129 / 124 dilemma

jonthetourist

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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
 

television

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2002 SL500, 216 CL500, all fully loaded
A good 124 late estate is a fabulous car,,, I loved my 300TE, the one you are looking at is quite late and I do not think that is affected with the harness wiring issues.
 

mikestrivens

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1995 W124 320TE, 1998 R129 SL500, 2016 Triumph Tiger 800 XCx
Yes I've got both and they are wonderful in their own unique way. The W124 is a load carrier par excellence and the R129 is a good fun car. If I had to choose I'd keep the W124 for it's versatility.
 

WDB124066

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Your Mercedes
1996 E320 Sportline Cabriolet X 2
124 Cabriolet....??
 

kth286

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Your Mercedes
E320 Coupe 95
or a 124 coupe ?

massive boot and style too.
 
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mikestrivens

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1995 W124 320TE, 1998 R129 SL500, 2016 Triumph Tiger 800 XCx
Yes coupe and cabriolet are nice but completely impractical for me.
 

epervier

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Your Mercedes
E220 coupe 1996 Sl500 1998
or a 124 coupe ?

massive boot and style too.

I'm just greedy, I have both:D

001_zpsfcaa0601.jpg
 

grober

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W204 C200cdi estate
Early facelift W124'S with the M104 engine may experience engine wiring loom / throttle body problems. I would ask your friend if it's been replaced. The paintwork will be waterbased and more prone to rust than your 91 SL.

PS have to disagre with Malcolm on this one a 94 car is bang in the danger zone
 
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television

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2002 SL500, 216 CL500, all fully loaded
Early facelift W124'S with the M104 engine may experience engine wiring loom / throttle body problems. I would ask your friend if it's been replaced. The paintwork will be waterbased and more prone to rust than your 91 SL.

PS have to disagre with Malcolm on this one a 94 car is bang in the danger zone

I did say in all fairness that I did not think it was ;) that meaning I was not sure.
 
OP
J

jonthetourist

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1991 SL300-24
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #10
Let me start with an apology. I opened a discussion then disappeared for a few days. Bad planning on my part.

Anyway, my conclusion is that while there are always temptations, I bought my SL for the long term. I would like a 124 estate, but I don't need one, so I am sticking to what I have. It always puts a smile on my face, which os as much as you can hope for from a car that costs next to nothing to run.

Thanks all

Jon
 


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