R129 Average Repair Costs

[drewmwillis]

Hey All,

I'm a new proud owner of a 1991 500SL and I was just wondering what other people spend on average in maintence and repair.

I'm not going to use it as a daily driver, but probably take it to work a few times a week and drive around on the weekends.

Thanks!
~drew

[G-Benz]

Repair incidences go down dramatically with each model year due to the long model run and opportunities to iron out bugs.

That said, it's probably one of the more reliable MBs made. Especially the engine, which is practically bulletproof.

Most repair issues I've read here are isolated and not indicative of factory defects.

The most prevalent posts here are hardtop/softtop issues. The electrohydraulics are a bit of an engineering marvel, but can have anomalies as the car ages. Some problems can be solved in your garage. Others require a NASA engineer to figure it out.

Cost of parts? Depends. Some can be inexpensive while others require a king's ransom!

I've owned my 95 since 2000, and besides fluid maintenance, a set of tires, and an occasional DIY repair ($100 or less), fuel costs are my only real expenses! My wife is the primary driver, and she has only put 20K miles on the car since purchased.

[drewmwillis]

Well My SL had an ASR Problem, but the Dealer is taking care of that free of charge -- They replaced the entire Computer System!

So I'm feeling like the car is a good find.

[LeaUK]

If your car is under warranty of any description and suffers/suffered ASR issues get them to replace/check the cable looms. See Justin's thread Electronic Accelerator (EA) - Who's got the best price?


I've owned mine for nearly three years now and my repairs have been as follows:

1. Replaced IR sensors on both doors - 300UKP
2. Replaced both distributor caps and rotors - 150UKP
3. Replaced one window motor - 125UKP
4. Accelerator bowden cable (resolved my ASR issue) - 25UKP
5. Possible Cat replacement soon - need confirmation - MB price 1400UKP Patent Cat 400UKP.
6. New grille required (slight damage) MB price 450UKP
7. Plastic moulded sun visor caps - 2.50UKP each
8. Soft top bowden cables - 100UKP pair

Service:

1. Oil - free ;-)
2. Fuel filter (x2) - 20UKP each
3. Transmission fluid - free
4. Transmission filter - around 20UKP

Unnecessary - but worth it:

1. Single tone respray of bumpers/lower panels to match main car colour - 700UKP
2. Front clear indicators - 80UKP pair
3. Side indicator repeaters - 20UKP pair
4. Rear '2000 lights - 250UKP pair

Fuel is also my biggest outlay - at 0.83UKP per litre and 12MPG urban this car drinks it. But hey, it's worth every penny..

Hope this helps a little.

Lea

[jjrodger]

Besides routine servicing, over the last 50k miles and two years mine has needed:

air flow mass meter (about GBP250)
headlight wiper motor (about GBP200)
suspension bushes (about GBP1.00, but an hour's labour to fit)
evaporator temperature sensor (I can't remember how much, but nothing killer)

I have new tyres about once a year, you can spend as much or as little as you like, I always buy premium brand tyres at about GBP140 each. And I have it serviced fully and ahead of schedule with Mobil 1 oil (8 litres of the stuff) and genuine MB parts. Routine servicing probably runs me about GBP600 a year at the MB dealer.

[drewmwillis]

Originally Posted by LeaUK

3. Side indicator repeaters - 20UKP pair
4. Rear '2000 lights - 250UKP pair

Do you have any pictures of these improvments?

Thanks for the info -- everyone -- its making me more excited just reading about everyone's great experiences with the car!