R107 cabrio V R129 Cabrio
Discussion
Hi all
I'm considering a cabrio as above, I prefer the looks of the 107 but the 129 is cheaper arguably a better car.
It won't be my main car and kept garaged. I prefer to do my own maintenance as far as possible, and will use the car in the UK and France. Rear seats are a must, I quite like 1/2 leather and would prefer A/C, I'm not bothered about a hardtop, a pain to store and fit. Engine size I'm relaxed about as long as it's smooth and reliable sometimes smaller engines are more fun/usable (Jags for instance)
What are the various merits of each?
I'm considering a cabrio as above, I prefer the looks of the 107 but the 129 is cheaper arguably a better car.
It won't be my main car and kept garaged. I prefer to do my own maintenance as far as possible, and will use the car in the UK and France. Rear seats are a must, I quite like 1/2 leather and would prefer A/C, I'm not bothered about a hardtop, a pain to store and fit. Engine size I'm relaxed about as long as it's smooth and reliable sometimes smaller engines are more fun/usable (Jags for instance)
What are the various merits of each?
Edited by DocArbathnot on Sunday 14th July 08:20
These are the big differences that I see:
(1) Good 129s start at £5k: good 107s start at £10k.
(2) The 129 is a modern car: the 107 is an old car (this is more important that you think: the 129 can easily be driven to southern Spain in foul conditions, whereas the 107 would be hard work).
(3) The 129 is an acquired taste: everyone loves a 107.
The 129 is an astonishingly competent and well built car, probably the best designed and manufactured car ever to leave Mercedes-Benz. I've done work on both and the quality of the 129 is leagues ahead of the 107.
One other thing: the rear seats of a 107 are more hospitable than those of the 129.
(1) Good 129s start at £5k: good 107s start at £10k.
(2) The 129 is a modern car: the 107 is an old car (this is more important that you think: the 129 can easily be driven to southern Spain in foul conditions, whereas the 107 would be hard work).
(3) The 129 is an acquired taste: everyone loves a 107.
The 129 is an astonishingly competent and well built car, probably the best designed and manufactured car ever to leave Mercedes-Benz. I've done work on both and the quality of the 129 is leagues ahead of the 107.
One other thing: the rear seats of a 107 are more hospitable than those of the 129.
Thanks for the reply. I'm used to old cars as well as moderns and quite like the old car driving experience, I have a Sunbeam Alpine in regular use at the moment.
I really fancy a 107, why would a transcontinental trip be hard work? I tend to take things easy these days, I used to travel for 12-14hrs per day. Now I'm more a 3-400km kind of guy.
I know about rust, dodgy body repairs, and all the usual old car things but are there any specifics I should look out for?
I really fancy a 107, why would a transcontinental trip be hard work? I tend to take things easy these days, I used to travel for 12-14hrs per day. Now I'm more a 3-400km kind of guy.
I know about rust, dodgy body repairs, and all the usual old car things but are there any specifics I should look out for?
r129sl said:
These are the big differences that I see:
(1) Good 129s start at £5k: good 107s start at £10k.
(2) The 129 is a modern car: the 107 is an old car (this is more important that you think: the 129 can easily be driven to southern Spain in foul conditions, whereas the 107 would be hard work).
(3) The 129 is an acquired taste: everyone loves a 107.
The 129 is an astonishingly competent and well built car, probably the best designed and manufactured car ever to leave Mercedes-Benz. I've done work on both and the quality of the 129 is leagues ahead of the 107.
One other thing: the rear seats of a 107 are more hospitable than those of the 129.
I think that sums up both models perfectly. The only thing I'd add is that a/c is rare on 107s, but common or standard on 129s. So if a/c really is important to you, it's a129 for you.(1) Good 129s start at £5k: good 107s start at £10k.
(2) The 129 is a modern car: the 107 is an old car (this is more important that you think: the 129 can easily be driven to southern Spain in foul conditions, whereas the 107 would be hard work).
(3) The 129 is an acquired taste: everyone loves a 107.
The 129 is an astonishingly competent and well built car, probably the best designed and manufactured car ever to leave Mercedes-Benz. I've done work on both and the quality of the 129 is leagues ahead of the 107.
One other thing: the rear seats of a 107 are more hospitable than those of the 129.
DocArbathnot said:
Thanks for the reply. I'm used to old cars as well as moderns and quite like the old car driving experience, I have a Sunbeam Alpine in regular use at the moment.
I really fancy a 107, why would a transcontinental trip be hard work? I tend to take things easy these days, I used to travel for 12-14hrs per day. Now I'm more a 3-400km kind of guy.
I know about rust, dodgy body repairs, and all the usual old car things but are there any specifics I should look out for?
No specifics really. On the 107, it is worth taking the cover off the heater plenum chamber at the back of the engine compartment to look for rust but you probably know that.I really fancy a 107, why would a transcontinental trip be hard work? I tend to take things easy these days, I used to travel for 12-14hrs per day. Now I'm more a 3-400km kind of guy.
I know about rust, dodgy body repairs, and all the usual old car things but are there any specifics I should look out for?
Why hard work in a 107? If the weather is beautiful and you're ambling along, it probably wouldn't be. Nice girls will wave at you in your 107! But if you have serious miles to cover, the traffic is bad, the light fading, the rain falling, I'd much rather be in a 129. ABS and ESP for starters; vastly better headlights; miles better refinement and NVH; much greater driver comfort; more responsive and predictable controls; safer handling; hugely improved passive safety if it does all go wrong. In objective, unemotional terms, the 129 is an infinitely better car than the 107 in every way: but since when has cold objectivity had anything to do with the pleasure of motoring?
r129sl said:
DocArbathnot said:
Thanks for the reply. I'm used to old cars as well as moderns and quite like the old car driving experience, I have a Sunbeam Alpine in regular use at the moment.
I really fancy a 107, why would a transcontinental trip be hard work? I tend to take things easy these days, I used to travel for 12-14hrs per day. Now I'm more a 3-400km kind of guy.
I know about rust, dodgy body repairs, and all the usual old car things but are there any specifics I should look out for?
No specifics really. On the 107, it is worth taking the cover off the heater plenum chamber at the back of the engine compartment to look for rust but you probably know that.I really fancy a 107, why would a transcontinental trip be hard work? I tend to take things easy these days, I used to travel for 12-14hrs per day. Now I'm more a 3-400km kind of guy.
I know about rust, dodgy body repairs, and all the usual old car things but are there any specifics I should look out for?
Why hard work in a 107? If the weather is beautiful and you're ambling along, it probably wouldn't be. Nice girls will wave at you in your 107! But if you have serious miles to cover, the traffic is bad, the light fading, the rain falling, I'd much rather be in a 129. ABS and ESP for starters; vastly better headlights; miles better refinement and NVH; much greater driver comfort; more responsive and predictable controls; safer handling; hugely improved passive safety if it does all go wrong. In objective, unemotional terms, the 129 is an infinitely better car than the 107 in every way: but since when has cold objectivity had anything to do with the pleasure of motoring?
Edited by DocArbathnot on Tuesday 16th July 08:52
r129sl said:
No specifics really. On the 107, it is worth taking the cover off the heater plenum chamber at the back of the engine compartment to look for rust but you probably know that.
Why hard work in a 107? If the weather is beautiful and you're ambling along, it probably wouldn't be. Nice girls will wave at you in your 107! But if you have serious miles to cover, the traffic is bad, the light fading, the rain falling, I'd much rather be in a 129. ABS and ESP for starters; vastly better headlights; miles better refinement and NVH; much greater driver comfort; more responsive and predictable controls; safer handling; hugely improved passive safety if it does all go wrong. In objective, unemotional terms, the 129 is an infinitely better car than the 107 in every way: but since when has cold objectivity had anything to do with the pleasure of motoring?
My 107 has ABS, I think all later cars will. Where the 107 falls down vs a more modern convertible is noise with the hood up, it is like driving along inside a tent on a breezy day, I suspect the R129 will be much better in this respect.Why hard work in a 107? If the weather is beautiful and you're ambling along, it probably wouldn't be. Nice girls will wave at you in your 107! But if you have serious miles to cover, the traffic is bad, the light fading, the rain falling, I'd much rather be in a 129. ABS and ESP for starters; vastly better headlights; miles better refinement and NVH; much greater driver comfort; more responsive and predictable controls; safer handling; hugely improved passive safety if it does all go wrong. In objective, unemotional terms, the 129 is an infinitely better car than the 107 in every way: but since when has cold objectivity had anything to do with the pleasure of motoring?
Ben
BigBen said:
My 107 has ABS, I think all later cars will. Where the 107 falls down vs a more modern convertible is noise with the hood up, it is like driving along inside a tent on a breezy day, I suspect the R129 will be much better in this respect.
Ben
I think I,ll pop over to the SL shop for a chat/look and maybe a drive.Ben
We run a R107 300SL as a daily - approximately 6,000miles per year, and have done so for the last 3years.
It is perfectly capable, comfortable in central London, and much better than any of my sports cars. Moreover we often go to Bournemouth with it on weekends, roof up or down it will cruise comfortably at 70mph without excessive noise. We also drive London-Paris a couple times each year which is a good 5hrs drive.
Regarding the hard top, indeed it takes space in the garage in the summer time, but in winter it is really nice to have it on, and super easy to fit on. It takes my wife and I no more than 3min.
Maintenance / reliability wise, it is very very strong. We never had a problem, it only goes to the SLShop once a year for its annual service. We also do preventive maintenance at the same time. hence our spending is roughly 1,500£ per year...again well below my sports cars!
In conclusion, I would never hesitate to take the R107 on long road trips, it is more than capable and clearly at ease on highways and country lanes.
Note: late R107 do have ABS, and you can even find airbags equipped ones (89)
It is perfectly capable, comfortable in central London, and much better than any of my sports cars. Moreover we often go to Bournemouth with it on weekends, roof up or down it will cruise comfortably at 70mph without excessive noise. We also drive London-Paris a couple times each year which is a good 5hrs drive.
Regarding the hard top, indeed it takes space in the garage in the summer time, but in winter it is really nice to have it on, and super easy to fit on. It takes my wife and I no more than 3min.
Maintenance / reliability wise, it is very very strong. We never had a problem, it only goes to the SLShop once a year for its annual service. We also do preventive maintenance at the same time. hence our spending is roughly 1,500£ per year...again well below my sports cars!
In conclusion, I would never hesitate to take the R107 on long road trips, it is more than capable and clearly at ease on highways and country lanes.
Note: late R107 do have ABS, and you can even find airbags equipped ones (89)
Edited by 911Thrasher on Tuesday 16th July 10:34
911Thrasher said:
roof up or down it will cruise comfortably at 70mph without excessive noise. We also drive London-Paris a couple times each year which is a good 5hrs drive.
True noise is much less at 70, but I would still describe it as excessive compared to a modern cab. That said I ran mine as a daily for five years and would not hesitate to do the same again.For style, the 107 has it every time. Provided you are aware of the weak (rust) spots and check it out properly, there should be no issues with running a 107 for the type of driving you want. I've had mine for 18 months and love its relaxed driving style with its distinct 70's feel to it.
It's important to know there are a few 107 specialists around, apart from the SL Shop, who can sort out any issues with these cars and at considerably less cost. Having said that, the SL Shop are a good starting point to look for the right car and always obliging in letting you take the cars out for an unaccompanied test drive.
Apart from rust, the rear calipers on little used cars can seize, steering dampers can fail, but both are a cheap and easy fix.
Good luck with your search.
It's important to know there are a few 107 specialists around, apart from the SL Shop, who can sort out any issues with these cars and at considerably less cost. Having said that, the SL Shop are a good starting point to look for the right car and always obliging in letting you take the cars out for an unaccompanied test drive.
Apart from rust, the rear calipers on little used cars can seize, steering dampers can fail, but both are a cheap and easy fix.
Good luck with your search.
From personal experience, the rear seats in a 107 may be softer than those in the 129 but there is more room in the latter. I had the same choice but settled on the 129 because it also had to live outside. The 129 is a superb car, the best built Merc I have ever owned or driven and I think they are still perfect everyday cars. The 107 in good, preserved condition is a lovely thing but my father's one felt a more fragile car. It sounds like the OP is set on a 107 though...
Spent another beautiful wkend with the Don: drove mid afternoon from London to Bournemouth roof down, easy cruise at 70mph, radio on
Saturday Christchurch beaches,... Sunday night back to London (roof up) cruising at a good 90/95mph, got to admit it was loud.
But overall, much nicer than it would have been with the CStradale...and only one full tank (65l) and a good 300miles. Not bad for an oldie.
Pic of the Don with the other half - who said the back seats were useless?
Saturday Christchurch beaches,... Sunday night back to London (roof up) cruising at a good 90/95mph, got to admit it was loud.
But overall, much nicer than it would have been with the CStradale...and only one full tank (65l) and a good 300miles. Not bad for an oldie.
Pic of the Don with the other half - who said the back seats were useless?
911Thrasher said:
Spent another beautiful wkend with the Don: drove mid afternoon from London to Bournemouth roof down, easy cruise at 70mph, radio on
Saturday Christchurch beaches,... Sunday night back to London (roof up) cruising at a good 90/95mph, got to admit it was loud.
But overall, much nicer than it would have been with the CStradale...and only one full tank (65l) and a good 300miles. Not bad for an oldie.
Pic of the Don with the other half - who said the back seats were useless?
Snap! I was doing the same, in the same car!Saturday Christchurch beaches,... Sunday night back to London (roof up) cruising at a good 90/95mph, got to admit it was loud.
But overall, much nicer than it would have been with the CStradale...and only one full tank (65l) and a good 300miles. Not bad for an oldie.
Pic of the Don with the other half - who said the back seats were useless?
No doubt the 107 is quieter with the roof down! Get a windbreak to cover the rear seats and the minimal amount of buffeting is simply fantastic. Return journey I got 27mpg, which I think's pretty good.
DocArbathnot said:
Yes your right. I've not driven one yet (I kind of know what it would be like I've driven plenty of 70/80's saloons and an SE Cabriolet) I'm holding off seeing any till my Sunbeam is sold, freeing up some garage space.
107's are fantastic, ours has been in the family for almost 20 years, but as everyone has said they have their faults; odd driving position & close to the header rail, roofs nowhere near as easy as a modern to put up/down (but adds to the sense of occasion in my eyes), very noisy roof up & they rust - as mentioned just google bulk head rust - believe me they ALL rust in there.But, they're so stylish, post 85's are good to drive, the 300 at any rate is a lot quicker than you'd think (in sport with kickdown, all relative I grant you), they don't depreciate & are relatively simple.
Join the MB Club (I wouldn't normally advise joining clubs) which is cheap & get yourself on the SL forum, friendly guys, very knowledgeable & currently a Merc technician is stripping & rebuilding a post 85 facelift 300SL which has all the known weakspots (it's fascinating & he paid just 4k for it)
Any questions etc PM me, cheers
I'm pretty sure that my 1982 380 SL had ABS. I would happily drive one long distances. Head says 129, heart says 107. Parts availibilty is still excellent too, so as long as you can afford to look after it properly, they are a very useable proposition. In fact, just talking about it makes me want to trawl the classifieds for a nice 500. 
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