Convertible - E46 or R129
Discussion
I'm considering a convertible for the summer hopefully, with a budget of approx. 5k. It's come down to two very different choices, the E46 330 - in manual or something a bit different - an R129.
Carrying 4 is desired but not essential, and the cars are very different, I imagine. I'd prefer a manual but the R129 only comes in auto as far as I know.
Are the R129s a moneypit or rust buckets, any advice is appreciated. Fuel isn't the biggest issue but a V12 is out of the question, unless LPG is involved!!!
Thoughts?
Carrying 4 is desired but not essential, and the cars are very different, I imagine. I'd prefer a manual but the R129 only comes in auto as far as I know.
Are the R129s a moneypit or rust buckets, any advice is appreciated. Fuel isn't the biggest issue but a V12 is out of the question, unless LPG is involved!!!
Thoughts?
I feared the R129 would be a moneypit, I guess it wasn't exactly a cheap car to start with.
Probably a 320, but I'm toying with the idea at the moment. The bork fund wouldn't stretch to a new engine for an R129, but a 330 lump appears it can be had for less than £1000.
Maybe the E46 is the better option, I just think the R129 is a bit more classy though. Hmmm.
Probably a 320, but I'm toying with the idea at the moment. The bork fund wouldn't stretch to a new engine for an R129, but a 330 lump appears it can be had for less than £1000.
Maybe the E46 is the better option, I just think the R129 is a bit more classy though. Hmmm.
This one has 4 seats, Hard top, Amg wheels and a stonking V8. 52k miles.
My neighbour had one when they were new, (a present from her bf!!) that's very cheap.
Think they must have hit bottom for depreciation...
oops
edited for not including the link
http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
My neighbour had one when they were new, (a present from her bf!!) that's very cheap.
Think they must have hit bottom for depreciation...
oops
edited for not including the link
http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Edited by deltashad on Tuesday 17th April 19:56
The E46 will be cheaper to run, better on fuel (significantly), more reliable and better to drive.
The R129 will just simply be better.
(Just watch out for wiring loom issues on 93-95 cars and failed hydraulic cylinders on the rather frightening roof mechanism), and evidence of proper service history including ATF changes. And generally, build quality on 99-on cars is worse.
The R129 will just simply be better.
(Just watch out for wiring loom issues on 93-95 cars and failed hydraulic cylinders on the rather frightening roof mechanism), and evidence of proper service history including ATF changes. And generally, build quality on 99-on cars is worse.
fozzymandeus said:
The E46 will be cheaper to run, better on fuel (significantly), more reliable and better to drive.
The R129 will just simply be better.
(Just watch out for wiring loom issues on 93-95 cars and failed hydraulic cylinders on the rather frightening roof mechanism), and evidence of proper service history including ATF changes. And generally, build quality on 99-on cars is worse.
Have to strongly disagree I'm afraid, from experience.The R129 will just simply be better.
(Just watch out for wiring loom issues on 93-95 cars and failed hydraulic cylinders on the rather frightening roof mechanism), and evidence of proper service history including ATF changes. And generally, build quality on 99-on cars is worse.
I had the 300SL, coming from a 1996 Jaguar XJ6 3.2 Sport.
Lovely looking car, but agricultural drive, INCREDIBLY slow and much thirstier than the jag without the refinement or smooth drive. It did nothing well (apart from use fuel). Slow, thirsty and rubbish to drive with a clunky and brittle interior. Felt heavy and old fashioned.
Kept it less than a month.
G.
Thanks for more useful replies.
I thought that the SL500s were approx. 80k new. So I'd need to budget 4k a year to make sure I can get it fixed if the worst goes wrong.
It seems it'd probably be less to run an E46 M3! I think the 330i is the only viable option, the R129 looks fantastic especially black on black but I can see why they're so cheap initially as they can harbour massive bills.
I thought that the SL500s were approx. 80k new. So I'd need to budget 4k a year to make sure I can get it fixed if the worst goes wrong.
It seems it'd probably be less to run an E46 M3! I think the 330i is the only viable option, the R129 looks fantastic especially black on black but I can see why they're so cheap initially as they can harbour massive bills.
Gallen said:
Have to strongly disagree I'm afraid, from experience.
I had the 300SL, coming from a 1996 Jaguar XJ6 3.2 Sport.
Lovely looking car, but agricultural drive, INCREDIBLY slow and much thirstier than the jag without the refinement or smooth drive. It did nothing well (apart from use fuel). Slow, thirsty and rubbish to drive with a clunky and brittle interior. Felt heavy and old fashioned.
Kept it less than a month.
G.
The 300SL was a pig, terrible engine and in no way fair to judge the R129 on what was quite possibly the worst of them all. The interior was also much improved with the 96 facelift, the pre facelift cars should be avoided - but that said I have seen mint examples for under £5kI had the 300SL, coming from a 1996 Jaguar XJ6 3.2 Sport.
Lovely looking car, but agricultural drive, INCREDIBLY slow and much thirstier than the jag without the refinement or smooth drive. It did nothing well (apart from use fuel). Slow, thirsty and rubbish to drive with a clunky and brittle interior. Felt heavy and old fashioned.
Kept it less than a month.
G.
The R129 is such a special car when compared to an E46 - it's a no brainier for me. I just sold my 96 SL320 and already regretting it. The 320 is far quicker than the 300 - I have driven both at length. Mine had the glass had top - which was awesome ( and very bloody heavy! )
The facelift has better seats, climate (not clunky old AC) - do not rule these out! Go drive one, and just make sure everything works - roof especially! Watch for knackered rear windows too.
I loved mine. Check for the wind defector and hard top stand - both signs of an original car.
My thread in readers cars;
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
So far 10k miles, £1400 in maintenance - that was for a lot of work. Love the car. Previously had an E92 335i and whilst chalk and cheese (same way an r129 and e46 are totally different) I prefer the SL for cruising and wafting about in London town.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
So far 10k miles, £1400 in maintenance - that was for a lot of work. Love the car. Previously had an E92 335i and whilst chalk and cheese (same way an r129 and e46 are totally different) I prefer the SL for cruising and wafting about in London town.
Gallen said:
Have to strongly disagree I'm afraid, from experience.
I had the 300SL, coming from a 1996 Jaguar XJ6 3.2 Sport.
Lovely looking car, but agricultural drive, INCREDIBLY slow and much thirstier than the jag without the refinement or smooth drive. It did nothing well (apart from use fuel). Slow, thirsty and rubbish to drive with a clunky and brittle interior. Felt heavy and old fashioned.
Kept it less than a month.
G.
You completely missed my point.I had the 300SL, coming from a 1996 Jaguar XJ6 3.2 Sport.
Lovely looking car, but agricultural drive, INCREDIBLY slow and much thirstier than the jag without the refinement or smooth drive. It did nothing well (apart from use fuel). Slow, thirsty and rubbish to drive with a clunky and brittle interior. Felt heavy and old fashioned.
Kept it less than a month.
G.
The R129 has something about it that isn't tangible. Admittedly it's not helped by the 3 litre 12 valve, but it is a special car. If you didn't like yours, sad for you.
TomM said:
Gallen said:
Have to strongly disagree I'm afraid, from experience.
I had the 300SL, coming from a 1996 Jaguar XJ6 3.2 Sport.
Lovely looking car, but agricultural drive, INCREDIBLY slow and much thirstier than the jag without the refinement or smooth drive. It did nothing well (apart from use fuel). Slow, thirsty and rubbish to drive with a clunky and brittle interior. Felt heavy and old fashioned.
Kept it less than a month.
G.
The 300SL was a pig, terrible engine and in no way fair to judge the R129 on what was quite possibly the worst of them all. The interior was also much improved with the 96 facelift, the pre facelift cars should be avoided - but that said I have seen mint examples for under £5kI had the 300SL, coming from a 1996 Jaguar XJ6 3.2 Sport.
Lovely looking car, but agricultural drive, INCREDIBLY slow and much thirstier than the jag without the refinement or smooth drive. It did nothing well (apart from use fuel). Slow, thirsty and rubbish to drive with a clunky and brittle interior. Felt heavy and old fashioned.
Kept it less than a month.
G.
The R129 is such a special car when compared to an E46 - it's a no brainier for me. I just sold my 96 SL320 and already regretting it. The 320 is far quicker than the 300 - I have driven both at length. Mine had the glass had top - which was awesome ( and very bloody heavy! )
The facelift has better seats, climate (not clunky old AC) - do not rule these out! Go drive one, and just make sure everything works - roof especially! Watch for knackered rear windows too.
I loved mine. Check for the wind defector and hard top stand - both signs of an original car.
I ran a R129 SL320 back in 2001, and I can confirm that they can be money pits, it was only 4 years old and cost me in running repairs more than you are thinking of spending on the car.
I loved it though but a costly motor to run.
Issues it suffered from, (amongst many)
1. Complete dash failure
2. Controller unit for the hood gave up the ghost
3. One of the throttle butterflys broke (well something like that)
I loved it though but a costly motor to run.
Issues it suffered from, (amongst many)
1. Complete dash failure
2. Controller unit for the hood gave up the ghost
3. One of the throttle butterflys broke (well something like that)
Edited by Wills2 on Sunday 22 April 18:18
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