SL-Class (R129) This Is What It’s Like To Own A $5,000 Mercedes SL600 R129


The Mercedes-Benz R129 was introduced in 1989 as a two-passenger convertible with a removable hardtop — the first Mercedes-Benz to feature a fully automatic, hydraulically operated fabric convertible top. Produced from 1989 to 2002.

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This Is What It’s Like To Own A $5,000 Mercedes SL600
Jul 22, 2018 at 9:00am By: Jacob Oliva, Editor
It goes without saying that a cheap car comes with expensive repairs.
The SL600 had its glory days during the ‘90s. Well, to start with, the R129 was powered by a whopping 389-horsepower V12 – the very same engine found in the first Pagani Zonda. It’s also a convertible, and top-down grand touring cars were a hit back then, let alone if it’s from Mercedes.

Now, a 1997 Mercedes SL600 for $5,000 sounds like a tempting proposal right? Sort of a bargain, even? However, that low price doesn’t come without any issues for sure. And that’s the case here in the $5,000 Mercedes SL600 bought by Hoovies Garage.
In the video above, you could see Hoover whip out a long list of issues he could find in the five-grand-worth Mercedes convertible. First, it’s soft top only worked midway, meaning it was stuck when he tried to close it. Seems like a small problem, but wait until it rains.

Next, air conditioning wasn’t blowing cool air and the brake warning lights were coming off all the time. There were also oil leaks, as Hoover pointed out, as well as a problem with the car’s famed hydraulic suspensions. Hoover also noticed how quiet his new old SL600 is, unlike the Zonda it shared the engine with, so he’s up for tweaking the exhaust as well.

Last, but definitely not the least, the car’s cosmetic issues were a downer. You could literally see a duct tape on the front clip, which, according to Hoover, was the only thing that holds the front bumper together. He also needed to change the side mirrors and do some body work with the side dings. And oh, he’s not cool with the rather modernized wheels.

All in all, there are tons of stuff that needed to be repaired with the $5,000 SL600. We’re pretty sure it’s going to be a costly job, but it is what it is. A cheap car purchase does really come with exorbitant repair costs.
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And oh, here's Hoover's video when he bought the car from days ago:
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I know someone who bought a mint condition one owner SL500 in 2004, the car was stored for many years, he took it into Mercedes for a full service and ended up with a 25k NZD bill, the car had a hard top, when this was removed and the softtop activated it blew out the hydraulic rams, all the suspension rubbers had perished, the fuel system needed renewing, all in all a very nice looking car with some expensive issues. Once sorted it's a cool car, he still owns it, drive's it on sunny Sunday's, it's still in practically as new condition, very expensive to maintain and keep in this condition.
 
I know someone who bought a mint condition one owner SL500 in 2004, the car was stored for many years, he took it into Mercedes for a full service and ended up with a 25k NZD bill, the car had a hard top, when this was removed and the softtop activated it blew out the hydraulic rams, all the suspension rubbers had perished, the fuel system needed renewing, all in all a very nice looking car with some expensive issues. Once sorted it's a cool car, he still owns it, drive's it on sunny Sunday's, it's still in practically as new condition, very expensive to maintain and keep in this condition.

The R129 is a future classic. I love it in red or black with cream interior. Old cabrios are can be a pain to maintain as the roof is a complex contraption with seals that dry, crack or get mouldy.
 
The R129 is a future classic. I love it in red or black with cream interior. Old cabrios are can be a pain to maintain as the roof is a complex contraption with seals that dry, crack or get mouldy.

very true, the softtop on ours isn't functioning properly
even the shop scratch their heads having no idea how to get to work.
 

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz Group AG is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. Established in 1926, Mercedes-Benz Group produces consumer luxury vehicles and light commercial vehicles badged as Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG, and Mercedes-Maybach. Its origin lies in Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft's 1901 Mercedes and Carl Benz's 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen, which is widely regarded as the first internal combustion engine in a self-propelled automobile. The slogan for the brand is "the best or nothing".
Official website: Mercedes-Benz (Global), Mercedes-Benz (USA)

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