Avoid These Issues: R129 SL-Class Mercedes (Top 10)

[@Beethoven80]

Nothing is as expensive as a cheap used Mercedes. Your video nails it pretty much. I would add the most expensive issue: Tasteless modifications by previous owners who destroyed the original condition and replaced exhaust, headlights, front grill, rims etc by cheap aftermarket parts that don't fulfill the original quality specs.

[@BenzAddiction]

Thanks mate, Yes we buy Benz for what it is...

[@jonboy9912]

I have a 1999 320 owned it for 8 years now, roof broke almost immediately fixed with expensive new ECU. Window regulators both busted at £1000 each. Plastic catch on stupid glove box decided to snap a year ago and I now operate it manually. Battery went flat when I was in hospital this year and when I recharged it bitchin electricals got all confused and roof and roll bar remained erected like they were both on Viagra - got it reprogrammed today for cheap fix.. Timing chain gasket secretes a mist of oil that coats the front of the engine but never drips. I keep the car immaculate inside and out and it still gives me the shivers from certain angles. Best car I have ever owned and like a beautiful needy woman its demanding but worth the trouble!

[@BenzAddiction]

Great story, R129 is very addictive with such a great ride and options.

[@ron8566]

One more thing to look for is collapsed motor mounts. As long as you keep these couple of things in mind and don’t overpay for a used example you will have a very nice and reliable and fun vehicle. I love my R129.

[@BenzAddiction]

Very true 👍

[@SuperMarioFan72]

What do you consider a good price for a 1998 or later model with about 90k miles?

[@richarddouthwaite6683]

I have just bought a 1993 500sl, 1 owner for past 15 years only 67000 miles and full service history . Kept in heated garage for last 15 years and never used in rain. Everything works on the car and is factory fresh and on the button. I am very happy with this car. I just sold my pagoda for over 100k and bought this for 10k. So yeah, not as much style but much more car for 10% of the price. Buy a good one and they are great cars. I also have 450slc, very similar but you can see the advance in technical development with the sl, yet appreciate the simplicity of the older car. Let's stay committed to these amazing cars and keeping the love for them alive. Sure they cost to keep them on the road but they are worth the effort. Some cost more than others to maintain but who cares? Maintain them, look after them, enjoy them and love them.

[@BenzAddiction]

Congratulations on the great purchase 👏 . Enjoy your Mercedes.

[@BenzAddiction]

Hello Dear Friends: By no means this video is made to scare you from buying a R129, the aim is to let those who want to buy the SL Class to be cautious and aware of the worst case scenario. Of course most of the time the budget is limited and it is not possible to buy the best example, mileage and years of these cars, I HOPE THIS VIDEO BE INFORMATIVE, please share your experience and thoughts and help this video to reach more enthusiasts.

[@yuriyv4239]

better spend 3 years saving and searching,rather same years and MORE cash doing maintenance😅

[@BenzAddiction]

@@yuriyv4239 👍

[@yuriyv4239]

@@BenzAddiction M119 / 1997 / 88k km ;)

[@BenzAddiction]

@yuriyv4239 Great choice... at least has no distributors to have an evaporation issue or related maintenance, can be even more diagnosable too.

[@yuriyv4239]

@@BenzAddiction and updated hydraulics mechanically and electronically. And of course not the M113 that is the parody for the M119. If it was a good design then why back to 4 valves for next engines?

[@InvestmentAngels]

Thx for your great review 👍 I have been driving my 500 SL for more than 280.000 km since I bought it new in March 1992 and in all these years it has only let me down with a broken water pump in 2000 and the mentioned problem with humidity in the ignition distributor in 2011. It still runs with the original engine, gearbox, softtop, exhaust system and - believe it or not - the same shock absorbers. It is an absolutely recommendable and reliable car as long as it is maintained properly. I still drive it at speeds of up to 250 km/h without any problem and will definitely keep it in my collection 😊

[@BenzAddiction]

An example of a great one owner R129. Excellent. Enjoy your SL. Cheers.

[@alm9576]

Thank you so much. I just got a 92 300sl and have done plenty of work already just trying to get it on the road

[@BenzAddiction]

Keep it up and update us on your work, videos are coming 😀

[@midlifebalance]

I'm in the market for a 1996/7 so this has been a great video to review. Thanks

[@BenzAddiction]

@midlifebalance Good luck, 👍 Great choice with updated interior.

[@cjlomax2156]

Interesting view for the RHD cars - everything you mentioned can be done by the owner if the parts can be found. The hens teeth are the plastics.. Great Vid!

[@BenzAddiction]

Thank you.

[@jean-marcducommun8185]

Car in this video looks like being delivered from the factory yesterday! I'm in the market for a SL 500 and collect all the information available. Here in Switzerland low milage cars and later models are priced between 50 and 60k USD easily, but there are other well below. I tend to go for a perfect one because spare parts are expensive and whenever I like to sell it in the future collectors behave the same way. I believe the rotten ones will die out and the remaining cars will rise in price.

[@BenzAddiction]

Very true, thanks mate.

[@roryfreeman9433]

Have had my SL320 V6 for 13 years with no problems. The M112 engine is an absolute dream but so important to change all fluids on a regular basis, oils, coolant and brake fluid and cheap if you are a home mechanic.🙂

[@BenzAddiction]

Very true 👍

[@sarahsepehr1537]

Thanks

[@BenzAddiction]

Thank you kindly 🙏

[@jamesreckling6697]

On non hydraulic suspension cars the ball joints, tie rods and shock mounts are potential problems.

[@BenzAddiction]

👍

[@FreshestXBL]

Yea I need new tirods and ball joints for mine. Also had these plastic tubes that carried oil to the lifters explode basically and had plastic in my oil pan. Engine was knocking pretty bad but after I got them replaced it completely stopped knocking. Pretty impressed with the engine surviving that.

[@BenzAddiction]

@@FreshestXBL SL, the over-engineered 😉

[@Matt_from_Florida]

@@FreshestXBL That's the M119 engine problem he mentioned in the middle of his video. How big a problem is timing-chain *guide wear/cracking on M119 engines?*

[@FreshestXBL]

@@Matt_from_Florida my guides were cracked too got them replaced at the same time wasn’t that expensive

[@TristanCampbell-u5s]

do you know a reason on why thr rear of the top wont latch even manually

[@BenzAddiction]

Yes, there are 2 red handles in the boot area behind the panel, see their position, watch my other video about R129 Bow Cylinders restoration.

[@ddau6255]

I bought a 99 SL500 and have not used the automatic soft top. I still drive with the hard top. How will I know the hydraulic system has leakage issue unless I use it. But I don’t want fluid leaking all over the first time I use it. Any suggestion to test it before using it. Yes I am having issue with the center vents not working. Any suggestions to the solution ( a link..) would be appreciated.

[@BenzAddiction]

Here is my suggestion, refurbish the 2 top locks, it takes only 4 - 5 hours and it garrantys your interior to stay spotless in case of a leak. Here is the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGWvn2mMaN-qjq8

[@redline1916]

I was looking at a well-maintained v12 model from 1997, only issue is a coolant leak on the upper hose (which can be replaced) and a freon leak from an unknown source. Do these have issues with the condensers?

[@BenzAddiction]

Great choice, I don't think condenser be any problem on R129.

[@ksd3434]

Nice video mate

[@BenzAddiction]

Thank you mate for watching 👀 👍

[@cashinadvance-c.i.a.entert3007]

Im looking to sell my 1998 SL500. Its in almost perfect condition has all of the power all electronics work. The top does not work neither does hydraulic suspension or the power steering. It has 134,000 original miles and is an absolutely gorgeous car.Where would you suggest i should advertise it & how much could i expect to get for it in its condition. Also have the hard top. I would like to show you pictures where can i send them?

[@BenzAddiction]

Hi mate, where is your location? [e-mail]

[@danf4447]

this is good advice.

[@BenzAddiction]

Thank you :)

[@ASSEGAl]

Nice car and Video!

[@BenzAddiction]

Thanks mate 👍

[@marscarz]

great video!

[@BenzAddiction]

👍

[@maxherrera697]

Can you please explain how you jumpstart the car without frying the electrical system?

[@BenzAddiction]

I did explain here a few weeks later: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmi0oKWghNOplc0

[@blakecable7088]

Did you just say the manual has connector plate issues?

[@BenzAddiction]

I don't think so... 😉

[@ThecultofCon]

Its insane to me that there was never a manual transmission V12 configuration.

[@BenzAddiction]

True.

[@anthonywilson3846]

True but it was meant to be a pro touring luxury car, it wasn’t meant to be super sporty like the eight series. Back then automatics were a more luxurious feature and Mercedes was trying to cater more towards that sort of sporty elegance to revive the supposed feel of the infamous gullwing.

[@ThecultofCon]

Remained in production until 2002

[@BenzAddiction]

👍

[@siegfriedbarfuss9379]

Check engine light is another issue …

[@BenzAddiction]

Great but what causes the CEL is important...

[@siegfriedbarfuss9379]

Gas cap replaced 2 times in 2 years… catalytic converter …

[@BenzAddiction]

@@siegfriedbarfuss9379 what year is your SL? What engine?

[@sarahsepehr1537]

👏👍❤️

[@BenzAddiction]

Thank you :)

[@cashinadvance-c.i.a.entert3007]

Denver Colorado

[@BenzAddiction]

I am sure people from your state will reply back to you. I am in Brisbane Australia 🇦🇺

[@siegfriedbarfuss9379]

ac blower motor 5 times changed in last 3 years. new ‚oem‘ part made in china. bad quality !

[@BenzAddiction]

That's a lot of AC blower motors.

[@BULLWRINKLE]

not the blower motor blower regulator----if failure is rampant try adding a ground wire to the regulator, unfortunately the chinese resisters are all thats available although i did destroy and adapt a resister from a 124 before i added the extra ground

[@derekr1113]

Too slow and uninformative

[@BenzAddiction]

Thanks for the feedback, I am currently working on this to make better videos in future.