The Essential Checklist Before Buying an R129
Added on: November 2, 2022
Author: ak
The list of parts you need to check before you buy your SL.
I hope that this article helps you decide which car to buy and, if you want to restore an R129, how much it will cost. You will see why on the market you can find so many R129s and why there is such a price discrepancy.
First Look
Accident-free
Meter status
Engine: in this case it is better for a mechanic to check engine heating, water and oil temperature, oil pressure
Leaks
Gear box
Rust (wheel arches, sills under plugs)
Air condition
Cruise control
Condition of wooden elements
Door panels (scratches)
Varnish thickness (original paint 70–140, second paint around 200)
Brake discs
Tires (tread thickness, degree of wear on the inside and external side)
Soft top (actuators, roll bar, computer, pump, soft top condition)
Seat control
Coolant level
Central lock
Check the comparison of spare parts in the pre-facelift and face-lifted Mercedes R129.
How original R129s should look:
LINK: (https://octoclassic.com/mercedes-r129-comparison)
Where to Buy Parts?
Count before you buy your new Mercedes R129.
Exterior spare parts for classic Mercedes-Benz R129
- Tow hook cover
Pre-lift (A1298800005): https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-tow-hook-cover-1298800005-mercedes
Pre-lift AMG (HWA1298800105): https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-amg-tow-hook-cover-bumper-cover-early-model-hwa1298800105
Facelift: aftermarket
Facelift AMG (HWA1298850126, HWA1298850226): https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-amg-tow-hook-cover-left-right-hwa1298850126-hwa-1298850226
- Jacking point cover
Pre-lift: aftermarket
Facelift (A1296982730, A1296982630R, A1296982530L): https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-jacking-point-cover-lift-set-4-pieces-a1296982730-a1296982630r-a1296982530l
Facelift AMG (LF 1296980730, LB 1296980530):
- Headlight wiper arm cap
1st generation: A12982400497007: https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-sl-headlight-wiper-arm-cap-mercedes-a12982400497007
2nd generation: coming soon
- Front body wing panel vent
Pre-lift (A1296980274, A1296980174): https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-pre-lift-body-wing-panel-vent-front-mercedes-right-1296980274-or-left-1296980174-offside
Facelift (A1296900474, A1296900474):
- Wiper arm pivot cap
1st and 2nd generation Mercedes-Benz R129 (A1248240349): https://octoclassic.com/product/w124-r129-wiper-arm-pivot-cap-w201-w202-w208-w210-1248240349
- Hardtop back cover top molding trim
1st and 2nd generation of MB R129 (A1297581181): https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-hardtop-back-cover-top-molding-trim-left-or-right-mercedes-sl-1297581181
- Model designation, emblems
No longer available spare part Mercedes R129
- Antenna gasket
Mercedes-Benz dealer cost around 30 GBB still available
- Soft top
No longer available spare part for Mercedes R129. (Update: have seen a company start to produce it in the US. Try eBay US)
- Rims
Check what rims fit your R129 model. LINK:
You can also make a wheel rim regeneration, though be careful selecting the appropriate grey shade.
Use only trusted garages.
Interior spare parts for classic Mercedes Benz R129
- Seat covers
You can leave your car at a trusted upholsterer it can take around 1-month.
Or, buy a ready set:
https://octoclassic.com/product/mercedes-sl-r129-facelift-eco-leather-seat-covers-set
Professional removal of old covers and fitting of new ones should take up to an hour.
- Door lock plastic cover
1st and 2nd generation (A1247230224): https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-door-lock-plastic-cover-right-or-left-offside-mercedes-1247230224
- Seat Release Trim Cover Left or right
(1299190920, 1299190920): https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-seat-release-trim-cover-left-or-right-1299190920-1299190920-mercedes-sl
- Door glove compartment lid hinge
Pre-lift (A1297270355 & A1297273488 or A1297270455): https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-pre-lift-door-glove-compartment-lid-hinge-left-or-right-mercedes-12972703551297273488
Facelift ( A1297200848, A1297200748): https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-facelift-door-glove-compartment-lid-hinge-mercedes-1297200848-1297200748
- Door panel trim plug
Facelift (A2107271088): https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-srs-door-panel-trim-plug-cover-cap-2107271088
- Door speaker cover
Pre-facelift: No longer available (NLA)
- Seat switch cover
Pre-facelift: aftermarket
Facelift: (A1297273988, A1297209370): https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-seat-switch-cover-1297273988-1297209370
(A1298202710, A1298202810): https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-seat-switch-cover-without-memory-a1298202710-a1298202810
- Door mirror triangle
1st and 2nd generation (A1297250711, A1297250811): https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-door-mirror-triangle-1297250711-1297250811
- Sun visor trim covers
(A1298110661, A1298110561): http://octoclassic.com/product/r129-a124-sun-visor-trim-covers-set-w124-cabriolet-convertible-drop-top-a1298110661-1298110561
- Vanity mirror/make-up mirror
(A1298102317): https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-a124-make-up-vanity-mirror-v3-sl-w124-cabriolet-convertible-drop-top-1298102317
- Vanity mirror pad
https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-vanity-mirror-pad-mercedes-a124-sun-visor-insert
- Rear view mirror
Check out these five versions and their differences:
https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-a124-rear-view-mirror-cover-frameshell-1298110635
https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-a124-rear-view-mirror-lights-red-and-green-set-version-e
https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-a124-rear-view-mirror-red-and-green-version-d
- Interior overhead console dome light
(A1298200501): https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-interior-overhead-console-dome-light-cabriolet-convertible-drop-top-1298200501
or SOS version: https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-interior-overhead-console-dome-light-sos-mercedes-a1298200501
- Rear view mirror upper dome light cover
(A1298110071): https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-a124-rear-view-mirror-upper-dome-light-attachment-cover-1298110071-mercedes
- Rain sensor cover
(A1298220135): https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-interior-rain-sensor-cover-1298220135
- Roof lock cover caps
https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-roof-lock-cover-caps-pair
- Soft top handle
(A1297780055): https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-soft-top-handle-mercedes-1297780055
- AC center grille air vent push tab
(A1298300354): https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-ac-center-grille-air-vent-push-tab-a1298300354
- Gear selector surround frame
(A1292670088): https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-w124-gear-selector-surround-frame-a1292670088-w463-w461-w202
- Armrest lid latch button
(A1296830155): https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-armrest-lid-latch-button-a1296830155
- Armrest side button
(A1296830055): https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-armrest-side-button-mercedes-sl-1296830055
- Armrest mechanism cover
(A1296802836): https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-armrest-mechanism-cover-1296802836
- Central console roller blind handle
Check these three versions:
(A1296804736): https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-center-console-roller-blind-handle-1296804736
(Wooden or plastic): https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-center-console-roller-blind-handle-for-sl-600
> You can’t see them, but do check! Maybe you need themit!
- Gears
(1298600388): https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-headrest-height-adjuster-gear-repair-kit-set-1298600388
https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-w140-odometer-gear-vdo-cluster-15-teeth
- Roof hydraulic cylinders seal set
https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-roof-hydraulic-cylinders-seal-set-a1298001672
- Hood insulation pad
(1296802025): you can find them on eBay for around 50 GBP
> Did you check what you have in your trunk?
- Fuse box cover
Pre-facelift (A1296940095): https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-fuse-cover-1296940095
Facelift (A1296940195): https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-lift-fuse-cover-1296940195
- Boot lock latch cover
(A1296981330): https://octoclassic.com/product/r129-boot-lock-latch-cover-mercedes-1296981330
> What else is good to have when you buy your dream classic R129 Mercedes SL?
Set of keys
Service history and service book
On-board computer
CD changer
Original radio
Accessories: hardtop, windshot, hardtop stand, Mercedes tools
If your car has everything from the above list, you are lucky and the value of your car is higher than 90% of cars on the market.
If the car you checked is complete, don’t think too much and make your dream come true. You’ll save a lot of time that you can spend on summer rides.
You can easily use this list to negotiate the price of the car.
Good luck and see you on the road!
