Mercedes SL - which one
Discussion
Currently running a TVR Chimaera but I have someone pestering me to sell them it.
Only would if I thought I could find a suitable more practical (ie 4 seats) convertible.
Always liked the Mercedes SL and realise the rear seats are marginal but thinking its one of the few alternatives that I like the idea of.
So, following on from a PH thread a few weeks ago about Griffith owners moving over to the SL, which should I go for?
I rather like the R109 -it's more classical but would the R129 be more reliable/practical/useable in real life. And whilst the earlier car is more expensive initially for its classical value, is the later car likely to hold/rise in value too?
Finally how do I check for rot in the older car, I understand the bulkhead can be a bit iffy.
Oh and I'd prefer a 500 but would consider smaller as the 500 is only an auto box.
Cheers
Only would if I thought I could find a suitable more practical (ie 4 seats) convertible.
Always liked the Mercedes SL and realise the rear seats are marginal but thinking its one of the few alternatives that I like the idea of.
So, following on from a PH thread a few weeks ago about Griffith owners moving over to the SL, which should I go for?
I rather like the R109 -it's more classical but would the R129 be more reliable/practical/useable in real life. And whilst the earlier car is more expensive initially for its classical value, is the later car likely to hold/rise in value too?
Finally how do I check for rot in the older car, I understand the bulkhead can be a bit iffy.
Oh and I'd prefer a 500 but would consider smaller as the 500 is only an auto box.
Cheers
Plenty to read on post 1 of this thread.....enjoy!
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r129-sl-class/1563...
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r129-sl-class/1563...
I'd say get the 500 the smaller engines are under powered & use almost as much fuel
Nice R129
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
R230
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
Nice R129
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
R230
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
Parisien said:
Plenty to read on post 1 of this thread.....enjoy!
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r129-sl-class/1563...
Well that's today taken care of, excellent thankshttp://www.benzworld.org/forums/r129-sl-class/1563...
And the 129 rather than the earlier more classical model (R109)?
I've got a R107 and I'd get a 500 R129.
Why you ask, I love the 107, but it's from another era, and that's great but if you want something truly usable go 129. If you do read up on rot on the later ones, MAJOR issues with Merc qualify in the late 90's/early 00's. They're so cheap too compared to 107's, but buy the best.
A mate had an early R129, lovely thing but don't forget it was an expensive car in the day, it may be a cheap one now but will still cost lots to run, all obvious I grant you.
Back to R107's, they're biggest issue is rot, especially around the bulk head as mentioned. To inspect you need to remove grills either side at base of windscreen & heater cover under bonnet & peer in removing the heater too. Also pour water in the grills mentioned, if water runs out of the drain holes it's a sign at least that they're not blocked which is where it starts from. BUT this doesn't mean the heater area isn't rusted. Do not believe anyone who says their bulkheads rot free, they're lying or have had it sorted, which is very hard.
Re prices, 107's have gone up but only the best. I think they're limited due to quarter of a million being made. Post 85 face lifts are favoured & apparently drive better. Early ones look better in my opinion.
Join the Merc club, £33 really well spent, very helpful forums & great monthly mag.
Hope that helps.
Why you ask, I love the 107, but it's from another era, and that's great but if you want something truly usable go 129. If you do read up on rot on the later ones, MAJOR issues with Merc qualify in the late 90's/early 00's. They're so cheap too compared to 107's, but buy the best.
A mate had an early R129, lovely thing but don't forget it was an expensive car in the day, it may be a cheap one now but will still cost lots to run, all obvious I grant you.
Back to R107's, they're biggest issue is rot, especially around the bulk head as mentioned. To inspect you need to remove grills either side at base of windscreen & heater cover under bonnet & peer in removing the heater too. Also pour water in the grills mentioned, if water runs out of the drain holes it's a sign at least that they're not blocked which is where it starts from. BUT this doesn't mean the heater area isn't rusted. Do not believe anyone who says their bulkheads rot free, they're lying or have had it sorted, which is very hard.
Re prices, 107's have gone up but only the best. I think they're limited due to quarter of a million being made. Post 85 face lifts are favoured & apparently drive better. Early ones look better in my opinion.
Join the Merc club, £33 really well spent, very helpful forums & great monthly mag.
Hope that helps.
Or a shorter more user friendly thread/info on PH earlier...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
P
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
P
ZX10R NIN said:
I'd say get the 500 the smaller engines are under powered & use almost as much fuel
Nice R129
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
R230
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
What is the Brabus aspect of that 129? It doesn't seem to say on the advert unless I'm being dumb and missed it - this is perfectly possible!Nice R129
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
R230
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
I had this dilemma a couple of yrs ago. The final clincher was no matter how many times I measured the garage I couldn't fit an SL in, well not and open the doors.
So I chose a 129 because it would live outside and left some money in the bank. The car gets much more regular use, if a car stays in my garage, I end up having to make excuses to take it out. I'm doing about 6000 mile per annum mostly long runs, I don't need a car for work and my wife's car does most of the local stuff.
The benefits are A/C (an option on early 129's few 107's have this) and a power hood. My car gets used for European jaunts so the comfort of the 129 really comes into it's own. My 129 has not been faultless but problems have been straightforward to sort, it eats up the miles and get's better the more it's used. I have no hesitation about taking a 21 yr old car to the SOF.
So I chose a 129 because it would live outside and left some money in the bank. The car gets much more regular use, if a car stays in my garage, I end up having to make excuses to take it out. I'm doing about 6000 mile per annum mostly long runs, I don't need a car for work and my wife's car does most of the local stuff.
The benefits are A/C (an option on early 129's few 107's have this) and a power hood. My car gets used for European jaunts so the comfort of the 129 really comes into it's own. My 129 has not been faultless but problems have been straightforward to sort, it eats up the miles and get's better the more it's used. I have no hesitation about taking a 21 yr old car to the SOF.
Edited by PositronicRay on Saturday 11th July 14:54
PositronicRay said:
I had this dilemma a couple of yrs ago. The final clincher was no matter how many times I measured the garage I couldn't fit an SL in, well not and open the doors.
So I chose a 129 because it would live outside and left some money in the bank. The car gets much more regular use, if a car stays in my garage, I end up having to make excuses to take it out. I'm doing about 6000 mile per annum mostly long runs, I don't need a car for work and my wife's car does most of the local stuff.
The benefits are A/C (an option on early 129's few 107's have this) and a power hood. My car gets used for European jaunts so the comfort of the 129 really comes into it's own. My 129 has not been faultless but problems have been straightforward to sort, it eats up the miles and get's better the more it's used. I have no hesitation about taking a 21 yr old car to the SOF.
A great post and encapsulates why I'd get a 129. If you do go for a 107 do not get one with an after market electric hood, they seriously weaken the post the seat belt is fixed to in order to accommodate it, it's been discussed at length in the Merc club and is considered a major safety risk. So I chose a 129 because it would live outside and left some money in the bank. The car gets much more regular use, if a car stays in my garage, I end up having to make excuses to take it out. I'm doing about 6000 mile per annum mostly long runs, I don't need a car for work and my wife's car does most of the local stuff.
The benefits are A/C (an option on early 129's few 107's have this) and a power hood. My car gets used for European jaunts so the comfort of the 129 really comes into it's own. My 129 has not been faultless but problems have been straightforward to sort, it eats up the miles and get's better the more it's used. I have no hesitation about taking a 21 yr old car to the SOF.
Edited by PositronicRay on Saturday 11th July 14:54
Edited by acme on Saturday 11th July 17:27
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