W 129 600SL

[Garry]

Does anyone have any experience with the R129 600SL V 12.

I have an opportunity to purchase an early  V12, I believe 1993, with less than 100,000 km on it and in pristine condition.

Garry

[Flyair]

Garry,
If you like the car, go for it

I have a friend who recently bought a 1992 model with the V12 engine BTW, this is still a SL500 and not 500SL. He absolutely enjoys the experience and loves it as a daily driver.
His words are that this is the best you can get as the car is based on the well-proven mechanics from the ubiquitous W124 while the undercarriage is partially from nonetheless popular 190 model.
The only investment he made was to replace the softop with the HT and as for him the looks of the car with the HT is even more terrific…
I think we are just in the last moment when R129’s prices are in the low, but I am certain that we will see it on the rise very soon.

To me R129 is already a classic and very charismatic as well as stylish, but not a vintage car… yet
So, in other words, if you can afford it, go for her…

[Jke11y]

I have an R129 and absolutely love it; it is only a 320 not a 600 and from the runout year (2000). I'll never part with it, its a fantastically comfortable and reliable cruiser.
I am not long back from a 2500mile trip around france and italy and it as always performed perfectly. They are very rewarding cars and are now starting to turn heads. When I bought mine it was just an old-model merc, now they are for sure starting to garner appreciation. Some of the London classic dealers are even starting to list early ones at some pretty eyebrow raising prices.

[Garry]

Interesting, Thanks for responses so far. The prices in Aust, and there are two i found currently advertised, with one at $35k and the other at 79K so are all over the place.  With out looking at them I dont usderstand how they are so far apart as they both have around the 100k kilometres.

[sully]

Hi Gary,

I had my 1998 sl600 over two years now i do not use it as much as i like to, but when i do its a dream, you can just cruse in it very confortable and if you want it very fast too.
very solid car,
good luck with it

Sully

[andyburns]

Garry on feature I consider to be very special with the 129's i the rare option of the panoramic roof.  I have a friend with one and it is quite simply an amazing amazing engineering feat.  Sitting in it with the roof on feels incredible and almost close to the top off experience.   I know if you want to buy one of these hardtops new you would have to fork out over 30k alone.  My friend went through the exercise and ended up getting one second hand for 5k.  I think they were only seen on the sl500 top of the line model?

I found this link to an australian car on a nz web site showing it quite well

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/mercedesbenz/auction-757366729.htm

What about buying one from NZ.  There are quite a few mint cheap examples over here like this one with only 44k on the clock.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/mercedesbenz/auction-654436194.htm

[Jke11y]

Agreed, the panoramic roof is a great feature (it was an option on all models, at least here in the Uk - my 320 has it.)
Although taking it on and off makes removing the pagoda roof feel simple (it certainly feels a lot bigger and heavier!).

[Garry]

I thought it only came with the later years and the one I am looking at is 1993.  Andy by the way it is a whole lot cheaper that the ones in NZ   And when I say pristine, I mean concourse pristine with out a wrinkle in the leather or mark on it anywhere. It is in a MB collectors shed along with a Pagoda, also on the market, a W111 3.5 that was considered the best in Aust also on the market and a early G wagon that he has just sold for in the low teens.

[andyburns]

Garry would love to see the photos.  If its that good and that cheap you are nuts not to secure it before someone else click on.  I am trying to sell my father car for him which is sitting in the drive.  Its a very very tidy original 280sl and I just cant sell it.  Have dropped the price right down to 10k and its still not moving.  Its a buyers market thats for sure.

[Peter van Es]

A friend of mine has got one of those, V12 imported from Japan with about a 125k Km's on it. 3 years ago he paid something like €18k for it. It needed some repairs to the front air suspension and a new soft top. Once he found a reputable mechanic this added some €8k to the price... Still a lot less expensive than what you quote.

I have driven this amazing car a couple of times, including in Germany. I've driven it at 220km/hour top down, and at 250km/hour with soft top up. The acceleration is incredible. As is the build quality, the comfort, the ride.

Would I get one? I'd prefer a 500 SL V8. Why?

- at cruising boulevard speeds the 600sl is inaudible. It's too quiet. People don't hear you coming.
- look under the hood. There's no room in there, unless you are a contortionist. All repairs will be expensive.
- 12 cylinders = 2 x 6 cylinders. Twice as many things to go wrong as on a Pagoda. 1.5 x as many as on a V8. Expensive
- parts specific to the 600SL are expensive.

Did I mention it would be cheap to buy but expensive to own?

Go for it!

Peter