1998 Mercedes Benz SL280 (R129) Review - Only 21,000 Km!

[@KyleLiongCars]

Edit! The speedometer is actually a special order with miles and km on it. The mileage on this car is 21,000Km, or 13,000 miles!

[@pedroborda9040]

I'm blown away by your work, Kyle! You're so knowledgeable, and it comes so naturally to you... seriously, keep going! I can't wait to see your channel grow!

[@KyleLiongCars]

Thanks too. Hope you enjoy the rest of the vids

[@David-l5y4x]

lmao

[@arthurdardalis]

Gorgeous R129, love the colour. Fun fact… the German export plates expired in 12/2005!

[@bobroberts2371]

There are some oddities with this car, some are due to MB making running changes and some due to this not being a US spec car that I'm not entirely familiar with. I wonder what ROW cars were left steering wheel and MPH in 98? The AMG styling kit, first offered in 1997 , includes the smoother front and rear bumpers this car has and sculpted side skirts that this car does not have. I've seen one other US spec car like this. In 97 the wheels were thick spoke like this car however 98 + got similar looking narrow spoke. I don't think the rear " kinder seat " was ever offered in the US, the car is also missing the black VIN tag on the drivers door area as well as an airbag inspection sticker ( should be near the fixed striker ) . Opening the fuel flap and looking at the sticker should give some hints. The trunk warning triangle was not on US spec cars. 97 was the last year for the SL320 in the US. Other markets continued on with 6 cylinder but they were the new V6 found in the 98+ C280 / E320 The Xenon headlights were part of an option package.

[@KyleLiongCars]

The oddities in this car could be in part due to this being a special order vehicle by a diplomat. He was probably able to spec this out to a very individual degree. My S320 W140 also has options that are virtually unheard of in the PH, but since it was specially ordered by a former VP of the country, it has the options available.

[@bobroberts2371]

@@KyleLiongCars I'm not sure sculpted AMG side skirt delete would be an option. This makes me think the car was reworked in the field at some point especially since the door jamb tags are missing. Regardless, these were just a few steps away from a coach built car so anything is possible. US spec cars have a gray valve cover, I've never seen a red one from factory. ( The 98 - 00 C240 Kompressor did however that is the 4 cyl version of the 6 ) If you have access to a friendly MB dealer, you can get a " to be used by the dealer only " VMI ( Vehicle Master Inquiry ) that shows who bought it originally, what dealer it came from as well as any dealer repairs. At minimum, you can get the easily available " data card " that will give you an option list and radio unlock code. The car appears to have a manual headlight adjuster to the left of the headlight switch. This was not a US option. Does the car have a ride height sensor attached to the front sway bar and one of the real lower control arms? US spec cars had this when the car had Xenon headlights for automatic headlight leveling. As a side note, near as I can tell, the instrument cluster is the same between the 97 SL280 / 320 and S320 except for the removable warning light filters ( that show what each light does ) and version coding. A S class cluster is not a direct drop in as the top computer will complain. Also, the HVAC controller is the same as a similar year C class however the version coding must be changed.

[@KyleLiongCars]

@@bobroberts2371 Thanks for providing that really detailed info on these cars. I'd love to check out stuff at the dealer but I'm not too sure that info would be readily provided by the dealers here in the country. Also, I'm pretty sure this way a gray market unit, and was not sold here locally.

[@bobroberts2371]

@@KyleLiongCars You are welcome. You are doing just fine reviewing the cars by the way.

[@KyleLiongCars]

@@bobroberts2371 Thanks! Working on improving even more

[@Chrissy212]

And the roll bar if u were to roll or get into an accident it can fully extend from the down position the crash position is higher than even full up on selected mode up

[@KyleLiongCars]

Interesting info. Thanks for supplementing that :)

[@doca8792]

From one car guy to another, your videos are good. I like them.

[@KyleLiongCars]

Thank you

[@SleepySriracha]

You're like the Doug DeMuro of the Philippines keep it up bro!

[@KyleLiongCars]

Thanks

[@fa6151]

Nah.. He is better.. Doug is strangely wried and annoying 😂

[@KyleLiongCars]

Thanks I guess hahaha

[@emixmim]

Nice review kid, subscribed!

[@KyleLiongCars]

Thanks sir

[@arakassabian5879]

Great video, an accurate presentation of the SL280.

[@KyleLiongCars]

Thanks

[@detonator2112]

What a beautiful color. These cars are future collectibles. They would be more expensive already but they made so many of them. It's a great car. Enjoy!

[@KyleLiongCars]

I totally agree!

[@detonator2112]

@@KyleLiongCars My close friend has a 1996 SL 600. It's still amazingly fast from 100 km/h to 200 km/h, even by today's standards. Just drove it a few days ago. Amazing machine.

[@wleng]

Hey Kyle, I just stumbled across your channel as I've been watching R129 videos. You're very good and I am looking forward to watching your other videos.

[@KyleLiongCars]

Thanks and welcome to the channel :D

[@ASSEGAl]

The best combination would be the prefacelift body with 5 Speed automatic and M119 engine. This SL is in very good shape and has an interesting colour combination.

[@KyleLiongCars]

Probs one of the freshest worldwide

[@adoniscastillo]

Great video Lovely interior Taught me some things about my r129!

[@KyleLiongCars]

Thanks!! Care to share which features you learned? :)

[@adoniscastillo]

@@KyleLiongCars I didn't know you could press the trunk key lock to open the trunk or raise the rollbar with my panoramic top! 😅 Thank you! Keep up the good work!

[@KyleLiongCars]

Glad I could help :)

[@Chrissy212]

Out of everything your example is very beautiful I'm very surprised about the power out for the 2.8 ltr tho absolutely beautiful last of the fully hand built amazing.... And not to forget the panoramic roof so amazing so rare

[@KyleLiongCars]

This is really a well specced car especially for an SL280. Most of the options this has are only common for the SL500 and SL600

[@Chrissy212]

@@KyleLiongCars I can imagine the panoramic roof that's a very very expensive option I would think it's something that might not be available on a lower trim but I guess with Mercedes there really isn't so much lower trim just more of what options do you want.

[@KyleLiongCars]

@@Chrissy212 This car was originally bought by a diplomat. A high level one perhaps, and he probably had the freedom and bank to back up the crazy options on this hahaha

[@akapunjabimunda2276]

I might be picking up a r129 today if the car condition is good

[@KyleLiongCars]

Go for it!!

[@paolo8588]

It is still the 140 for me. Coming very close 2nd is this, then the 109. Great review.

[@KyleLiongCars]

There's something about these R129s that make them at par with the W140 to me but in a different category.... because well... coupe hehe

[@Chrissy212]

Yes I absolutely love them...

[@ricelord6915]

awesome review! thank you

[@KyleLiongCars]

Thanks and no problem

[@gilbygonzalez]

So sensible. Keep it up

[@KyleLiongCars]

Thanks

[@darrinl8029]

How does this compare to the SC430?

[@KyleLiongCars]

I prefer the SC

[@doca8792]

Armrest opens up on drivers side for more storage

[@adsfrghew]

Very nice vid! Informative and clean. Can't get any better than this. Looking to get one and I live in HK, and a quick question I have is if the engine runs hot easily in humid and hot conditions after all these years?

[@KyleLiongCars]

Thanks! No problem even in hot and humid conditions. Only thing to look out for are plastics and leather cracking due to the heat. Rust isn't exactly an issue for us too here in our region.

[@adsfrghew]

@@KyleLiongCars Thanks for the answer! Guess I'll pull the trigger on it now!

[@KyleLiongCars]

Go for it and update us!!

[@fa6151]

I do have a wired question if you don't mind. What is better for comfort and cruising overall as daily driver? R129 or the lexus is or RC? Thank you.

[@KyleLiongCars]

For cruising, no doubt it’s the IS. I’ve never driven the RC, but I’ve rode in one, and it’s just a little bit less comfortable than the IS.

[@fa6151]

@@KyleLiongCars Thank you and appreciate your feedback. You very honest man. I love that. Thank you.

[@KyleLiongCars]

You’re welcome

[@markodell2379]

Great review! I am a bit perplexed that an SL that nice and low miles has a non-functioning soft top. Its not cheap to maintain the top but not that cost prohibitive.

[@KyleLiongCars]

Well the hoses probably started getting brittle over time

[@Chrissy212]

The wiper hops out in each corner area pay attention closely

[@KyleLiongCars]

Yep the monoblade

[@gilbertgonzales8505]

For sale?

[@KyleLiongCars]

Nope

[@Mirom229]

Amazing review. I’ll buy an R129 soon. Any tips?

[@KyleLiongCars]

Thanks! Check out the latter part of the driving segment. I give some things to look out for there :)

[@doca8792]

Rollbar will pop up in a second if sensors detect the need

[@KyleLiongCars]

Yep

[@bondjamesbond5580]

Beautiful

[@KyleLiongCars]

it sure is

[@castielsamaelmuerte]

The 90s blonde american girl car from los angeles Great review brother kudos!

[@KyleLiongCars]

I didn’t know that 😂😂 Thanks

[@NeilGabz]

Do a review CRV RD1 kahit Fullmark lang hehe or If kaya mo maka review ng EJ1 Civic

[@KyleLiongCars]

Kung may magpihiram haha

[@NeilGabz]

@@KyleLiongCars ej1 alam ko sa batangas pa if you know Dawgvlogs meron siya EJ1. Sa qc meron yung kasama ni rav 555 hehe

[@KyleLiongCars]

Hahaha sige tanong ko siya

[@NeilGabz]

@@KyleLiongCars mababait yan si dawg hehe if naka suscribe ka sa you tube niya solid build niya hehe

[@KyleLiongCars]

Sige hehe

[@Chrissy212]

Us version?? I've never seen a 280 sl

[@KyleLiongCars]

It's an oddly specced car. Thought it's a US version because of the speedometer layout but apparently it's not despite having miles as a second display on the speedo.

[@oipo4320]

This car seems to be Imported from germany due to german export registrations plates ...cheers

[@KyleLiongCars]

Hmmm not sure though cause those plates are often fake and just used as decorations on Euro cars here

[@oipo4320]

Ahh now i realize you are not from the us but from the Philippines :) ..where do you get this car from !? May i ask ...myself i am the owner of a 94 model sl 280 in diamant blue

[@KyleLiongCars]

This isn’t mine haha! Owned by a friend. He got it from a diplomat years ago

[@doca8792]

W takes off in 2nd S takes off in 1st

[@KyleLiongCars]

Correct

[@mazdaboy5702]

Ganda para sakin po pinaka maganda mercedes benz yan

[@KyleLiongCars]

Same. Ito isa sa pinakagusto ko

[@ToyotaGR8618]

My very favorite luxury car better than the rolls royce

[@KyleLiongCars]

Haven’t tried a Rolls myself. Hopefully soon hehe

[@ToyotaGR8618]

@@KyleLiongCars pati narin range rover bro

[@KyleLiongCars]

Hopefully :)

[@こわ-l5c]

Good👻🎇

[@KyleLiongCars]

Yes