Problems with my 1991 500sl

[slcy]

I have a 1991 R129 that was "lowered" when I bought it. I later found out that it was not lowered, but actually had the hydralic shock system taken out. As we speak, my car is at a shop having all its springs replaced with non-hydralic ones and having all the push and pully links (8 in the rear) repaced. The bill with allignment is about $1600. The car also has trouble starting(mostly when its cold outside), with a horrible odor of gas once it does start. It idles up and down and has hesitation on the gas pedal when its cold. It takes about 5 minutes to warm and then has much less hesitation.- I've spent the last 5 hours reading everything you guys have written about these cars and am totally impressed. You guys have given a lot of helpless people the care and thought they needed. God bless this forum. If anyone has any ideas for me, I'll be a happier Mercedes owner.
Thanks, Cyrus

91 500sl with 1998 body kit/vents/lights/18in momos/All black on gray.
Basically, the nicest car I've ever owned except for the minor money pit syndrome involved.

[Roger65]

My car had the difficult cold start/fuel smell problem, and it ended up being the hose coming off the gas tank, running towards the engine. I beleive it was between the tank and the fuel pump, but not 100% sure about that. Cost about $200 to replace.

The hesitation could be a bad injector. My car had a few of those, too.

I had ADS problems too, only I was dumb enough to spend $3300 fixing the ADS. I should have just put in springs, which is what will happen next time I get another four-figure repair estimate. What kind of springs did you use?

Good luck, ownership is always hard during the first few months, I had doubts about being able to afford maintenance on this car. But after a few months of shakedown, my 91 seems pretty reliable, I'm sure yours will too.

Roger

[Arju]

How's the mileage? If it was sitting parked for long periods carbon can build up in the engine and M119 are supposedly notorious about that.

Its a beautiful and amazing car... don't let the moneypit affect hit you

- Arju