Mercedes R129 SL500

eoneill

Hi all.
I've a 2000 SL500 R129 which is a UK import. It's a fantastic car but as you tend to get with ex UK cars, it does have a fair bit of corrosion on the underside. Most isn't too bad and treatable but I've decided to try to replace the rear subframe complete. I'm dreading what Mercedes will quote for parts. I was hoping that someone on here would know of alternative sources for parts, even non MB, reconditioned etc. It may well be worth my while to ship from Europe depending on savings.
To be honest, I'm not very mechanically minded so I'll be getting the work done but any suggestions on part numbers and sources would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks a lot folks.
Eoin.

Bigus

Why not strip it soda blast it repair it and powder coat ?

bbsrs

Where are you located?

eoneill

I'm in the Dublin 13 area.

Stripping and refurbishing isn't really an option. State of the subframe and cost. Probably better to bite the bullet and replace it.

There might be German sites that have refurbished or oem parrts but my lack of foreign language skills are a hindrance there, even with Google translate. I have a decent mechanic who doesn't stick the boot in when it comes to bills and does good work but it's trying to source the parts.

Eoin.

Red Kev

Prices are here: http://www.carus-parts.de/R129/Roadster/SL-500-ab-06-98-129.068/Fahrgestell-Aufbau/Unterbau/Heckboden-I doesn't mean that they are the cheapest either but I've used them before for other parts.

A complete rear subframe isn't cheap, you're not that far off the price of a second hand R129 in this country (check donedeal.ie to see what I mean). If so, it may be worth your while buying a complete car second hand, stripping the parts you need and flogging the rest bit by bit on ebay.

Doubt you'll find a crashed R129 for parts in this country but you could always try NI (Traynors) or the UK. A lot of those cars were cherished and might not be driven in winter. They tend to also have front end damage, not rear end, and someboby like yourself looking for a rear sub frame is rare so you might get it cheap.

You should also try the main Motors forum, or Pistonheads for more advice.

Testacalda

eoneill wrote: »

Stripping and refurbishing isn't really an option. State of the subframe and cost. Probably better to bite the bullet and replace it.

Are you sure, with a bit of time, skill and effort invested most things like that can be repaired, depends on the cost of new part, but I wouldn't rule it out unless it completely falling apart

Or is there a reason you want to replace rather than repair?

eoneill

Hi Testacalda.
I think you'd need to have extended access to a ramp to do that sort of restoration and repair. I work shifts and at the moment the SL is my sole mode of transport so overall it would be more convienient for me to try to source the parts and get the job done in one go. Perhaps even get the underside treated and sealed with tetraschultz or stonechip to try to add some protection into the future. It's not that I'm rolling in dosh or anything like that, I've just always wanted one of those and picked one up reasonably cheap knowing that I'd have to put some cash into it to get it back the way it should be.

w124man

Bigus wrote: »

Why not strip it soda blast it repair it and powder coat ?

Soda blasting will not remove rust and powder coating is only decorative and if it splits will make matters worse.

Shot blast it and paint it with a galvo type paint/Lowe rust primer and some decent metal paint.

OP .......... Have you tried the MB owners forums like www.mercedesclub.org.uk . There are plenty of owners there who will tell you what you are in for and even a few breakers to supply second hand parts

Capri

https://www.google.co.nz/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADRA_enIE451IE451&q=mercedes+r129+Autoteile+

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r129-sl-class/


http://www.autoteile-online.biz/auto/mercedes-benz/39/sl_r129.shtml

Dublin 13 and shift worker - airport ? Get the parts to a Cargo terminal in Germany and get them shipped to AerLingus /Circusair in Dublin ?

MercMad

I own an R129 myself, purchased recently through boards. Where exactly is the subframe rusted ? It's a substantial part and can generally be cleaned up and refurbed. Getting a new or used one is gonna cost more in freight than for the parts. Traynors or partsfinder.co.uk. May even be the same as a W124 part, I would suss that out too first.

hi5

MercMad wrote: »

I own an R129 myself, purchased recently through boards. Where exactly is the subframe rusted ? It's a substantial part and can generally be cleaned up and refurbed. Getting a new or used one is gonna cost more in freight than for the parts. Traynors or partsfinder.co.uk. May even be the same as a W124 part, I would suss that out too first.

Was it this, could you put up a few pics of it?:)
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=83820486&postcount=2065

MercMad

hi5 wrote: »

Was it this, could you put up a few pics of it?:)
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=83820486&postcount=2065

............yes it was.....you dont miss much

I will put up some in the next week or two. I am going through it bit by bit to get it running and working properly again, many electrical problems and control units to work through, but it cleaned up nicely !!

hi5

MercMad wrote: »

............yes it was.....you dont miss much

I will put up some in the next week or two. I am going through it bit by bit to get it running and working properly again, many electrical problems and control units to work through, but it cleaned up nicely !!

LOL Yeah, when I saw it going up here at that price my heart said yes but my head said no, the best of luck with it.

Some time around 1990 when I was a wee lad living in Altringham, near Manchester, myself and a few friends took a spin one Sunday out to the country. Near Wilmslow we came across a new car showroom full of Ferraris and Porsches and other top luxury cars. they had the first r129 I'd ever seen in there, I remember it well it was 300-24 with a full AMG kit, monoblocs and all, in a metallic gunmetal colour, I was gobsmacked at this thing, in my eyes the Ferraris and Porsches didn't hold a candle to it.

MercMad

Yeah I recall my first sighting too, and it was a silver one with the darker grey lower cladding and bumpers. I had every magazine that showed spyshots over the previous few years prior to launch. In fact it was the one car that started me off on the hunt for spyshots.

I've always loved the R129's and since I got rid of my Pagoda, which was never going to be replaced by a 107 though I do like them, a 129 was on my menu. There are so many electrics/electronics in them but to be honest most is fixable and I am very familiar with them. I have plenty of hours in this one and have only a few items left to sort then its bite the bullet time and tax it !

I was gonna spend bigger money on a "ready to go" one and use it daily but.....

SilverBell

MercMad wrote: »

I was gonna spend bigger money on a "ready to go" one and use it daily but.....

Hiya MercMad,

I did the same! An SL280 came my way! Nice cars!
G

porsche959

These cars have such clean lines. I think it is dating much better than the SL versions that both preceded and succeeded it. Remember seeing a 600SL in Ballsbridge circa 1999 - the ultimate!