Congrats Jakob! I think it's a timeless design and now that you've fixed it up it will hold a really good resale value. But it seems like the kind of car you would want to keep forever!
I remember being a kid in the 90s and watching TV shows…. Young rich kids drove convertible M3s, while successful attorneys and CEOs drove convertible SL 500s, that was the image I always had of these cars. An aspirational car for grown up men who rule the world… hope they never stop making them!
Welcome to the R129 Club Jakub! Be prepared to reseal the other cylinders. Once you replace one the pressure gets greater on the others causing them to go bad. Send them to Top Hydraulics in Oregon to be rebuilt. Once you get it sorted out these are great cars that will go forever! Congrats!
Great car. I drunk bought a 2001 SL500 with the AMG kit for $7k with 90k. Same story as this. Looked great but constant minor issues: CEL -transmission ecu under the passenger seat, SRS - occupancy sensor, terrible headlights (optional xenon’s are must haves), only 1 broken flip key (Mercedes doesn’t have replacements, ripped soft top $3500 etc. I put about 5k into it and then flipped it for 2k profit. Bought a 911 instead.
Nobody changes their labor rates. To repair these old cars is the reason..i own 1 just hit 236k miles still running hard as hell 1 item repair at a time! 🤙
Congratulations!!! I love the '90s Benz and you got a great example. Thank you for letting us know approximately how much it would cost to maintain/operate if we were to buy one.
2:38 Amazing that convertible top down and audio quality remained perfect! This seems like the perfect cruiser! Even after the repairs, I think you did well as you have a rare gem that should be a blast to drive for a long time.
Those lockable storage cubbies make me rationalize a convertible way more than ever! Smart tech. That gearbox sounds fun too. Best of luck finding that pump part
Congrats on the purchase!!! Aren't these cars just GRAND?? I have a slightly newer one, an '05 in black with a buckskin interior and the retractable roof. When I found mine, she was sitting unloved in a used car lot. I'd been looking for one for about 2 years, so I did the research and kind of knew most of the things to look for. To date, my repairs are= new conductor plate in the trans, 2 new batteries [she takes two], all new tires, and last week a new crankshaft sensor. THAT'S IT. Had her about 3 and a half years/20k miles now and she is a CHAMP. 303 hp at the ground, 375 torque at the ground, 7-speed autostick, phone, navi, 6-disc changer, and on and on. Super fun to drive, makes me feel rich every time I take her out. I do admit I like the older looks a bit better, but I'm keeping mine forever!!! Oh, check out where yours was built, makes a BIG difference! Mine was built in Stuttgard, which sealed the deal on purchase. Happy Motoring!!!
Drove one a few times back in the day. Pulls like a freight train and rode like a vault on solid rubber tires rolling on a billiard smooth roads. Truly a sweet sport luxury ride!
Had he sprung for an m120 equipped car, he would be dealing with the ADS and bushings. Almost immediately. The 500's are by no means light, but they aren't a boat anchor like the 600's.
Hell no. The V12 has double throttle bodies, two ECUs, double of everything. It’s obscenely expensive to repair for not much more performance. Stay away from V12
In 1996 I was in High School and my Father bought a brand new SL500 in this exact spec and color and back then it was a big deal to see an SL or a Porsche Turbo or even a Ferrari F355 on the road. It was nothing like today where you see so many Mercedes and Porsche and the still occasional Ferrari’s on the road especially in California. I’ll never forget when I finally got my driver’s license in 1996 and Tupac All Eyes On Me had just dropped and I used to ONLY play Picture me rollin on replay. I sometimes would get so cocky I would pull up at a red light next to some cute chicks and I would immediately start the beginning of the song when Pac says, “Picture me rollin in my five hundred Benz.”
I owned one of these it was in the shop every other month with electrical issues. The convertible top would never go up when you wanted it to then when I took it to the dealer the top would work, I went through two years of this and couldn’t wait to get rid of it. I hope you have better luck with yours than I had with mine.
Although you spent a lot to fix the deferred maintenance, someone had to do it. That’s why a lot of old cars die; people can’t seem to justify spending money to fix what’s wrong and would rather put that money towards a new vehicle. Renewing the cycle of constantly being in debt. There’s a whole rant I could go on but I won’t. That’s a sweet benz, Jakub!
I love these, yours looks like the silver arrow edition. It’s beautiful! I recently saw an R129 Brabus 7.3 and lemme tell you it was beast. Great choice Jacob 👍🏼
Congrats to your new purchase. I always loved the R129, for me the last good looking SL. I have driven some of these during my vacation job as a student at the factory in Bremen, Germany. Enjoy it and greetings from Bremen.
@thetrustysidekick3013 standalone tuned ecu as well to maximise the engines power. Engines running with more power means more fluids go through which cleans it obviously
Congratulations 🎊 such a big step up over your Fiesta. I own a 99’ SL500 and it only has 17,000 miles. I absolutely adore it. Out of 13 cars it’s my favorite and most reliable car I ever had. Nothing has ever went wrong with it and had it for 9 years now. I’ll never get rid of it. It’s very comfortable but so poised when driving it:)very balanced ride. Not too soft and not to rough. It’s the perfect balance.
Thanks for that in depth review guys. I have that exact car only difference is that I have the Pano hardtop. 55k miles and absolutely no issues except I had to replace most of the hydraulic cylinders for the top. Also have the original radio. Awesome vehicle and I am thinking of selling it!
Congrats on the R129 Jakub! You have a pretty solid lineup. If he was to add a 6th car to the lineup, what does everyone think it should be? I think he needs an old Lexus with a V8 as both a homage to his car history, and as a hedge against the possibility that one day all his other cars don’t start or simultaneously need work.
I love this new style even awew yeahhh lol been a long time viewer and I love the idea of you two tackling some retro reviews! Amazing review and editing as always! Thanks again ❤
ABS pump… it needs to be exercised, the fact that it works now is good news. Jack up the rear end so both wheels off the ground. Get in the car and put it in gear, the ABS will activate and go nuts, forcing that pump to operate. Only do it for a few seconds, so nothing over heats, turn it off, and do the process a few times. That , (and clean fluid) should loosen it up.
Love these, but I feel the pain on the lack of parts. I had a 2000 ML55 and it needed a new steering rack, was impossible to find and no place would repair. So unfortunately parts supply for these old Mercs is becoming more of an issue.
Fortunately, there are folks out there that will rebuilt lots of complex parts such has the roof controller, drive by wire throttle body, and various circuit boards.
Endless money pits.. Friend had one, was breaking every day. The convertible top stopped working., burning oil 😂😂😂,.. Etc.. Etc.. Scotty Kilmer does make sense on some cars
I owned a convertible (S2000, awesome car) and first time I drove it on a hot day and when I got home I was so sunburnt. My entire face was like a tomato, lol. Learned my lesson to always bring sunscreen.
Chiming in from Aussie - excellent choice and your will enjoy Sunday cruising for sure. I am stuck in the 80's (love it) and own 3 x Euro's 87 500SEC, 88 560SEC & 89 560SEL all AMG spec'd. But also have a soft spot for the R129. In fact i own a M119-960 KE-Jet engine & trans and a M119-980 with 5sp trans. The Radwood car scene is huge now globally especially for younger guys who missed the iconic 80's/90's as an adult and wanting to step back in time. Driving cars from this era is a culture that is very addictive!!! - enjoy
As a former M-B mechanic working on those cars, I can assure you that I wouldn't purchase that model unless I knew the owner was keeping up with the maintenance. 1 - The springs will sag relatively quickly, among other things. 2 - The hydraulic distributor valve for the convertible top on the top side of the front windshield was known to fail and make the top work very slowly. 3 - The engine mounts are relatively weak. You will feel it on the steering wheel. 4 - Transmission leak (you already went through that). 5 - A/C evaporator unit... & you have to remove the dash and center console to replace it... 6 - U/V rays will destroy the great-looking wood trim. 7 - Stick to the OEM wheels, or, if you go with aftermarket, use the same size and offset, but go with lighter wheels. The front wheel bearing may go to $hit rather quickly. 8 - Monitor brake disc wear. Lest you want to end up with calipers that leak. 9 - The Becker radio... Oh, it is already gone 🤣🤣 That V8 engine has an amazing mechanical/intake sound and tends to be fairly reliable. Enjoy the ride... with the sounds.
1 - not worried 2 - already replaced 3 - already replaced 4 - already replaced 5 - rest of the a/c system was replaced but possibly not this, not sure 6 - it lives in the garage 7 - these wheels are OEM from another Mercedes in the same size and offset (bearings just replaced) 8 - already replaced 9 - already replaced She's good to go!
@@TheStraightPipes Excellent! She is a cruiser and, for the most part, fairly reliable. She is in good hands. 👍👍 The 500E, 500SL, and 600SEL Coupe (V12 engine, of course) were always my favorites.
The thong abput old Mercs is there can be a lot o broken parts and they still drove great. Good luck with the new car, it looks nice, hope it'll serve you well
With the two MB’s you bought, better get a warranty or sponsorship for someone who will pay to keep these things running. Please keep being honest about your experience and reliability so your viewers know what they are getting into. This is a lesson to everyone. Get your car fully inspected by a trusted mechanic so you know what you’re getting into. Jakub has the ability to eat these costs and won’t get charged as much as you or I do because he will get discounts that we won’t get. Love the fun you all had with the convertible experience! Best of luck and I love that you all are successful enough that you can get fun cars you always wanted to own!
@@TheStraightPipes were those cars reliable? I remember that generation having suspension issues and the suspension is like $20K. Hope it stays reliable for you!!
The MB R 129 is today classic and already a collectors item. The prices for good preserved models rise, so the expense for the repairs are in reality a solid investment into the car and not just a expense.
@@TheStraightPipes The current summer was miserably and rated as a rainy summer, but the weather expections announce now 25° - 33°C for a longer period, so my 1970 S280, 3.5 cabriolet will be now be moved. The car is slightly older than myself....
Love the ‘97 MB’s. I had a ‘97 C36 and it also had many of the same features, such as the IR locks at the door handles and center rear view mirror with green/red indicator lights and arguably the coolest overly-complicated retractable center console cup holders. The body lines of this era are timeless. Funny, my climate control was exactly the same unit with the same fading lcd numbers 😂 But I drove mine for 18 years to 189,000 miles and it was relatively problem free. A testament to how MBs used to be made.
I had a c43. I always wondered how the 3.6 moved. We had somewhat of rare cars even now you barely see any,been a while since I saw one that’s for sure.
Yep! 💯 correct, I have 99 C43 AMG that I still drive today, 170k miles. Still hauls ass!! I surprise a lot of ppl. Total sleeper, unless an enthusiast knows what it is.. Most ppl just thinks its an old C-class beater. 😅 💪🏽
Congrats! i had the 500 SL Red and clam shell top. love the R129 but it had terrible running issues. spent a pile on intake parts with no success. almost ruined me. Good Luck!!!
To be fair most old cars especially this old are going to have issues and need a decent amount of maintenance. Maybe not engine wise but something will be messed up
I'm thinking about pulling the trigger on a 02. 80K miles how is the annual maintenance? It would be a weekend cruiser. I heard the ideal years are 96-98.. Any suggestions or information? Thanks in advance.
I immediately knew Jakub had bought the SL by just seeing the thumbnail! haha damn these old German cars are truly a ticking bomb. I'm always skeptical of buying these, and especially for low prices, as I'm sure the previous owner knows what's up and just wants to pass the bill to someone else. Besides, you can never take legal actions because you'll never be able to prove that he hid any problems. The seller can always tell that it wasn't him but the owner before him that actually hid the problems.
Awesome choice!! I had a 2000 R129 SL500, AMG package, silver with the panorama roof! And I purchased it for $11,000USD with 60K miles on it. The pano roof alone was prob worth $2k-$3K! Had a blast driving it, it was the last of the analog Mercedes and they certainly don't build them like that anymore. It was a tank!! But supremely comfortable and a perfect cruiser! The only hassle I had was the stupid hardtop. I didn't really have room in my garage to store it properly and taking it off and on was a huge hassle (the pano roof is heavier than the standard hardtop). Sadly, I ended up selling it a couple years ago, but I'm betting that that car will still be going strong for many years! Enjoy the ride!! (PS - be careful of the sunvisors, they're very expensive to replace!!)
I remember riding in one of these in a hot Florida summer in 2000 and the AC blew colder with the top down than any car I had been in. I was blown away!
If you're looking for parts, you might have some luck with the SL Shop in the UK. I take my R230 there and they seem to be the best at tracing hard-to-find parts for all classic SL generations and they ship everywhere.
I bought a 2001 SL500 in 2009. Originally sold new in California, it was imported to Calgary by the guy I bought it from. I have fixed a few minor things, like valve cover gaskets and strut mounts, and replaced the soft top myself. I also found a set of the AMG staggered 18" wheels and had them chromed. I know chrome wheels are less popular now, but they look fantastic on this black on black SL. I also lowered it slightly with H&R springs and Billstein shocks. The paint, body, and interior are in almost perfect new condition, and absolutely everything on this car works. It's got 100,000 miles on it and it looks amazing. A while ago, I was at the local MB dealer getting a part for one of my other SLs and I came out to find a gathering of salespersons, mechanics, and other MB enthusiasts drooling over my classic. Of the cars I have, this R129 has the best attraction/cost ratio :-)
I also got an electric cable hoist and designed a jig to hold/lift the hard top, mounted to the ceiling in my garage. I can remove or place the hardtop in a few minutes by myself, and when it isn't on the car, it is tucked up close to the ceiling out of the way
Great car even better the hat from Punta Cana, if you ever come back, please let us know so you can make reviews from cars that doesn’t get to the USA or Canadian market🤪 Greetings from the Dominican Republic🇩🇴
I had that exact car and I loved every second of it. Suprisingly reliable in my 6 years of ownership, mine was a 99 Amg sport pack silver silver it was the Mack daddy of r129s
I am not trying to throw shade on the review videos, that is what built this channel. However, if I have a vote (and I am sure I dont) I would love to see more of the side story videos. Buying, fixing, long term ownership. Maybe a second channel....(InstallingTheStrarightPipes)?
Bit by the R129 bug myself years ago. Currently enjoy daily driving our three SLs..... I-6 300SL, V-8 500SL and V-12 600SL. Smiles for miles. Each has it's advantages/disadvantages. Being over 25 years old allows us to use classic car insurance which makes them reasonable to use IMO.
The year was probably 1993 or 1994. I was about 18 and my friend and I would go walk car lots on Saturday night when the lots were closed and look at dream cars. We stopped the Mercedes lot. It was probably 11pm. We walked around looking at cars and a security guard came over and asked what we were doing. We explained that we were just looking at cars that we couldn't afford. He told us to come look at this one in the showroom, unlocked the door and walked us over to an SL600. I think the sticker price was $136K. I will never forget that evening.
How did Jakub do for this old Mercedes purchase?
Needed the big mobile phone and rolled up bank note 😋
Good and bad
I like it, but there's nothing more expensive than a cheap German car.
---from experience
Now you Biggie Smalls and Puff Daddy playa's. Always loved the style of those cars then and now.
Congrats Jakob! I think it's a timeless design and now that you've fixed it up it will hold a really good resale value. But it seems like the kind of car you would want to keep forever!
I remember being a kid in the 90s and watching TV shows…. Young rich kids drove convertible M3s, while successful attorneys and CEOs drove convertible SL 500s, that was the image I always had of these cars. An aspirational car for grown up men who rule the world… hope they never stop making them!
Deleting the check engine light bulp is a SCUMBACK move from the pre owner
Who buys a car like this before getting it inspected though?
@@1337Meowwstay in school
RUclipsrs
@@WhaddupImJohn sckool for nerds
Would it normally light up with the ignition turned on but the car not started?
If so it's a simple thing to look out for.
Welcome to the R129 Club Jakub! Be prepared to reseal the other cylinders. Once you replace one the pressure gets greater on the others causing them to go bad. Send them to Top Hydraulics in Oregon to be rebuilt. Once you get it sorted out these are great cars that will go forever! Congrats!
You didn't buy this as a "daily driver" -- this is a driver's passion purchase. Well done! 🙂
Yes. If someone scoffs at this car, and they drive a 97 Camry, then they aren't really a car person.
“I bought a $200,000 Mercedes…for $20,000…$30,000…we will let you know the final total when we get there”
America moment
you'll still spend 200k after everything, Mercedes price tag is timeless.
@@recordedanemone6399?
Minus the surprise change found in the glove box
I love those cars so much
Great car. I drunk bought a 2001 SL500 with the AMG kit for $7k with 90k. Same story as this. Looked great but constant minor issues: CEL -transmission ecu under the passenger seat, SRS - occupancy sensor, terrible headlights (optional xenon’s are must haves), only 1 broken flip key (Mercedes doesn’t have replacements, ripped soft top $3500 etc. I put about 5k into it and then flipped it for 2k profit. Bought a 911 instead.
Smart man. Get out while you can
Not if you love it.
And a 911 will be cheaper to run? 🤔
Nobody changes their labor rates. To repair these old cars is the reason..i own 1 just hit 236k miles still running hard as hell 1 item repair at a time! 🤙
I remember when this car came out. Originally it was the SL300 6 cylinder and the big boy SL500 v8. The V12 came a little later. Timeless classic 👌
I love these old SLs. I also love seeing these videos that show ownership costs to keep me from buying one.
Don’t be put off, I’ve had my 500 for a year now. Hasn’t cost me a penny in repairs or problems. Buy right and enjoy.
Congratulations!!! I love the '90s Benz and you got a great example. Thank you for letting us know approximately how much it would cost to maintain/operate if we were to buy one.
I just think of drug dealers wearing gold, slacks and a vest with no shirt.
@@ellwoodwolfa vest with no shirt? I can’t imagine what that looks like.
2:38 Amazing that convertible top down and audio quality remained perfect! This seems like the perfect cruiser! Even after the repairs, I think you did well as you have a rare gem that should be a blast to drive for a long time.
That’s without the wind deflector in the trunk
Those lockable storage cubbies make me rationalize a convertible way more than ever! Smart tech. That gearbox sounds fun too. Best of luck finding that pump part
Congrats on the purchase!!! Aren't these cars just GRAND?? I have a slightly newer one, an '05 in black with a buckskin interior and the retractable roof. When I found mine, she was sitting unloved in a used car lot. I'd been looking for one for about 2 years, so I did the research and kind of knew most of the things to look for. To date, my repairs are= new conductor plate in the trans, 2 new batteries [she takes two], all new tires, and last week a new crankshaft sensor. THAT'S IT. Had her about 3 and a half years/20k miles now and she is a CHAMP. 303 hp at the ground, 375 torque at the ground, 7-speed autostick, phone, navi, 6-disc changer, and on and on. Super fun to drive, makes me feel rich every time I take her out. I do admit I like the older looks a bit better, but I'm keeping mine forever!!! Oh, check out where yours was built, makes a BIG difference! Mine was built in Stuttgard, which sealed the deal on purchase. Happy Motoring!!!
Gotta love honest* private sellers. Good folk with integrity who care about their vehicle to maintain it properly in the first place.
Drove one a few times back in the day.
Pulls like a freight train and rode like a vault on solid rubber tires rolling on a billiard smooth roads. Truly a sweet sport luxury ride!
That’s a R129 for you! It’s the gift that keeps on giving! I have a 1997 SL600 and these cars are amazing, but I HATE when it has to go to the shop.
Yuri wearing his grandfather's birding outfit. 😂
I am the birding
Almost spit coffee on my kb, thanks for this 😂
There has to be a way to convert this old phone into a workable phone! Enjoyed this video so much! Congrats on the purchase!
This was my favorite SL ever. You should have sprung for the big boy SL600 though LOL. How funny is that garage contraption to put the roof on lol
Had he sprung for an m120 equipped car, he would be dealing with the ADS and bushings. Almost immediately. The 500's are by no means light, but they aren't a boat anchor like the 600's.
My thoughts exacly! V12 48 VALVE 6.0L, and it sounds sweet 😋
No need to. I'd buy it in any gas version and drive it like an old Cadillac. It's a cruising car to me.
Hell no. The V12 has double throttle bodies, two ECUs, double of everything. It’s obscenely expensive to repair for not much more performance. Stay away from V12
I stayed far away from the 600 on purpose
In 1996 I was in High School and my Father bought a brand new SL500 in this exact spec and color and back then it was a big deal to see an SL or a Porsche Turbo or even a Ferrari F355 on the road. It was nothing like today where you see so many Mercedes and Porsche and the still occasional Ferrari’s on the road especially in California. I’ll never forget when I finally got my driver’s license in 1996 and Tupac All Eyes On Me had just dropped and I used to ONLY play Picture me rollin on replay. I sometimes would get so cocky I would pull up at a red light next to some cute chicks and I would immediately start the beginning of the song when Pac says, “Picture me rollin in my five hundred Benz.”
Hopefully I'm that father now, except with old shit boxes in decent condition
These weren't known for their off the line torque, but their mid-range pull was insane! I've got a CLK 430 and I love it!!
My old 94 e320 was a tank, not quick off the line but the 4 speed had 2nd go up to ~60mph and the pulls from there up were surprisingly quick.
@@dingusmcslow1908 exactly 💯
I've never seen you guys more excited than when you found out the visors passed. Pure joy 😂
It was magical
Timeless design. Congratulations! And now you know why they're so "cheap" on the used market. 😄
Mercedes are timeless, it's still 200k....after repairs. The price tag is timeless.
Hahahaha timeless... Lookes like shit
Truly eye opening cuz i always wanted to get one cuz of the price lol
Love your car. One thing about Mercedes they feel heavy and solid. Nothing like a M.B. Enjoy in good health.
There is a reason why they are cheaper than an old Toyota Camry
Picture me rolling in my 500 Benz 😎
On loop 24/7
Joey Badass fits good too
TUPAC did it and said it first my guy.. 💯Legendary! RIP Pac! 🙏🏼🐐💪🏽
Bruno Sacco did such an amazing job designing that r129
I owned one of these it was in the shop every other month with electrical issues. The convertible top would never go up when you wanted it to then when I took it to the dealer the top would work, I went through two years of this and couldn’t wait to get rid of it. I hope you have better luck with yours than I had with mine.
Prob the engine harness is bad
Although you spent a lot to fix the deferred maintenance, someone had to do it. That’s why a lot of old cars die; people can’t seem to justify spending money to fix what’s wrong and would rather put that money towards a new vehicle. Renewing the cycle of constantly being in debt. There’s a whole rant I could go on but I won’t. That’s a sweet benz, Jakub!
I love these, yours looks like the silver arrow edition. It’s beautiful! I recently saw an R129 Brabus 7.3 and lemme tell you it was beast. Great choice Jacob 👍🏼
Love reviews of older cars. Keep doing these please!
Congrats to your new purchase. I always loved the R129, for me the last good looking SL. I have driven some of these during my vacation job as a student at the factory in Bremen, Germany. Enjoy it and greetings from Bremen.
Just seeing how happy Jakub is with his car. You guys have driven some amazing cars but you can see the real joy in this video.
We don’t see the rage and sadness when they slide the bill across the counter or the fights with significant other about this money pit
That phone was PRE-"G". It was analog.. Also, got a STRONG letterkenny vibe when you said "to be fair...." Love the car and the content, have fun!
We need a series on this merc getting upgrades! (Twin turbo for added reliabilty)
Oh god so reliable, they should do it.
Reliability: maximum
@thetrustysidekick3013 standalone tuned ecu as well to maximise the engines power. Engines running with more power means more fluids go through which cleans it obviously
Sold mine 2 years ago. This video brings me pain 😢 I miss her. One of the greatest cars ever built
What a timeless design. I still remember seeing one for the first time in 1990.
The R129 generation of SL 500 has always been my favorite, well done, have fun!
Congratulations 🎊 such a big step up over your Fiesta. I own a 99’ SL500 and it only has 17,000 miles. I absolutely adore it. Out of 13 cars it’s my favorite and most reliable car I ever had. Nothing has ever went wrong with it and had it for 9 years now. I’ll never get rid of it. It’s very comfortable but so poised when driving it:)very balanced ride. Not too soft and not to rough. It’s the perfect balance.
17k miles on 99 - is it because it’s always broken, or if you drive it
, it will break
@@ellwoodwolf it’s never broken. It always drives when I take it out faultlessly. We have 13 cars so driving it a lot I can’t do.
Thanks for that in depth review guys. I have that exact car only difference is that I have the Pano hardtop. 55k miles and absolutely no issues except I had to replace most of the hydraulic cylinders for the top. Also have the original radio. Awesome vehicle and I am thinking of selling it!
Sell it for $500k
@@TheStraightPipes I may have to wait a few years 😂😂😂
Congrats on the R129 Jakub! You have a pretty solid lineup.
If he was to add a 6th car to the lineup, what does everyone think it should be?
I think he needs an old Lexus with a V8 as both a homage to his car history, and as a hedge against the possibility that one day all his other cars don’t start or simultaneously need work.
Waiting for an LC500 for $20k
Aren’t we all lol
@@TheStraightPipes We'll be waiting for the next 100 years
I love this new style even awew yeahhh lol been a long time viewer and I love the idea of you two tackling some retro reviews! Amazing review and editing as always! Thanks again ❤
ABS pump… it needs to be exercised, the fact that it works now is good news. Jack up the rear end so both wheels off the ground. Get in the car and put it in gear, the ABS will activate and go nuts, forcing that pump to operate. Only do it for a few seconds, so nothing over heats, turn it off, and do the process a few times. That , (and clean fluid) should loosen it up.
Hey thanks for the tip
Have a 99 R129 I look forward to driving it every chnace I can these are amazing cars
The R129 still 1of the most beautiful cars to this day
The 500sl r129 has to be my favourite Mercedes of them all, I miss mine so much
Love these, but I feel the pain on the lack of parts. I had a 2000 ML55 and it needed a new steering rack, was impossible to find and no place would repair. So unfortunately parts supply for these old Mercs is becoming more of an issue.
This breaks my heart to hear I was looking forward to purchasing a 00 sl500 as my first Mercedes but I guess I’ll have to look elsewhere 😢
Fortunately, there are folks out there that will rebuilt lots of complex parts such has the roof controller, drive by wire throttle body, and various circuit boards.
As an owner of 3x R129 Mercedes i'm happy to see this review. Look forward to move videos on it
Endless money pits.. Friend had one, was breaking every day. The convertible top stopped working., burning oil 😂😂😂,.. Etc.. Etc.. Scotty Kilmer does make sense on some cars
Kilmer is the biggest hack on youtube
"Picture me rollin' in my 500 Benz...'96 big body, sittin' on chrome" -- Favorite song to play in my C140
One of the best looking cars ever. Period. I've wanted one since I was a kid
Classic design. Best color. Congrats! Hope you and family enjoy it for many years.
I owned a convertible (S2000, awesome car) and first time I drove it on a hot day and when I got home I was so sunburnt. My entire face was like a tomato, lol. Learned my lesson to always bring sunscreen.
Haha I have an S too and up always have a hat and sunscreen in it
Chiming in from Aussie - excellent choice and your will enjoy Sunday cruising for sure. I am stuck in the 80's (love it) and own 3 x Euro's 87 500SEC, 88 560SEC & 89 560SEL all AMG spec'd. But also have a soft spot for the R129. In fact i own a M119-960 KE-Jet engine & trans and a M119-980 with 5sp trans. The Radwood car scene is huge now globally especially for younger guys who missed the iconic 80's/90's as an adult and wanting to step back in time. Driving cars from this era is a culture that is very addictive!!! - enjoy
As a former M-B mechanic working on those cars, I can assure you that I wouldn't purchase that model unless I knew the owner was keeping up with the maintenance.
1 - The springs will sag relatively quickly, among other things.
2 - The hydraulic distributor valve for the convertible top on the top side of the front windshield was known to fail and make the top work very slowly.
3 - The engine mounts are relatively weak. You will feel it on the steering wheel.
4 - Transmission leak (you already went through that).
5 - A/C evaporator unit... & you have to remove the dash and center console to replace it...
6 - U/V rays will destroy the great-looking wood trim.
7 - Stick to the OEM wheels, or, if you go with aftermarket, use the same size and offset, but go with lighter wheels. The front wheel bearing may go to $hit rather quickly.
8 - Monitor brake disc wear. Lest you want to end up with calipers that leak.
9 - The Becker radio... Oh, it is already gone 🤣🤣
That V8 engine has an amazing mechanical/intake sound and tends to be fairly reliable. Enjoy the ride... with the sounds.
1 - not worried
2 - already replaced
3 - already replaced
4 - already replaced
5 - rest of the a/c system was replaced but possibly not this, not sure
6 - it lives in the garage
7 - these wheels are OEM from another Mercedes in the same size and offset (bearings just replaced)
8 - already replaced
9 - already replaced
She's good to go!
@@TheStraightPipes Excellent! She is a cruiser and, for the most part, fairly reliable. She is in good hands. 👍👍
The 500E, 500SL, and 600SEL Coupe (V12 engine, of course) were always my favorites.
I have a 95 Sl500, should I just burn it? The wiring harness makes these cars worthless
The thong abput old Mercs is there can be a lot o broken parts and they still drove great. Good luck with the new car, it looks nice, hope it'll serve you well
That would be so sick to retrofit a Bluetooth receiver to the phone. Imagine taking a business call on that phone in 2023 😂
Dammit. Now I have to have one.
Can confirm - it sounds muffled. Did this in my C5.
With the two MB’s you bought, better get a warranty or sponsorship for someone who will pay to keep these things running. Please keep being honest about your experience and reliability so your viewers know what they are getting into.
This is a lesson to everyone. Get your car fully inspected by a trusted mechanic so you know what you’re getting into. Jakub has the ability to eat these costs and won’t get charged as much as you or I do because he will get discounts that we won’t get.
Love the fun you all had with the convertible experience! Best of luck and I love that you all are successful enough that you can get fun cars you always wanted to own!
E55 just oil changes
@@TheStraightPipes were those cars reliable? I remember that generation having suspension issues and the suspension is like $20K. Hope it stays reliable for you!!
These things have such great road presence.
The MB R 129 is today classic and already a collectors item. The prices for good preserved models rise, so the expense for the repairs are in reality a solid investment into the car and not just a expense.
Those that know 🤝
@@TheStraightPipes The current summer was miserably and rated as a rainy summer, but the weather expections announce now 25° - 33°C for a longer period, so my 1970 S280, 3.5 cabriolet will be now be moved. The car is slightly older than myself....
Ah, the good ol Post Purchase Inspection never fails 😂
I’m not a merc fan but this is one of the best cars they ever made. Just the looks is worth having this car in your garage if you can. Enjoy it man
Love the ‘97 MB’s. I had a ‘97 C36 and it also had many of the same features, such as the IR locks at the door handles and center rear view mirror with green/red indicator lights and arguably the coolest overly-complicated retractable center console cup holders. The body lines of this era are timeless. Funny, my climate control was exactly the same unit with the same fading lcd numbers 😂 But I drove mine for 18 years to 189,000 miles and it was relatively problem free. A testament to how MBs used to be made.
I had a c43. I always wondered how the 3.6 moved. We had somewhat of rare cars even now you barely see any,been a while since I saw one that’s for sure.
Yep! 💯 correct, I have 99 C43 AMG that I still drive today, 170k miles. Still hauls ass!! I surprise a lot of ppl. Total sleeper, unless an enthusiast knows what it is.. Most ppl just thinks its an old C-class beater. 😅 💪🏽
Very good video because you are very well informed about R129, glad to see, ill share this video in my blog.
issues with a old Merc? That is so rare 😂
yeah, it's just expected, there is so much aging tech in these r129's.
Congrats! i had the 500 SL Red and clam shell top. love the R129 but it had terrible running issues. spent a pile on intake parts with no success. almost ruined me. Good Luck!!!
Thank you for the reminder to stay away from old German cars 😅
Any German cars.
I also needed that!
To be fair most old cars especially this old are going to have issues and need a decent amount of maintenance. Maybe not engine wise but something will be messed up
@@gotworc someone with common sense. Thank you.
Its almost 30 yrs old. What do you expect
Congrats. Nice car. I have a 2002 sl500. I work on it my self.
I'm thinking about pulling the trigger on a 02. 80K miles how is the annual maintenance? It would be a weekend cruiser. I heard the ideal years are 96-98.. Any suggestions or information? Thanks in advance.
I immediately knew Jakub had bought the SL by just seeing the thumbnail! haha damn these old German cars are truly a ticking bomb. I'm always skeptical of buying these, and especially for low prices, as I'm sure the previous owner knows what's up and just wants to pass the bill to someone else. Besides, you can never take legal actions because you'll never be able to prove that he hid any problems. The seller can always tell that it wasn't him but the owner before him that actually hid the problems.
Awesome choice!! I had a 2000 R129 SL500, AMG package, silver with the panorama roof! And I purchased it for $11,000USD with 60K miles on it. The pano roof alone was prob worth $2k-$3K! Had a blast driving it, it was the last of the analog Mercedes and they certainly don't build them like that anymore. It was a tank!! But supremely comfortable and a perfect cruiser! The only hassle I had was the stupid hardtop. I didn't really have room in my garage to store it properly and taking it off and on was a huge hassle (the pano roof is heavier than the standard hardtop). Sadly, I ended up selling it a couple years ago, but I'm betting that that car will still be going strong for many years! Enjoy the ride!! (PS - be careful of the sunvisors, they're very expensive to replace!!)
I would've never sold my Fiesta ST unless I had to.
500 SL is definitely best choice. The R129 is together with the "Pagode" the best lookin SL by far
Absolutely timeless design!
Description shows it was uploaded 14 seconds ago but 19 hour old comment?
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Hey Congrats on your new toys! Glad you got the monoblock wheels, it's a must for 90s Mercedes!
Mercrap: the fastest depreciating junk on the market
Thank you for proving my point Straight pipes!!!
Totally agree. You should check out a Dunning Kruger, I think you’d like them, they’re right up your alley.
I remember riding in one of these in a hot Florida summer in 2000 and the AC blew colder with the top down than any car I had been in. I was blown away!
.... literally.
@@jayhiggins5239 🤣
For a convertible, had you ever considered an S2000?
If you're looking for parts, you might have some luck with the SL Shop in the UK. I take my R230 there and they seem to be the best at tracing hard-to-find parts for all classic SL generations and they ship everywhere.
The R107 looks much better but these are still nice vehicles
I bought a 2001 SL500 in 2009. Originally sold new in California, it was imported to Calgary by the guy I bought it from. I have fixed a few minor things, like valve cover gaskets and strut mounts, and replaced the soft top myself. I also found a set of the AMG staggered 18" wheels and had them chromed. I know chrome wheels are less popular now, but they look fantastic on this black on black SL. I also lowered it slightly with H&R springs and Billstein shocks. The paint, body, and interior are in almost perfect new condition, and absolutely everything on this car works. It's got 100,000 miles on it and it looks amazing. A while ago, I was at the local MB dealer getting a part for one of my other SLs and I came out to find a gathering of salespersons, mechanics, and other MB enthusiasts drooling over my classic. Of the cars I have, this R129 has the best attraction/cost ratio :-)
I also got an electric cable hoist and designed a jig to hold/lift the hard top, mounted to the ceiling in my garage. I can remove or place the hardtop in a few minutes by myself, and when it isn't on the car, it is tucked up close to the ceiling out of the way
Great car even better the hat from Punta Cana, if you ever come back, please let us know so you can make reviews from cars that doesn’t get to the USA or Canadian market🤪
Greetings from the Dominican Republic🇩🇴
Fun to watch y’all discover this ride. It’s still nice looking after all these years
I had that exact car and I loved every second of it. Suprisingly reliable in my 6 years of ownership, mine was a 99 Amg sport pack silver silver it was the Mack daddy of r129s
Amazing!!! I had a 98 car similar spec. Picture me rolling is the move
Gentlemen ! Jakub's SL500 review was very informative and entertaining !
I am not trying to throw shade on the review videos, that is what built this channel. However, if I have a vote (and I am sure I dont) I would love to see more of the side story videos. Buying, fixing, long term ownership. Maybe a second channel....(InstallingTheStrarightPipes)?
Picture me rolling in my 500 Benz, great reference 😂. Love the SL, great purchase imo
Love this episode! Keep old cars alive! (I'd go SL600 as well, Yuri).
I don’t care what anyone says, that was ‘the car’ for its time!
The G-Funk track you picked for the opening bumper was on point lol 👌🏽
That Dominican hat caught me off guard, shout out to the straight pipes from Santo Domingo D.R.
Jakub has a beautiful garage. A simple garage, but a very very clean garage. Nice garage, Jakub.
Thank you
*I have a 2001 Sl500 that I daily. All i've done is a tune up and replaced the roof cylinders which is common. So all in 3k over a span of 3 years*
I would have kept the Fiesta ST, but you're not me lol. Hope you enjoy your "new" car! I always look forward to new videos from the Straight Pipes!
That car's design language is just about perfection 💯
Bit by the R129 bug myself years ago. Currently enjoy daily driving our three SLs..... I-6 300SL, V-8 500SL and V-12 600SL. Smiles for miles. Each has it's advantages/disadvantages. Being over 25 years old allows us to use classic car insurance which makes them reasonable to use IMO.
The year was probably 1993 or 1994. I was about 18 and my friend and I would go walk car lots on Saturday night when the lots were closed and look at dream cars. We stopped the Mercedes lot. It was probably 11pm. We walked around looking at cars and a security guard came over and asked what we were doing. We explained that we were just looking at cars that we couldn't afford. He told us to come look at this one in the showroom, unlocked the door and walked us over to an SL600. I think the sticker price was $136K. I will never forget that evening.
And now I own it. Basically. Kind of. Pretty much.
Congratulations for the purchase🎉
My Favorite Design 500SL!
I have spent so much money $$$$ in the 5 years I have owned...totally worth it...what a ride the R129 it. LOVE IT...!
Old mercedes quality is still exquisite. Whenever i close the doors on one of those they are sooo satisfying