R129 Vs R230 - a few observations

LostKiwi

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Having spent the past month or so using the R230 SL500 then coming home in the R129 (500SL with M119 engine and 4 speed hydraulic gearbox) from France (about 500 miles) here's a few observations.
The M119 seems to have bucket loads of torque and will happily chug along at 1500 rpm. This coupled with the 4 speed box means most roundabouts are excited in 3rd and you keep wondering when it's going to change gear (and it only does it once). In contrast the R230 spends a lot more time cog swapping and doesn't really do low rpm torque in the same way.
The M119 also seems to rev higher and more willingly - probably a feature of 4v per cylinder (m119) as opposed to 3 (m113) and variable valve timing (m119) as opposed to variable inlet tract (m113).
The M119 also feels to have more than the 20hp extra the on paper specs suggest.
The r230 is significantly more refined with less wind noise and better ride. That's not to say the 129 has a bad ride but it's definitely not so good on small bumps. Larger bumps there's little to choose.
The 230 is definitely more comfortable - especially with the comfort seats.

The 230 inspires confidence in corners that the 129 can only dream of. Variable weight power steering also allows more feel as speed increases. In this respect the 129 is somewhat isolating with comparatively little feel from the front end. That said the 129 rear is very talkative and tells you exactly what it wants to do.

Practicality wise the 129 wins. All of the boot is available all of the time. It's also a very square suitcase friendly shape. The 230 boot may be slightly bigger but it's an odd shape that doesn't always make it easy to pack efficiently. There is also the rear "seat" area which is big enough to carry 2 dogs of small to medium size.

You can see the genetics coming through. The 230 is a significant development of the 129.

Which do I prefer? The 129 has a charm and honesty that the 230 can't match and for me that's important but if I was wanting to press on through the Alps the 230 would get the vote. It really does depend on where you're going.

Interestingly neither can match the refinement of the 210 estate....
 
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Denis O

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Don't forget that the 129 looks like it was designed in the stone age and the 230 is one of the finest looking cars you can buy......even now.

I've owned both so feel qualified to comment.
 
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LostKiwi

LostKiwi

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Don't forget that the 129 looks like it was designed in the stone age and the 230 is one of the finest looking cars you can buy......even now.

I've owned both so feel qualified to comment.
Both are timeless in my view. Even the 129 looks younger than it's years, until parked next to a 230....
 

ajlsl600

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think its a matter of car age, both great quality of their time ,suspect the 129 more DIY friendly , therefore relaxing to own. and one can use the collection of tools already invested in. also IF you get caught out on the road sans star i think the 129 more likely to be roadside fixable ? one thing difficult to question 230 best looking car of my generation, certainly best looking i could afford to own. i do miss mine, but frankly i spent too much time thinking about what might go wrong for it to be relaxing, my w208 does a great job in that respect.but it aint no Vdoz....
 

Denis O

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Both are timeless in my view. Even the 129 looks younger than it's years, until parked next to a 230....

Of course, looks are completely subjective, but I think the 129 has not worn well where the 230 still looks a modern car. I went for a 350 due to possible issues with ABC etc. I would have preferred a V8 so would have gone for a V8 129, as I owned in the past, but couldn't get by the fact it has aged so poorly.
 
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LostKiwi

LostKiwi

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Of course, looks are completely subjective, but I think the 129 has not worn well where the 230 still looks a modern car. I went for a 350 due to possible issues with ABC etc. I would have preferred a V8 so would have gone for a V8 129, as I owned in the past, but couldn't get by the fact it has aged so poorly.
Yes very subjective.
I just wish you could get the M119 in the 230..... It's a gem of an engine!
 

Craiglxviii

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00slk

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Very interesting comparisons there LK, I too think about the differences between the 2 R230's we had, that is the 500's.
Both drove very differently the 52 plate ironed out the worse of the Fenland humps and bumps compared to the 05 plate car which drives fairly firmly and much like the 55 over the awful roads. I also think our old 500 drove around corners much more stable and sure footed than the one we have now. So 2 of the same car but totally different in ride. I know there has been no mods to the suspension on the 500 we have now, well nothing in the history that would suggest any wrong doing :shock:
 

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Both cars are real beauties. Time passes well on both designs, for me. LK, you're lucky to have both.
 

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Having spent the past month or so using the R230 SL500 then coming home in the R129 (500SL with M119 engine and 4 speed hydraulic gearbox) from France (about 500 miles) here's a few observations.
The M119 seems to have bucket loads of torque and will happily chug along at 1500 rpm. This coupled with the 4 speed box means most roundabouts are excited in 3rd and you keep wondering when it's going to change gear (and it only does it once). In contrast the R230 spends a lot more time cog swapping and doesn't really do low rpm torque in the same way.
The M119 also seems to rev higher and more willingly - probably a feature of 4v per cylinder (m119) as opposed to 3 (m113) and variable valve timing (m119) as opposed to variable inlet tract (m113).
The M119 also feels to have more than the 20hp extra the on paper specs suggest.
The r230 is significantly more refined with less wind noise and better ride. That's not to say the 129 has a bad ride but it's definitely not so good on small bumps. Larger bumps there's little to choose.
The 230 is definitely more comfortable - especially with the comfort seats.

The 230 inspires confidence in corners that the 129 can only dream of. Variable weight power steering also allows more feel as speed increases. In this respect the 129 is somewhat isolating with comparatively little feel from the front end. That said the 129 rear is very talkative and tells you exactly what it wants to do.

Practicality wise the 129 wins. All of the boot is available all of the time. It's also a very square suitcase friendly shape. The 230 boot may be slightly bigger but it's an odd shape that doesn't always make it easy to pack efficiently. There is also the rear "seat" area which is big enough to carry 2 dogs of small to medium size.

You can see the genetics coming through. The 230 is a significant development of the 129.

Which do I prefer? The 129 has a charm and honesty that the 230 can't match and for me that's important but if I was wanting to press on through the Alps the 230 would get the vote. It really does depend on where you're going.

Interestingly neither can match the refinement of the 210 estate....
Great review of the two great cars. I've only seen a handful of R129's, I would happily own either as a second weekend car. Do you have pic of the R129, including interior on here somewhere?
 
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LostKiwi

LostKiwi

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Great review of the two great cars. I've only seen a handful of R129's, I would happily own either as a second weekend car. Do you have pic of the R129, including interior on here somewhere?
Here's the 129:
_1010973.JPG _1010972.JPG IMG_20180901_140316.jpg IMG_20180722_180958.jpg
 
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LostKiwi

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Thanks. Lovely example, looks like its been look after over the years. Will you be keeping this for as long as possible? Does the 129 have both a hard and soft top? :confused:
Definitely a keeper and although it's had a bucket load of owners it's survived well.
Every r129 was sold with a hardtop so if thinking of buying it should be included.
 

Capra

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Definitely a keeper and although it's had a bucket load of owners it's survived well.
Every r129 was sold with a hardtop so if thinking of buying it should be included.
Don't blame you. Did you fit the soft top at a later date.
 
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LostKiwi

LostKiwi

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Don't blame you. Did you fit the soft top at a later date.
No the softop is built in at the factory as a soft top and sold with the removable hardtop. When the hardtop is on the softop is folded away as though the roof is down.
All hydraulic activated.
 

DSK

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Love the R129, classic shape, really needs a set of these on it ;);););)

View attachment 50866

Thats looks simply superb.

LostKiwi's cars is also very nice and I personannly prerfer the stylingof these R129's (beautiful and absolutely timeless in my eyes) over the R230 (which is still elegant).
 

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No the softop is built in at the factory as a soft top and sold with the removable hardtop. When the hardtop is on the softop is folded away as though the roof is down.
All hydraulic activated.
I did not know that, I thought you opted for soft or hard top convertible??
 
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LostKiwi

LostKiwi

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I did not know that, I thought you opted for soft or hard top convertible??
No the 129 is a soft top supplied with a removable hardtop. The 230 is a folding hardtop.
In general I leave the hardtop on for winter as it's a touch warmer and quieter (though paradoxically it leaks!).
 

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LostKiwi's cars is also very nice and I personannly prerfer the stylingof these R129's (beautiful and absolutely timeless in my eyes) over the R230 (which is still elegant).

All R129 are gorgeous, a classic design but for me the wheels are way too modern, the AMG I (in the pic) or II are era correct or maybe the Albali / Alberio, the Brabus Monoblock S it has on is more for the R230 (All IMO of course).

The R230 is one of the best designed cars MB has come up with
 
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