , and a genuine Mercedes filter. You'll need to invest in a "Topsider" oil changer and a Mercedes oil filter wrench. (Trust me, these tools will pay for themselves in the first oil change!)

You don't even have to get under the car to do the change. The filter is in a cartridge that's accessible from above. And even Mercedes uses a device similar to the Topsider to suck out the old oil from above!

Again, with the brakes...they are so simple to work on. I encourage you to jack up a corner, remove the wheel, and take a look for yourself. (Please use jackstands!)

In Europe, it's common for people to work on these cars themselves. But here in North America, there's a misplaced mystique about these cars. But at the end of the day...they're still just cars!!!

Enjoy your new ride.

S Jones · #9 08-30-2006, 08:55 PM

I'm a bit limited on what I can do, by space, but do my best.
Appreciate the support/answers.
Brakes seem to sound good now, no metal noise, may have adjusted but will check it anyway.
I've got an antenna replacement due here anytime, should be an easy fix & cheap !
So far so good. Learning the system slowley cause it's fun-
Thanks will report later with new stuff I'm sure-
SJ
1933 Essex Terraplane 8
1972 Volvo 1800ES Sportwagon
1973 Volvo 1800ES Sportwagon
1958 BMW Isetta Convertable
Murano
other stuff-

page62 · #10 08-30-2006, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S Jones

I'm a bit limited on what I can do, by space, but do my best.
1933 Essex Terraplane 8
1972 Volvo 1800ES Sportwagon
1973 Volvo 1800ES Sportwagon
1958 BMW Isetta Convertable
Murano
other stuff-

Tell 'ya what...since you're so space limited, I'll be happy to take one of the Volvo Sportwagons off your hands. Cheap. Then you'll have plenty of space for servicing your cars.

S Jones · #11 09-02-2006, 08:03 PM

Antenna came off, no problem there-
There was no nylon plastic gear inside, gone ?
The new one ( $14.95) wouldn't take the gears after 3 attempts. HMMM. A bit of nasty noise- HMMM. Open trunk, remove the liner etc., this is not going to be fun !
I wrote the book on brake it to fix it so I'm warey here. Check it out, check it out, better stop before I brake it to fix it !
One last time feeding the new one, recheck the DIY guy's instructions & his car pictures, looks like a different model from mine. HMMM, feed it with gears in reverse of DIY instructions-
BINGO !
So happy.......

I hope you discovered that the antenna is almost a no brainer to replace. Mine quit and just made noise. I bought a new antenna replacement and brought it to my indy guy. I couldn't believe how simple it was to replace.

Jim B. · #12 09-03-2006, 02:28 AM

When the brake pads are due to be replaced, the dashboard light for the brakes will light up, if you wait they will eventually squeal.

I like the R129 "Panzerwagens" their build quality is excellent, some say they are the last of the old fashioned (Built to the engineering standard of cost no object and assembled with old world craftsmanship and care) Merrecedes SL models, and with few if any built in flaws and problems to watch out for.

The brake pads are a very easy replacement (I personally like the Textar pads) and be sure the Mercedes anti-squeal paste is used. If you have a bit more time and $$$ you might possibly whant to think about repacking the front wheel bearings.

Mercedes Benz does NOTadvocate turning the brake drums rotors on these cars, but then the rotors are surprisingly inexpensive to replace, especially compared even with U>S> built cars!!!

If the ABS light on the dash lights, it could possibly be a fault as simple as the sensors dirty at the place where the wires meet the front wheels, and absurdly cheap fix.

These are wonderful cars, good heavy cruisers, not so much corner carvers like the BMW M3, and will drive to VERY high mileages if taken care of.

I drove a friend's '97 SL 500 with the roof down on a sunny day, and it was a sublime experience, I can tell you. You will love this car. They are really wonderful!!!

Denver is ground zero for Mercedes enthusiasts, that's the HQ for the MBCA club, I went there for a convention I think in 1997 or 1998 and had a wonderful time, even though it snowed really hard.

As dee8go said, check the "Good Mercedes shops" for Colorado, and you'll come up with a good shop near you. Colorado is a very good place to live if you own a used Mercedes Benz

And welcome to the forum, wonderful people here who REALLY know these cars, plenty of Mercedes mechanics here, some with their own shops, they can demystify things for you really quick.

If possible, a posted picture of your new car would be much appreciated by the forum members.

What color is it outside, and inside?

S Jones · #13 09-05-2006, 02:44 PM

Hi Jim-
The car is black on black. I get plates today, I've got a German plate on the front from Stuttgart with the plastic MB dealer housing. Just for fun-
I don't think I can tackle the brakes and can pick up a little squeek even though the light isn't on yet. Time to have them looked at.
Car is a delight and punching it at 60, throws you back in the seat- nice.
I need to get another key for it, I'm guessing will have to get it from a dealer ?
thanks for the support-
sj

5280BENZ · #14 09-05-2006, 05:13 PM

Two years ago I purchased additional keys from my local MB dealer for my 1999 Sl500 Sport:
part #140-760-38-06, remote key= $158.40
part #140-760-23-06, valet key= $23.40