E500 vs SL500

[GreenVault]

I grew up on a diet of my parents' W124 wagons and, as a result, I have always been intrigued by the E500. Now that I have an R129 SL500 which in many ways is similar to drive to those old W124s (steering feel or lack of, ride quality), I wonder what the performance difference between the E500 and the R129 was/is and how similar the powerplants in the two cars are. Anyone know?

[bolide]

Lots of the E500 running gear comes from the SL 500. The engine is similar but has a different block. Torque output is different

I think the differences in suspension setup will make more of a difference to the way the car feels than the power output. But it'd be instructive to compare the gearing - that would make a huge difference

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

[James.]

Lack of ride quality? Oh I disagree. My R129 SL500 GLIDES ! I love it!

[tali1]

Afaik very closely matched with both hitting the ton @ just over 14 secs

[GreenVault]

James- I see from your profile that we have very similar taste in cars! I agree that the ride quality is fantastic. The steering though, on both my SL500 and the old W124s, does not in my opinion give much in the way of feedback (and given the nature of the cars this is not necessarily a bad thing). Apologies for any ambiguity.

Interesting that the performace appears to be similar. Clearly putting the same mechancial package in a saloon body gives a greater perception of performance. Hence, at the moment, the W124 500E is I think an official modern classic whereas the R129 is still (and certainly in my wife's opinion) stuck in the 'old banger' phase (although I believe it is on the verge of emerging as a classic).

Edited by GreenVault on Friday 22 May 11:10

[James.]

GreenVault said:

James- I see from your profile that we have very similar taste in cars! I agree that the ride quality is fantastic. The steering though, on both my SL500 and the old W124s, does not in my opinion give much in the way of feedback (and given the nature of the cars this is not necessarily a bad thing). Apologies for any ambiguity.

Interesting that the performace appears to be similar. Clearly putting the same mechancial package in a saloon body gives a greater perception of performance. Hence, at the moment, the W124 500E is I think an official modern classic whereas the R129 is still (and certainly in my wife's opinion) stuck in the 'old banger' phase (although I believe it is on the verge of emerging as a classic).

Edited by GreenVault on Friday 22 May 11:10

Excellent points. Yes, not much feedback but I think it quite suits it as a boulevardier or GT. I wouldn't call it an old banger but it's not quite there as a classic either. Good time to buy one I think cos theyre ever so well built. Never driven a W124. It's a crying shame the E500 was never made in RHD. They'd probably be worth double now if they had.

[Pentoman]

Don't suppose anyone knows how much of the E500 is custom parts and how much is from the parts bin?
Parts bin suits me better , it's cheaper.

Edited by Pentoman on Friday 22 May 13:40

[r129sl]

Much of the bodywork is very much custom.

However the motor and running gear is pretty much all 129 apart from the front suspension which is 124. That said, 129 running gear is not cheap.

The 500 E had a 4speed box, which will affect the performance. On the other hand it was lighter.

Edited by r129sl on Sunday 24th May 22:44

[RacingTeatray]

Some 5.0 litre SLs had the 4-spd box as well. It's a little dull-witted.