Bid for your chance to own this Panoramic Hardtop for a Mercedes-Benz R129 SL (1990-2002) only on The MB Market. Finished in Firemist Red Metallic (548) over Beige (265) interior, this rare option for the R129 SL shows original paint, working sunshades, a stand, and cover.
JohnSW said:
Will they fit a 1999 SL500 (I'm sure they would require different lugs) and How much is shipping to a shop 98225?
I'm heading out for some "Pickleball" and might not be back in time for the finale, so All the best to you and thank you for your interest in the top.
I ran a "quick" check on Uship and got back 5 carriers running from $1700 to $2300. That would be shipping by truck freight. There are many other options, of course, but that gives you a context to work from.
I will of course facilitate whatever you decide to do, yet, for me, whenever faced with many options, take the one I think will be the best "story" to tell afterwards.
@gtgoffI did research shipping a roof before listing the top. It can be done. Moving vans can haul them with household goods. They can go with auto or motorcycle shippers and they can go as freight on a pallet. I the buyer wants it shipped, I will do whatever is asked on this end, like deliver it to the shipper, wrap it with shrink wrap or crate it. The buyer will need to arrange and pay the shipper and purchase insurance on the roof (and reimburse me for material cost, I won't charge anything for my time.) To your specific request for "meeting up", Roseburg Oregon is almost exactly half way between us and can be done one day there and one day return. Again I would not charge anything for my time, but would want my travel costs and expenses (food and lodging) taken care of and a bottle of Red and a bottle of White wine.......... I don't know if you have plans for your current top, but we might negotiate that as part of the deal ( I don't need it, but discussing options is "free"). To say you car is a "cream puff" seems a gross understatement but i don't think another thousand miles on it would change anything. I have a "yearning" to keep mine under 50K, but it's not going to happen and I think it could "pass" for a car with less than 20K if someone had to guess without seeing the odometer. It's my intention to be as helpful as possible for the buyer to get the roof.
@FatherO2I have owned many R129's. All had roofs yet never a Panoramic Roof. Frankly, I found the tops to be very inconvenient and I stored each one of them until the car was sold. My current R129 came with this top and when I picked up the car, my mindset completely changed about the Roof. The experience is like having two completely different cars and being in the car with this roof on is a "spiritual" experience. I have a 2013 SL550 which has a "Panoramic Roof" built into the hardtop and it's neat but it's not the same. I understand owners with the standard R129 top want the PR because it's rare, hard to get and sets their car apart from all the other R129's but until you have been in the car with the roof on, you really can't appreciate what a sublime, unique experience it is. If you read the "forums" it's a universally shared experience. I say all that to acknowledge that you obviously know much more about the engineering and technical aspects of the roof than I do. I had no idea what your two questions were about. I researched a little and can pass on that "the channel" is on all roofs, but apparently the rubber "seal" on this one was taken off, before I got it. I think a bead of Silicone weather striping would seal it beautifully (And I can do that for the buyer before shipping, if so requested) The items referred to in question 2, I had never heard of, but I see they are for sale, in all interior colors, online. Thank you for the inquiry, I know much more now.
Yes, for me, the Joy of owning these cars is multifaceted (The beauty of the design, the incredible engineering, the fun of driving with the top down, well, you know what I mean) but maybe the most enjoyable part of owning them is the "stories" . A "meet up" would be a great story and I can't think of a more beautiful drive.
Crimson and Firemist are very close in color and are colors that change in different light and settings. Both are deep, dark reds. They are often taken for each other, though different. I think with the windows and trim pieces creating a "break" between panels, few people would actually discern the top to be a different color than the car. In fact you might come to prefer the look.
Thank you for your candid response. My remaining concern is with the top. If I win the bidding (and I surpass the reserve), I'll fly there and return the car to Oregon. That makes it unlikely I could turn to you if I have a problem with the top. Perhaps you can advise me if my concerns have merit or have I been reading too many "MB Forum Horror" stories. I assume the largest number of top issues have to do with leaking cylinders? Most advise to replace (refurbish) all cylinders together? Is this a common repair for your shop? The system seems quite complex, is it difficult to identify the area of breakdown or does it require someone knowledgeable to determine the "best" fix? I'm guessing a MB Independent in my area (or even dealers) see fewer of these breakdowns than you or other California, Texas and Florida shops. Is the top addressed sufficiently by your diagnostic tools, that other shops might use, as well? Oh, and if I win and fly there are there additional State or dealer fees that I am responsible for, if I pick the car up? Thank You
First allow me to commend you on your professional reputation. 5 Stars on Yelp is almost impossible for anyone in the "car business". The reviews don't just extoll your workmanship, but your sense of being in the customers shoes..... Anyway, I confess I didn't go through every repair order, but for me the two major concerns are ABC and Roof systems. You've addressed the ABC. Is the top fluid clear and clean? Have any of the cylinders or sensors been replaced or examined for need of attention.
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JohnSW said:
Will they fit a 1999 SL500 (I'm sure they would require different lugs) and How much is shipping to a shop 98225?1990-2002 Mercedes-Benz Glass Panoramic Hardtop for R129 SL
JohnSW said:
I'm heading out for some "Pickleball" and might not be back in time for the finale, so All the best to you and thank you for your interest in the top.1990-2002 Mercedes-Benz Glass Panoramic Hardtop for R129 SL
JohnSW said:
I ran a "quick" check on Uship and got back 5 carriers running from $1700 to $2300. That would be shipping by truck freight. There are many other options, of course, but that gives you a context to work from.1990-2002 Mercedes-Benz Glass Panoramic Hardtop for R129 SL
JohnSW said:
I will of course facilitate whatever you decide to do, yet, for me, whenever faced with many options, take the one I think will be the best "story" to tell afterwards.1990-2002 Mercedes-Benz Glass Panoramic Hardtop for R129 SL
JohnSW said:
@gtgoffI did research shipping a roof before listing the top. It can be done. Moving vans can haul them with household goods. They can go with auto or motorcycle shippers and they can go as freight on a pallet. I the buyer wants it shipped, I will do whatever is asked on this end, like deliver it to the shipper, wrap it with shrink wrap or crate it. The buyer will need to arrange and pay the shipper and purchase insurance on the roof (and reimburse me for material cost, I won't charge anything for my time.) To your specific request for "meeting up", Roseburg Oregon is almost exactly half way between us and can be done one day there and one day return. Again I would not charge anything for my time, but would want my travel costs and expenses (food and lodging) taken care of and a bottle of Red and a bottle of White wine.......... I don't know if you have plans for your current top, but we might negotiate that as part of the deal ( I don't need it, but discussing options is "free"). To say you car is a "cream puff" seems a gross understatement but i don't think another thousand miles on it would change anything. I have a "yearning" to keep mine under 50K, but it's not going to happen and I think it could "pass" for a car with less than 20K if someone had to guess without seeing the odometer. It's my intention to be as helpful as possible for the buyer to get the roof.1990-2002 Mercedes-Benz Glass Panoramic Hardtop for R129 SL
JohnSW said:
@FatherO2I have owned many R129's. All had roofs yet never a Panoramic Roof. Frankly, I found the tops to be very inconvenient and I stored each one of them until the car was sold. My current R129 came with this top and when I picked up the car, my mindset completely changed about the Roof. The experience is like having two completely different cars and being in the car with this roof on is a "spiritual" experience. I have a 2013 SL550 which has a "Panoramic Roof" built into the hardtop and it's neat but it's not the same. I understand owners with the standard R129 top want the PR because it's rare, hard to get and sets their car apart from all the other R129's but until you have been in the car with the roof on, you really can't appreciate what a sublime, unique experience it is. If you read the "forums" it's a universally shared experience. I say all that to acknowledge that you obviously know much more about the engineering and technical aspects of the roof than I do. I had no idea what your two questions were about. I researched a little and can pass on that "the channel" is on all roofs, but apparently the rubber "seal" on this one was taken off, before I got it. I think a bead of Silicone weather striping would seal it beautifully (And I can do that for the buyer before shipping, if so requested) The items referred to in question 2, I had never heard of, but I see they are for sale, in all interior colors, online. Thank you for the inquiry, I know much more now.1990-2002 Mercedes-Benz Glass Panoramic Hardtop for R129 SL
JohnSW said:
Yes, for me, the Joy of owning these cars is multifaceted (The beauty of the design, the incredible engineering, the fun of driving with the top down, well, you know what I mean) but maybe the most enjoyable part of owning them is the "stories" . A "meet up" would be a great story and I can't think of a more beautiful drive.1990-2002 Mercedes-Benz Glass Panoramic Hardtop for R129 SL
JohnSW said:
Crimson and Firemist are very close in color and are colors that change in different light and settings. Both are deep, dark reds. They are often taken for each other, though different. I think with the windows and trim pieces creating a "break" between panels, few people would actually discern the top to be a different color than the car. In fact you might come to prefer the look.One-Owner 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL550
JohnSW said:
Thank you for your candid response. My remaining concern is with the top. If I win the bidding (and I surpass the reserve), I'll fly there and return the car to Oregon. That makes it unlikely I could turn to you if I have a problem with the top. Perhaps you can advise me if my concerns have merit or have I been reading too many "MB Forum Horror" stories. I assume the largest number of top issues have to do with leaking cylinders? Most advise to replace (refurbish) all cylinders together? Is this a common repair for your shop? The system seems quite complex, is it difficult to identify the area of breakdown or does it require someone knowledgeable to determine the "best" fix? I'm guessing a MB Independent in my area (or even dealers) see fewer of these breakdowns than you or other California, Texas and Florida shops. Is the top addressed sufficiently by your diagnostic tools, that other shops might use, as well? Oh, and if I win and fly there are there additional State or dealer fees that I am responsible for, if I pick the car up? Thank YouOne-Owner 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL550
JohnSW said:
First allow me to commend you on your professional reputation. 5 Stars on Yelp is almost impossible for anyone in the "car business". The reviews don't just extoll your workmanship, but your sense of being in the customers shoes..... Anyway, I confess I didn't go through every repair order, but for me the two major concerns are ABC and Roof systems. You've addressed the ABC. Is the top fluid clear and clean? Have any of the cylinders or sensors been replaced or examined for need of attention.