I have had a 1996 SL280 in silver since 2011 and I agree with everything you said, they are beautiful cars, enjoy it. I paid NZ$10,123. I found in the owner's manual's leather wallet the original receipt of the last sale, the previous owner had paid NZ$75,000.

@ttm2609

Жыл бұрын

Hi, what model is yours? I just bought mine in Auckland and have driven it to Christchurch with no issues.

Lesson 1. Never close the frameless car door by pushing against the glass!

Oh my goodness... This video takes me back in time...! When Mercedes launched the R129 SL, I was working for the company out of a dealership in Sheffield. The manufacturer flew us all out to Spain for the international launch where we got to hoon them around the old Grand Prix circuit in Jerez before taking them on the Andalusian country road network. Sadly for one attendee, one would assume that they ended up having no job to return back to the UK to, their SL500 having had to be hauled out of a farmer's field on a low-loader since they completely missed a sharp left turn in the road and literally flew the car off the tarmac... Oh, the good ol' days... :-0

Really interesting. More of these type of videos please!

Still head turner after 3 decades

@dj_efk

3 жыл бұрын

And the car’s not bad either

@XSAILOR65

5 ай бұрын

@@dj_efk Good one!

I like these kinds of videos, sometimes it’s nice to have a break from all the new stuff and reminisce about the stuff we lusted over in our youth. Nice car Vicky, I still love the way these look. Certainly not aged in the way the follow-up did. Nice video too 👍🏾 Let’s have some more like this.

Great video. I think this shows that being a true car enthusiast doesn’t mean owning some rare icon or the latest and greatest as we are used to seeing through Social Media. Would love to see more videos on this and its gradual restoration journey!

These are great cars and massive bargains to buy, providing you can meet the usually substantial costs of all the remedial maintenance that previous owners usually haven't done. Mine's a '92 500SL with the M119 V8 and always fun to drive

ALWAYS LOVED THE SLR129 BEAUTIFUL CAR 🔥🔥🔥

@marioiacolucci

3 жыл бұрын

Classic they are with more in parts as they are in retail

@iekuieku1665

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, but not in red.

I still want one of these too.

Don't feel so bad Vicky, the inline 6 MB engine is my favorite MB engine. Smooth, free revving, bullet proof with just enough power. Sweet sweet engine that in a DD I'd take over the V8 anytime.

@SuperBranFlakez

2 жыл бұрын

Def trade offs. Less power but they are a lot lighter so the handling is a lot better in the v6, and less expensive to work on

never close the door by the window on a frameless car door, it bends the window in the track below and not a good idea.

@raybutts9133

3 жыл бұрын

you are 100% correct

@hb5318

3 жыл бұрын

What? Not it doesn’t...

Ha love this review! The SL was my favourite when in my 20’s (during the 90’s 😬). A solid, classic purchase, Vicki - congratulations 👍🏽

what a great car and good alternative to the sustainable argument, your lack of depreciation will more than pay for all the fixes. Not to mention its great individual looks and character of driving and enjoying. Well done...

Fantastic, loved the review as a fellow Merc owner (190)

So glad I came across this video of yours…with the pandemic never ceasing…it has given me a chance to look at the r129 since we are all stucked at home and can’t travel anymore…hopefully I can afford to get one unit in the near future..:)

Great. Sometimes the R129 feels forgotten. When it is a evolution car. I owned a 300 SL. Sold it. Bought a 500 SL, full hp 326. Im glad I did. Its another animal! I love this car model. It can do allmost anything. Pose with it with the roof of, drive in snow, yes its remarkable solid on winter roads, you can drive in the fastest lane on autobahn even today an keep up to modern fast cars, steady as s rock, you can shop with it. Huge storage...its best car in the world. In wich other car can you pose outside Monte Carlo casino in style at night and the day after you can go an shop a flagpole with it?..☺️👍🏻 R129 for ever

@commendatore2516

2 жыл бұрын

i want to buy a 300sl the six cilinder, is it more cheaper to run than the v8, and how is the reliability?

Purchased a 1989 Jaguar XJS V12 with only 27,000 kilometres on the clock last year, having owned nearly every car under the sun I can honestly say it is the only one that makes me smile every time I get in it (sounds like I need to get out more). I have started using it as my daily driver, never been happier with a car!! Many Thanks, Peace From London. 👍👍

Thank you for this great video, I have a similar experience as I just got the keys to my grandfathers 300SL-24 which is original to him from day 1 in 1993, odometer gears are an easy fix and the gears can be sourced from the U.S and the hydraulics if they are working for the top is a rather inexpensive fix as you can acquire the seals from Germany. You have a lovely car and with time it should looks pristine...happy motoring!!!

This was great to see! More please!

Bought an 1996 SL500 last year for under 9k CAD and it's already appreciated with the used car boom. What I see happening is ex-owners not doing the maintenance and then being overwelmed by everything needed to do and sell them. Sometimes it's not the fault of the owner as he did the maintenance but the mechanics don't know how to work on them or intentionally mess up the job to see you again next year. The latter happened on mine when I did a full overview of the car. It's expensive to upkeep if you go to a garage but if you do everything yourself, know what brand of parts to get, where to get them and know when to settle for used parts or new parts, you'll save so much that you'll be more than fine at upkeeping it.

@niccolomachiavelli8763

3 жыл бұрын

what webpage did u get it from?

@RotaryLover

3 жыл бұрын

@@niccolomachiavelli8763 My SL or the parts?

@niccolomachiavelli8763

3 жыл бұрын

@@RotaryLover the car

@RotaryLover

3 жыл бұрын

@@niccolomachiavelli8763 I bought it off Kijiji. I was listed on Auto Trader as well.

@ryanostmann2445

2 жыл бұрын

I bought a low mileage 300sl and I’m currently going through the pains of catching up on maintenance on a car that sat for decades…

We have the 500SL bought it almost 4 years ago just completed a long list of work to get it ready for the MOT passed flying colours. I encourage anyone to buy one even the V6 variant as these are becoming a rare find these days. Love the video.

Can´t go wrong with an old Merc! As an owner of a '91 300D (W124) with 240k miles, I would definitely recommend Mercedes from the 80's/90's to people looking for a modern classic that was built to last...

Hi Vicki. Great Video. I owned the exact model around 10 years ago, 1993 SL300-24 in Silver with 18inch AMG Monoblock wheels, it was immaculate. Lot of technology in it for a 90s car. In the end I sold it as the soft top hydraulics were playing up..but even today it still has the classic wide body look and styling.

The SL is an iconic , timeless machine , fantastic car . Liked and subbed.

Breath of fresh air that video 👍 Great to see that the presenter is a true petrol head,

This was lovely! Thank you

Great review of a great car. Thank you. Always loved the honesty of this car during this period. I don't think you'd be quite as attached if you actually had gotten the V8. This is a very sweet engine with enough poke, and arguably less running costs than its bigger sister. A keeper!

Happy motoring Vicky.😃

Great car and video, please make more to show us the restoration and the final result!

Certainly glad you intend to bring it up to operating condition. It deserves at least that much.

I have owned mine for 15 years . Brilliant cars and if looked after they are very reliable. I cant ever imagine selling mine.

When I was about 10 (1991) a client and close family friend of my Dad’s got one of these in burgundy with burgundy leather and it looked seriously stunning. He took us out for a spin and the acceleration was impressive and everywhere we went there were jaw dropping stares from other drivers. They look dated now but back then they looked the business. I think they’ve aged well though, still a seriously handsome car. Funny thing was, he’d been young in the era of the original gull-wing 300SL so was fulfilling his own dream of owning something to scratch that itch.

NEVER open and close a pillarless door by grabbing the window Ms Parrott! Always grab the door itself. Enjoy the car!

@David-cm4ok

3 жыл бұрын

I've got a Subaru leggy with pillarless doors, my wife always does that, drives me 😠

I’m with you! I did the same thing! I always wanted a black 500sl so I bought a 1998 that was like brand new with low miles. It was worth every penny to say I now own one. It’s an excellent weekend car for sure!

Lovely car. Always wanted a late model Jaguar XJS myself, sadly never likely to happen without a big lottery win!

We had our 300SL resprayed by Ridgeway in Hastings, they did a great job and I would recommend them! Especially given it was a tricky colour.

Just bought my 1st R129 last night!! A 99 SL500 and I highly encourage anyone looking at these to test drive one because it's amazing to drive. Comfortable, reliable, fun for its size. My 1st day bringing it into work I parked it right up front so I could stare out the window all day, and everyone that walks by usually gives it a double take. They're such iconic cars.

These are cool cars, I got my 500Sl since 2014, had to do the roof hydraulics my self, currently re doing the electrical wiring harnesses. They not that difficult to repair yourself if you are good with a spanner, and parts are still available 👍😻

Stunning car, will look even better once restored!

Saw an sl600 like this the other day. Thats a rare bird!

@raycroal

3 жыл бұрын

the 600 has 2 inch longer wings and bonnet not a lot of people know that lol

I have a SL320 from '95 in grey metallic. I think it is fairly the same engine than the 300 - 24. Inline 6 with about 231 Hp. I use mine as a daily and it works great! Love it to the moon and dispite the prices are going up I don't think I will ever sell it. It is so easy to live with and very easy to maintain and fix yourself. I just bought a Subaru now just to retire the SL and use it more as a weekend car. But everyone who is thinking about buying one and using it as a daily, it is totally doable and just something to turn around for when walking away!

Nice one Vicky!👍

Good choice! Also got a 300 SL (not the 24 V version) in dark red metallic. This standard red tends to suffer from sun ray when it‘s permanently parked outside

Awesome! I have a 2003 absolutely love the SL

Nice car, even more so given that you wanted it and like it. Happy motoring

Good year, good engine. Not sure about the colour, but its not offending. Only worry I would have at this point is my back. Thinking of getting in and out of that car, as a daily driver that is. If it is just for the weekend trip or a holiday, it is almost the perfect car (for a family of 2!).

Great video! I too, as a Merc owner (W201, W126, W168, W169, C219) always wanted a R129. I was searching in vain for a nice one when a pristine, low-mileage Ferrari 348 crossed my path (literally) . So here I am, no buyer's remorse, the Rossa is a fun and reliable car, but the SL will be in my garage some day...

Good video…I own an R107 but I’ve had a hankering for a 129 before they go really high on prices so managed to acquire a 1996 SL500 imported from Japan into the U.K with total mileage of 4,100 miles from new, apparently stored for many years in Osaka and only driven a couple of times a year. I’m enjoying it immensely and I think the 107 will be moved on as the V8 power and power hood/aircon makes it more usable for me. I plan to drive it across Europe once restrictions ease and stick 10,000 miles on it and then hopefully sell it for same money I paid for it but who knows, it may be a keeper! 😎

More please!

Cool car. I brought a cayman base from 2008 pretty much the same reasons you gave, and cannot see me parting with it. Love old classic especially the mk 1 gti but not easy to drive daily

Thanks ! Jolly Good review ma'am Cheers 😁

Lovely car, interesting vid, thanks

Hello! I am german and bought a 1996 SL 320 in blue-metallic. And I am happy :-)

Good choice. Happy driving !

I am happy you enjoy the car it’s not for me but I love your videos does not matter what you review 👍😘🌸

Great feature and cool car. Really suits you, too!

I too own a "95 SL320 and it was also a "dream car" for me. I was lucky to get one in extremely good nick with 98K on the clock for $3500 US. The only thing I have to address is replacing the top hydraulics and, yes, it IS a DIY job if you're handy with tools. Enjoy!!!

Great choice Vicky👍👍

Would love one, think I need to do it quickly . Those dials take me back to being 10 years old

Never seen a 300 - 24 I have a 98 sl500 and love it truly, been thinking about getting a SL320 for the V6

Love it 😍

ive owned 3 of these in this body style...black,red and dark green..the hydraulic top was always an issue so I kept the hard top on even in the summer time.

Love the R129s. I “might” be biased for a reason 😄

A true bargain, had a new one 26yrs ago Never really appreciated it at the time. A gem keep it 👍

I love these cars I have a 1996 500 that is weirdly pre facelift but with a 5 speed box I also have a 1998 320 straight 6 with full brabus styling. I need to do the rood hydraulics at some point but plan to keep both

I’ve a R129 SL320 straight 6 1999 model. Sadly needs a mechanic and his star machine as battery died and it’s lost everything. ONE big tip for you. Please don’t push the doors shut with the Glass. Bad for the door. You look Good driving it.

Good on ya girl, I bought my 98' a few days ago, yea, she needs a few things done to it as a project car, perfect

Favourite SL series. This car has an interesting mot history. Between 2007-2020 it only did 3k.

@GM-ii8gs

3 жыл бұрын

Well she did say the odometer was playing up, seems it dropped nearly 3k at one point after it went up exactly 3k the year before... Quite a lots of the previous owners are usually quite a bit older, as time passes their health declines and they drive less and the car spends more time in the garage with preventative maintenance not been done, sometimes eventually to the point where the car is SORNed from year to year, this is exactly what happened to my R230 SL500.

I had the same reasoning as yourself , when I saw these I knew I wanted one , well I found one here in Hawaii , paid $2000 for it perfect paint , low miles 72,000 !! it has had the fuel system re done by PO I am fixing all the niggles but she drives wonderfully , is a 500SL with Brabus wheels & new tires all fitted by PO . It is white , I rehabbed the wheels & painted them Black along with the grill ( it is pitted ) now she looks more modern & as you say is a blast to drive. I'm English and love driving my piece of German Engineering .

These are superb, great car!

I like it Vicky, you said it all you like to look at it and enjoy driving it

I got the same car....for the same reason; she's awesome, and it's been worth the restoration 👍🏾

@CarGurusUK

Жыл бұрын

Couldn't agree more!

Beautiful car! Nice choice

I am in the same movie with my 1994 SL320 straight six ... best car I've ever had by far. (Johannesburg South Africa)

I think you made a smart, and yet passionate, choice with this car. The straight six will always be a desirable choice as it doesn't suffer the weight and burden of a thirsty V-8 nor the whiny, horsey exhaust notes of most over-boosted inline 4s. You are a great and authentic auto journalist and I always look forward to your videos. I would encourage you to restore this car as I do think it is worth it, and, since you already seem to love it, why not? The lines are classic, proportions mostly spot-on, so it will always be something nice to look at. Trust me, when everyone becomes bored and sick of digital EVs (and electric steering), analogue cars such as yours will be sought after and relished.

@martinsvensson6884

3 жыл бұрын

Its questionable if the V8 is much heavier. Its an all aluminium engine contrary to the inline 6. And its shorter so is placed further back. Maybe you will see a 10% increase in fuel consumption over the 6. If you want to reduce fuel consumption on the highway get the later 5G transmission instead.

@chrispoulson3215

3 жыл бұрын

The R129 was designed around the M119 V8 five-litre 32V quad-cam engine. It is the sweet-spot of the standard offerings.

I had the 300CE - 24. The 2 door fixed top pillarless coupé. With the 4 speed automatic this engine is a bit “busy” sounding at motorway cruising speed. Great car, with plenty of space and a nice engine, but get one with the 5 speed box.

Now that's a really awesome car

Thanks !

A very beautiful car. I have one in the same colour, but it is the 280 straight 6

I always really wanted a first generation SLK, obviously did the man maths and bought an SLK 320. The SL wasn't a car I was aware of growing up, not many of those driving around where I grew up, albeit the SL I have spent some time in since and they're a classic for sure. I think one would suit my SLK nicely as a pair.

If you go for one, check the head gasket at the bulkhead end.

the odometer is easily fixed diy with a metal gear to replace the old plastic ones, maybe check a watch repair shop its similar. had the same problem on my w201

Very nice, cannot beat it at those prices. I owned one a few years back, resold it for the same money I had bought it for. Two things to look out for (they are really time bombs, they WILL go off): - Soft top hydraulics, some small connectors will start leaking and then it is all the way uphill from there. I think I replaced them myself, not a huge deal if you catch it on time. - This one is more serious: the wiring harness WILL eventually disintegrate and it will have to be replaced. In those years, MB was experimenting with more environmentally responsible plastics, which will eventually biodegrade. Unfortunately, it will happen before the car's natural death, and must be replaced. Harness itself not terribly pricey, but as you can imagine it is a big job to carry out. Other than that, i thoroughly enjoyed mine!

I had the same sl 300 R129 with a Manual Transmission..I regret selling it.. for $6500 12 years ago.

I have a 96 sl 320 love it

Beautiful car!

R129's are a really good car. Built from granite they will stand the test of time. Down sides: They all came with an OEM hard top that looks great and provides comfortable all year round motoring but, it is a two person job to remove and then it's bulky and awkward to store (a purpose designed trolly is the best option). You really need an SL500 with the V8 to achieve any noticeable performance and then the fuel bills taint the otherwise sublime experience. As Vicki said buy one now why you can afford it.

Totally agree with your choice. I am also on a lookout for a similar SL, altho they are still a bit more expensive here Down Under. I do love the red colour you got, plus the AMG Monoblocks! That car suits you well. YOU'VE EARNED IT! Enjoy!!!

@georgpold1830

3 жыл бұрын

These are not actually AMG monoblocks. Just monoblock style wheels. You cant call them replicas either bcs they have those bolts on. I have exactly the same wheels on my w140 and want to know what theyre called.

@angelg2638

3 жыл бұрын

@@georgpold1830 oh you're right! There's no AMG stamped on. I would love them on my w140. With the front dropped an inch. Right now, I have Carlsson reps. Not bad but Monoblocks (or style) would be meaner looking.

Nice Thanks

My 1999 SL320 was owned by a lovely elegant lady in Cornwall from new until she passed away 5 years ago when I bought it. The vehicle is immaculate with the optional panoramic roof xenon headlights heated seats and importantly a full service history. The silver paintwork is unmarked and because the drivers seat was not monstered with a bottom like mine all its life the nappa leather is as good as new and the woodwork is unmarked. I too would have loved a 500 but could not find a car that looked this good for £7k - I have been offered £14k but will not sell it (yet anyway)!! It has a great soft top that I had to get new windows for and it still looks good topless!! No other car I have ever driven has given me the balance between power and comfort and whilst the 500 would be better in a straight line this 320 handles better I am told with a lighter front end resulting in less understeer on the limit - but this is not and has never been a car you drive on the limit - it is a Grand Tourer in the old sense of the word and is made so well it is a great daily driver that still turns heads and promotes comments in the pub car park! If you are on the fence buy this car now even if you only want to play with the fully automated soft top in the office car park! It's terrific and prices are rising!

Nice car,I have a 1990 sl500 fun to drive!

I'd buy one but it would get stolen within days of purchase unfortunately don't have a garage.

A fantastic car. Well done buying something different. And with Northern Ireland number plates too :-)

Beautiful car

Lovely car, would be nice to see it when complete, main thing enjoyment when driving it and as you said it looks great.

Good Job

I didnt like it before, but i like it now .. very sporty

I have the AMG 600d12 with the glass roof is very nice. The steering wheel is on the other side.

I Love Your Story💚