buying US spec W124 320CE Convertible
imadoofus
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neilrr said:
Not entirely fair Neil
....Each is a different car with a different character, and it's a bit like comparing a BMW Z4 2.0 with a Z8.
Day & night: yes.
Right & wrong: no
Yes & no: for you, perhaps
PJ
grober said:Buy it now price was £20,830 similar to a mint Silver Arrows price but with minimal miles but shipping on top and LHD . See what I mean about the zero rust.
You can see why these converted hardtops aren't what I would call a pure classic design in the rear underside pic.The extra strut bracing is somewhat crude.I'm also not convinced by the rust protection on these late W124's in our climate.
I saw a 1995 saloon the other day where the internal wheel arches at the rear where rusted through into the body of the car behind the seat.
That cosmoline stuff MB use is curious.The guy who applies it often only covers part of the metal.You often see engine cam covers half covered.I presume the dealers are supposed to remove it on PDI but don't so years later it looks like a right mess.One of Mercedes strange traditions.
adam
imadoofus
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janner said:
Original tyres
Curiously, the centre console has blanked-off switches. I always thought the wood panel was cut to specifically fit the options, leaving wood rather than blanking plates where items weren't fitted...
PJ
imadoofus said:Not entirely fair Neil
Each is a different car with a different character, and it's a bit like comparing a BMW Z4 2.0 with a Z8.
Day & night: yes.
Right & wrong: no
Yes & no: for you, perhaps
PJ
Hmmn I don't know. I think a better comparison would be a Ferrari 308GT4 and a Ferrari Dino.
The 190 whilst pretty is not in the same league as a 300SL - be it a roadster or gullwing. It was purposly built as a cheap alternative - it has a 4 cylinder engine for a start; it is quite heavy and underpowered to boot. As mentioned some 26000 were built compared to around 1400 gullwings / 1800 300sl roadsters. I'd rather have a W113 280SL myself.
imadoofus
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stats007 said:
Why? One's an update of the other, rather than a contemporary of it. Yes I know the Z4 and the Z8 weren't contemporaries, and perhaps I should have used Z3 instead (except even thinking about them makes me feel queasy)
My point was that the two MBs were built at the same sime, and did different jobs, for two different budgets. As with the BMW's. Not so the two Dino's you mention. I'm sure you know that neither of them were Ferraris
(although the 308GT4 was badged as a Ferrari later in life).So as a desirability comparision, yours suggests the 190SL is the equivalent of the 308GT4, and is therefore not desirable; and to suggest the GT4 was built as a cheaper alternative to the 246GT is just wrong.
Oh, and they built around 4,000 246's, but only about 3,000 GT4's.
PJ
Neither being Ferraris in that they weren't 12 cylinder cars - yes.
My point is that the GT4 in today's market is far less desireable than the Dino whilst being a credible car. It lost the essence of what the original was about however - something the 190 did from the 300. A 300SL was derived from the racing car - the 190 was an american idea for something that looked the part but in essence wasn't really an SL at all.
My point is that the GT4 in today's market is far less desireable than the Dino whilst being a credible car. It lost the essence of what the original was about however - something the 190 did from the 300. A 300SL was derived from the racing car - the 190 was an american idea for something that looked the part but in essence wasn't really an SL at all.
imadoofus
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stats007 said:
Valid point. I interpreted your earlier post as a comparison of the relationshiops between the cars whent hey were new (and that's what my BMW comparison was), not an analysis of current values.
My apologies.
PJ
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Two Bags
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PJ,
Thaks for the point on mileage. I think you're right. It could be argued that a very low mileage car may have more wear (short journey's etc) than a well maintained higher mileage car.
The 300sl v 190sl is an intersting debate - can't believe how much interest that sparked but I concur with most comments. The 190sl was a great marketing weeze by MB. If I win the lottery of course I'd have me a 300sl. But thats the point. The 190sl was the poor mans 300sl. I still love to drive it though.
Our daily driver is an E320 coupe which is just amazing. Thats why I'm keen on a convertable now before prices do rise.
Okay, I'm convinced on staying at home and finding a car with complete history and not be put of by mileage.
Now where's that 62,000 miler for £8K.....
Hey Adam, thanks for the tip on the other site - I'll try and find it..
Thanks to everyone for there comments - this is a great forum for exchanging views and opinions.
Cheers
Thaks for the point on mileage. I think you're right. It could be argued that a very low mileage car may have more wear (short journey's etc) than a well maintained higher mileage car.
The 300sl v 190sl is an intersting debate - can't believe how much interest that sparked but I concur with most comments. The 190sl was a great marketing weeze by MB. If I win the lottery of course I'd have me a 300sl. But thats the point. The 190sl was the poor mans 300sl. I still love to drive it though.
Our daily driver is an E320 coupe which is just amazing. Thats why I'm keen on a convertable now before prices do rise.
Okay, I'm convinced on staying at home and finding a car with complete history and not be put of by mileage.
Now where's that 62,000 miler for £8K.....
Hey Adam, thanks for the tip on the other site - I'll try and find it..
Thanks to everyone for there comments - this is a great forum for exchanging views and opinions.
Cheers
imadoofus
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Two Bags said:
I thinks that's the collection of E36's - saloon, coupe convertible and estate. £88,000 the lot (might split)
PJ
I don't see the problem with resale of a LHD car , every other country in Europe is LHD and a good condition rust-free & low mileage car will always find a buyer .
Even here in the UK , there will be customers who want a convertible for continental touring in the summer .
Anyway , most of us don't buy cars to sell on - we buy them to use and enjoy ourselves .
Even here in the UK , there will be customers who want a convertible for continental touring in the summer .
Anyway , most of us don't buy cars to sell on - we buy them to use and enjoy ourselves .
Obviously things like W123s W124s even W201s and W202s are bargains for this sort of things but looking at figures it's the minority that hold onto these purchases for the duration. Being honest I'm tempted to buy a W124 4-matic and a W124 CE to replace the SL but something stops me every time...
