PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post

G-Benz · #2 06-21-2004, 12:01 PM

From experience, I can tell you that these cars are very reliable, and remain so with proper routine maintenance.

What DOES present a problem, is that when something goes wrong, you will wind up spending your retirement fund getting it fixed!

From the service records, it seems as if the engine experienced a blown head gasket, usually manifested by an overheating condition. The subsequent service issues with regards to oil indicates either a poor initial repair, or an extreme lack of owner maintenance. I worry that the block had to be reconditioned or replaced, indicating that the engine was allowed to overheat to the extent that the head and block distorted beyond repair! Again, possibly the owner never bothered to check or replace coolant when necessary?

My SL has a service invoice for a power steering pump repair during factory warranty. I believe it was the seals. The fact that it was empty on your records indicates that the owner never bothered to open the hood periodically and check fluid levels...much less his/her garage floor!

MB suspension components are beefy, and while some of the smaller compliant bushings require attention at 100K miles, ball joints and such would have had to have seen some abusive driving habits. The drift issues may just be alignment, but if the ball joints are worn, you can't get a proper alignment done anyway.

There are plenty of fine well-cared for (and lower mileage) examples of the R129 available every day. Most are one-owner specimens with regularly scheduled upkeep and maintenance issues performed...after all these cars were pricey when new, so those that could afford them could also afford to keep them maintained.

I think the one you are looking at has been the victim of negligent maintenance. At that mileage, I'd be confident that another mortgage-draining repair would be waiting to happen soon!