Which old convertible for some European touring?

[crt]

Thinking ahead for when we might have some spare time to spend a few weeks on the road on the continent, which convertible should I think about getting?

I’ve got an old W124 estate so am very familiar with that series and know it is reliable and easy to fix. I’ve had an SLK in the past.

What we want is something that will eat up the miles in comfort, open and close easily and quickly, be reasonably fuel efficient (petrol probably rather than diesel because possible of city restrictions on old diesels) and above all be reliable. Budget of no more than £10,000 but happy to get a cheap old one if it would be as reliable as my W124.

The plan would be to buy one, check it over and get comfortable with it, do a trip of a thousand miles, bring it back and sell it. Or just keep it like everything else around here.

What do you suggest?

 

[Blobcat]

SL (129) or SLK (170 or 171) is what I'd take. I've done it in an R230 SL500 which was very comfortable, not my car though and we had good breakdown cover... I've taken my R171 over and it was very nice place to be. Depends on how much you want to spend and how much you want to take with you.

Just looked at "your Mercedes" you have some very nice toys, I'm "well jels" of the 404

 

[Chrishazle]

Luggage space is another consideration for that type of trip, especially roof down. We did a 19 day 2600 mile trip in the 968 cab, took lots of pre-planning for what we could take and how/where it fitted in the boot and behind the front seats, would not be able to do the same in the R171 SLK as even though we're both short there's little or no useable space behind the seats, and the boot space below the divider is smaller than the 968 cab boot!

In MB I'd have a look at a CLK convertible!

 

[js190d]

If you can find a good one a w124 convertible is a very stylish way to go. Decent sized boot and hold there money well so you should'nt loose anything if you get a good un.

Second choice would be a r129 although not the most efficient of cars for a big road trip if that is a consideration.

 

[Blobcat]

Luggage space is another consideration for that type of trip, especially roof down. We did a 19 day 2600 mile trip in the 968 cab, took lots of pre-planning for what we could take and how/where it fitted in the boot and behind the front seats, would not be able to do the same in the R171 SLK as even though we're both short there's little or no useable space behind the seats, and the boot space below the divider is smaller than the 968 cab boot!

In MB I'd have a look at a CLK convertible!

How much luggage do you need?

Below is 1 x 61 ltr and 2 x 44 ltr Montrose Jura Offshore bags as well as my laptop bag and a shopping bag.
I also keep 2 jackets and a bodywarmer and blanket in the small space under the boot separator



All fitted under the boot separator

 

[Wighty]

CLK for a more comfortable long distance cruise .

 

[crt]

Thanks for those thoughts. I hadn’t really thought about luggage. We’d travel reasonably light, and would be staying in b&bs/rentals, so no need for camping or similar gear. My own experience of SLK is it is too small. Something with a couple of occasional seats int he back would be good. Of the W124s, which should I think about?

The old ‘Mog is lovely, and is a real workhorse. She’s just shifted 10 tonnes of manure, and delivered another two tonnes on the back, the hiab dropping the bags precisely where needed. Last year she helped move a one tonne tree house from out of a walnut tree and onto to its new home on a pond island. I should update my list of cars as the A class is long gone, replaced by a 2016 Golf amd before that a 2014 mini.

 

[Blobcat]

Thanks for those thoughts. I hadn’t really thought about luggage. We’d travel reasonably light, and would be staying in b&bs/rentals, so no need for camping or similar gear. My own experience of SLK is it is too small. Something with a couple of occasional seats int he back would be good. Of the W124s, which should I think about?

The old ‘Mog is lovely, and is a real workhorse. She’s just shifted 10 tonnes of manure, and delivered another two tonnes on the back, the hiab dropping the bags precisely where needed. Last year she helped move a one tonne tree house from out of a walnut tree and onto to its new home on a pond island. I should update my list of cars as the A class is long gone, replaced by a 2016 Golf amd before that a 2014 mini.

Pics of the 404 are required

 

[crt]

 

[Blobcat]

View attachment 56211 View attachment 56212 View attachment 56213 View attachment 56214

I’d take that convertible

 

[Chrishazle]

How much luggage do you need?

Below is 1 x 61 ltr and 2 x 44 ltr Montrose Jura Offshore bags as well as my laptop bag and a shopping bag.
I also keep 2 jackets and a bodywarmer and blanket in the small space under the boot separator

View attachment 56209

All fitted under the boot separator

View attachment 56210

That's about enough for the shoes my wife takes for a weekend away! Haven't yet tried packing the boot of the SLK to see what is possible, too wet and cold since I got her back, but will have to do that sometime soon as we're planning a trip to Como in September and I'd rather take the SLK not the S204!! An amusing aspect is that my 5'2" wife has to have her seat all the way back, then complains there's no room for her coat behind the seat, plus can't open the door to the first "stop" for getting out. I've tried adjusting her seat forward still leaving enough leg room, but she immediately moves it all the way back! Women!!!

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

A thought with a 129, the soft top is not quite as secure as the Clk. I think the 129 boot may be slightly bigger.
Either in 320 form would be a nice balance of comfort and economy.
No point in taking the 129 hard top as it defeats the object of having a convertible.

Would be a 129 for me.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[LostKiwi]

Having used a Smart Roadster, a 500SL (r129), and an SL500 (r230) for trips to France my choice would be an r230 in SL350 guise.

Whilst I much prefer the 129 over the 230 to drive, being older it is far more likely to fall foul of clean air zones. The 500 is sublime in the 230 but the complexity of ABC when a long way from home would be a constant worry. The 350 removes that concern and will also be better on fuel. It also has the benefit of a folding hard top for security (even though the soft top on the Smart and 129 have never been an issue). Luggage space in a 230 is perfectly adequate. There is sufficient space in the boot for two sports bags and 3 or 4 cases of wine and the shelf behind the front seats will easily accommodate 2 more sports bags.
The 129 has a lot more luggage space and it is also much easier to use due to the shape. If considering a 129 look at one of the last variants.

 

[McDonald]

+1 for the R230. I think it's the cream of the crop, but I only get about 26mpg even on a run. Mine's a 500 and I never think about breaking down, it's a wonderful machine.

 

[A.J.]

If that was me I would probably go for a W124 convertible, Should get quite a nice one for £10,000 ?

 

[js190d]

Of the W124s, which should I think about?

From what i know the convertibles only came in either 2.2 M111 or 3.2 M104 form.

Rust (panel gaps), water leaks and a good condition hood would be in addition to the normal w124 issues.

Stunning cars imho and one of a rare breed of cars that has never been cheap.

 

[John Laidlaw]

R230 in 350 guise, super and reliable ...

 

[Wighty]

What about this little baby


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202002167380285

 

[flowrider]

I'm another supporter of an R230 SL350. Lots of luggage space and a hard top for added security. Not forgetting that the R230 is the best looking of all Mercedes convertibles.

 

[davidsl500]

Pics of the 404 are required