jonthetourist
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2005
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- Your Mercedes
- 1991 SL300-24
I am currently pondering and thought I would throw out my internal debate to folks who can help.
Bit of background for anyone willing to spare 5 minutes:
Three and a half years ago I bought a 1991 SL300-24 for my semi-retirement. I know lots of people claim only a V8 will do, but the extra 40 bhp of the 24 is more than enough for me on those rare occasions I fancy flooring it.
I paid a highish price to get a good one as I had been told it was false economy to go for a cheap SL and it has been excellent since. I have had specialists go to work on the paint and the upholstery, and for my 2 or 3 trips a week it has been totally reliable, including trips all over England. I got the SL Shop to give it a health check and Bruce said " we don't see many this healthy", which was nice to hear.
So happy days, and all sorted for the next 10 years? Well sadly there are a couple of flies in my ointment. My semi-retirement involves a lot of golf, cycling and tennis. For the car, tennis is fine, cycling a no-go, and golf a messy compromise whereby the clubs go in the boot fine but the electric trolley sits on the front seat. (my gammy knee means I can't compromise there).
My other half is not a fan. Too low, not keen on the "wind in the hair" experience, and she ended up with the family car, an Octavia, which is rather bigger than she would like.
All very low level irritations, but an acquaintance is just finishing sorting a nice 124 estate, a 280, 1994, and asked if I was interested. It seems like a very practical solution to these not very pressing problems, which means I have to make a decision now.
Supplementary info - I don't have space to keep the SL if I buy the 124, and in any event, these cars need to be run regularly. They get better with usage. Before the SL I had a c270cdi estate but I did a lot more miles then. I love driving the SL but it's quite a tight fit as I am 6' 5". One issue I didn't appreciate is you can't just tip the seats back for a snooze on a long journey as there is not enough room.
Thanks for reading if you got this far - all thoughts appreciated.
Jon
Bit of background for anyone willing to spare 5 minutes:
Three and a half years ago I bought a 1991 SL300-24 for my semi-retirement. I know lots of people claim only a V8 will do, but the extra 40 bhp of the 24 is more than enough for me on those rare occasions I fancy flooring it.
I paid a highish price to get a good one as I had been told it was false economy to go for a cheap SL and it has been excellent since. I have had specialists go to work on the paint and the upholstery, and for my 2 or 3 trips a week it has been totally reliable, including trips all over England. I got the SL Shop to give it a health check and Bruce said " we don't see many this healthy", which was nice to hear.
So happy days, and all sorted for the next 10 years? Well sadly there are a couple of flies in my ointment. My semi-retirement involves a lot of golf, cycling and tennis. For the car, tennis is fine, cycling a no-go, and golf a messy compromise whereby the clubs go in the boot fine but the electric trolley sits on the front seat. (my gammy knee means I can't compromise there).
My other half is not a fan. Too low, not keen on the "wind in the hair" experience, and she ended up with the family car, an Octavia, which is rather bigger than she would like.
All very low level irritations, but an acquaintance is just finishing sorting a nice 124 estate, a 280, 1994, and asked if I was interested. It seems like a very practical solution to these not very pressing problems, which means I have to make a decision now.
Supplementary info - I don't have space to keep the SL if I buy the 124, and in any event, these cars need to be run regularly. They get better with usage. Before the SL I had a c270cdi estate but I did a lot more miles then. I love driving the SL but it's quite a tight fit as I am 6' 5". One issue I didn't appreciate is you can't just tip the seats back for a snooze on a long journey as there is not enough room.
Thanks for reading if you got this far - all thoughts appreciated.
Jon