W124 Coupe & Cabriolet - Driving Comparison
Discussion
As some of you will know from my previous posts, I am a keen advocate of the W124 series and own a Bornite E320 coupe which I use as a daily driver. I recently had the opportunity to drive an E320 cabriolet and thought I would share a few of my thoughts on the similarities and differences between the two variants. I might add that both cars were post-facelift UK cars with 5 speed gearboxes.
Clearly the cabriolet can be driven with the top down offering an entirely unique driving experience over the coupe, but I mostly drove the cabriolet with the hood in place. Although identically specced mechanically, the cabriolet felt noticeably slower both off the line and on the move. I found its throttle less heavy than the coupe, the movement a little smoother but the response less good. Even bearing in mind the additional weight of the soft top variant, I suspect the difference in feel has more to do with the way two cars age in a 20 year period than the difference in body type. The cabriolet had a slightly smoother and more pleasant gear change but again I think this is purely down to mechanics.
I could not determine any great difference in the ride quality, although the lack of torsional rigidity is of course noticeable in a back to back test. As an aside, the existence of the hardtop on my former R129 SL made a marked impact on the driving experience. I could clearly feel the additional weight on both the response times and handling (bearing in mind I only had a SL280) but I could also feel the added rigidity - the front end had a tauter feeling when the hardtop was fixed in place. It would interesting to drive a W124 cabriolet fitted with one of the rare original hardtops to see how that compared to the coupe.
The cabriolet, although not a Sportline, had blue sports cloth interior and it must be said that the fabric covered seats are far softer and more sumptuous than the leather. There is no arguing with the fact that the leather looks smart, but if I could have the comfort of the cloth with the appearance of the leather I would be a happy man. The W124 cabriolet hood is refreshingly cosy after the austerity of the R129s unlined, single skin equivalent. The glass rear screen is another boon for all year round motoring.
I came away feeling that my coupe had a significantly tauter shell which gave it a markedly more sporting nature. The coupe is definitely the superior car from a driving and handling perspective but I also found I was inclined to drive the cars in a different manner. The coupe goads you into driving it quickly and exploring its easily accessible but wonderfully benign limits. I felt no urge to press on in the cabriolet. I have owned cars in the past where by having a cabriolet variant, you are also blessed with a pillar-less coupe when the hood is raised. This is particularly pleasant when the standard coupe might not even have opening rear windows and in some cases would be a deciding factor in the purchase choice. However in the W124, the B pillar is missing in all the two door cars and so this argument cannot be made. I have to admit at this point to being a little biased, and for all pleasure a soft top car brings (and it can be a lot), I prefer to have a roof over my head. I felt content that for my all year round motoring needs, a pillar-less coupe with a sunroof made for a wonderful motoring partner but it wouldn’t take much persuading (perhaps just those wonderful cloth seats) to make me plump for a cabriolet instead.
Clearly the cabriolet can be driven with the top down offering an entirely unique driving experience over the coupe, but I mostly drove the cabriolet with the hood in place. Although identically specced mechanically, the cabriolet felt noticeably slower both off the line and on the move. I found its throttle less heavy than the coupe, the movement a little smoother but the response less good. Even bearing in mind the additional weight of the soft top variant, I suspect the difference in feel has more to do with the way two cars age in a 20 year period than the difference in body type. The cabriolet had a slightly smoother and more pleasant gear change but again I think this is purely down to mechanics.
I could not determine any great difference in the ride quality, although the lack of torsional rigidity is of course noticeable in a back to back test. As an aside, the existence of the hardtop on my former R129 SL made a marked impact on the driving experience. I could clearly feel the additional weight on both the response times and handling (bearing in mind I only had a SL280) but I could also feel the added rigidity - the front end had a tauter feeling when the hardtop was fixed in place. It would interesting to drive a W124 cabriolet fitted with one of the rare original hardtops to see how that compared to the coupe.
The cabriolet, although not a Sportline, had blue sports cloth interior and it must be said that the fabric covered seats are far softer and more sumptuous than the leather. There is no arguing with the fact that the leather looks smart, but if I could have the comfort of the cloth with the appearance of the leather I would be a happy man. The W124 cabriolet hood is refreshingly cosy after the austerity of the R129s unlined, single skin equivalent. The glass rear screen is another boon for all year round motoring.
I came away feeling that my coupe had a significantly tauter shell which gave it a markedly more sporting nature. The coupe is definitely the superior car from a driving and handling perspective but I also found I was inclined to drive the cars in a different manner. The coupe goads you into driving it quickly and exploring its easily accessible but wonderfully benign limits. I felt no urge to press on in the cabriolet. I have owned cars in the past where by having a cabriolet variant, you are also blessed with a pillar-less coupe when the hood is raised. This is particularly pleasant when the standard coupe might not even have opening rear windows and in some cases would be a deciding factor in the purchase choice. However in the W124, the B pillar is missing in all the two door cars and so this argument cannot be made. I have to admit at this point to being a little biased, and for all pleasure a soft top car brings (and it can be a lot), I prefer to have a roof over my head. I felt content that for my all year round motoring needs, a pillar-less coupe with a sunroof made for a wonderful motoring partner but it wouldn’t take much persuading (perhaps just those wonderful cloth seats) to make me plump for a cabriolet instead.
It might just be me but I always think the darker colours suit the coupes and cabriolets better, makes the cars look bigger but softens the rise behind the rear seats. You can get a poverty spec E200 in both forms on the home market, rarest models are the prefacelift cabrios 320E and 300E 24v were the only ones made plus the AMG 3.6.
Super musings.
Both (naturally) great motor cars, although I've never owned the a124, nor even driven one.
Prices seem to be all over the place don't they? A few years ago now, the cabriolet prices shot through the roof, and they seem to have dropped back a bit of late. The open-top cars in the main appear to have led an easier existence than any other 124 variant, and there seem to be a good choice of cars for sale.
My choice would be a dark grey cab with the 300-24 motor and sports cloth. If anyone is listening...
Both (naturally) great motor cars, although I've never owned the a124, nor even driven one.
Prices seem to be all over the place don't they? A few years ago now, the cabriolet prices shot through the roof, and they seem to have dropped back a bit of late. The open-top cars in the main appear to have led an easier existence than any other 124 variant, and there seem to be a good choice of cars for sale.
My choice would be a dark grey cab with the 300-24 motor and sports cloth. If anyone is listening...
jith said:
I have to ask this, because if I don't someone else is bound to.
Why would you buy a Cabriolet and drive it most of the time with the top up?
J
Plus 1, can only truly compare when top down, but then how do you factor in the pleasure of open top driving, all other negatives get kicked to the kerb!Why would you buy a Cabriolet and drive it most of the time with the top up?
J
P
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