Mercedes R129 SL500 Buying Guide

[@JabbaTheHutWasHere]

Love the R129 - and to me the early version looks much better with the more retro seats, square angles, 3 vents with straight lines and rear lights etc. Thanks for sharing!

[@TheSLShop]

They certainly look more classic in style!

[@ahemgee9542]

But the interior looks much more dated, is missing certain useful things like OBD2, and a proper coil pack ignition system which makes it easy to use in all weathers and climates, and the more sluggish 4 G Vs 5 G tronic box.

[@SuperBranFlakez]

@@ahemgee9542 def some trade offs. I have a 1990 and it is much easier to work on yourself! could make a long pros and cons list honestly its up to each persons preference.

[@johnwallace7104]

Great video! I have an Imperial red 1994 Sl500 I've been doing a rolling restoration on for the last year. These cars really deserve to be cherished.

[@PaulDeVido]

Are the latest R129 versions models ULEZ compliant? I've read different reports on the forums but yet to hear that anyone has a certificate of conformity from the homologation department at Mercedes.

[@herbertharrington6272]

Avoid 1990-1996. Vegetable based wiring insulation was to be environmentally friendly, but an electrical nightmare for the owner! Wiring headaches galore! Had a 1990 SL-600 (top of the line 12 cylinder), a money pit! My 1999 SL-500,,, a dream car and a keeper!

[@juliust3987]

I think they introduce this wiring in 1994 and was only done for up Until 1996 when the lift come out. In this respect I think you’re safe from 1989 till 1993

[@herbertharrington6272]

Sorry, my 1990 SL-600 had the subject wiring

[@mrdezi22]

Its only really an issue if it hasn't been fixed already. My 93 had already had the wiring harness redone, the throttle body actuator rebuilt, and the top cylinders replaced before I bought it (otherwise I wouldn't have I suppose). Even that one was well under 10K USD so I'd say it was a pretty good deal. It did have the ASR light on and in Limp mode when I purchased it however, but it only needed the E-Gas module replaced to fix the issue for less than $200.

[@LG-cq4dy]

I have the same color with grey interior and 1998 make, excellent condition…who would like to buy? Am based in California and 3rd owner.

[@christophers7070]

@@herbertharrington6272 I would check, as I am sure the 600SL was not introduced until 1993. Also, I think the biodegradable wiring was introduced when the nomenclature of the 500 went from the 500SL to the SL500 (1993). My research has shown to avoid 1993-1995 models.

[@brandonfowler6013]

Great video! I’ve got a 92 500 SL. Definitely helped me differentiate between each change. If I ever make it to the UK I will make my way to the SL Shop!

[@TheSLShop]

Always welcome Brandon. Keep the passion flowing!

[@tramptruck4859]

Most interesting video, all top notch cars. I have the opposite, a '95 SL500, bought blind from eBay, 150k miles, no history and 14 previous owners. I did a major service and since then it's utterly reliable and drives as it should despite living outside year round. I wouldn't recommend doing this unless you can mend it yourself - I'd imagine a major service in your excellent workshop would be more than the purchase price of my car!

[@joesmith9216]

holy shit, 14 owners??? I would not have bought that.

[@tramptruck4859]

@@joesmith9216 Most people probably would feel the same. It doesn't bother me, I bought the car to use, not as an investment.

[@joesmith9216]

@@tramptruck4859 my 2000 had 6 previous owners, which destroyed the car, haha.

[@Romittt]

Same here! Bought blind on ebay and had 6 or 7k in repair bills immediately 😂 Paid 11K for the whole car it is a 2002 SL500 and had 80k miles at the time

[@tramptruck4859]

@@Romittt Ouch! I must have been in the right place at the right time 🤣 Mine owes me less than 5k all told.

[@doca8792]

My ‘01 SL500 had the tachometer slightly rotated counterclockwise as did this latest model, why? They’re not all like that. I took mine out and reset it straight.

[@thelowlychicken]

Wonderful to see this video from yourselves. I can thoroughly recommend the sl shop for great customer service. They are passionate and dedicated to their work in looking after you as a client. Keeping you informed. Both servicing and restoration work

[@TheSLShop]

Thanks for being part of the family Darren. Hope the family is well. Happy Christmas from all of us here at SLSHOP.

[@thelowlychicken]

@@TheSLShop thank you for your kind Christmas wishes. I would like to extend a very merry Christmas 🎅🏾 to all of you and your families. I know that 2023 will be an even better year for you all as this year has been. 😀

[@thelowlychicken]

Merry Christmas to you and your families. 2023 will be even better for you all 👋🏿👋🏿👋🏿👋🏿

[@meikelinde1623]

But which one is better for going 130mph+/200kmh+ for prolonged time on the Autobahn?

[@JPVolvo]

So I bought a 98 and a 92, I’m making my dream SL by back dating the 98’s interior and exterior with the 92, but keeping the 5 speed and modern injection and ignition

[@andyburns7360]

Great video Bruce well done. Love all the Mercedes you have shown. Hope to see you in the summer

[@TheSLShop]

Thanks Andy. See you soon!

[@b.sulistio2744]

10:46 The RPM gauge not center position ??

[@libran58]

By the way, my German 91 300 SL is all one colour from the factory, brilliant silver metallic. Of course it still looks a little bit different because of the satin look on the Sacco panels. I think this is because the first owner was a Mercedes employee. So I guess this is quite rare?

[@TheSLShop]

Interesting! The young lad who shot this video also has a 300 SL from 1992 in Signal Red, with the lower boards body matched. His was repainted at some point, so yours might be the same? Of course, special treatment for an MB employee may be the culprit. Send us some shots to [e-mail]

[@libran58]

@@TheSLShop OK yup. ... Well, definitely factory 744 for both, I have the German reg document, is also on the VIN. No airbags, no central locking, just ordinary keys; no wiper headlights. Someone said maybe it was low spec so employees could afford one? But other things are good, alpaca gray interior, air con, cruise and asr/abs.

[@TheSLShop]

@@libran58 That's interesting, do send us some photos so we can see what you have!

[@libran58]

@@TheSLShop I will do. I'm working on it, it was left for a while.

[@juliust3987]

My 500sl from 1990 is in the willow green colour. Sacco panels match the rest of the paintwork . According to VIN number it was ment to be same color. So I think it was possible with the special request

[@pauldelafeuillade8611]

Very nice video. I see the rev counter on the newer car is crooked. Mine's a 2001 and has the same issue. Is this fixable?

[@ron8566]

Nice story. I note that the early cars were designated “500SL” and the later cars were “SL500”.

[@conciousblack9757]

After 94 all mercedes put letters in front of numbers

[@YHASMEEN]

I have a 1996 sl500 for sale Miami Florida . Great condition !

[@gcgj1540]

That rpm gauge tilted on the 1998 model is easy to fix I had the same problem on my 1997 w140 and easily fixed. You just have to take apart the speedometer few screws only and then carefully refit the rpm gauge sticker back into the original position. You will see the correct position already marked there.

[@encinobalboa]

1997 is the best M119 year. No bio-wire and the 722.6 transmission had a year of service to dial it in. I like the M113 cars but they are down a little on power.

[@jake2772]

4:55 what’s going on with the speed and tachometer??

[@hagbard72]

What about the biodegradable wiring harnesses?

[@cliftonjackson441]

do 96 have biodegradable harness? im looking at r129, w140, or c140 for my next car

[@Ro7yaMajro7]

10:49 is that rpm gauge sitting crooked or am I losing my marbles?

[@doca8792]

The latest one has “Silver Arrow” accents.

[@rolexomegaspecialist9411]

Bruce, great presentation here, thank you. Thoughts on the SL 600 vs the SL500?

[@denniswheeler8091]

Just love the r129

[@will5436]

1999 was the final facelift. 98 was still the mid life facelift so to speak. Also switched to the M113 in 99 not 98

[@mkoury83]

first face lift has one less vent in the grille. the UK has always had the best SL's in the best colors.

[@Matt_from_Florida]

I prefer the 96-98 with the M119 and 5G-Tronic. Of course the SL600 would be #1 were price not a factor, and those prices have gone crazy in the last 2/3 years. With the SL600's low production and rapid acceleration up to and through unreal speeds, I see why.

[@adek330Ci]

I have 99 500 AMG i love this car🫶

[@David-wl7qs]

a lot of talk about the M119 lovely burbly early V8 characterful engine... but no V8 heard in video... argh no

[@3333ferret]

I want to buy one

[@TheSLShop]

theslshop.com/car-showroom

[@buggs9950]

That immaculate early car is a thing of beauty. But, who the hell fitted clip-on weights on those poor alloys? Stick-ons have been around for many years so there's really no excuse.

[@MissMan666]

the late year models of this car are deff not the best looking of the bunch, etc the rounded side mirrors are so rounded, it dosn't match the car well, neither does the xenon lights look good on the car, it's not terrible, but deffo not as good looking as the more sharply rounded earlier models of this car.

[@Bizmyurt]

it is not SL500 it is 500 SL!

[@lu74wn2002]

What a completely useless video as you learn nothing. You say that fuel consumption are probably better on later models - quantify it. I know it’s not a sports car (I have one, and lobe it) but try and show it being driven at more than 30mph. You say, older models, have the classic Mercedes “feel” but newer models feel more modern - which is to be expected. Why don’t you mention torque curves and peak power? Also why do you say “what we call distributor caps”. What other term are they known by?

[@javadaghrab5687]

Cup holder for Mercedes is a stupid idea that the Americans were pushing. The FAT American would like to go through a drive-thru and grab a burger and french fries and a nasty big soda and stick it in a cup holder while all along breaking the trim and spilling crap inside the car. This car was not designed for the middle-class infact you have to be somebody inorder to own one of these things and such people did not have a need for a cup holder. I personally love this car but I prefer w140. If you were here in Kentucky, I will take you to the seat cover jim on husband's Road in Paducah Kentucky . he will do that interior for you for $1,000 . I'm sure they can do the same in Australia. Yesteryears Mercedes was made for captains of industry and business tycoons. Today's Mercedes is cheaply built. Enjoy your car there's nothing like an old benz

[@S.1-I-I-1-1]

100%.