SL-Class 25 years ago: Mercedes launches the R129 SL

[Swissbob]

Just imagine, if you will, for only a moment, having a mint R129 SL and a W124 500E in your collectors' classics garage. That's a perfect stable pairing if there ever was.

I agree I would prefer SL70/73 or SL60 and E60, but those are very rare.

Lovely cars, unfortunately they aren’t building cars like this anymore.

 

[Swissbob]

Breathtaking with the era "AMG Style" rims:

Especially in this color combination.

 

[trader1]

A landmark SL. A landmark Mercedes-Benz.

It just is , I had a poster on my wall when I was 11 yrs old. Could stare at it forever

 

[trader1]

Just imagine, if you will, for only a moment, having a mint R129 SL and a W124 500E in your collectors' classics garage. That's a perfect stable pairing if there ever was.

Could not agree more. Legends. Both silver for me.

 

[trader1]

Just imagine, if you will, for only a moment, having a mint R129 SL and a W124 500E in your collectors' classics garage. That's a perfect stable pairing if there ever was.

Could not agree more. Legends. Both silver for me

Breathtaking with the era "AMG Style" rims:

I was going to buy these 2 piece replicas but the guy threw in the classic monoblocks

 

[trader1]

I agree I would prefer SL70/73 or SL60 and E60, but those are very rare.

Lovely cars, unfortunately they aren’t building cars like this anymore.

They just are not and likely never will. I wanted a pre 1999 merger era car. This has the 32 v m 119. I could not find a 600 in this shape. It’s a bonafide time capsule

 

[Swissbob]

They just are not and likely never will. I wanted a pre 1999 merger era car. This has the 32 v m 119. I could not find a 600 in this shape. It’s a bonafide time capsule

Congratulations. Lovely car, absolutely mint. The M119 is a gorgeous engine. It’s much more aggressive than the M113 (I have both).

Do you have pictures from the interior?

 

[trader1]

Congratulations. Lovely car, absolutely mint. The M119 is a gorgeous engine. It’s much more aggressive than the M113 (I have both).

Do you have pictures from the interior?

 

[Swissbob]

Lovely Thank you very much

 

[trader1]

Shoes on. I’m waiting on potentially adding xenons before I swap the taillights to the 99-02 look.

 

[trader1]

Any thoughts on whether I should add the amg sport kit(would be a fiberglass replica), xenons, and the updated taillights would be appreciated. My new feeling and thinking is that these bumpers give it a nice more classic look. The 99-02 taillights are nicer on a stand alone basis imo. However the car looks more “ period correct” with the gen 2 mirrors and gen 2 tails. Also now conflicted on the supersprint exhaust, as this is really a luxury cruiser and I’m not sure I want to mess with the car too much. Below are 2 random photos of a gen 3 with amg sport pack. TIA

 

[Giannis]

I'd keep the stock bumpers, unless you can find original AMG ones (the fit and finish of the fiberglass ones will be terrible).

 

[Swissbob]

I'd keep the stock bumpers, unless you can find original AMG ones (the fit and finish of the fiberglass ones will be terrible).

And standard exhaust.

 

[trader1]

I'd keep the stock bumpers, unless you can find original AMG ones (the fit and finish of the fiberglass ones will be terrible).

I really appreciate that !

 

[Merc1]

I agree. I would even keep the stock taillights.

M

 

[trader1]

And standard exhaust.

I agree. I would even keep the stock taillights.

M

Thanks! I actually just started an eBay return on them. They don’t match the older style monoblocks in a way. Xenons are 50/50 for me

 

[sako97]

Beautiful R129 @trader1! agree with everyone else - keep it as stock as possible unless you find OEM parts.

I love my R230 SL500, but it took quite an investment on service, suspension, and plastic interior trim replacements to future-proof it. Once in a while I regret not getting a late model-year R129 with SL1 + SL2 package. Finding one with the Pano roof also is like finding a unicorn now.

R129s are a bank vault on wheels from a build quality standpoint if cared for and they are appreciating when in good condition.

 

[Giannis]

Thanks! I actually just started an eBay return on them. They don’t match the older style monoblocks in a way. Xenons are 50/50 for me

My take on restoring older cars is the OEM+ route. Stick to original parts, and update vital components using OE parts as much as possible, and when not, just try to hide them.

I don't know how good or not the stock halogens are, but even if you manage to find a set of original 30 years old Xenon headlights, plus the retrofit kit required to fit them, you have a high change that the reflectors will be corroded. Haters gonna hate, but reflectors won't reflect. I'd search for an aftermarket reflector kit that fits inside the original headlight.

If you need any help locating stuff from Europe, don't hesitate to ask!

 

[Swissbob]

Thanks! I actually just started an eBay return on them. They don’t match the older style monoblocks in a way. Xenons are 50/50 for me

Xenon’s make sense.
I would add them.

 

[Swissbob]

I don't know how good or not the stock halogens are, but even if you manage to find a set of original 30 years old Xenon headlights, plus the retrofit kit required to fit them, you have a high change that the reflectors will be corroded. Haters gonna hate, but reflectors won't reflect. I'd search for an aftermarket reflector kit that fits inside the original headlight.

If you need any help locating stuff from Europe, don't hesitate to ask!

The Mopf 2 Xenon already had lenses. I would choose these.
Add Osram xenarc cool blue intense or Boost, to have the bluish light.6200K
I added the cool blue intense on my R230, compared to the original it’s brighter and colder.
High beam is almost as strong as LEDs.