Are R129 SL600/600SL's DIY friendly? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

alabbasi · #1 05-11-2012, 01:03 PM

Yeah yeah, there's nothing more expensive then a cheap Mercedes. But the prices for the R129 cars has pretty much bottomed out and I need something to keep my hands occupied

rs899 · #2 05-11-2012, 02:24 PM

I really don't know the answer, but they frightened me away. I bought SWMBO an R107.

alabbasi · #3 05-11-2012, 04:40 PM

I have an 84 500sl, but the 390 odd hp appeals to me. Maybe a 97-98 SL500 would make a better option. I love the M119 which has proven to be very reliable in my E420.

Roncallo · #4 05-11-2012, 05:27 PM

Interesting question

I woulds say there are two possibilities:

If you are filthy rich no problem. If not DIY is absolutely required.

rs899 · #5 05-11-2012, 07:28 PM

^^ required, yes, but successful? Maybe one needs to have been born after the IBM PC launched?

alabbasi · #6 05-11-2012, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rs899

Maybe one needs to have been born after the IBM PC launched?

Ha! Remember, these cars came out in 1989 so it would have to be one of these :

DieselPaul · #7 05-14-2012, 11:48 AM

M104 is workable, the M119 is workable, they all take fuel and air and produce power, I don't see why a car guy couldn't work on a M120.

Will_w202 · #8 05-14-2012, 02:16 PM

From the posts I've read, the m120 is a nightmare due to all the systems, and having little space in which to work. I bet you'd get some interesting replies if you post this in the tech help forum. I'd stick with an m119 car....315-322hp, 4100lbs, vs 389hp and 4500lbs. Will you really miss the extra 400lbs?

tdoriot · #9 05-15-2012, 12:20 AM

Having jus bought a 1993 600SL with a few issues, I found the car super easy to work on so far. I repaired the right and left throttle acuator wiring. Each actuator took less than 10 minutes to R and R. I also replaced the vacuum valve in the computer bay, that took about a half hour. The ASR ( A$$ Reamer) problem was the biggest ***** along with the degradable wiring harness. Mostly the research and trying to cure each probable cause. However, in the end I successfully repaired all those issues and love this amazing car. I know they are extremely complicated expensive beasts, but 250 miles in the 80 degree Columbia River gorge area on Sunday made it all worth while. I really like all the 129's, but I knew if I didn't buy a 600, I'd always have V12 envy. To me the expenses are well worth it.

nate300d · #10 05-15-2012, 10:21 AM

How DIY friendly anything is comes back to the person doing the work and their comfort level doing it. The first time I ever changed glow plugs on my 606 I was full of fear and dread of screwing up something. But after doing it I realized that although there is a lot to tear down it is not that bad of a job.

Any DIY job is easier when you have good instructions and tips to get it done. There are volumes of diesel DIY support here, but for R129's in general you are not going to find as much as there are not as many of them and more than likely it is a car were people will be going to a shop to have work done.

There may be a number of things on this car that I would rather bite the bullet and have the dealership work on to be sure that it is right because these are wonderful cars and I hope to keep mine for a long time.

tdoriot · #11 05-17-2012, 11:54 PM

I agree with that. I have a small list of "underneath " work I'll pay the shop to do. The flat rate is fair and I don't have a hoist in my garage yet ! I'm sure somewhere along the line, I'll find something that will be a nightmare, but for this little snippet of time, all is right with the world !

Will_w202 · #12 05-24-2012, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nate300d

How DIY friendly anything is comes back to the person doing the work and their comfort level doing it.

Probably the best answer to that general question I've ever heard.

Kingjerry · #13 12-24-2012, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdoriot

Having jus bought a 1993 600SL with a few issues, I found the car super easy to work on so far. I repaired the right and left throttle acuator wiring. Each actuator took less than 10 minutes to R and R. I also replaced the vacuum valve in the computer bay, that took about a half hour. The ASR ( A$$ Reamer) problem was the biggest ***** along with the degradable wiring harness. Mostly the research and trying to cure each probable cause. However, in the end I successfully repaired all those issues and love this amazing car. I know they are extremely complicated expensive beasts, but 250 miles in the 80 degree Columbia River gorge area on Sunday made it all worth while. I really like all the 129's, but I knew if I didn't buy a 600, I'd always have V12 envy. To me the expenses are well worth it.

Loved your post. I have a 1994 sl600 was running perfect.
Went to start it with low battery, kicked over started with extreme missing
Quick depress of throttle to try and clear shortly thereafter heard hi pitched squeal
so I shut it down. All over Internet people are scared of this car.
Yours was the first encouraging post. I am ready to jump in and attack the problem myself.
Thanks for the encouragement!

Strife · #14 12-25-2012, 01:01 AM

I've also considered stepping up and joining the 1990's, also. I think that a W107 owner has to come to grips with the fact that the parts ARE more expensive than a W107 because there is less aftermarket support. DIY aside, you (assuming that you don't have a large industrial concern behind you) can't make many parts and not all parts can be repaired.

Personally, the least-scary 129's might be the 1996-1998 models (wiring harness no longer an issue, mostly!) and clone MB diagnostic tools available. The good news is, I've now seen W140's appear in boneyards, and they actually now outnumber W126's, at least here. W126's were at one time my parts source for W107 engine parts; The W140 can serve that function for W129's.

I've even considered the 600SL until I saw the eye-popping parts prices (for example, well north of $100 for a valve cover gasket). No, it isn't available aftermarket AFAIK. Virtually nothing for it is. You won't find too many of those engines in junkyards (around here, anyway).

Alain V. · #15 12-25-2012, 10:10 PM

You guys all seem to be focusing in the engine alone,,
but remember that the 600sl also had the "ADS" suspension system,,,,,,which can easily "total" the car when it is time to purchase replacement parts for that system alone. Believe me, they are now getting old enough that I have seen this happen.

I've am in the position of having over 30 years of experience as an MBZ tech, have my own 8,000sq ft- totally equipped shop available, with ALL the needed special tools and info,,,,,and even with all of those things on my side, I still have zero desire to own one of those 12cyl cars.
The M119 engine 500sl- in my opinion- is a much better choice for a 129 chassis car.