One of the more staggering details about vehicles that end up as projects or barn finds is how much they originally cost. The seller of this R129-series Mercedes-Benz 500SL has the original window sticker and other details confirming the MSRP when this car was new, which is why it’s amazing to see it in absolutely decrepit condition now. However, it’s not uncommon for a vehicle with low retail value once it reaches a certain age to be subject to less and less upkeep over time, and show up here on eBay with a few bids to less than $500 and no reserve.
It’s a shame, too, because these cars have the potential to be great if they are cared for. The R129 is one of the more beautiful vehicles made in the last 50 years, and seems to be aging like fine wine. The design is simple but handsome, and has commanding road presence – when you don’t see one that’s clearly been riding the downward slope of depreciation and disenfranchised owners. The 500SL also come with a wonderful engine known as the M119 V8, a mill with a direct connection to Mercedes’ storied motorsports legacy. That’s probably why it still runs and drives, despite being neglected for ages.
Yes, it’s true: the M119 was the basis for the powerhouse racing engines in many of Mercedes’ iconic competition cars in the early 90s. This includes the Sauber-Mercedes C9 and C11, the CLK LM, and the CLR prototype. The last one was probably the most forgettable in terms of racing experience, but the C9 and C11 cars enjoyed great success. The M119, in other words, is built to take beating after beating in actual, high-stakes competition, which is why it’s of little surprise that the engine in this car still runs. In the 500SL, it produces 322 b.h.p. and 332 lb.-ft. of torque.
The interior is always one of the most tell-tale signs of how a car was looked after. You can have a vehicle that’s been left outside for some time and is now in sore need of a detailing, but the cabin reveals it was well-loved when it was still being driven regularly. When a car looks like this 500SL inside, you can tell the owners clearly stopped caring eons ago. What a bummer – the carpets are filthy, the leather is ripped up and split, and it just generally looks grimy. This is the biggest red flag to me that serious maintenance issues were ignored, but it’s going cheap enough at the moment that it could still be worth the risk.
Passenger seat has been racoon tested, racoon approved.
A little elbow grease goes a long way when trying to sell anything!
When you can get a really nice one for $10-16K why would you buy this POS and have to sink a bunch of cash into it?
The real question is why have these $100K cars gone so low? Is it high maintenance costs? Can those with experience weigh in and edify those of us who are baffled by the pricing?
Don’t really have an answer to your question… only my own story. In 2015 I bought a 2001 Mercedes SLK in immaculate condition. Original sticker (included with car) was $54k+… I paid $6750… still own it… and its still in very good condition. I can only guess that its the perceived maintenance costs that scare people away… I do all my own wrenching, so this doesn’t matter to me. However, that said, if something very serious goes wrong with the engine or electronics (surprisingly sophisticated for its vintage and now quite obsolete), I’m simply going to push it off a cliff…
I have 2 examples. (I have dual professions)
#1 I had a very cool and good customer. (Anastesiologist, single and a wide and eclectic car habit) One of his vehicles was a Mercedes big engine 500 series coupe. (Sorry, I don’t remember the year) iI do remember changing the dual expensive spark plugs per cylinder and a couple of injectors. Over the years it developed a cold start miss and check engine light. Long story short as relayed to me by my service manager buddy at the MB dealership. The engine was worn to the point where blowby had caused the very protected (read sealed) wiring harness to be filled with motor oil because the “factory” oil catch area was full. Itvwas a common issue with “high performance MB cars that may be used on the Autobahn. In other words the engines are built loose like racing engines. So at 55,000 miles the engine needed an overhaul. You can only guess what that would cost!
#2 I had a girlfriend of a very good customer that had a 3 year old MB 500 roadster. (This was about 2006) She needed a couple of stripper 1/2 ton 4 wd trucks for her business. And since she didn’t use the car that often decided to trade it in on the trucks. She had paid approximately $120,000 for the car and the best offer I could get from wholesalers in the “exotic ” car business was $38,000! An $80,000 hit/depreciation in approximately 3 years! She decided to buy 1 truck and drive the car until it wouldn’t drive anymore just to get the cost per mile down. Plus I had bought a 6 .month old MB wagon for the wife and it was hands-down the worst reliable car I have ever owned. And that includes some $100 beaters that I have had.
used Mercedes (maybe not this one) are incredible bargains IMO. BaT has immaculate 20 year old well maintained 500 HP supercars for around 25 to 30k all day long. And yeah of course the upkeep is steep.
I would suspect that the repair costs get prohibitive, especially the older the car gets. Maybe the timing belt needs replaced, and the water pump too, (right?) and the shop calls and tells you it will be $4200. Or maybe a tune-up costs $2500. An oil change costs $800.
This is why poor people don’t drive Mercedes-Benz.
Parts availability for these older, high end Benzes can be spotty at best.
Many of my younger coworkers buy 2-3 year old BMWs. They buy them for a reasonable price and then trade them in even before their loan is paid off. They don’t want to get stuck with any expensive maintenance or repairs.
I think it’s strange but it works for them.
Expensive to maintain vehicles, Mercedes, Porsche, Rover, etc. Are great lease vehicles. The lease has to include maintenance. And the term should not exceed the warranty time. So if your business/company can afford the lease payment. (Because it’s deductible) Then go for it! If the lease cost is prohibitive then your champagne taste has exceeded your beer budget! (Sorry, just the way the Mercedes Bends!)
Even the early to mid 2000 Benz maintenance costs are insane. That’s why this thing is bringing less than scrap price. Only a little over 300hp? I have a 98 caddy that will blow it away in the hp department and way cheaper to maintain.
The engines might hang in there, but everything else disintegrates.
Biodegradable wiring harness replacement is a big expense for these. The M119 has a timing chain rather than a belt, but the chains stretch and plastic timing guides break. Helping a friend sort through some problems with a ’94 500SL right now.
These are some of the best looking Benz two seaters ever. Bruno Sacco’s vision came together just right. Combined with the rest of the car, an R129 in good shape is *chef’s kiss*
Not this one though, this is trash.
When I had a Mercedes SL, My German mechanic would call me up to give me an estimate; YOU VILL BRING ME YOUR WHOLE PAYCHECK THIS WEEK! YOU VILL NOT EVEN TAKE OUT ZA TAXES!
I believe that 1990 was the last year for an available manual transmission. That would make this actually worth something.
The top rebuild is gonna be brutal