1995 SL320 - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

HuskyMan · #16 03-30-2012, 06:25 PM

having driven both gas and diesel, I've come to appreciate both cars
for what they are. In some of today's crazy driving situations,
having the power of the 560SEL is useful. But, I've had the
diesel for over twenty years and it keeps on going and there are
no car payments. There is something about cruising on the
freeway and hearing that big five cylinder diesel hammering away.

At night, the sound of the diesel is mesmerizing.

TylerH860 · #17 03-30-2012, 06:43 PM

Before committing to buying this car, make sure it is what they say it is.

Original wiring harness?
Soft top hydraulics leak free and in perfect working order?
Head Gasket?
Transmission?

All of these are going to be pretty notorious weak spots with this model and engine.

nate300d · #18 04-08-2012, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

Before committing to buying this car, make sure it is what they say it is.

Original wiring harness?
Soft top hydraulics leak free and in perfect working order?
Head Gasket?
Transmission?

All of these are going to be pretty notorious weak spots with this model and engine.

There were no records in regards to the wiring hardness. I plan to check with dealership on this.
The top works well and no evidence of leaks (so far).
It is intact with the original head gasket. No sign of leaks.
The transmission works great. No records of repairs.

The car has 113,000 miles. I have put on nearly 600 of that since I picked it up. It drives, handles, brakes, shifts, and accelerates great. The finish has minor points, but overall stunning for 17 years old. There are a few interior trim pieces (both visor hing cover, transmission shifter trim) that I want to replace. Both seat bolsters have started to separate at the center seam.

The locks/security has an issue, but does not affect being able to lock and unlock car. I no not know if this is because of the harness and/or a mechanical issue. The power door lock for the driver door does not work at all and the interior manual lock does not feel right. This many be something to bite the bullet and have the dealership repair. When you unlock the car it will always lock on its own after a few seconds. I do not imagine that is its intended function.

The a/c and climate control works great. It could stand a new hood pad. It is still there, but its days are short.

The antenna motor is working, but the mast is not.

My goal was to find a solid, drivable R129 with M103 or M104 engine without having serious issues upfront. For $8,000 I am satisfied with the purchase. The owner was hoping to get $10,000.

nate300d · #19 04-08-2012, 09:41 PM

Here she is.

Jim B. · #20 04-09-2012, 10:36 AM

Desireable triple color combo, reasonable miles for the age, the unburstable 6 cylinder motor is fine for this PkW, you will not win any drag races with this, but it was not built for that, Autocheck looks ok for this eastern car, from PA., you will need to go shopping for a hardtop hoist or hardtop stand for it,

Pretty good price, to have paid for it, in that color and mileage, though books and records may have been tossed at the first auction, years ago..

Last of the cost-no-object SLs in terms of build quality, longevity, durability, but may have the unfortunate biodegradeable wiring harness,Low miles as expected cause few were the owners' only car; to impractical for a daily driver and workhorse.

...A nice Panzer kampf Wagen in the sports edition, BIG draw for gold diggerz so be careful.

Sounds well bought to me, have fun with it. Take care of it and maintain it, and it will last a LONG time.

nate300d · #21 04-09-2012, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

Desireable triple color combo, reasonable miles for the age, the unburstable 6 cylinder motor is fine for this PkW, you will not win any drag races with this, but it was not built for that, Autocheck looks ok for this eastern car, from PA., you will need to go shopping for a hardtop hoist or hardtop stand for it,

Pretty good price, to have paid for it, in that color and mileage, though books and records may have been tossed at the first auction, years ago..

Last of the cost-no-object SLs in terms of build quality, longevity, durability, but may have the unfortunate biodegradeable wiring harness,Low miles as expected cause few were the owners' only car; to impractical for a daily driver and workhorse.

...A nice Panzer kampf Wagen in the sports edition, BIG draw for gold diggerz so be careful.

Sounds well bought to me, have fun with it. Take care of it and maintain it, and it will last a LONG time.

Yes, I love the color. I was not sure if I would like a triple black, but it love it. I am planning on doing the hoist. I have a 10 foot high ceiling in my garage so clearance is not an issue.

I never wanted an SL for speed. I have wanted a convertible ever since I had my 1965 T-Bird when I was 16. The car is actually much quicker that I excepted, but I drive a 1981 300D much of the time. It also rides nicer than I expected. I hope to maintain and drive this one for many years, but I have yet to part with a Mercedes outside of divorce, wreck, or just plain rusted out. My 'gems' are this car, my 1991 300SE, and my beautiful white 1985 300D.

nate300d · #22 04-17-2012, 02:36 PM

One thing that I forgot to add about this car that has become etched in my mind. I do like Barry White music. The day I picked up the car I was not aware that there was a CD in the trunk mounted player. As I drove off I tuned on the radio. It was set to play the CD player. It started with the first track which happened to be the Barry White instrumental piece "Love's Theme". It has become the theme tune of my SL.

BARRY WHITE'S LOVE UNLIMITED ORCHESTRA: LOVE'S THEME - YouTube

Solid Snake · #23 04-18-2012, 10:26 AM

R129s are my favorite SLs ever. I almost traded my mechanic my 560SEL for his White 55K mile 24V 320SL, but I couldn't come to terms with not having my 560 anymore... One day!

G-Benz · #24 04-18-2012, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulC

Did the 1995 R129's have the ambitiously biodegradable engine wiring harnesses?

If it did, it would have biodegraded by now.

The harnesses typically failed before the end of the 1990's, so any M104s still on the road have replacement harnesses.

The Clk Man · #25 04-18-2012, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Benz

If it did, it would have biodegraded by now.

The harnesses typically failed before the end of the 1990's, so any M104s still on the road have replacement harnesses.

So what was the deal with these harnesses, did they just fall apart?

nate300d · #26 04-18-2012, 02:24 PM

I sent the VIN to the local dealer to see what if any history MB has on this car for that issue. It does have one electrical issue with the lock/security. If you unlock with the fob it will not unlock the driver's door and if you unlock the driver's door with the key it will only unlock that door. If you unlock the car with the fob or key at the trunk or passenger's door it relocks after about 20-30 seconds, however, it will not operate the driver's door. Seems to be a disconnect at the driver's door for the lock.

The power antenna motor is operating, but no movement on the mast. Need to find out how to replace the mast.

Aside from the lock and antenna everything else has been working. The in trunk CD player is not the best from a shock standpoint. It does not take much of a bump to make it skip.

I am making my own rack for the top. I may remove it this weekend. I must say I love this car as a coupe. I am surprised how low the wind noise is with the windows down at 60mph.

G-Benz · #27 04-18-2012, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Clk Man

So what was the deal with these harnesses, did they just fall apart?

External harness insulation remained intact, but the insulation on the individual wires deteriorated, causing exposed wiring to contact other exposed wires, creating all sorts of abnormal performance issues.

Mine failed on my 93 W124 a couple of years after purchase (in '98) and the result was a horrible "miss" when accelerating.

G-Benz · #28 04-18-2012, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nate300d

The power antenna motor is operating, but no movement on the mast. Need to find out how to replace the mast.

Mast replacement is easy. Get one at the dealer (or other source) for under $100.

Most likely, the plastic toothed shaft inside the mast is broken or stripped.

Have someone turn the radio on. Pull out old mast, insert the new one and gently guide the plastic insert as the radio is turned off until the plastic engages with the antenna gear and retracts on its own.

nate300d · #29 06-27-2012, 01:54 PM

What is the worst thing about my SL320? It is like a crack addition......I can't stop driving it!!