Thining about buying an early 90's SL

[chiwanga]

I am toying with the idea of buying a 90, 91, 92, 93 SL. I don’t have a lot of preference as to whether it is a 300 or 500. I am more interested in finding something clean and cheap. I am on the central coast of California so I can be in Southern California (LA area) in about 3 hours of driving time. I would like to spend no more than about $11,000. I found a 91 300SL, extra clean, 85K for $10,500. What should I look for, be careful about, etc. Thanks!

[matt7531]

I own an 84 380 SL, with 180,000 miles on it, that I paid 3,000$ for. My friend owns a 91 500SL he paid twenty grand for, with 90k on the clock. Guess which car is in the shop all the time, and guess which one costs a fortune to fix anytime something goes wrong?

[whosurpopi]

I have a 90 300sl, and when the a/c is on, it wont get out of its own way. They are 6cyl, that start in 2nd gear(baaaadd idea) other than that, I love the car. That price sounds great. good luck.

[coyote]

Never understand why they would take such a performance looking car as the SL and put a 6 in it. To me it's like buying a Mustang, Camaro or any other sports type car. 6 cyl's just don't belong in them in my opinion.
Go for the 500. Nothing like having the feeling and hearing the sound of over 300 hp when you step on the gas.
Whatever decision you make I hope you enjoy your new car.

[G-Benz]

Originally Posted by chiwanga

I don’t have a lot of preference as to whether it is a 300 or 500. I am more interested in finding something clean and cheap.

While the R129s are fairly reliable, you will eventually have to fix something, and the word "cheap" doesn't come to mind.

A few things are DIY, and some parts are inexpensive, but fry a sensitive electrical module, and you'll wipe out your college savings getting it fixed!

Not trying to scare you off to these cars...I have had mine for nearly five years, and other than fluids, and tires, spent under $500 total in repairs!!

Just be realistic. These cars went for close to $100K when new, so repairs will sometimes be a king's ransom.

With fuel costs rising, the 300 series will seem a bit more attractive.

[tecqboy]

I drive a 1991 300SL. While it does not have the low end torque and pull of the 500SL V8, don't under estimate it. Once you get it up over 3000 rpm's this heavy car can move. How many 6 cylinder engines have you seen with twin tuned headers, dual exhausts, 4 valves per cylinder and variable timing? When that engine idles, you can't tell it's running by vibration. The way to get some real performance from the 300SL is to hold back on the upshifts of the automatic transmission. Drive it like one of those "new" autosticks. If you need to ocasionally take off fast from a stop, you can force a first gear start. At highway speeds the 6 cylinder is more than adaquate. Any the fuel economy of the 6 is about 5 miles per gallon better if you drive with a lite foot. They all take premium fuel. And by the way, not even the 600SL is really that fast in a drag race. These cars are geared to cruise on the autobahn.

[chiwanga]

Do all of the R129's ping if you dont use premium fuel? or do they get better mpg? or what

[jjrodger]

Originally Posted by coyote

Never understand why they would take such a performance looking car as the SL and put a 6 in it.

Do you think history might have something to do with it? 300SL. German sports car. 6 cylinders. Hmm....

[chiwanga]

I found a 1990 500SL in "exlt condition" 1 owner, well maintained for $8500 but it has 200K. Its probably too many miles, I know I wouldnt hesitate to buy a diesel benz with that kind of miles, but I dont know about a R129

[chiwanga]

I bought my SL today. Its a 500SL. 132K black, nice shape! lots of goodies(18" wheels, new tires, new battery, convertible top, front seats) I got it for $9000. It does have one problem that i need help with. The convertible top does not latch. It gets stuck half way through going down or the going up process. What should I do? Thanks

[Shaggydog199]

Must be a lot of 70 mussle car types driving SL's. I personally find the 300 to be more that adequate. It is a highway cruising car, not an American drag racer. But, I have no intention of racing mine. Weather I get to 60 MPH in 6 seconds or 9 means little to me. Where I live, driving at 80 plus is impossible. Either constrained by traffic or a local cop! So, do you want the extra three seconds and corresponding loss in gas milage plus more stuff to repair..then go for the 500!

[elau]

Originally Posted by chiwanga

I bought my SL today. Its a 500SL. 132K black, nice shape! lots of goodies(18" wheels, new tires, new battery, convertible top, front seats) I got it for $9000. It does have one problem that i need help with. The convertible top does not latch. It gets stuck half way through going down or the going up process. What should I do? Thanks

Congrats!! And welcome to the exclusive club

You may want to pull the code for further diagnostic. Also, do a search on the forum and see what you find.

[whosurpopi]

at what point is it sticking? Mine sticks sometimes and you just have to give it a little push in the direction its going. Ive run across a couple different stickey points, and the remedy all depends on where it is sticking.

[chiwanga]

When the soft top is about half way to the front latches and the back part is still straight up in the air and the rear convertible top cover is in the up possition, it gets stuck. If I turn the car off, and push the cover down, then help push the back part of the convertible top down, it helps, but it still will not latch on its own. The hard top does latch/unlatch itself just fine.

[Carrie_Bacon]

Hi Guys!
I'm waiting for the paperwork on my "new" 500sl to arrive from Chicago tomorrow (I hope!)... As noted above, it's a '91 500sl in light blue with 75K on the dial... From the eBay pics, it looks fine and comes from a high-end dealer (Lamborghini, Bentley, Cobra, Ferrari, Lotus). I hope to get someone to cover me at work, fly out and drive home... The price I'm paying is average NADA/Kelly Blue Book value of $15K and I HOPE I can read the forum entries more for pleasure and learning about the undoubtedly many W129 foibles than hollering for help... And yes, I've already listed it on my signature line, below... (Proud Mommy!)
Carrie