Having their moment in the sun, the 1989 to 2001 Mercedes-Benz R129 takes off in the market. 

I generally agreed with a lot that Philip Richter had to say about the R129. It's an incredibly beautiful and well-designed, well-built SL that appears, finally, to be getting the attention that it deserves from collectors and enthusiasts. As other commenters have said, however, I have to vehemently disagree with what Philip said @18:44 in reference to the M113 V8 motor introduced in 1998 for model year 1999 in the facelifted cars versus the M119 motor in earlier cars. As a so called Mercedes "expert", to make a throw away/blanket statement like "that motor is no good. So you know, you don't want to own the later V8s," is just ridiculous. As a magazine/content provider with the goal of trying to educate its readers and viewers on the classic car market, Sports Car Market Magazine has done a pretty grave disservice here. Philip doesn't provide any context or empirical/objective data to support that claim and John Nikas just nods along and says "OK". Really? Do some research. The M113 is almost universally considered to be a very robust and long-lived engine with the added benefit of providing significantly better fuel economy to these V8 cars that, in general, tend to get dump truck like fuel economy in the first place. I know because I own an R129 SL500 and semi-daily drive it in the summer. To allow someone billed as an "expert" to misinform, malign and turn people off from 4 years of production run of the R129 SL 500 without any factual basis is pretty irresponsible. You guys should issue a correction. Also, another factual inaccuracy in Philip's statement regards the timing/context of the decision to change to the M113 motor as the power plant for V8 models. Though it was called a "merger," Daimler's take over of Chrysler wasn't even executed until November 12, 1998. Everyone knows that it takes years of design and production work to introduce a new motor. The fact that the M113 was introduced in the R129 in 1998 for model year 1999 tells us that this work/decision took place well before the take over of Chrysler which occurred at the end of calendar year 1998. Stop the nonsense guys.

I own a SL500 1995 83k miles, I gotta say this guys speaks the truth! This car is bulletproof inside and out. I’ve owned new Mercedes and they simply don’t make cars like this anymore, New Mercedes is plastic garbage

I bought a 1994 R129 SL500 a few days ago, one more point in regards to maintenance is thev ADS system that is over engineered and complex on some of these cars with this option and all of the V12s.

I just bought a 1990 500SL from the first owner who was a Forbes 500 CEO back in the 90's. There is 50k miles on the clock and has full service history. It will be a graduation present for my son. We have just celebrated his first birthday :-)

I Bought mine (1997 SL 500 La costa edition) in 2002 drove it for about 18 years put well over 70K on it (current mileage about 140k) , she's replaced now by an S63 , but I still have it and won't let go of it I'm about to put some new shocks and brakes on it, engine still running strong ,

I Have a black 1997 SL320 with 27, 000 miles in perfect condition including the interior. All original including the radio, wheels, glass etc. Never been in an accident. It is truly a great car!

Purchased a 93 500SL a few weeks ago and love it

Biodegradable wiring harness was only on 1993-95 cars.Bought my LHD 92 500SL in 2008 with 40000 Kilometers from Japan. Now @ 61000 KM's it's been a great car & no issues. Drive a Manual 5 Speed 6 cylinder before purchase.The dog leg" Hewland Pattern" Gearbox is notchy & not for everyone.The 5 Litre M119 is 322 HP & the sweet spot for R129's. Best most desirable R129 is 1996-97 SL500 Sport package with Panorama roof. V12's standard active body control ( was also an option to avoid on V8's too) is problematic with age & expensive to fix. Keep in mind if a V12 ever has an oil leak you will find the car is built around the engine & it will probably have to come out which is BIG bucks.

Great video... I have an R129 and a W140 and they're both terrific. That whole era of Mercedes is legendary really. I have the M119 in the W140 and I have the M104 straight six in the R129 (both cars are 1995). The six is a great engine in the SL... when I first bought the car I was concerned that maybe I'd miss the power of the V8, but the six really does well and has a nice exhaust note too. It also helps that they used the five speed automatic box on the six, while the V8 got the four speed until 1996. It's great that the market is finally waking up to these cars; it's long past time they get the appreciation they deserve. You guys should talk about the W140 at some point also, it's another car that's on the uptick.

I just picked up an R129 SL500 for 500 British Pounds, undergoing a mild restoration now!

Great conversation. I always loved the R129 since I was a child and was able to pick up a '97 SL600 with 60k miles about 8 months ago just before this jump in value. The heavy depreciation always seemed silly to me and it turns out I was right. I was fortunate to find an example that just had the soft top and suspension hydraulics rebuilt as well! It is such an incredible car to own and even better one to drive and enjoy. I was planning on keeping this one forever but if prices keep climbing, who knows!

Having owned many 80's - 90's Mercedes, I feel compelled to comment on a couple of points made in an otherwise well-done market analysis. 1. The M104 inline six engine, as offered in the R129 from 1993-97, is an outstanding, over-built, reliable engine, which at 230HP provides plenty of pep in this car in everyday traffic and on the highways. The "sweet spot" on 6 cylinder R129 ownership is likely the 1997 model year, due to the biodegradeable wiring harness issue being resolved after 1996, the 5 speed adaptive automatic transmission being offered (vs. 4 speed auto of previous years), and the presence of OBD-II easy plug-in scan tool diagnostics. I have driven the 5 speed manual 300 inline six, and was not that impressed - it did not make the car feel any sportier - plus the 5 speed as offered has a dogleg first gear (down & to the left, then up & to the right for 2nd), which makes for awkward shifting in traffic. There's a reason why M-B dropped the manual in their flagship car early on. 2. The M113 three-valve V8 is actually a very robust design, definitely in the same league as the previous M119, if not better. With the later M113 design, Mercedes made a durable engine even more durable, especially with regards to the timing chains & guides. The early AMG V8s (C43, E55, etc.) were all just modified M113 engines, and have a great reputation for durability and reliability, without any major known issues, over hundreds of thousands of miles of hard use. Just ask someone who owns one (I have two). Anyway, great to see the R129 starting to get the respect it deserves in the marketplace.

I've owned a few. I presently own a Silver 1997, Pano Roof, SL500 Sport with 35K Miles. The R129 is a great car. Finding a good example for cheap is getting harder but there are still opportunities out there if you look. There is still a good supply in the San Francisco Bay Area, Southern California and Florida... Great Bang for the Buck. Just know that it's not a super nimble "sports car" it's a very refined, comfortable, fun to drive, Grand Touring car.

I have a 97 sl500 sport in silver with the pano roof amg monochrome’s an HID headlights... love it

great cars , I own a 300sl24 since new and its been stress free.

The most beautiful R129‘s are the ones from the earlier 90s up to 1993….Truest to Bruno Sacco’s design intention. Absolutely correct: these ultra low mileage cars aren’t the ones to actually look for…..this often is worse than a middle mileage driven car.

I have owned my 96 320sl for 14 years . I will never sell it . Awesome car.

You’re thinking of the M275 v12 that has 24 spark plugs. The M120 only has 12

I just bought my Black on Black 1995 R129 with 132,000 miles

I have the 96 sl600 from a texas oil man and a 97 sl600 from a beverly hills plastic surgeon one black one silver and both are amazing!! The m119 in my 97 black sl 500 is a great daily driver!!

In March 2021, I purchased my first M.B. A 2000 SL500 with 62k miles for $9,900. Purchased from a pastors wife, her "other" Mercedes. Third owner. Garage Queen all it's life. A few usual suspect issues like the sun visor plastic doodad, and the plastic louvered dash vents, and minor tearing thru the soft top rear window by the stitching. I am a retired auto tech so maintenance is not a problem. Love the car, drives like a dream. And to think, I almost dropped $67k on a new Mustang.

This was a very good video, well-paced and informative. But, IMO it had four questionable points, some of which have been covered, by other posters The bio-degradable harness was not an issue after 1996, denigrating the M113 engine (which from most accounts is as durable and a lot less expensive to maintain), the throwaway line on the red colors being no good (I have one and they usually demand a premium) and the $7K+ cost to rebuild the soft top (true if done at a dealer, but it can be done for far less at an independent hydraulics shop). I recently bought a 1999 SL500 with $35K miles in excellent condition (200 point inspection at a MB dealer). It was a dream car for me, I had done some research on its reliability, so it's a bonus to now find out that it might also be a good investment. Especially since my wife was fearful I was acquiring a "money pit" - hope she's not right!

I drive a 92 500sl daily it’s a great little car and in beautiful shape I maintain it meticulously

man, in 2008 before buying my 1995 SL500 Mille Miglia, I read as much as i could and came across this 500 for sale in the US. The guy had traversed the US for years and clocked over half a million miles. He had the camshafts measured on a micrometre and there was no visible wear. Ive owned mine for 13 years, put on 60,000 miles in the UK and France and it runs like new. It currently has 115,000 miles. Sure Ive had it serviced on the dot and always used MB parts. The soft top / hard top has never failed and ive used it in Winter in the UK in dreadful weather and i always feel safe, warm cosy what ever is going on outside. I love my R129 and will never part with it. A note on the M113, I had a C43 AMG estate for 12 years with that engine and it too was 100% reliable and I am a lead foot i dont care about gas milage and drive hard when ever i can. MB never had a single recall on the M119 or M113, they are both bullet proof, engines and gearboxes. I now have a C63s estate as well as the SL500 and the W205 is nowhere near as robust as theW202 or the R129. It marks more easily and scuffs too. I'm extremely careful with my cars but i have to treat the W205 with kid gloves. The engine is mind blowing , has 510 hp and is monstrously fast so i done mind the extra care but as you say, the R129 pre 1996 was bult to last for ever.

I have had two S 500’s both with the M113 motor, over 200,000 miles without one engine problem. This engine was truly the Best Mercedes engine for reliability and economy.

I have a ‘94 with 102k miles on it, SL280 straight 6, autobox. It was previously owned by an enthusiast and has been well looked after generally. The front wings rot badly, mine has had oem replacements fitted and a bare metal respray. Definitely agree that the wiring harness can be an issue and the soft top hydraulics are antsy as well. There are some excellent specialists out there though. Plastic Trim goes brittle with age, and hard to find parts, some have 3D printed replacements.

I had a 95 500 that I absolutely loved. No problems whatsoever and I did great selling it right on my lot. Right now I have a 92 300sl. I’ve put about 7000 into it but it’s back in it’s full glory. Praying I can find the right customer even considering trying bring a trailer. I would do anything for a 600!

Hugely disagree about the M119 vs M113 argument. The M113 is a robust engine that is more efficient than the prior M119. Both are great engines, but to say the M113 is "no good" is an egregious statement. Otherwise, I agree that the R129 is finally coming into its stride and is here to stay as a collectible. The R109 market has seen insane froth.

I agree with the Silver Arrow seats. I don’t think they do the car justice.

He said “3rd Beverly Hills wife on her way to get Botox injections”...🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Just bought my 2000 SL500 AMG Sport and I cannot wait to take it on a road trip.

The wiring harness issues are only in 1995 and earlier cars. Also, the post-1995 R129's have the much better 5 speed electronic (not 4 speed hydraulic) transmissions. Buying only a 1996 or newer R129 is a no-brainer.

Got my 98' with the m119. Ported and polished the throttle body, port matched to intake. Very very reliable. Purchased at 160,000 miles, bought for $2,600 in 2017. I don't plan on ever selling it. Too rare, very simple repair, looks great in black, red, and silver. Looks great on HR springs or even coilovers

Good video, intelligent and very insightful into the R129 and what it’s like to drive and own one. I’ve just bought a 1996 SL500 R129 (July 2021 here in the U.K.) that was kept in storage in Japan for 24 years after initial use…total mileage from new is 4,100 miles😎 I also have an R107 (300SL) but my plan is to drive the 129 across Europe next summer and stick 10,000 miles on it and then sell it for probably what I paid for it or maybe a bit more if the values keep rising. My 107 has gained £10k in 3 years albeit it’s a garage queen with low miles so the 129 will give me the little extra things I would like for long trips such as electric hood, air conditioning and of course power! I can’t get excited about new cars (my partner has a C63, fast but it’s like owning white goods these days and feels disposable at a fairly short point in its life)

You guys should talk about the W140 C140 at some point also, it's another car that's on the uptick.

I have 96 sl320 great car

I got a 1999 SL320 V6 auto 2 owners with 107k and a full history and it has given me no trouble in 5 years! Has the panoramic roof and heated seats and the fully automatic roof still pulls a crowd! The auto is better suited to car as it is a tourer - it is not a sports and that's why manuals are rare - nobody wanted them because it didn't suit the car!

Great video 👍

15:00 Good luck finding a new wiring harness anywhere for a couple thousand. MB doesn't even produce them anymore for the SL600.

Just to clear things up; the M113 is categorically not " a bad motor". In every category it more or less matches the M119 and in fuel consumption is more frugal than the M119. The M113, like the V6 M112 is a great engine matched to a great transmission. The V8 M119 is however a purists' engine and a masterpiece. If you want the genuine expression of R129 and Sacco's clean, unadorned design then the model years 90-92 are the ones to go for. None of them had wiring harness issues and all of them were built to old-school Mercedes standards particularly in terms of the quality of cabin fitments and materials. From then on the design was tinkered with and build standards, though still high, dropped away as happened on the W124 and virtually every Mercedes model from 95 onwards.

The in-line six with manual 5 gear is a rare and great combination. You can cruise the car but you can also really push the car to its limits at 6,ooo r/pm. What a wonderful car and one of the last real Mercedes!

A most extraordinary piece of engineering, das beste, oder nichts. Lo mejor o nada. The best or nothing... Bellissima.

I just bought a 92k mile one for $2700

I am selling my 1997 Sl500 original owner , 26k miles, panoramic hard top.....great car...need garage space

Don't forget the R129 SL600 suspension maintenance.

I own a 2000 SL 500 and the engine is great. It seems there is always a debate amongst enthusiasts of this car between the previous V8 engines. I have a friend who own the previous gen and the difference is negligible. Both are great cars and great engines.

Don’t replace the hydraulic cylinders have them rebuilt for 50 bucks a piece. They are better than new then.

Later v8 are great engines. More fuel efficient and more torque which made if feel sportier. No sure where he got his information which is clearly wrong.

I own a '97 320, and yes, i'd never part with it. One note: the vid is riddled with technical inaccuracies, but anyway, the subject is elsewhere. Yes, the R129 can only go up in value. It's worth 1/3rd of a bitcoin today. Go for it.

bought a silver 2000 SL 500 Sport for $3000 it has 205K on the meter but rides and drives like a Dream, im very happy just the same.

I just bought one ‘91 300SL with 55k

Nice discussion, my next daily driver will be R129.

Beautiful

'90 300SL I picked up cheap with > 100k miles...not and investment but still a great car to drive and enjoy. the in-line 6 M104 does have head gasket fail at some point but, mine did, just resolve and keep driving....past 165k now

Wiring harness issues stopped after 95 when they got rid of the biodegradable harness. 96 through 98 are the ones to get.

I have Dave Thomas (founder of Wendy's) 1991 500SL. 20K miles. I think its the cleanest R129 in the US

phillip knows a lot but doesn't have all his facts straight. The m113 is a very good motor. it was designed for tightening emissions standards. It is a fine and thoroughly modern engine. Far lighter, cleaner, efficient, smoother and longer lived than the m119...

SL stands for Superliecht, not Sportliecht

Best car

I love my 1990 300sl…. Second owner 😊. Great car but maintenance is important to maintain just like any car.

Totally disagree about the M113 engine comment at the end! It’s one of the best V8s ever and more efficient then M119 and lighter. The M113 had so much reserve and derivatives like M113K demo the potential of that design!

1990 500 sl

M113 is a good engine.

Just bought 98 SL500 from my dad. He was the second owner, bought it with 20,000 miles in 2002. It now has 127,000 miles. I'm getting ready to have it detailed. One problem is the driver seat has a hole in the booster that needs to be fix. Anybody knows how much that might cost?

V12 or nothing. I have 2, to me it's all about the 12cyl.

Sl r129 ❤👍👍🧢🧢

Looking for one right now anybody want to put some comments and send me to some sites I'm ready

Can you believe I was hit on each side is very car 500 SL 1990 Mercedes had the car 20 years never any major problems fainted in the heat last summer went through intersection on a red light after fainting from the Heat I believe this car is the best car ever built I will buy another one as soon as I can the problem is and what I should have not done is Let It Go I should have kept car received almost 7,000 from Insurance have problems getting parts because I would not put a part on that car that wasn't a Mercedes-Benz Park some of those parts how hard to find

M113 is no good 😂. All those M113/M113k engines. Got a C43/E55/SL55K/SL500 R129 all powered with the M113. What are AMG/ Mercedes thinking 😂. Overall thou good review on the R129.

Do all of those r129's have that annoying biodegradable electronics?