Something a bit different.

[jj]

As some know I love old Mercs, and picked this up a few weeks ago. We wanted something for the London-Glasgow trips and that would be comfy and cool for wafting about London.

I was all for an old S (140 shape) but they are a tad large, so went for an R129 SL.

Was specifically after one of the last from 2000 with revised facelift and mirrors/dash, and has all the bits required - wood wheel, freezing AC and glass roof. Last owner had it from 2002 and its in lovely nick. Got it back tonight from a major overhaul (new front shocks, discs, pads, fluids, plugs, few other bits) and its running sweet.

Every journey feels like a Newton Mearns mum en-route to a coffee morning / game of tennis

Really is screwed together like nothing else, far better than the newer ones.

[robin]

Nice. I like these - wouldn't want to be buying the petrol, but nice

[OlberJ]

Is it a 500?

[woody]

Nice. I like these - wouldn't want to be buying the petrol, but nice

[jj]

Missed it out first post- wanted a facelift 99 onwards SL320 as they came with the newer V6, which is a nice engine- did 18mpg over 120 London only miles over last week and will do 30plus on a run. Fine really, given it's the major cost, as it won't depreciate.

Off to Cannes in it Friday should be ideal for that sort of driving.

[Mike Scib]

I preferred your 335i

[jj]

I preferred your 335i

Chalk and cheese but this is more special I think. It's probably a "not as good" car in loads of ways , technology, 0-60, mpg... Cooler though!

Oh and I saw our old 335i up on AT (might still be there) and it has done the guy £4k since he bought it off me, you could buy an early SL for that, and he only had it 10 months.

[robin]

Agreed, much cooler than more or less any BMW - ideal car for the med

Cheers,
Robin

[gorrie]

Very cool JJ ... like it a lot.
I put a deposit down on a Merc myself yesterday (pick it up at the weekend)... but won't hi-jack your thread about that (needless to say it's not as cool as an old SL... and probably won't be as well screwed together).
Enjoy

Andy.

[Shug]

That's lovely mate

[philthy]

This car is a minter, far better put together than the newer SL models.
Its just had its first 4 figure bill for a service but it drives like a new car now.

Lucky barsteward is currently driving around the French Riviera with the top down while Im in rainy London looking after his shop

[Dominic]

I once paxed in a 500 many years ago, thought it was really quick; subsequently had a drive in a 320 a few years later and expected it to feel much slower, however I was really impressed with the 320. Very cool car IMHO

[Doc883]

My brother-in-law just picked up a Merc SL a few weeks ago from London, a 2003 SL55 AMG in black. Had a quick blast along the Netherley Rd nr Aberdeen and by feck it's fast, thing just doesn't stop accelerating His daily runner is a RR Sport TDV8 which is currently sitting at Aberdeen Land Rover undergoing open heart surgery for a fault that after 3 weeks still alludes them. Current bill on that is £4500 and rising !! Fortunately both cars have warranty. Just goes to show no money working for the offshore industry

[rossybee]

Nice

My old man had a 500SL when this model came out in 1989, in black with titanium cladding, remember getting a shot and was blown away by its pull, nuts for a then 18yr old

Still hankering after one, plus the rear seats are more useable than you first think

[jj]

Well, back late last night from trip down to Cannes. Whole trip was fantastico and the car performed perfectly- 2300 miles, not a single issue.

Cruised all day roof down on toll roads at 80, quiet, comfy, and spot on for patrolling the cote d'azur for the week. Visited St tropez, Antibes, Monaco, nice, Cannes and a trip onto Italy to San Remo with a friend of my other half so the back seats were put to use!

Really can't fault it, especially for the £ outlay and what it gives you back. Still turns a lot of heads too. Knocked out a solid 32mpg trip avg too. Will get some photos off the camera later.