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  #1  
Old 10-16-2011, 10:20 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
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The King is gone--Long live the King!

Finally did it. After 8 great years with the 107, it was time for it to go to somebody with more wrenching talent and time than I have (at 176k), and time for me to get a power top and the other goodies. Found a 40th Anniversary SL500 with 45k, had it shipped up from FL to MI, and have fallen just as heavily in love as I did with the 560SL; my first prolonged exposure to a 129, and it's truly a fantastic machine. Had a chance a week ago to navigate a tree-tunneled two-lane along Lake Michigan with the top down in 80 degrees; it doesn't get any better. Pix of Baron Manfred and the Red Baron attached (hoping they come through...)

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The King is gone--Long live the King!-dscn1293.jpg   The King is gone--Long live the King!-dscf0364.jpg  
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Craig Bethune

'97 SL500, 40th anniversary edition

'04 Olds Bravada (SWMBO's)
'06 Lexus ES330
'89 560SL (sold)


SL--Anything else is just a Mercedes.
(Kudos to whoever said it first)
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  #2  
Old 10-16-2011, 08:52 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SE Mich
Posts: 3,284
Quote:
Originally Posted by cbdo View Post
Finally did it. After 8 great years with the 107, it was time for it to go to somebody with more wrenching talent and time than I have (at 176k), and time for me to get a power top and the other goodies. Found a 40th Anniversary SL500 with 45k, had it shipped up from FL to MI, and have fallen just as heavily in love as I did with the 560SL; my first prolonged exposure to a 129, and it's truly a fantastic machine. Had a chance a week ago to navigate a tree-tunneled two-lane along Lake Michigan with the top down in 80 degrees; it doesn't get any better. Pix of Baron Manfred and the Red Baron attached (hoping they come through...)
Congrats!
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Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6
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  #3  
Old 10-17-2011, 09:19 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: NC
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Jealousy....

Let me guess, $22k?
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former: 83 300D, 97 C230, 93 400E

current: 08 C300 Luxury , 92 500SL
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  #4  
Old 10-17-2011, 04:49 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
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What I got for the 560? I'd have to seek psychiatric evaluation if I even dreamed that. What I paid for the 500? No, quite a bit less; it was at a Cadillac dealer in Melbourne FL who'd taken it on trade from the owner's widow, and he was obviously interested in moving the merchandise rather than trying to work the collector market. The car's not truly showroom but pretty close--just right to want to keep it pristine but still use it without being excessively neurotic.

Then there's the 1960 300SL roadster in my local indie dealer's showroom with 13,277 miles at $650k; I'd love to have it (OK, I'd love to be *able* to consider it) but would need heavy medication to actually risk driving it.

For anyone considering the plunge--129s seem to be a buyer's market at the moment.
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Craig Bethune

'97 SL500, 40th anniversary edition

'04 Olds Bravada (SWMBO's)
'06 Lexus ES330
'89 560SL (sold)


SL--Anything else is just a Mercedes.
(Kudos to whoever said it first)
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  #5  
Old 10-17-2011, 11:08 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: NC
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Originally Posted by cbdo View Post

For anyone considering the plunge--129s seem to be a buyer's market at the moment.
That's why I bought my 92, was looking for a 124 cab but the 500SL is just so much more car, and fully-depreciated. Those 00-02 Silver Arrows and Designos seem to do a lot of money; and I just realized the 40th ann is a 97, right? So yeah, hopefully less than $22k! . Of course, it will bite you in the rear with a grand in repairs any day now, but hey! We all love old Benz personality!
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former: 83 300D, 97 C230, 93 400E

current: 08 C300 Luxury , 92 500SL
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  #6  
Old 10-18-2011, 08:11 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 766
So far so good. My indie says there are no mechanical issues at all, and the only thing keeping the undercarriage from looking showroom was profuse cobwebs!
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Craig Bethune

'97 SL500, 40th anniversary edition

'04 Olds Bravada (SWMBO's)
'06 Lexus ES330
'89 560SL (sold)


SL--Anything else is just a Mercedes.
(Kudos to whoever said it first)
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  #7  
Old 10-22-2011, 12:57 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Iowa
Posts: 32
The R129 SL500's have to be the absolute best deal in used cars right now.
Built like tanks, easy to work on, and a huge improvement in driving experience over the earlier series.
Enjoy that car!
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Phil

Prior cars:
1971 250
1983 380SEL
1986 190E2.3
1987 300TD
1994 SL500
2001 E320 4Matic
2003 SL500
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  #8  
Old 10-24-2011, 08:10 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 766
Took the car for a weekend trip about 140 miles away; wife and I both enjoyed it, and of course it drew raves from our hosts. I'd been a bit apprehensive about the ride on the 17s that are part of the 40th Anniversary package, but it was fine; still think the 16s might be a little more refined on road irregularities but the cornering is fantastic.

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Craig Bethune

'97 SL500, 40th anniversary edition

'04 Olds Bravada (SWMBO's)
'06 Lexus ES330
'89 560SL (sold)


SL--Anything else is just a Mercedes.
(Kudos to whoever said it first)
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