I love these videos when Chris turns full on car nerd. It's not made for a segment, or a story, or to sell issues - It's purely to share something he is passionate about and it shows. Fingers crossed for an Evo reunion!
Having owned a r107 , r129, r230, r231 . I still have the r129, the rest have gone . I’ve just completed a 2700 mile drive through Europe to Tuscany and the the car did not miss a beat .
I had the r230 but the voltage regulator and alternator were past their best, resulting in overheating of the block resulting in Ringland failure resulting in major bills which cancelled my wedding. A tragic end to what had been an enjoyable ownership
Interesting. I’ve owned Pagoda 280SL, R107 500SL , R129 in 280, 320 and 500 forms and now own a R230 SL350 which I bought about 3 years ago with only 29K miles on the clock and have since put 10K miles on driving it from the UK as far touring northern Spain, southern France and up as far as Sweden via Germany and Denmark. And, I currently driving around Germany in it again. My experience ? Pagoda = very pretty to look at….only. Awful driving experience. R107 = also good looking, cramped with roof on (I’m 6’ 2”), not a very good drive either, thirsty for nothing 5.0L V8 because not very fast. R129 = handsome, very likeable, solid build quality feel to everything. Marred by scuttle shake if the hardtop isn’t on. It’s not terrible or as bad as the preceding two….but it was definitely there in all three that I owned and I hated that. I actually like the facelift SL320 that I the most. R230 = actually my favourite looking of all SLs, in my opinion! I know many won’t agree with me ! 😂 The price I paid for mine I could have bought a higher mileage R231 but I prefer the look of the R230. I feel no scuttle shake which is a big thing for me. The performance for me of the 350 has been easily “adequate” on this long touring type trips. I own quicker cars but for these trips I was a bit scared of the running costs of the 500. Particularly the potential cost of suspension repairs. Although, I’m sure the 500 is a much more competent car, I no longer have the means to own and drive a 5.0L V8!
@@BEGGARWOOD1 I'm in Germany still in my R230. I (foolishly) complied with the new regulations about having 'UK ' on your registration plate rather than 'GB'. The UK sticker I put on has a Union Jack on it which just makes it doubly embarrassing! 🤦🏽♂️
Thank you for a nice video. I have owned my r129 SL500 for 20 years and covered 307,000 miles. It has never failed me. It's still a fast car and it's great to drive a long way on real world roads.
my 89 is still in my garage. consider it the finest thing i own. ya the tops have 13 hydraulic cylinders that outlive their seals. it's a few thou to replace them but worth it? never had any problems with the drive train at all. she pulls like a freight train and you can hustle this car with real abandon and she understands the seriousness of the situation completely. dont do that without new michelins btw. the height of MB with Bruno Saccos finale' - whatever he hailed it as his favorite car. thanks Chris for edifying my choice for classic ownership.
Hello…I am from Greece and own the last 15 years a 1991 Mercedes R129 500 SL. It is amazing car and all time classic. The colour of it, is light blue with light grey interior. It is in a really good condition with 110000 miles. Whenever I go people looking at it and admire it. I love my SL.
It may be a sublime car in its own right but the real question is how much does THIS car have in common with its predecessors. What does 2000 kg curb weight have to do with Sport Leicht it stands for?
The last seconds capture exactly what it feels like to drive any 90s German car. If I recall from Chris's twitter he bought a really cheap 300? Probably wow-ed him enough to get a proper nice one. Impressive condition, this...eye-watering price. MORE OF THESE PLEASE! Best Harris content by far!
My 2010 Carrera had an annoying buzzing deep inside the dashboard and my 2009 Cayman had an annoying rattle at the back that even the Porsche centre could not find... 😞
I remember my next door neighbour buying one of the very first 500SL, in a light gold, for his 75th birthday at a cost of @£75,000. At the time the premium on these was huge and ads could be seen in Sunday Times for @ £120,000. The quality is exceptional. Great choice Chris.
I currently own a 1999 SL500. I can honestly say the R129 is beautifully engineered and remarkably reliable. I’ve now owned my SL for 3 years and I only have 34k miles on it. It rides like a dream!
I too have a 1999 SL500 I’ve owned it for 4 years and currently have 202,000 miles and it’s an absolute dream to drive I often choose it over my Tesla’s even when gas is over 6 dollars a gallon.
@@VegasShuffle So fucking what mate. I often choose to drive my sl700 rather than any of my superyachts, and yeah my sl700 I mean my sl800 sometimes lets in water but I actually prefer it to my helicopters because I can fly it to the actual moon and yeah I can get to the moon quicker in one of my rockets but the stereo isn’t as good.
I paid a shed load for low mileage sl600 that had been babied and kept in a heated humidity controlled garage for the last 30 years and it runs and drives sweet after I give it the annual main dealer full service. Like wow
We have a 92 what was called 500SL bought in September 2017 for £6500 and has now done 148K miles and still passes every MOT and drives like a dream with no reliability problems
For me it's normally not a noise but a smell... sat in traffic or similar and you're just suddenly aware of that glycol smell of coolant, or something else and you're immediately thinking "sh!t.. I bet that's me.."
My last one was whiff of petrol not that uncommon. Then a cyclist went past in traffic said you know your leaking? Stuck my head out the door river of petrol…….. fuck fuck fuck. Happy wedding anniversary for my wife 😂
@@elliotsimpson1148 Do you also get that thing when you have either just acquired or done major work on your old car, that you have to build up the level of trust by doing shorter journeys before you commit to longer trips in it?
my 89 is still in my garage. consider it the finest thing i own. ya the tops have 13 hydraulic cylinders that outlive their seals. it's a few thou to replace them but worth it? never had any problems with the drive train at all. she pulls like a freight train and you can hustle this car with real abandon and she understands the seriousness of the situation completely. dont do that without new michelins btw. the height of MB with Bruno Saccos finale' - whatever he hailed it as his favorite car. thanks Chris for edifying my choice for classic ownership.
You have gone up in my estimation Chris! As a man who owns a one owner (father to son) 1991 500 SL on 99, 990 odd miles , that has never really given me any major issues at all, I have to agree with you that it is one of the best motors Mercedes have ever made. I think It is a much under rated vehicle which for long distance touring purposes is very hard to beat. It has a massive boot and the rear child seats and back rest can easily be removed to create loads more luggage space. I am lucky enough to also own an SL 400 R231 and although its a class apart in how it puts down its power and chassis stiffness, it really has very little over the 25 year older 500 and way less luggage space either in the boot or the cabin. It’s a tough call when we go away as to which one to take. One thing you should have mentioned is that it still has the full hard top for winter, which arguably makes it an even better looking car.
The R129 really is a special car - my personal favorite Mercedes-Benz. I love how you can have a hard top, a soft top, or no top. Just a great looking car too - interior, exterior. The roof hydraulics can definitely be a PITA as there are 11 or 12 cylinders and there's a roof module controlling the experience. But it's well documented now with folks like Top Hydraulics supporting rebuilds
I'm 30 now, and owning a nice convertable from the 90's early 00's era is my DREAM car. I loved watching them as a kid on the highway. I hope one day I'll be able to :)
I recently bought a 320 SL and discovered that it was much sweeter to drive than the more powerful 500 SL (having owned one till the engine detonated itself). The lower weight of the smaller engine makes it far more nimble and it gets better mileage. Still as solidly built as earlier Mercedes cars. Enjoy your car.
Those engines never detonate "by themselves" :) You can also get the SL500 with the m113. I know that the w210 with the m113 V8 had better weight distribution than with the old 3.2 m104.
I have owned a 1999 SL320 for 7 years and it is by far the best car I have ever owned from practical and aesthetical points of view. OK the roof broke 6 months after I bought it but that was because it was 16 years old, had never been used by the lovely and stylish lady who had owned it from new before me and had not spent a penny on its up keep. Since then it works fine and still draws a crowd - well a few looks anyway! It is a fantastic daily driver, a wonderful vehicle to take you and the wife away for a weekend in the country or to impress your mates down the pub on Sunday. It has been good as gold to me since the roof debacle and running costs are reasonable, it's even great on fuel - 30mpg if you drive like a vicar and servicing is simple - the thing is a balance between the past and present with that balance skewed to the traditional with few of the gizmo's that infect newer cars. The later model electrics are fine and the newer engines are bullet proof across the range. You don't need a 500 0r the 600 - a 320 is fine and even the 280 is acceptable - remember it's a hefty thing! I like the ride and stopping power too and it makes you feel good. Mine cost £7,000 - it's worth anywhere between £10,000 and £13,000 now I suppose - I have even had 2 strangers knock at the door to ask if it could be for sale and have been approached in car parks along the same lines. How many cars have you owned that you can say all that about? My son wants a 107 and I am trying to convince him otherwise the R129 is simply the best SL that the common man can afford!
I used to love to drive these back when I was a valet. Compared to the other cars out at the time, the SLs felt like they were carved out of granite. So solid, so sure-footed, just amazing.
My 2001 looks and works like new, and it attracts a crowd. I did chrome the AMG staggered 18" wheels, which looks great with its all black color, and I lowered it slightly With H&R springs and Billstein shocks. It looks fantastic, and has cost me very little to maintain. I bought it when it was 8 years old for a sixth of its initial price and it would sell for more than i paid, now 15 years later.
I’m 22 years old, got my 1995 SL500 last year and it maybe the 4th car I ever owned, and I’ll definitely own more exciting and cool cars, but I can say with confidence this will go down as one of the best cars I ever owned, every time I drive it, or even as simple as look at it, which is 2 of my favorite things to do, it just makes me so happy, they’re criminally underrated cars, and deserve more recognition
I've owned nearly every Model Benz since 1978: W116 450SE,W124 300E,3 x R230 SL55's, all black,all perfect, and not a problem with anything. AMG at Afallterbach derestricted my second (UK Sourced) car and it did 286kmh in 4th gear near Stuttgart and 340 in top.In OZ I have a C200 1.8L SC Wagon,220,000 and never looks like wearing out, a 2010 C63 I bought new, now 50,000kms and a 5.5 Litre 500SL R230 update,2008 with now over 170,000 kms,and nary a problem.Oh, and Always owned a 911, from 1971 2.2 911T,through to a 3.8Litre MANUAL 997 Carrera S. Love 'em all,but Chris the SL500 is SYBARITIC. We met after our respective drives in the Nurburgring 24 Hour,and enjoyed a drink or twelve at Ursula Schmitz' (Sabine's Mother) Pistenklause Bar....
Thanks Chris for another fine review, i am fortunate to drive an R129 SL600 V12 Sport amg black on black, you are welcome to drive it if you fancy Southern California driving along State Route 1.
Really enjoyed watching this Chris! Always wanted one myself, ended up with a white 1996 SL500 I paid $3,800 for 3 years ago for highway miles getting to the airport. Have since put 13k miles on it and love it so much, I couldn’t help myself when I found a second green 1994 SL500 pre-facelift early last year for $2,200… incredible amount of car for the money and a great story behind it. And, replacing the rear muffler and resonator with pipe make that M119 sound outright exotic…
Oh man how I love this host and now even more because of this car. Chris harris is favorite all around car guy, drives properly and really loves cars🙌 its a pleasure watching this guy drive and talkin cars
8:35 The wiper on these is so powerful it makes the car rock. The exceptionally deep gutter on the side of the windshield ensures all the water flicked into it by the mono blade goes onto the roof. And then, incredibly, the canvas roof is sculpted to drive the water over the top of the roof and not onto the side windows. For safety. Astonishing car.
A boss of mine about 10 years ago who was a car nut bought one of these .. but i think it was a 350 rather than a 500 as he couldnt find a good one. He loved it said the nose lifted like a boat when you got on the throttle and it made him smile ear to ear every time. I had a mk2f polo breadvan at the time that i had restored and he always complimented on its design. Great era for cars, congrats on your purchase!
Having owned several, I can honestly say the R129 really is a fabulous car. The only downside is that it is a two person job to remove the hard top and then you need the facilities to store it so it won't get damaged. That won't suit everyone, and if it is a problem, then the R230's folding hardtop offers the prefect solution.
Owned a 1994 pre facelift one of these about 7 years now and apart from the roof and wiring loom(I've had no issues with mine) really not bad at all to run and repair , most parts are relatively cheap other than body panels , a wheel bearing is £20 for instance and a really good 2nd hand market for parts aswell, undervalued at the moment and highly recommended.
now at 37 i'm starting to appreciate the early mercedes benz philosophy, it's about packaging, ergonomics, comfort, ease of use. i discounted them due to being poor driver's cars, but on the autobahn on a rainy evening when don't care about driving and just want to get home it will get you there in comfort with cruise control set to 200kph whilst listening to kraftwerk, there was nothing else for it until the late 90's bmw golden era, where cars like the e38 e39 and e46 were able to compete in that arena but also be superb driver's cars, but still in 50% of situations i'd rather be in a w220 s320 cdi with air ride and massage seats listening to fleetwood mack with tan leather driving gloves manning the rudder with cruise set to indicated 80mph at 50mpg.
I bought a '97 R129 SL600 2 years ago with 60k miles and couldn't be happier with it. It is the same color that Chris has in the video (i think) Black Opal. It looks green during the day, has some purple come through at dusk, and black at night. The V12 SINGS after I straight-piped it and is quiet as can be low in the revs. Despite the value on this beast rising all of the sudden, I enjoy it far too much and couldn't imagine parting with it.
Thought I'd update. I finally got my SL500 and I absolutely LOVE it. I sometimes rewatch this because you state my feelings so well I could not have done better. Cheers!
Loved mine, only 1 serious issue (ignition box + coils) in 4 years and got more than I paid when sold. Nothing since has felt as solid and properly thought out. Chuffed that Chris has one of these and loves it.
In 1996 this was the rappers favourite, they were that good that even Tupac Shakur the greatest rapper of all time sung a song about....." Picture me rollin"
Just bought a ‘00 SL500 with 46k miles on BAT yesterday. Picking it up in San Diego on Friday. Coming from two consecutive Porsche 996s as my weekend cars, I couldn’t be more excited to own my first Mercedes; and it cost me half of what I just sold my 996 for! Really enjoyed this video. He feels like a kindred spirit.
On R129's only 93 > 95 MY was affected by biodegradable harness. Only gen1 cars with the Bosch HFM injection had those harness fitted. You're safe with your 96 facelift.
Lovely car. I bought a 91 500SL just before COVID. Happily completed a 1,800 mile roadtrip in France last week. They're wonderful cars to drive and great value
Have my 300-24 SL for half a year, totally problem free. Just returned from an 18 hr ! ride from Spain. Stepped out of the car like stepping out of bed after long night sleep. Took a 6 cylinder, knowing 8 is more fun driving, but I am Dutch, can't drive fast nowhere and love to save some money for unavoidable repairs in longer future probably. 300-24 engine is not slow, once at speed. It keeps me alive, lets say.. You've bought the right car once no other car that passes makes you envious nor makes you doubt. Think I found mine now. And it does receive thumbs up, once in a while even..Nice!
Chris is awesome! I love how he talks about the little details which we all notice but think no one else does! Here's an idea that simply can't fail... Get Chris, maybe a couple of others who are equally geeky and well spoken on cars, give them a TV slot, possibly an hour, and have them review new and old cars alike... Sounds like something I would watch! 😉
don't tell anyone but i've driven that car... prior to Chris buying it! i have to agree with everything Chris says. I've never understood the SL and the quest for 'perfection' and trying to find the lowest mileage example you can... The best R107 SL I ever drove was a 180,000 mile car with no paperwork and a bit of rust. I'd daily that, and not worry about it.
I bought a 2001 SL500 in 2016. I love it! I found a 2000 SL 500 on EBay, I rebuilt all 11 or 12 top cylinders and installed a new top on it, my mom now owns it.
Watching this chillin in my 95 W140 S class. The best or nothing, made like nothing on the road today. Billion dollar project. Already replaced all the engine wiring harnesses, including the throttle body...she's unstoppable now.
You legend, Ive always wanted one of these because, much like yourself, I find losing money through depreciation something quite stupid. I just haven't convinced myself yet to get one of these..
own a 92 500sl 78k miles going on 8 years now, rides better then modern day cars will cruise at 100mph all day. easy way to distinct the wiring harness issue is to detect the type of fuel injection. early cars with KE jectronic did not have the biodegradable loom, LH jectronic had the loom replace it ASAP can be found for about $600 - $800. easy way to tell is in the engine in the back if it has the "spider web" which is the fuel distributor it will be KE jectronic
I've owned a 96 SL 500 like Chris' since 2016 and these 9 minutes were like listening to myself talking in the mirror. Chris has absolutely nailed it why you want one of these. The sequence of listening to all the clunks and bangs of the roof opening and closing... all that's missing is "Greaaaat success" in your best Borat voice every time it completes the sequence.
Friend of my dads got the 300SL version in about 1990 (when I was 9 going on 10) in burgundy over burgundy leather and although clearly not as quick as the 500 my god did it turn heads and look like nothing else on the road. He took us for a spin - made an impression on me that's never left and probably a big part of why I love cars. I remember him pulling away at a roundabout and seeing a bloke who gave-way to him just mouthing the word 'WOW' through his window.
You're a lucky bugger! I was fortunate to be a copywriter in the States for Mercedes before this came out. It was an incredibly important car for the marque because it was the first new SL in over a decade. (Model changes moved at a glacial pace back then.) So I had the pleasure of flying to Sindelfigen to see how this beauty was manufactured. Then I got to drive it on the Nurburgring. Only time in my life I got a car up to 150 mph and I enjoyed every second of it. Unfortunately they never paid me enough to afford one of these but I'm thrilled to see you enjoying yours more than a quarter century after it was built.
I went on a similar trajectory 6 months ago, when I bought a 03' Cayenne S. A car and a genre that I never considered before (Me in a SUV ?) However, the price was tempting, the condition was really good, and a proper NA V8 ! I figured it was finally time to get something with a V8 as a daily as they won't last forever :)
Here in the US, I've got a 1996 as well - with 208,000 miles on it. (Owned it since 101,000) Yup, the top has problems (sometimes) but really, it's a superb car. Best part is the size. It's quite trim, easy to see out of, and with that engine, wow. You just get in and go, and only worry about regular maintenance stuff.
I also miss those classic gauges. It was how every MB looked when you sat down in them when I grew up. Was part of their identity to me. Also couldnt get more clear than that.
Watching this again, it's just the comfort in delivery that Chris Harris is more real then the other folks in the same arena. Next pint is on me Chris whenever your by.
Owned my 1992 r129 SL500from 1998 until 2014 & went from 56,000klm to 238,000klm as a daily driver. My soft top never failed I imagine because it was used regularly but not excessively. Suggest you travel the B roads and in city one gear down all the time and it will respond like a weapon (in a safe place of course) It can be played like a violin, think beautiful but stealth like with little noise. Only problem these days are cameras I put a rolled up beach towel in where the plastic window fold over so it rolled around the towel and did'nt bend in half Only real failure was MB dealer didn't tell me to change the chain at 160,000 and it broke at 203,000 ouch... Enjoyed the clip, more of the R129 please
my 89 is still in my garage. consider it the finest thing i own. ya the tops have 13 hydraulic cylinders that outlive their seals. it's a few thou to replace them but worth it? never had any problems with the drive train at all. she pulls like a freight train and you can hustle this car with real abandon and she understands the seriousness of the situation completely. dont do that without new michelins btw. the height of MB with Bruno Saccos finale' - whatever he hailed it as his favorite car. thanks Chris for edifying my choice for classic ownership.
I’ve a 2000 SL320 in the exact same colour combination as this. I love it, I always think what if I’d bought this new on launch in 1989, It’d have been like I’d bought a spaceship. They’re also a lot easier to work on than you’d think, have the right (STAR) diagnostics and you’re half way there. I did a full gearbox service 2 weeks ago, I only needed three tools, they’re made with the mechanic in mind.
I recently purchased a94 C140 S500, I also drive a W222 S550 as a daily but that old C140 is 10 times the car, brilliant and timeless, just like the R129
I owned an 1995 SL500 in exactly the same color/interior configuration and with the optional ‘reisenrechner’. Fantastic cruiser and took it to the alps and Italy several times where it truly came into its element. Amazing piece of engineering the R120, as long as you keep a pot of money on the side for things that go wrong (and they will) Great video.
Spot on, Chris: the man-maths makes sense in the real world once you accept we find it impossible to spend money for pleasure on anything but beer. So bottom line is while you've invested about 4,500 pints here, we all know you could get most of them back - whereas a cheap California or Maser would be 80 pints a month straight down the plughole while it sat draining the battery in the garage. Wisdom comes with age.
I was 10 yo, the latest car magazine came in the mail, and it had the new SL on it’s cover. I remember thinking it was the most beautiful car ever designed. Looking back, I don’t think it’s completely held up to the test of time like the Gullwing has, but it’s still a marvel to look at.
I own a 1999 SL 500 triple black all original paint with 37,000 miles I absolutely love these cars I plan on keeping it until I’m too old to drive! lol I had a 1996 SL 320 a few years ago. This design I feel is one of the most beautiful that Mercedes has ever offered.
I just bought an 08 SL 550. About 25 years ago I saw an SL on the lot when I was shopping a BMW 5 series. Really wanted the SL but I thought I needed a 4 door. I'm 54 now, no need for a 4 door. Quite happy with it, replacing the rear accumulator this weekend then it will float down the road perfectly again.
The '07-'08 initial facelift R230's are considered the best R230's by many. Nice improvements over the earlier ones, without the controversial headlights of the '09 and later R230's.
I’m a huge fan as an owner of a R129 SL600. 125K strong and going. Has cost me an arm and a leg to keep her in tip top shape but there’s nothing like them. Wicked fast and comfortable.
Was watching this video just after driving my new 500SL 1989 home. Bought from the first owner and my driveway goals have been achieved. I love the idea of looking like I just won the lottery 30 years ago. So driveway no has a 964 and 500SL and old Range Rover
loved my 1994 R129 SL500, gave me nightmares at times but will 100% own another in the near future. Would love to drive a same era E320 W124 convertible before i jumped back in a R129.
I love these videos when Chris turns full on car nerd. It's not made for a segment, or a story, or to sell issues - It's purely to share something he is passionate about and it shows. Fingers crossed for an Evo reunion!
He didn’t know that they stopped using bio degradable wires in 95 and he called a w129. Big nerd
Get a room
well said, we all sigma are all shady until passion kicks in.
@@Akilois1001gs “Biodegradable” is hyperbole or literal?
@@lebojay literal. they would degrade because nobody figured that the environment (hot cold wet dry) might start eating away at things.
He reads the forums on R129 hoods.
THAT ladies and gentlemen is why Chris Harris is a car-guy and not just a Top Gear lead presenter…
"what the fuck is that fucking noise?!"
The life of a classic car owner
Actually you get used to new, strange noises pretty quickly xD
@@elt8rr Turn the radio up...!
Join in "where is that oil coming from?"
"Why the fuck will this damn bolt not come off!?"
😆👌
"Is this thing supposed to be like that or is it broken?"
It's great to see Chris enjoying all the things he's slagged off over the years. Looking forward to his glowing MX-5 review in the next decade.
😆
Yes
I think he actually likes (or at least doesn't hate) the ND MX-5 now. Greatest car in the world status confirmed.
If he’s selling it, of course he’ll give it a glowing review!
He reviewed one.
Having owned a r107 , r129, r230, r231 . I still have the r129, the rest have gone . I’ve just completed a 2700 mile drive through Europe to Tuscany and the the car did not miss a beat .
I had the r230 but the voltage regulator and alternator were past their best, resulting in overheating of the block resulting in Ringland failure resulting in major bills which cancelled my wedding. A tragic end to what had been an enjoyable ownership
Interesting.
I’ve owned Pagoda 280SL, R107 500SL , R129 in 280, 320 and 500 forms and now own a R230 SL350 which I bought about 3 years ago with only 29K miles on the clock and have since put 10K miles on driving it from the UK as far touring northern Spain, southern France and up as far as Sweden via Germany and Denmark. And, I currently driving around Germany in it again.
My experience ?
Pagoda = very pretty to look at….only. Awful driving experience.
R107 = also good looking, cramped with roof on (I’m 6’ 2”), not a very good drive either, thirsty for nothing 5.0L V8 because not very fast.
R129 = handsome, very likeable, solid build quality feel to everything. Marred by scuttle shake if the hardtop isn’t on. It’s not terrible or as bad as the preceding two….but it was definitely there in all three that I owned and I hated that. I actually like the facelift SL320 that I the most.
R230 = actually my favourite looking of all SLs, in my opinion! I know many won’t agree with me ! 😂 The price I paid for mine I could have bought a higher mileage R231 but I prefer the look of the R230. I feel no scuttle shake which is a big thing for me. The performance for me of the 350 has been easily “adequate” on this long touring type trips. I own quicker cars but for these trips I was a bit scared of the running costs of the 500. Particularly the potential cost of suspension repairs. Although, I’m sure the 500 is a much more competent car, I no longer have the means to own and drive a 5.0L V8!
Were you wearing your paper bag on your head driving through Europe
@@hudsonsigley947 I still feel some Brexit shame 😊
@@BEGGARWOOD1 I'm in Germany still in my R230.
I (foolishly) complied with the new regulations about having 'UK ' on your registration plate rather than 'GB'. The UK sticker I put on has a Union Jack on it which just makes it doubly embarrassing! 🤦🏽♂️
I’m sitting here, in my R129, watching Chris Harris talk about his, and I love it. I agree 100%. Best purchase I’ve even made
Sort of car you can't tell if the owner is a millionaire or running it on a shoe string and a prayer 👍
exactly, since a lot of really wealthy people still drive their 129SL' s due to its classy look and iconic status of being THE Mercedes of all time.
Love that
Check the paint and suspension state and you’ll know which they are
I have one, and I’m definitely not the first option
🤣
Thank you for a nice video. I have owned my r129 SL500 for 20 years and covered 307,000 miles. It has never failed me. It's still a fast car and it's great to drive a long way on real world roads.
my 89 is still in my garage. consider it the finest thing i own. ya the tops have 13 hydraulic cylinders that outlive their seals. it's a few thou to replace them but worth it? never had any problems with the drive train at all. she pulls like a freight train and you can hustle this car with real abandon and she understands the seriousness of the situation completely. dont do that without new michelins btw. the height of MB with Bruno Saccos finale' - whatever he hailed it as his favorite car. thanks Chris for edifying my choice for classic ownership.
Hello…I am from Greece and own the last 15 years a 1991 Mercedes R129 500 SL. It is amazing car and all time classic. The colour of it, is light blue with light grey interior. It is in a really good condition with 110000 miles. Whenever I go people looking at it and admire it. I love my SL.
Love this SL! The new one has nothing to do with its predecessors
It may be a sublime car in its own right but the real question is how much does THIS car have in common with its predecessors. What does 2000 kg curb weight have to do with Sport Leicht it stands for?
It would be amazing if you got your hands on a v12 one...
@@spavatch I believe sport leicht means “sport-lite” as in “sporty, but not a sports car”. Not literally light weight
@@that90sbenz it was discovered recently that SL originally meant “superleicht” and it was literal because the first SLs were race cars
@@diuco17 I love my V12 R129.......so smooth
The last seconds capture exactly what it feels like to drive any 90s German car.
If I recall from Chris's twitter he bought a really cheap 300? Probably wow-ed him enough to get a proper nice one. Impressive condition, this...eye-watering price.
MORE OF THESE PLEASE! Best Harris content by far!
Any 90s car to be honest
I have a 96 SL500 , 60,000 miles no rattles at all. Wife's new CLA has more .
I have an 86 300te. 481000km. Super reliable, easy to work on. Cheapish parts. Goes like stink. Wants to cruise at 80-100kph. Love it.
My 2010 Carrera had an annoying buzzing deep inside the dashboard and my 2009 Cayman had an annoying rattle at the back that even the Porsche centre could not find... 😞
I remember my next door neighbour buying one of the very first 500SL, in a light gold, for his 75th birthday at a cost of @£75,000.
At the time the premium on these was huge and ads could be seen in Sunday Times for @ £120,000. The quality is exceptional. Great choice Chris.
I currently own a 1999 SL500. I can honestly say the R129 is beautifully engineered and remarkably reliable. I’ve now owned my SL for 3 years and I only have 34k miles on it. It rides like a dream!
I too have a 1999 SL500 I’ve owned it for 4 years and currently have 202,000 miles and it’s an absolute dream to drive I often choose it over my Tesla’s even when gas is over 6 dollars a gallon.
Me too. 1997 SL500. I've owned it for 2 years now and absolutely delighted with it. 302k miles and still runs perfectly...
@@VegasShuffle
So fucking what mate.
I often choose to drive my sl700 rather than any of my superyachts, and yeah my sl700 I mean my sl800 sometimes lets in water but I actually prefer it to my helicopters because I can fly it to the actual moon and yeah I can get to the moon quicker in one of my rockets but the stereo isn’t as good.
I paid a shed load for low mileage sl600 that had been babied and kept in a heated humidity controlled garage for the last 30 years and it runs and drives sweet after I give it the annual main dealer full service. Like wow
@@herrfister1477 I take it you cant afford an SL then?
Love a Harris Review. You sir are a legend...along with Mr Metcalfe.
We have a 92 what was called 500SL bought in September 2017 for £6500 and has now done 148K miles and still passes every MOT and drives like a dream with no reliability problems
It is quite remarkable that Chris can put so many miles on all his cars while having a job driving other cars as well.
Imagine the struggle 😎
The last 30 seconds are perfect microism of owning old/classic cars. I love this thing so much to oh for fuck sake it’s fucking fallen off again. 😂😂
For me it's normally not a noise but a smell... sat in traffic or similar and you're just suddenly aware of that glycol smell of coolant, or something else and you're immediately thinking "sh!t.. I bet that's me.."
My last one was whiff of petrol not that uncommon. Then a cyclist went past in traffic said you know your leaking? Stuck my head out the door river of petrol…….. fuck fuck fuck. Happy wedding anniversary for my wife 😂
@@elliotsimpson1148 Do you also get that thing when you have either just acquired or done major work on your old car, that you have to build up the level of trust by doing shorter journeys before you commit to longer trips in it?
like my golf which died at the lights all the time and people thought i stalled it but it was an automatic
@@elliotsimpson1148 must be some diesel on the road.. oh no my fuel line just split 😬
These Sacco designs are the best. W140 and R129 are the pinnacle of "modern era" Mercedes. Just phenomenal quality.
And w202 w124
@@shawndon7374 ya similar design and great cars but does have that oopmh of those two cars
Well said can't forget about the designer
my 89 is still in my garage. consider it the finest thing i own. ya the tops have 13 hydraulic cylinders that outlive their seals. it's a few thou to replace them but worth it? never had any problems with the drive train at all. she pulls like a freight train and you can hustle this car with real abandon and she understands the seriousness of the situation completely. dont do that without new michelins btw. the height of MB with Bruno Saccos finale' - whatever he hailed it as his favorite car. thanks Chris for edifying my choice for classic ownership.
So happy to start seeing more and more from Chris directly from this channel.
You have gone up in my estimation Chris! As a man who owns a one owner (father to son) 1991 500 SL on 99, 990 odd miles , that has never really given me any major issues at all, I have to agree with you that it is one of the best motors Mercedes have ever made. I think It is a much under rated vehicle which for long distance touring purposes is very hard to beat. It has a massive boot and the rear child seats and back rest can easily be removed to create loads more luggage space. I am lucky enough to also own an SL 400 R231 and although its a class apart in how it puts down its power and chassis stiffness, it really has very little over the 25 year older 500 and way less luggage space either in the boot or the cabin. It’s a tough call when we go away as to which one to take. One thing you should have mentioned is that it still has the full hard top for winter, which arguably makes it an even better looking car.
The R129 really is a special car - my personal favorite Mercedes-Benz. I love how you can have a hard top, a soft top, or no top. Just a great looking car too - interior, exterior. The roof hydraulics can definitely be a PITA as there are 11 or 12 cylinders and there's a roof module controlling the experience. But it's well documented now with folks like Top Hydraulics supporting rebuilds
I'm 30 now, and owning a nice convertable from the 90's early 00's era is my DREAM car. I loved watching them as a kid on the highway. I hope one day I'll be able to :)
Bruno Sacco's design is timeless just like the 2001 W210 E55 I had and the 1989 W126 500 SEC all great looking and fast appreciating cars.
I recently bought a 320 SL and discovered that it was much sweeter to drive than the more powerful 500 SL (having owned one till the engine detonated itself). The lower weight of the smaller engine makes it far more nimble and it gets better mileage. Still as solidly built as earlier Mercedes cars. Enjoy your car.
Agree totally, bought a new one in 93
Very impressive at the time
Still impressive today..
Agreed. I have the straight six 5 speed auto and it is absolutely fantastic.
Agreed. Having driven a 300sl 24v with the 5 speed manual I can confirm especially with the manual and lesser weight, the car is an absolute joy
Those engines never detonate "by themselves" :) You can also get the SL500 with the m113. I know that the w210 with the m113 V8 had better weight distribution than with the old 3.2 m104.
As a Merc tech all the straight sixes were better than the v engines early 129 with a 103 is the one for me
When my pal got his new Almondine red 500 in 91 we drove from London to Brighton & it was one of the best days of my life
I have owned a 1999 SL320 for 7 years and it is by far the best car I have ever owned from practical and aesthetical points of view. OK the roof broke 6 months after I bought it but that was because it was 16 years old, had never been used by the lovely and stylish lady who had owned it from new before me and had not spent a penny on its up keep. Since then it works fine and still draws a crowd - well a few looks anyway! It is a fantastic daily driver, a wonderful vehicle to take you and the wife away for a weekend in the country or to impress your mates down the pub on Sunday. It has been good as gold to me since the roof debacle and running costs are reasonable, it's even great on fuel - 30mpg if you drive like a vicar and servicing is simple - the thing is a balance between the past and present with that balance skewed to the traditional with few of the gizmo's that infect newer cars. The later model electrics are fine and the newer engines are bullet proof across the range. You don't need a 500 0r the 600 - a 320 is fine and even the 280 is acceptable - remember it's a hefty thing! I like the ride and stopping power too and it makes you feel good. Mine cost £7,000 - it's worth anywhere between £10,000 and £13,000 now I suppose - I have even had 2 strangers knock at the door to ask if it could be for sale and have been approached in car parks along the same lines. How many cars have you owned that you can say all that about? My son wants a 107 and I am trying to convince him otherwise the R129 is simply the best SL that the common man can afford!
I used to love to drive these back when I was a valet. Compared to the other cars out at the time, the SLs felt like they were carved out of granite. So solid, so sure-footed, just amazing.
Best & cheapest upgrade for a W124 - and the R129 as it's basically the same underneath - is a set of new front ARB bushes
My 2001 looks and works like new, and it attracts a crowd. I did chrome the AMG staggered 18" wheels, which looks great with its all black color, and I lowered it slightly
With H&R springs and Billstein shocks. It looks fantastic, and has cost me very little to maintain. I bought it when it was 8 years old for a sixth of its initial price and it would sell for more than i paid, now 15 years later.
I’m 22 years old, got my 1995 SL500 last year and it maybe the 4th car I ever owned, and I’ll definitely own more exciting and cool cars, but I can say with confidence this will go down as one of the best cars I ever owned, every time I drive it, or even as simple as look at it, which is 2 of my favorite things to do, it just makes me so happy, they’re criminally underrated cars, and deserve more recognition
I’ll never be a fan of top gear post Clarkson and co but Chris talking about cars on his own is something I really like.
I've owned nearly every Model Benz since 1978: W116 450SE,W124 300E,3 x R230 SL55's, all black,all perfect, and not a problem with anything. AMG at Afallterbach derestricted my second (UK Sourced) car and it did 286kmh in 4th gear near Stuttgart and 340 in top.In OZ I have a C200 1.8L SC Wagon,220,000 and never looks like wearing out, a 2010 C63 I bought new, now 50,000kms and a 5.5 Litre 500SL R230 update,2008 with now over 170,000 kms,and nary a problem.Oh, and Always owned a 911, from 1971 2.2 911T,through to a 3.8Litre MANUAL 997 Carrera S. Love 'em all,but Chris the SL500 is SYBARITIC. We met after our respective drives in the Nurburgring 24 Hour,and enjoyed a drink or twelve at Ursula Schmitz' (Sabine's Mother) Pistenklause Bar....
Thanks Chris for another fine review, i am fortunate to drive an R129 SL600 V12 Sport amg black on black, you are welcome to drive it if you fancy Southern California driving along State Route 1.
Just got my license right around the time of this car. The purple strosek SL was my dream car. Had a picture on my wall. Thing of beauty.
Really enjoyed watching this Chris! Always wanted one myself, ended up with a white 1996 SL500 I paid $3,800 for 3 years ago for highway miles getting to the airport. Have since put 13k miles on it and love it so much, I couldn’t help myself when I found a second green 1994 SL500 pre-facelift early last year for $2,200… incredible amount of car for the money and a great story behind it. And, replacing the rear muffler and resonator with pipe make that M119 sound outright exotic…
Oh man how I love this host and now even more because of this car. Chris harris is favorite all around car guy, drives properly and really loves cars🙌 its a pleasure watching this guy drive and talkin cars
8:35 The wiper on these is so powerful it makes the car rock. The exceptionally deep gutter on the side of the windshield ensures all the water flicked into it by the mono blade goes onto the roof. And then, incredibly, the canvas roof is sculpted to drive the water over the top of the roof and not onto the side windows. For safety. Astonishing car.
A boss of mine about 10 years ago who was a car nut bought one of these .. but i think it was a 350 rather than a 500 as he couldnt find a good one. He loved it said the nose lifted like a boat when you got on the throttle and it made him smile ear to ear every time.
I had a mk2f polo breadvan at the time that i had restored and he always complimented on its design. Great era for cars, congrats on your purchase!
Always been a huge fan of the SL500 they’ve aged extremely well!
Interesting enjoyable video, great to see you owning and enjoying some real world cars 👍
That is a beautiful convertible Chris. Good call & great video. Thank you & God bless.
Having owned several, I can honestly say the R129 really is a fabulous car. The only downside is that it is a two person job to remove the hard top and then you need the facilities to store it so it won't get damaged. That won't suit everyone, and if it is a problem, then the R230's folding hardtop offers the prefect solution.
the R230 is so over hated, I know it's not as well built or pretty as the 129 but it seems (at least on the internet) you can't love both
Have you seen the video on TH-cam of how to do it by yourself :D its incredible!
There are ceiling-mounted pulley systems for one-person roof removal available. I have one in my garage for my SL
@@rodgerk. i made my own hoist frame from oak and electric wince which works a treat
True!
I'd agree with everything he says. I'm on my second R129. They are truly special
What happened with the first one?
@@aabidamn my sons outgrew the back seats so I got an A124 for a. Couple of years. Now they have their own cars so I was able to go back to an R129
@@shaywhelan1 Should've sold the kids instead. I heard that they're very expensive to maintain.
Owned a 1994 pre facelift one of these about 7 years now and apart from the roof and wiring loom(I've had no issues with mine) really not bad at all to run and repair , most parts are relatively cheap other than body panels , a wheel bearing is £20 for instance and a really good 2nd hand market for parts aswell, undervalued at the moment and highly recommended.
I love mine too … 1990 300sl. Solid and gorgeous blue color.
Keeping the dream alive.
now at 37 i'm starting to appreciate the early mercedes benz philosophy, it's about packaging, ergonomics, comfort, ease of use. i discounted them due to being poor driver's cars, but on the autobahn on a rainy evening when don't care about driving and just want to get home it will get you there in comfort with cruise control set to 200kph whilst listening to kraftwerk, there was nothing else for it until the late 90's bmw golden era, where cars like the e38 e39 and e46 were able to compete in that arena but also be superb driver's cars, but still in 50% of situations i'd rather be in a w220 s320 cdi with air ride and massage seats listening to fleetwood mack with tan leather driving gloves manning the rudder with cruise set to indicated 80mph at 50mpg.
I agree with everything u said, except the W220 part. That is by far the worst S class ever made and doest even deserve the Merc badge.
@@detonater1348 it was a great car. Just a pity about the air suspension
I refuse to pay for a TV license, but I’d happily pay a monthly cost to watch good content from Harris.
I bought a '97 R129 SL600 2 years ago with 60k miles and couldn't be happier with it. It is the same color that Chris has in the video (i think) Black Opal. It looks green during the day, has some purple come through at dusk, and black at night. The V12 SINGS after I straight-piped it and is quiet as can be low in the revs. Despite the value on this beast rising all of the sudden, I enjoy it far too much and couldn't imagine parting with it.
I’d pat the steering wheel when the roof went up if that was mine. Awesome machine. Back in proper PH circa 2013 territory there Chris!
Awesome car. Those were current when I got my license in the 90’s, and my dad worked for Benz in NJ (still does). Fell in love from the start.
I bought one in 2007, 11 year old at the time, still drive it and love it
Thought I'd update. I finally got my SL500 and I absolutely LOVE it. I sometimes rewatch this because you state my feelings so well I could not have done better. Cheers!
Finally got the SL600. Drove it through light snow and heavy cross winds, with 285 cross section rear tires; steady as a rock!
Have not seen Chris Harris for a while...he has been in a good paddock!!!
Love his reviews and especially the older German cars.
Congratulations on your nostalgic purchase and new set of problems! Love videos like these! Cheers!
Loved mine, only 1 serious issue (ignition box + coils) in 4 years and got more than I paid when sold. Nothing since has felt as solid and properly thought out. Chuffed that Chris has one of these and loves it.
In 1996 this was the rappers favourite, they were that good that even Tupac Shakur the greatest rapper of all time sung a song about....." Picture me rollin"
"Cuz all I want is cash and thangs,
A five double 0 Benz and flaunting flashy rings" -All Eyez on me
@@illwill281 "bitches pursue me like a dream, known to dissappear before your eyes just like a dope fiend"
Just bought a ‘00 SL500 with 46k miles on BAT yesterday. Picking it up in San Diego on Friday. Coming from two consecutive Porsche 996s as my weekend cars, I couldn’t be more excited to own my first Mercedes; and it cost me half of what I just sold my 996 for!
Really enjoyed this video. He feels like a kindred spirit.
How’s it been? I bought a 2000 here in SD 6 months ago too.
On R129's only 93 > 95 MY was affected by biodegradable harness. Only gen1 cars with the Bosch HFM injection had those harness fitted. You're safe with your 96 facelift.
thanks for that.
Lovely car. I bought a 91 500SL just before COVID. Happily completed a 1,800 mile roadtrip in France last week. They're wonderful cars to drive and great value
Have my 300-24 SL for half a year, totally problem free. Just returned from an 18 hr ! ride from Spain. Stepped out of the car like stepping out of bed after long night sleep.
Took a 6 cylinder, knowing 8 is more
fun driving, but I am Dutch, can't drive fast nowhere and love to save some money for unavoidable repairs in longer future probably.
300-24 engine is not slow, once at speed. It keeps me alive, lets say..
You've bought the right car once no other car that passes makes you envious nor makes you doubt. Think I found mine now. And it does receive thumbs up, once in a while even..Nice!
Chris is awesome! I love how he talks about the little details which we all notice but think no one else does!
Here's an idea that simply can't fail... Get Chris, maybe a couple of others who are equally geeky and well spoken on cars, give them a TV slot, possibly an hour, and have them review new and old cars alike... Sounds like something I would watch! 😉
don't tell anyone but i've driven that car... prior to Chris buying it! i have to agree with everything Chris says. I've never understood the SL and the quest for 'perfection' and trying to find the lowest mileage example you can... The best R107 SL I ever drove was a 180,000 mile car with no paperwork and a bit of rust. I'd daily that, and not worry about it.
I bought a 2001 SL500 in 2016. I love it!
I found a 2000 SL 500 on EBay, I rebuilt all 11 or 12 top cylinders and installed a new top on it, my mom now owns it.
Watching this chillin in my 95 W140 S class. The best or nothing, made like nothing on the road today. Billion dollar project. Already replaced all the engine wiring harnesses, including the throttle body...she's unstoppable now.
Just sold mine, V12 600. 2 years of pure enjoyment with no faults.
I have watched this video 5 times so far. Guess I am addicted to R129 😀, great video quality.
Have mine fore 15 years still love it
Wasn't a big fan in Chris's early work, but absolutely love watching his content now. His reporting style is far more relaxed and natural nowadays.
And the prices have just gone up
Thank you Chris and thank you Mercedes 😌
this is my daily driver and i love it for short and long distance commute!!! so comfortable, so reliable so heads turner!!
You legend, Ive always wanted one of these because, much like yourself, I find losing money through depreciation something quite stupid. I just haven't convinced myself yet to get one of these..
own a 92 500sl 78k miles going on 8 years now, rides better then modern day cars will cruise at 100mph all day. easy way to distinct the wiring harness issue is to detect the type of fuel injection. early cars with KE jectronic did not have the biodegradable loom, LH jectronic had the loom replace it ASAP can be found for about $600 - $800. easy way to tell is in the engine in the back if it has the "spider web" which is the fuel distributor it will be KE jectronic
I've owned a 96 SL 500 like Chris' since 2016 and these 9 minutes were like listening to myself talking in the mirror. Chris has absolutely nailed it why you want one of these. The sequence of listening to all the clunks and bangs of the roof opening and closing... all that's missing is "Greaaaat success" in your best Borat voice every time it completes the sequence.
Friend of my dads got the 300SL version in about 1990 (when I was 9 going on 10) in burgundy over burgundy leather and although clearly not as quick as the 500 my god did it turn heads and look like nothing else on the road. He took us for a spin - made an impression on me that's never left and probably a big part of why I love cars. I remember him pulling away at a roundabout and seeing a bloke who gave-way to him just mouthing the word 'WOW' through his window.
Probably one of the most loved cars on the planet, buy one and enjoy. I agree with Chris, its addictive…❤
You're a lucky bugger! I was fortunate to be a copywriter in the States for Mercedes before this came out. It was an incredibly important car for the marque because it was the first new SL in over a decade. (Model changes moved at a glacial pace back then.) So I had the pleasure of flying to Sindelfigen to see how this beauty was manufactured. Then I got to drive it on the Nurburgring. Only time in my life I got a car up to 150 mph and I enjoyed every second of it.
Unfortunately they never paid me enough to afford one of these but I'm thrilled to see you enjoying yours more than a quarter century after it was built.
IMHO, Sacco's finest design and Mercedes' engineers finest hour.
they were given unlimited time and budget
I went on a similar trajectory 6 months ago, when I bought a 03' Cayenne S. A car and a genre that I never considered before (Me in a SUV ?)
However, the price was tempting, the condition was really good, and a proper NA V8 !
I figured it was finally time to get something with a V8 as a daily as they won't last forever :)
Here in the US, I've got a 1996 as well - with 208,000 miles on it. (Owned it since 101,000) Yup, the top has problems (sometimes) but really, it's a superb car. Best part is the size. It's quite trim, easy to see out of, and with that engine, wow. You just get in and go, and only worry about regular maintenance stuff.
I also miss those classic gauges. It was how every MB looked when you sat down in them when I grew up. Was part of their identity to me. Also couldnt get more clear than that.
M119 is an amazing motor, has so much character, and makes an great noise, especially with a muffler delete like I have. Adds so much character
Watching this again, it's just the comfort in delivery that Chris Harris is more real then the other folks in the same arena. Next pint is on me Chris whenever your by.
I love Chris Harris whenever he's being himself and not the person he's not on top gear, he's such a natural person he doesn't need to change himself
Owned my 1992 r129 SL500from 1998 until 2014 & went from 56,000klm to 238,000klm as a daily driver. My soft top never failed I imagine because it was used regularly but not excessively.
Suggest you travel the B roads and in city one gear down all the time and it will respond like a weapon (in a safe place of course)
It can be played like a violin, think beautiful but stealth like with little noise.
Only problem these days are cameras
I put a rolled up beach towel in where the plastic window fold over so it rolled around the towel and did'nt bend in half
Only real failure was MB dealer didn't tell me to change the chain at 160,000 and it broke at 203,000 ouch...
Enjoyed the clip, more of the R129 please
my 89 is still in my garage. consider it the finest thing i own. ya the tops have 13 hydraulic cylinders that outlive their seals. it's a few thou to replace them but worth it? never had any problems with the drive train at all. she pulls like a freight train and you can hustle this car with real abandon and she understands the seriousness of the situation completely. dont do that without new michelins btw. the height of MB with Bruno Saccos finale' - whatever he hailed it as his favorite car. thanks Chris for edifying my choice for classic ownership.
I’ve a 2000 SL320 in the exact same colour combination as this. I love it, I always think what if I’d bought this new on launch in 1989, It’d have been like I’d bought a spaceship. They’re also a lot easier to work on than you’d think, have the right (STAR) diagnostics and you’re half way there. I did a full gearbox service 2 weeks ago, I only needed three tools, they’re made with the mechanic in mind.
I recently purchased a94 C140 S500, I also drive a W222 S550 as a daily but that old C140 is 10 times the car, brilliant and timeless, just like the R129
I owned an 1995 SL500 in exactly the same color/interior configuration and with the optional ‘reisenrechner’. Fantastic cruiser and took it to the alps and Italy several times where it truly came into its element. Amazing piece of engineering the R120, as long as you keep a pot of money on the side for things that go wrong (and they will) Great video.
Spot on, Chris: the man-maths makes sense in the real world once you accept we find it impossible to spend money for pleasure on anything but beer. So bottom line is while you've invested about 4,500 pints here, we all know you could get most of them back - whereas a cheap California or Maser would be 80 pints a month straight down the plughole while it sat draining the battery in the garage. Wisdom comes with age.
Best Chris Harris video in ages! Been waiting for this one
I was 10 yo, the latest car magazine came in the mail, and it had the new SL on it’s cover. I remember thinking it was the most beautiful car ever designed. Looking back, I don’t think it’s completely held up to the test of time like the Gullwing has, but it’s still a marvel to look at.
I own a 1999 SL 500 triple black all original paint with 37,000 miles I absolutely love these cars I plan on keeping it until I’m too old to drive! lol I had a 1996 SL 320 a few years ago. This design I feel is one of the most beautiful that Mercedes has ever offered.
I hear people joke about cars from the 80s & 90s a lot, but they were and are just better than the disposable crap being made now.
Absolutely.
I just bought an 08 SL 550. About 25 years ago I saw an SL on the lot when I was shopping a BMW 5 series. Really wanted the SL but I thought I needed a 4 door. I'm 54 now, no need for a 4 door. Quite happy with it, replacing the rear accumulator this weekend then it will float down the road perfectly again.
The '07-'08 initial facelift R230's are considered the best R230's by many. Nice improvements over the earlier ones, without the controversial headlights of the '09 and later R230's.
@@MDavidG1 haha, you like the fish eye lights????
Laughed so hard I had a coughing fit at the final few seconds. Very relatable "what the f is that f'in noise" when driving an old car.
I’m a huge fan as an owner of a R129 SL600. 125K strong and going. Has cost me an arm and a leg to keep her in tip top shape but there’s nothing like them. Wicked fast and comfortable.
Was watching this video just after driving my new 500SL 1989 home. Bought from the first owner and my driveway goals have been achieved. I love the idea of looking like I just won the lottery 30 years ago. So driveway no has a 964 and 500SL and old Range Rover
loved my 1994 R129 SL500, gave me nightmares at times but will 100% own another in the near future. Would love to drive a same era E320 W124 convertible before i jumped back in a R129.
I have a 93 and I love it am the second owner car has 130k miles on it and runs like a well tuned clock no regrets a true hand built masterpiece