R129 Mercedes SL500 Good or Bad?

The R129 Is a beautiful timeless design. We think the SL is still undervalued what are your thoughts?

[@ryanpatterson9526]

The R129 was peak Mercedes. After this, they ran the engineers away and the bean counters took over.

[@joecool7169]

💯

[@adizaimi7431]

Not good, GREAT 👍 👍 I don’t own one yet but hopefully soon. I own the R107 it’s the 1976 SL450 and has not missed a bit for the 12 years of ownership. Now I really want the R129 🤞

[@greek0818]

You are correct and I am confident the desire to have one will grow as well as the price. I've had a 1991 for the past 20 yrs. It's awesome! :)

[@barta844]

I own an '02 Silver Arrow edition, love it!

[@mrbenz2392]

Me too!

[@douglasthompson9482]

I love my 1991 300sl… true it is the six but still a great car.

[@libran58]

I have one too, I think its the best version.

[@Nick-qk6ky]

Definitely good! This is a great car. I personally own a 2002 sl500, and it's a blast. I hope they will increase in value, and maybe people will finally see the true value this car brings to the market!

[@vedocapp]

R129s were overlooked and underestimated in the modern day. Nowadays, if you want a good example, be ready to pay the price. I can't count the many times I've seen people waste money on a cheap R129.

[@paulknight1332]

The cheapest R129 is the most expensive.

[@nanettehansen1146]

The R107 prices dropped drastically for a time and then crept back up for good examples. The R129 is the last great MB/Bruno Saaco masterpiece. Agree with the MB tech who commented on some of the plastic used interior wise but the engineering is there. Hydraulic roof cylinders aside it’s a great MB…time will tell if it’s an investment or not. I have a 96 SL500 I got 6 years ago. I like it more every year. So much fun to drive and admire. People stop me all the time and ask about it and admire its timeless styling. I’ve replaced seat upholstery, hardtop headliner, had Becker add Bluetooth to factory head unit, replaced roof cylinders, bulbs in instrument cluster, hood pad and thermostat. Other than that it is bulletproof driver..reliable and enjoyable. If it appreciates so be it…mine will never be a concours car..but it is loved and enjoyed. Ac blows cold. I don’t like the old technology of r107 and the windshield always feeling so close to the driver’s forehead it bugged me. The r129 is a pleasure to drive or be a passenger in. MB may have produced 200,000 units but it’s the prime, well maintained examples that are the ones that survive and will be worth anything.

[@TheJaboa]

The wheels look great on the black one .

[@Modelbehavior38]

These cars are going up in value now rather quickly, prompted me to seek one out and buy one. 2002- my mechanic said that the way to go for reliability.

[@JDogCOII]

The low, mileage, clean, cared for examples will increase in value. The more limited run V12’s with Panoramic Roof option, SL 60s and SL 70s pre-merger AMG R129 versions are also definitely sought after..A few other limited versions too will also be in demand. As of this day 9.24.2023 there is a 2001 SL600 with 7k miles on a popular auction site for sale at $137,000.00. Now that doesn’t mean it will sell for that but it shows the market is speaking about these cars now in 2023. I’m positive these will keep going up in value.

[@billrbca]

I've done my top, I have a 90 300SL..but don't buy one as investment....drive for fun

[@joecool7169]

“Engineered like no other car” FACT

[@lauriewells5536]

I have a 1992 and I love it!

[@RWellsGallery]

I have a 1997 SL600 with 22,000 Mi on it that I drive all summer. The car is a dream no questions about it. But if you are somebody who likes to do the work on the car themselves it is indeed a complicated car to work on. Average garage cost, when you can find one that even wants to work on it, is about $245 an hour. You would be surprised, 90 to 95% of Mercedes-Benz garages and dealers will not work on the car or return a phone call. And of course Mercedes-Benz USA or International is of no help whatsoever could be one of the most useless Services when trying to find somebody to work on this car. But let's face it, people that collect cars can not be squeamish. You have to have disposable income or the time and inclination to do your due diligence. This car is an exceptional car, and if you can find the V12 model, of which only about 1000 were made per year, they were completely hand built, unlike the 500's, and only several hundred stil only exist per designated year. If you think the SL500 engine is Bulletproof the m120 in the SL600 is even more so. You'll never hear that the m120 engine in the car has a problem. Nonetheless you are right get your SL500 and 600s while you can because the minute they become deemed a classic you will not be able to afford them or find the parts. And whatever you do, try to get a 96,97, or 98. These are the peak years where the electrical issues a were worked out and these are the thoroughbreds prior to Chrysler getting involved in 1999. And if you're going to collect a classic that's what you want

[@genremaster8970]

First Off Tearing The Trunk Out And The Inside Back Area Behind The Seats Is Not Easy At All To Fix A Top,This Car Should've Been Recalled For That Alone,Plus The Crazy Fuel Pumps Under It And Huge Bolt Going Into The Gas Tank Where You Have To Tear The Car Apart Dropping The Rear Axel To Get At It Is Criminal For A Rubber Hose That Shouldn't Be Made Of Rubber At All,I Have What None Of You Have A Pagani Zonda Engine In Mines Called The Mountaineer Edition And A 300 SL-24 Just Ordinary And One Priceless,Enjoyed Your Video,GM.

[@philipdivenere6650]

I own a 1990 500SL, just had all twelve hydraulic cylinders replaced for the soft top. Looking for the right arm assembly, currently, I'm told there's a spring missing that prevents the right arm from pivoting back, and allowing the proper folding, and storage of the soft top. When this arm is pushed back manually, the operation is successfully completed. Would appreciate any info on how and where to purchase this kit.

[@detonator2112]

They produced over 200.000 of them. That is the main reason the prices haven't skyrocketed. But come to think of it... neither have BMW 8-series although they made much less of them. Pretty much only air cooled Porsches and Ferraris are worth stupid money. I don't think it's a bad thing that you can buy a very good SL for 20K. Values have little to do with how much you can enjoy the fine car.

[@jjefferyworboys8138]

In the UK a good R230 is even less money than a R129 with the huge bonus of a folding roof. The R129 has the best build quality of any car I have owned including my Bentley.

[@user-lx7kh7zl2i]

I agree with completely....I'm a second owner on a 99s129 in all black with 66 thousand miles on it currently....I have one question for you....The hard top has never been removed and I would really like to drive my SL as a Convertible but I keep wondering at what cost that could be for myself....I had by SL since 2015 and then it only had 35,000 miles on it and I paid $6,000.00...So I feel I have a win, win no matter what....What are your thoughts on removing the hard top???

[@jonboy9912]

I have owned an immaculate silver SL320 for 7 years, it was a one owner car and looks spectacular. We just drove 600 miles to tour the Cotswolds in the UK without any problems, its probably the last great Mercedes built when engineers ruled the company! I paid £7,000 ($8,000) for the car and it has now covered 112,000 miles (10,000 more than when I bought it) and I have been offered £14,000 ($17,000) but not selling - it's just too good a car. I had the roof repaired when I bought it and both window motors and regulators have been the other big expense, but that's the cost of owning a 24 years old car! The market is finally moving up but not many owners buy these cars for the investment value.

[@As_129sl]

I have 97 SL280, brilliant silver 2 owner, 130k miles. Amazing car! Every year I take my R129 to the cotswolds. Highly recommended eating at The Bell Inn - Langford. Probably the best pub I've been to and amazing roads.

[@jonboy9912]

@@As_129sl We do the same thing. Try the Lygon Arms or The Broadway Hotel in Broadway next time!

[@user-dt9mk1of9i]

where did you get the Hood insulation from sir?

[@johnt3880]

My car is 1998 I love it

[@charityhedgefund]

I have one. I love it. But values will never rise very much. The gullwing is valuable because they made

[@PrecisionAutoSource]

We were thinking that as well however many other manufacturers have high volume models that are doing better than the R129. Couple examples: 911, E30 bmw, even a Volkswagen golf from the 90's is worth more :)

[@SuperBranFlakez]

I think it will keep rising. Its the LAST classic mercedes. After this chrysler made them shite.

[@2spookii]

They're a little small for current driving culture- given the massive SUVs

[@narcissistinjurygiver2932]

as a mb tech for 29 years i can say this. the plastic becomes junk and so much of the car is plastic

[@joecool7169]

These cars sold for 90K in 1997