Should I buy a mid 90's SL? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Pooka · #1 04-01-2011, 01:42 PM

I figured I would start here with this question. I was looking at an S-class from that era and picked up a lot of good info from everyone on that.

I have noticed that early 90's SL sell for about $6000 to $9000 for a 300 SL. Is there a reason for this, like soy based wiring insulation or something?

I don't need a 500 SL since I have one pavement ripper now, but it has caught my attention that you can buy a SL for the same price as a good Porsche 914.

Two things that are not important to me: Financing the car since I would just pay cash and MPG since I don't drive that many miles a month.

Any comments or suggestion? Be brutal.

iwrock · #2 04-01-2011, 01:45 PM

Buy the SL600 I have listed on the forum!

They are solid cars, but dont expect miata handling!

BobK · #3 04-01-2011, 01:46 PM

Personally, I'd like to get a manual shift, red SL300 for my wife. That being said (and remember I do all my own work) ask PowerPig about the top on his SL600 (same mechanism). I still want on though.

Skid Row Joe · #4 04-01-2011, 01:53 PM

I cannot be brutal, but here is what I think:

I've resisted buying an early SL (early to mid-'90s) because I fear the expense in repair costs. Perhaps unfounded I'll readily admit. I would tend to buy the SL 300/320 V6 hands down, unless someone could convince me to go the SL 500 route. A nice, tidy SL 300/320 would be the ticket for me. Finding out from the peanut gallery of experts here on which years of the 300/320 to avoid would be my guide!

The first year or two of the new body style was a 300, btw.

IF I bought one - it would HAVE to be in cherry condition!

Pooka · #5 04-01-2011, 02:05 PM

Keep it up. I have a lot to learn about these before I jump in.

I don't really need one. I mean, who does? But you only live once.

Is the 600 all that much more complicated? For example: I used to own a 109 6.3 which is WAAAAAYYYYYY more complex than the 108 anything. Are we talking that much difference?

iwrock · #6 04-01-2011, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pooka

Keep it up. I have a lot to learn about these before I jump in.

I don't really need one. I mean, who does? But you only live once.

Is the 600 all that much more complicated? For example: I used to own a 109 6.3 which is WAAAAAYYYYYY more complex than the 108 anything. Are we talking that much difference?

Other than the engine and suspension, its pretty much just R129 under there.

The 600 does get a nicer interior though! And that sexy V12...

Pooka · #7 04-01-2011, 02:08 PM

Joe...

Cherry is right. I learned long ago to always buy the best used Mercedes out there. You are $$$$$$ ahead every time.

But thanks for the reminder. Anyone who has bought more than one used Mercedes knows that is great advice.

tbomachines · #8 04-01-2011, 02:11 PM

The R129 is IMO one of the nicest and classiest cars ever made. I would prefer an SL300 with the M103 before they switched it to the M104, just because the M103 is an excellent engine (not to say the M104 is not, or any of the other engines in it). The R129 is essentially a shortned w124 chassis, I have heard they handle similarly. It is a grand touring car, not a hardcore sports car. Common/unique problems include leaking hydraulic actuators for the convertible top - any wetness around there should be examined. Personally I would buy a R129 in a heartbeat, if I had the money and could get rid of my other two MBs in the process.

Pooka · #9 04-01-2011, 02:16 PM

Nice to know about the 124 connection. I used to drive my 92 300D for 550 miles a day about three times a month and never felt tired from doing it.

TylerH860 · #10 04-01-2011, 02:27 PM

Great cars. Obviously you don't want a 93-95 wit the wiring deal. Im told the 300sl/sl300/320 had a different transmission from their 124 counterparts that didn't hold up well. There was a silver 96 sl320 a few weeks with 70k at my dealer auction that sold for $8000.

Shame the 600 has a few common and very expensive failure parts but are certainly very cool.

Hatterasguy · #11 04-01-2011, 02:28 PM

If your going to get the R129 buy the V8, the I6 doesn't offer any benefits over the 8, IE same mileage, repair costs and about the same purchase price.

V12's are fantastic motors but don't buy one if a $3k-$5k repair would kill you, they are pretty reliable cars but when stuff does go wrong on the M120 it can add up. Think of an SL600 as an exotic car that you can pick up pretty cheap now, but like all exotics it may require a hefty cash$$$$ infusion now and than. SL600's also got the SLS suspension all the way around, other than that they are pretty smiler to the lesser models.

Personally If I were R129 shopping I'd look for a 1997-2002 SL500 with the 722.6 gearbox, xenon headlights etc. Fully sorted, no wiring harness or headgasket issues that the 6's suffered from, bullet proof gear box, and bomb proof M119 or M113 V8. IMHO the M119 is the better motor but the M113 is about as solid as they get.

MTI · #12 04-01-2011, 02:30 PM

Find a "Silver Arrow" Special Edition

C280 Sport · #13 04-01-2011, 03:24 PM

Our 96 129 was solid. Thankfully no issues with it when we had it. Keep in mind if you do for the V12 and something does go wrong it will cost you alot more but its a premium car with a premium price. As I told a guy over on another site who got in over his head "Just because a 100k car is now worth only 10k its still 100k and still carries 100k car upkeep" If you find the M120 too much up keep then shoot for the SL500 as said before. 2000-2002 ones can be had. Inspect Inspect Inspect!!! from a good inde shop. Full records of everything and long test drives to know ever little hicup that car has. Not sure on your location but in Tarpon Springs, Florida there is a nice 2002 SL500(66K)
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=59918933&listingRecNum=55&criteria=sf1Dir%3DDESC%26mkId%3D20028%26stkTyp%3DU%26mdId%3D21930%26rd%3D100000%26crSrtFlds%3DstkTyp Id-feedSegId-mkId-mdId-trId-yrId%26zc%3D12020%26rn%3D50%26PMmt%3D1-1-5%26stkTypId%3D28881%26sf2Dir%3DASC%26sf1Nm%3Dprice%26yrId%3D20142%26yrId%3D20197%26yrId%3D20141%26y rId%3D20196%26yrId%3D20140%26yrId%3D20195%26yrId%3D20139%26yrId%3D20194%26yrId%3D20138%26yrId%3D2019 3%26yrId%3D20137%26yrId%3D20192%26yrId%3D20136%26sf2Nm%3Dmiles%26trId%3D22958%26trId%3D24903%26trId% 3D25017%26trId%3D24904%26trId%3D25019%26rpp%3D50%26feedSegId%3D28705&aff=national

HuskyMan · #14 04-01-2011, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

If your going to get the R129 buy the V8, the I6 doesn't offer any benefits over the 8, IE same mileage, repair costs and about the same purchase price.

V12's are fantastic motors but don't buy one if a $3k-$5k repair would kill you, they are pretty reliable cars but when stuff does go wrong on the M120 it can add up. Think of an SL600 as an exotic car that you can pick up pretty cheap now, but like all exotics it may require a hefty cash$$$$ infusion now and than. SL600's also got the SLS suspension all the way around, other than that they are pretty smiler to the lesser models.

Second that, get ready to open up the check book ever now and then. These babies can suck it out of your bank account like a vacuum cleaner. Call a few indies and the stealership for quotes on head jobs, valves, cams, timing chains, transmissions, etc etc for some real heart stopping, mind shocking repair bill quotes. I'd rather spend my limited resources on going out to the movies or out to dinner once in a while rather than throwing it all at a car. But, for those big piles of cash you will lay out, you get one really nice ride that is the envy of your neighbors.

C280 Sport · #15 04-01-2011, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

If your going to get the R129 buy the V8, the I6 doesn't offer any benefits over the 8, IE same mileage, repair costs and about the same purchase price.

V12's are fantastic motors but don't buy one if a $3k-$5k repair would kill you, they are pretty reliable cars but when stuff does go wrong on the M120 it can add up. Think of an SL600 as an exotic car that you can pick up pretty cheap now, but like all exotics it may require a hefty cash$$$$ infusion now and than. SL600's also got the SLS suspension all the way around, other than that they are pretty smiler to the lesser models.

Personally If I were R129 shopping I'd look for a 1997-2002 SL500 with the 722.6 gearbox, xenon headlights etc. Fully sorted, no wiring harness or headgasket issues that the 6's suffered from, bullet proof gear box, and bomb proof M119 or M113 V8. IMHO the M119 is the better motor but the M113 is about as solid as they get.

Agreed.