R129 V12 or W124/A124

[KDC-NZ]

Hello all,

I’m in the market for a new weekend toy and I had all but decided on a W124 Cabrio (A124). I found a suitable facelift 1995 E320 sportline with a nice spec, good mileage and a decent history.

However for similar money I can get a 1994 SL600 V12 with the same Ks and full history.

I am based in New Zealand, but the prices work out to be £12k for the E and £14k for the SL. How do these prices stack up with UK examples?

I’m looking for opinions on long term ownership and value on both models please

Dan

[Zonergem]

The 1994 V12 R129 will very likely need a huge amount of work.
-The throttle bodies, upper and lower engine wiring harnesses and Mass Air Flow Sensors will need to be rewired as they were produced when Mercedes used biodegradeable wiring insulation which has now biodegraded.
- It will have Adaptive Damping Suspension - basically a Citroen-style hydraulic fluid-filled dampers and spheres (reservoirs). Fine when working but a bear to fix when broken.

Edit - The W124 should need the same wiring work but it will be simpler.

[KDC-NZ]

Thanks for your reply. I have factored in the costs of a loom replacement for cars. I’ll do some research on TBs and MAFs now

[Willwors]

£14k for an SL600 seems cheap. These are fetching more than that in the UK these days if they're good.

But Zonergem is correct - it'll probably need work, if it hasn't been done already. Some say they're a bit nose heavy and the V8 car is a better steer but I reckon it's a really special car (with the M120 engine that went on to be used in the Pagani Zonda). I really want one...

[Stegel]

I’ve got a 1995 E320 Sportline cabrio and a 97 SL500.

The A124 has had the engine loom replaced (the loom included the MAF wiring) and the throttle body rewired, as both were deteriorated. My SL is too late to be affected, but your target 600 will be caught.

As already said, in the UK the SL600s generally go for more money. The A124 has been the “next classic to take off” for years, but before I bought it in 2013 my car had been through auctions twice in 08 and 10 for prices within 10% if what I paid for it. I doubt it’s worth much more now than I paid for it then.

Accepting the SL600 is heavier and more powerful than the SL500, the SL is more of a driver’s car, mostly by dint of the engine, but their (124 and 129) close relationship is clearly evident and they’re both heavy cruisers really. The A124 is slower but more engaging and “friendly”, with the fabric roof far quieter than that on the SL (although the SL scores points for the panoramic roof) and sufficiently different in a way that means they both stay.

[KDC-NZ]

Thanks for the feedback.

I should clarify I’m not looking for a fast car. More of a fine day cruiser that can seat my 2 small children if required. My current “toy” is strictly 2 seater.

I appreciate your intel on the SL price. (This model is to early for the pan roof). I have also just been informed by the seller that the SL has had its wiring harness replaced.

How does the 124 stack up against euro examples price wise.

I’ve attached links to both cars here:

SL600

https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/mercede...

A124

https://www.trademe.co.nz/browse/listing.aspx?id=1...

Dan

Edited by KDC-NZ on Friday 1st June 22:03

[Stegel]

Both cars look good - although I’m not keen on the door speakers in the A124! The A124 is low mileage but even then that would take a while to sell at that price in the UK. The SL would be more expensive here if it’s as good as it looks and close inspection backs up its appearance in the photos.

Some people have fitted 3 point seat belts in the rear of SLs, but legroom limitations could see the children grow out of it pretty quickly. The 124 offers advantages there, although with the roof down and wind deflector omitted to accommodate rear seat passengers, it gets quite blowy in the back - and legroom in the rear is not great if you’re tall.

[Zonergem]

They both look good but if you want a cruiser with space for the kids then get the A124. The R129 is obviously far faster and more wonderful but not such a good fit for your use-case.

[W124Bob]

Harry's Garage, R129 V12 left for weeks in the South of France.
https://youtu.be/LhX0Y2wQfqo

[KDC-NZ]

Stegel said:

Both cars look good - although I’m not keen on the door speakers in the A124! The A124 is low mileage but even then that would take a while to sell at that price in the UK. The SL would be more expensive here if it’s as good as it looks and close inspection backs up its appearance in the photos.

Some people have fitted 3 point seat belts in the rear of SLs, but legroom limitations could see the children grow out of it pretty quickly. The 124 offers advantages there, although with the roof down and wind deflector omitted to accommodate rear seat passengers, it gets quite blowy in the back - and legroom in the rear is not great if you’re tall.

All great info thanks!

Yes the door speakers are hideous and ripe for replacement!

[KDC-NZ]

Zonergem said:

They both look good but if you want a cruiser with space for the kids then get the A124. The R129 is obviously far faster and more wonderful but not such a good fit for your use-case.

Agreed, but does it represent a better ownership proposition?

[Zadkiel]

As a Kiwi SL600 owner I'd say it's hard to go past that V12! However I don't think you'd fit any size of human in those back seats so if that is an issue then look elsewhere.

[jke11y]

Interesting topic, I have spent the last couple of weeks thinking about changing my R129 for an E320 cabriolet. Two small kids mean its done a few hundred miles in the last 2 years whereas with the 124 we could use it at weekends.

[harrykul]

I've thought the same, but my sl500 is having a stay of execution for now. I've just decided to treat it as two seater.... And look for a "family" sporty car....

[Xtriple129]

I had an SL500 129 and loved it but, rear seats are totally useless for anything alive with legs that need to dangle over the front of the rear seats! Ideal for 2 fat dogs though

Off the wall idea: buy both!

[SSL]

I am 5-9" and have done a couple of 10 mile trips in the back of an SL500.

Didn't walk properly for a couple of days afterwards mind.

Realistically, at best you are looking at nippers being in the back seats. Did it a few times usually with the hard top on and the roll-bar up to prevent an unscheduled decapitation.

Never fully at ease with it.

Edited by SSL on Wednesday 6th June 10:49

[sidewinder500]

Really good pricing for the E - Class, SL seems to be a bit overpriced given its year, but genuinely good cars both.
I would go for a SL500 instead of the v12 though, sounds better, easier to keep and unburstable really, in real life you do not feel the difference in power, in a convertible anyway.
As stated above, both are different enough to have both as a keeper.
The a124 is a joy to work on, so easy and thorough, well engineered and all, a little bit on the slowy side, it never feels its 220 hp ( if they ever have been...), but such a nice, peaceful, useful and pretty cruiser.
Had to scratch the power itch, though, and always regretted the sale of my perfect 98 SL500 a few years ago, so in April I found my next winter project in another SL500, this time as 01 in silver with the AMG package.
The only car I really regretted selling and had to get again.
This should tell the story...
But I also plan to keep the a124 for at least a year, because it is so, well, nice (looks good also) but...
Almost impossible to choose...
Get both and keep 'em...
This is the SL



And that the E320