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#2
11-02-2008, 11:32 AM
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This was discussed a few months ago here: Best years for the R129 and other questions.
__________________
For Sale: many used R129 parts from a white '92, black interior. Send email if interested. 
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#4
11-02-2008, 11:54 AM
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That is a nice thread. I've pondered the question and concluded that there isn't an answer - whenever they fixed something they screwed something else up. 90-92 CIS cars often have enigmatic operating problems, and have a poor diagnostic system. So they fixed that with LH motors of 93 to 95 but those all came with early ASR which is a disaster. Then ASR got better just in time for the early 722.6 transmission which were incredibly troubled and expensive. Then 722.6 got better and they dropped the 119 motor for the much cheapened 113 motor. It's all a very sad story really.
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#5
11-02-2008, 01:01 PM
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I believe all MB's are good quality. (We are not comparing KIA, Lada & Tata).
Even after Chrysler was part of the group, the 129 was still prodused at MB in Germany and not in the US, if that's what you are all worrried about. Being a car prodused from 1989 till 2002, it is now considered an "old" car. However, at the value you can get one these days, I believe they are VERY good value. All cars, including KIA, that are between 6 - 20 years old will have some issues. I would go for the latest model year SL500 that you can afford, and forget about the older engine with 20 hk more power, as I do not think you will notice. Anyway, they are all top of the line MB's, and as such, repairs might not be cheap. Good luck, Per.
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#6
11-02-2008, 05:24 PM
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All Mercedes were of good quality when they were made, but time has been less kind to some models, as has been pointed out. Once you get past the really early cars, the control modules become the points of failure. They are difficult to diagnose without professional equipment, and expensive to fix when they go bad. More than one tech has told me that the post-2000 cars are more reliable and easier to diagnose and get the fix right the first time.
__________________
Chuck Taylor Falls Church VA '66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe
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#7
11-03-2008, 02:25 AM
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Service records, service records, service records. That will determine which R129 you're looking at is best.
Build quality, usage, maintenance, and climate are all important factors.
__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k  1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k  1980 240D Stick China 188k  2001 CLK55 AMG 101k  2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!! 
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#9
11-04-2008, 09:42 PM
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Here's a nice new thread on the subject - 722.6 Old Style Output Shaft Mod But try a search - there's all kinds of threads on the subject.
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#10
11-05-2008, 01:11 AM
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I have worked on quite a few of these and I would with out a doubt get one with the m113. The m119 was a great engine but the m113 is not problematic and is much cheaper to repair. The rest of the car is hands down better and easier to diagnose. The main thing I would look for is the quality of the interior. Items like door pockets and soft top condition. The only down side to the m113 is that for some reason the engine ran rough at idle. You can not really pick up on it while sitting in the car but it runs rough. There is nothing wrong, they all did it from new. The transmission is not a major concern. Total failure is pretty rare as mentioned in the post given. It is not out of the question, but you can pick up a used transmission for less than a couple thousand dollars, and most likely this will not be a concern.
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#11
11-05-2008, 09:01 AM
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The problem to me of the 112/113 engines is the Russian roulette aspect of it - if your cylinder comes up, i.e. if you're the one that gets the oil blow-by ring problem, you're dead. It may be rare but it's devastating. Mercedes marketing told us it was an improved engine, and it may well be in some respects, but they told Wall Street they had cut 40 percent out of the production cost.
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#12
12-24-2008, 12:52 PM
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The 5.0 DOHC V8 is reportedly (per www.mbcoupes.com) the perfect upgrade motor for a W126 series car: just make sure you get all the electronics and wiring intact. If you could get this car for $4K you could probably part out the rest of the car and break close to even...
Maybe... Cheers!
__________________
'91 420 SEL @ 199K, '92 SVX @ 181K, '93 SC400 @ 86K, '93 Kaw ZX-11 @ 30K, '87 F250 @ 181K , 2001 Valkyrie Interstate @ 6K, Y2K Honda NightHawk 250 with 1.5K, '88 420SEL I.@ 179K & the 2nd latest, an '88 420SEL II.@ 210K runnin' parts car, '85 F150 300/NP435
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Best year for 500sl
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