I fell in love w/ Mercedes in the early 90s. My first purchase was a190E. My second was a S500 Coupe. Now I’m fascinated by this model. Thank you for your detail.
Beautiful work. I'm doing a rolling restoration on my 1994 sl500 now. I've done everything under the hood, now it's on to the interior. These are still amazing cars and they deserve to be saved.
Great video! I have had my 94 R129 for 9 years and don't feel so bad now about my expenditures in keeping her up and improving her. They are great cars but really just a high maintenance mistress.
They were one of the most expensive roadsters money could buy at the time. Maintenance would never be cheap, but the driving experience is so rewarding!
Good video, mine has started on my ‘95 500SL, roof top hydraulics replaced, engine wiring harness re- built, currently working on ignition system, trunk lifters replaced, front suspension strut mounts replaced, all this over four years thus far. slowly but surely👍😎👌😻
Great video, thank you for sharing the details of your restoration. I’d like to know where you managed to get most replacement parts in KL. Would it be possible to get your experience on on repair costs please?
We had to source for the parts globally. Most cosmetic parts are unavailable locally. Increasingly, mechanical parts are becoming more difficult to source.
My 99 SL500 needs top hydraulics refurbished and top cover. A few brittle interior bits and other accessories under the hood. 141k miles and drives wonderfully.
Thanks for sharing your R129 experiences via these high quality video's. I'm based in East Africa. I hope to get a R129 one day. For now I'm doing a rolling resto on my SLK R170. Kindly share the MB German parts contact. Sourcing parts via agents in EA is exorbitant. Thanks and appreciate. Keep the vids coming.
I know this video's been out for a little bit- But I just picked up a 98 SL500 and am currently going through everything on it. I would LOVE to know where you sourced those floor mats from! Also how many miles are on your r129??
I own a 1995 Sl 500 with 213.000 miles I enquired the vehicle last year and I have done a lot of work to it including the replacement of the engine and lower harness I have done a lot of work to it to much to list all, I love everything about the car and wonder if I should continue to put more money into it . I need to get some opinions. Thanks
Only you can answer that question, as value is in the eye of the beholder. If you're passionate about the car, the sky's the limit my friend. To get it to mint condition, would you need to spend more than the car is worth today? Quite likely. Would you need to spend more than the car was worth when new? No. Would you feel like a million bucks driving a mint R129? Hell yeah!
Time to get rid of it bro. Just get another one that’s 2000-2001 and you will spend less and have a way better car than your 95. There’s a big difference between a 1995 and a 2000
They are still such a deal used. I have a 320 sl with 115K on it and am surprised how many are out there with under 80K in millage after 26 years here in the USA. Many were just not driven daily.
It is a common issue with the 722.5 transmission, which could be caused by a number of issues. The fifth gear is actually an electrically actuated overdrive gear, and relies on certain modules and sensors to activate. Best to see what error codes are being thrown out and start from there.
Is the mileage correct? At 72,000 miles that would be a terrible amount of maintenance. My pet-peeve with these cars is aligning the sunglasses compartment cover with the dash line, and the dashboard damage that occurs along that same line.
Yes, the mileage is correct. By terrible, do you mean that the car has not had enough maintenance? And yes, the dashboards do get warped and fragile over time, which makes it near impossible to achieve perfect alignment along the line.
@@Jmjdit Ah, we were wondering what more needed to be done. Mileage aside, the car is nearly 30 years old. The passing of time with tropical weather has not been kind.
Beautiful Vid guys, thank you so much for sharing! I am planning on buying an R129 after I sold my R107, how much did these 60 items cost you in USD? Also, I think that older R129's from 1989-1994 are a bit easier to fix is that correct?
The restoration of this R129 came up to around USD 20-25k. Covered engine, transmission, suspension, HVAC system, convertible top, exterior, and interior.
Where are you located? Your cars appear to have some US spec features ie the boot centre brake light, but they are RHD and have the EU rear seat option which I don't think was available for US Market. I'm confused...
We are located in Malaysia. The trunk mounted brake light was not purely a US feature, as it was available for countries where the third brake light is mandatory. This car was imported from UK.
Crazy, I literally just bought a used one ....1999 Model. Where I know most mechanical work on it you can take it to a shop, but as for all the cosmetics....mirrors, steering wheel, radio, new leather, etc....did you have to go to a shop or did you buy these parts? I'm sure it might take me a few years to get the car like how you have it as well.
Have you made an estimated total cost? I am planning to buy one of these cars and I would like to know how much it will cost to maintain it. Congrats for the amazing job you have done!
I found a 128,000 mi on car SL500 V8 looks very clean but the owner says that and I quote the top pumps may need adjustment. If anyone reads this can someone tell me what are the top pumps that he's referring to exactly? And is $4,500 a good price
I just got new mats from a place in USA Autohaus AZ. They are thin like the ones in it that were falling apart. I assume the carpet is so thick they made the mats thin? But again said they were OEM and were just like what I replaced except I got the tan because I have the tan interior.
With all the money and time spent you might as well have bought a 2001 low mileage Sl500 with the AMG package and have a superior R129 for the same money, instead of that lethargic head gasket leaking no torque gutless 6 cylinder SL.
That's a different car. The R230 is much cheaper to acquire. There's no winning the argument "for the same amount of money you can...". There are so many options for different people.
@@HLClassics I bought a sl500 for a fun project and over time I will put money into it .almost like a car payment but with a choice of paying for the parts when I can, not every month
I fell in love w/ Mercedes in the early 90s. My first purchase was a190E. My second was a S500 Coupe. Now I’m fascinated by this model. Thank you for your detail.
Beautiful work. I'm doing a rolling restoration on my 1994 sl500 now. I've done everything under the hood, now it's on to the interior. These are still amazing cars and they deserve to be saved.
Enjoy the process!
From being an R129 owner myself, great eye for detail. Keep up the great content
Thank you for your support!
Great video! I have had my 94 R129 for 9 years and don't feel so bad now about my expenditures in keeping her up and improving her. They are great cars but really just a high maintenance mistress.
They were one of the most expensive roadsters money could buy at the time. Maintenance would never be cheap, but the driving experience is so rewarding!
Looks like it came from the dealer. Whoever maintain this car properly will be awarded a gold medal!
I love your video. I have the same model 300SL-24. This video is a guideline for me.
Good video, mine has started on my ‘95 500SL, roof top hydraulics replaced, engine wiring harness re- built, currently working on ignition system, trunk lifters replaced, front suspension strut mounts replaced, all this over four years thus far. slowly but surely👍😎👌😻
Sounds awesome. Enjoy the restoration journey! These cars get better as they age.
Awesome...wish can produce a similar video for my CLK A209 restoration also..just took photos along the way..
That would be cool!
Great video, thank you for sharing the details of your restoration. I’d like to know where you managed to get most replacement parts in KL. Would it be possible to get your experience on on repair costs please?
We had to source for the parts globally. Most cosmetic parts are unavailable locally. Increasingly, mechanical parts are becoming more difficult to source.
My 99 SL500 needs top hydraulics refurbished and top cover. A few brittle interior bits and other accessories under the hood. 141k miles and drives wonderfully.
All very solvable issues. Enjoy your ride!
Thanks for sharing your R129 experiences via these high quality video's. I'm based in East Africa. I hope to get a R129 one day. For now I'm doing a rolling resto on my SLK R170. Kindly share the MB German parts contact. Sourcing parts via agents in EA is exorbitant. Thanks and appreciate. Keep the vids coming.
We source from many suppliers from the US and EU. Ebay is a fairly good start, actually.
I know this video's been out for a little bit- But I just picked up a 98 SL500 and am currently going through everything on it.
I would LOVE to know where you sourced those floor mats from!
Also how many miles are on your r129??
These videos are great 👏
Glad you like them!
I own a 1995 Sl 500 with 213.000 miles I enquired the vehicle last year and I have done a lot of work to it including the replacement of the engine and lower harness I have done a lot of work to it to much to list all, I love everything about the car and wonder if I should continue to put more money into it . I need to get some opinions. Thanks
Only you can answer that question, as value is in the eye of the beholder. If you're passionate about the car, the sky's the limit my friend.
To get it to mint condition, would you need to spend more than the car is worth today? Quite likely.
Would you need to spend more than the car was worth when new? No.
Would you feel like a million bucks driving a mint R129? Hell yeah!
Time to get rid of it bro.
Just get another one that’s 2000-2001 and you will spend less and have a way better car than your 95.
There’s a big difference between a 1995 and a 2000
They are still such a deal used. I have a 320 sl with 115K on it and am surprised how many are out there with under 80K in millage after 26 years here in the USA. Many were just not driven daily.
Excellent video, really helpful. I have a 1992 SL 300-24. Currently the 5 gear doesn’t engage . Any useful info? Tq
It is a common issue with the 722.5 transmission, which could be caused by a number of issues. The fifth gear is actually an electrically actuated overdrive gear, and relies on certain modules and sensors to activate. Best to see what error codes are being thrown out and start from there.
sometimes it is just a worn switch or perhaps clip in the transmission selector
Nice video!
Do you have the name or link for the floor matts?
Is the mileage correct?
At 72,000 miles that would be a terrible amount of maintenance.
My pet-peeve with these cars is aligning the sunglasses compartment cover with the dash line, and the dashboard damage that occurs along that same line.
Yes, the mileage is correct. By terrible, do you mean that the car has not had enough maintenance?
And yes, the dashboards do get warped and fragile over time, which makes it near impossible to achieve perfect alignment along the line.
@@HLClassics by terrible, I mean it seems like a lot of repairs necessary for the mileage
@@Jmjdit Ah, we were wondering what more needed to be done. Mileage aside, the car is nearly 30 years old. The passing of time with tropical weather has not been kind.
Great information! Could you advise your tire size and is the suspension is the standard? Cause your car look perfect fits.
Yes, the tire size is 225/55 R16 with stock standard springs and ride height
Beautiful Vid guys, thank you so much for sharing!
I am planning on buying an R129 after I sold my R107, how much did these 60 items cost you in USD?
Also, I think that older R129's from 1989-1994 are a bit easier to fix is that correct?
The restoration of this R129 came up to around USD 20-25k. Covered engine, transmission, suspension, HVAC system, convertible top, exterior, and interior.
Those "easier to fix" would generally be the 4-speed 3.2L M104 six-cylinder engines. Simpler gearbox and reliable engine.
Just get a 560SL or low mileage 2000-2001 SL500 should be like 15-20k
Don’t get anything older than that
@@AD-uq4pz good advice, older cars always tend to be more problematic, thank you sir
The 560SL is the R107 which is pretty old
Where are you located? Your cars appear to have some US spec features ie the boot centre brake light, but they are RHD and have the EU rear seat option which I don't think was available for US Market. I'm confused...
We are located in Malaysia. The trunk mounted brake light was not purely a US feature, as it was available for countries where the third brake light is mandatory. This car was imported from UK.
where did you get the ribbed floor mats ?
Germany
Crazy, I literally just bought a used one ....1999 Model.
Where I know most mechanical work on it you can take it to a shop, but as for all the cosmetics....mirrors, steering wheel, radio, new leather, etc....did you have to go to a shop or did you buy these parts? I'm sure it might take me a few years to get the car like how you have it as well.
We had to source those parts from all around the world. Took awhile but it was worth it!
Have you made an estimated total cost? I am planning to buy one of these cars and I would like to know how much it will cost to maintain it. Congrats for the amazing job you have done!
Can you let me know where you got the floor mats please?
From an oem manufacturer in Germany
Hi. Can you tell me where you got the new key fob. They are hard to find. Thanks.
We ordered the new original key fob directly from Mercedes-Benz in Germany.
I found a 128,000 mi on car SL500 V8 looks very clean but the owner says that and I quote the top pumps may need adjustment. If anyone reads this can someone tell me what are the top pumps that he's referring to exactly? And is $4,500 a good price
if you are in the states you should buy mine instead
Hi yes i like to know...i have a 1992 model can you reach out to me? I love the way you guys got the interior 5star nice video..
Where are you located?
Hello
Is there any R129 for sale tq
Not right now
The carpet did you replace ? It is New made by original ?
We replaced the floor mats, made by OEM manufacturer in Germany. The carpets have not been replaced.
Are you drive this everyday? By the way you doing a very good job on the r129
Do you have a link to the OEM floor mats? Great video, thanks!
I just got new mats from a place in USA Autohaus AZ. They are thin like the ones in it that were falling apart. I assume the carpet is so thick they made the mats thin? But again said they were OEM and were just like what I replaced except I got the tan because I have the tan interior.
Was this a wreck before ?
Not a wreck, but quite tired.
Nice video man !
Ohh boy that’s cost you a million !! I have 2 r129 and i can’t spend all this money this is not a Gullwing
Thanks! Restoring the Gullwing would probably cost us 10 times more than what we've put into this R129, ahaha
I always leave my brakes or steering broke in my car.
That... works too we suppose...?
Y does the car sound like it's starving for fuel and the rpm are just jumping all over
Basically everything lol
Almost everything :)
With all the money and time spent you might as well have bought a 2001 low mileage Sl500 with the AMG package and have a superior R129 for the same money, instead of that lethargic head gasket leaking no torque gutless 6 cylinder SL.
That's a different car. The R230 is much cheaper to acquire. There's no winning the argument "for the same amount of money you can...". There are so many options for different people.
@@HLClassics I bought a sl500 for a fun project and over time I will put money into it .almost like a car payment but with a choice of paying for the parts when I can, not every month