MB 500SL - Thoughts?

Chocaholic · 08-30-2018, 03:16 PM

Thinking about a reliable convertible for weekend date-night stuff, but also occasional airport and DD use. Airport is 100 or so miles each way and often in traffic (ugh) so comfort and reliability is a factor.

A retractable hard top could make it reasonable...assuming it works. Just thinking a bit and thought I’d check in to see if others have experience. Considering a 2005-ish SL as one possibility. Plenty of low mileage examples around in the 10-12k range.

Dmitry at Pelican Parts · 08-30-2018, 03:37 PM

We have an awesome Mercedes forum as well - the community there will be a great resource for any questions or concerns that you may have if you decide to pick up the SL.

Link: http://www.peachparts.com/

Chocaholic · 08-30-2018, 05:02 PM

That’s what I’ve been reading also. Like most over engineered MB’s, age gets very costly. Pass.

Tervuren · Tervuren's Garage

Have you considered a Mustang?

tevake · 08-30-2018, 05:59 PM

The newer gen Miata comes with a retractable targa top that is really sweet.
Jus saw one yesterday and talked with the owner who is very happy with it.

A used one may still be a little above your price point but not by much. Especially with what you would probably spend on the MB getting it well sorted.

Richard

greglepore · 08-31-2018, 03:19 AM

Actually, they're not that bad if you have a savvy indie. The major issues are coil packs and the abc pump/system, all of which have solutions now that are cheaper than dealer. The roof cylinders will probably eventually be an issue, but Top Hydraulics can rebuild them.

R129's are nice dd's, low mileage cars are less than 10k and are simpler and actually appreciating. Fabric top though.

javadog · 08-31-2018, 03:41 AM

He was considering an R230. Why are some of you guys talking about R129's?

Why recommend a Mustang, then post a picture of a completely different car?

Tervuren · Tervuren's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by javadog

Why recommend a Mustang, then post a picture of a completely different car?

Note the color of the different car.

javadog · 08-31-2018, 03:54 AM

Yeah, it's green. Not the same green as a Mustang, but green nonetheless. What's your point?

Please don't tell me that by posting a picture of a green car, you intended that picture to be sarcastic.

RANDY P · RANDY P's Garage

Stay away from the 96-98, CEL hell- they didn't have their OBD2 quite down yet. Buy the newest one you can get your hands on.

greglepore · 08-31-2018, 07:24 AM

Why? Because a 500 r129 is cheaper, easier to maintain,better built, has standard suspension, and is appreciating now rather than depreciating. Yes, its a soft top, but if you're looking for a gt style 'vert it might be a better choice.

1990C4S · 08-31-2018, 07:49 AM

Subscribed...

Shaun @ Tru6 · 08-31-2018, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greglepore

Why? Because a 500 r129 is cheaper, easier to maintain,better built, has standard suspension, and is appreciating now rather than depreciating. Yes, its a soft top, but if you're looking for a gt style 'vert it might be a better choice.

+1

handsome, timeless design, great cars.

scottmandue · 08-31-2018, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by javadog

Why recommend a Mustang, then post a picture of a completely different car?

I would guess he was joking... either a poke at our resident Mustang evangelist or perhaps a nod that Jag was owned by Ford at one time (1999-2007)

scottmandue · 08-31-2018, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tevake

The newer gen Miata comes with a retractable targa top that is really sweet.
Jus saw one yesterday and talked with the owner who is very happy with it.

A used one may still be a little above your price point but not by much. Especially with what you would probably spend on the MB getting it well sorted.

Richard

I love me some Miata but it is a bit of a downgrade from a SL.
Having said that I have been looking at the 2015 Miata 'Grand Touring' model that has a retractable hard top that is much more reasonably priced than a new one (I also love the new targa... maybe in a few years when those prices come down

)

Craig T · 08-31-2018, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Considering a 2005-ish SL as one possibility. Plenty of low mileage examples around in the 10-12k range.

OMG RUN!!!

If you search this board for 500SL threads you'll read my tale of woe. Bought my wife a new 500SL in 2004. What a POS!

It was in the shop constantly for a plethora of warranty issues (brakes, leaking top, A/C, charging, and finally the ECU). So much in fact, that when we moved to this neighborhood my new neighbor told all the other neighbors I was a Mercedes salesman.

When I asked him how he came to that conclusion, he said: "Because you're driving a different color C-Class every time I see you". They were courtesy loaners!

Just before the warranty ran out the car shut down on the road. It was an ECU failure requiring total replacement. We just got in under the wire.

I traded it in for a 997S and lost my A$$! I've never experienced a faster depreciation of any car in my life. A six-figure car new losing 75% of it's value in three years???...and low mileage because it was in the shop 50% of the time.

Did I say RUN! yet?

Tervuren · Tervuren's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottmandue

I would guess he was joking... either a poke at our resident Mustang evangelist or perhaps a nod that Jag was owned by Ford at one time (1999-2007)

Aye, I was having a little fun with Paul's Bullitt Edition and simultaneously suggesting a reliable luxury drop top.

Admin at Pelican Parts · Admin at Pelican Parts's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by greglepore

Why? Because a 500 r129 is cheaper, easier to maintain,better built, has standard suspension, and is appreciating now rather than depreciating.

Just make sure to avoid the pre-'96 cars (disintegrating wiring harness- ask me how I know) and make sure the top is in good working order. I'm not a big convertible fan so the hardtop stays on 99.9% of the time, but when the hydraulics or computer begin to fail it can be a bit of a nightmare to diagnose.

If you can get a decent example for cheap, and expect to fix a few things, R129's can be a fun ride with that old school MB bank-vault feel.

-Chris

Tervuren · Tervuren's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris at Pelican Parts

Just make sure to avoid the pre-'96 cars (disintegrating wiring harness- ask me how I know) and make sure the top is in good working order. I'm not a big convertible fan so the hardtop stays on 99.9% of the time, but when the hydraulics or computer begin to fail it can be a bit of a nightmare to diagnose.

If you can get a decent example for cheap, and expect to fix a few things, R129's can be a fun ride with that old school MB bank-vault feel.

-Chris

Does anyone make a manual gearbox conversion for the V8 or V12?

Admin at Pelican Parts · Admin at Pelican Parts's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tervuren

Does anyone make a manual gearbox conversion for the V8 or V12?

Funny enough, there is a thread on the Peach Parts forum with a few guys trying to do just that for the M119 V8, but I haven't run across a successful (running) conversion so far.

If it was that important to row my own, I'd track down one of the rare 300SL 5-Speeds that were brought to the U.S. and see if I could tweak it for a bit more power.