Fleet Shrinkage

[Chattonmill]

I have decided that perhaps having 4 Cars on the road is a little excessive, so was thinking of chopping two in and getting a CLK Convertible.
The Golf Diesel and the '82 sl would probably go and I would hope leave me a some pocket money after. I am looking at 98-2001 vintage, any thought or advice would be very welcome.

 

[BTB 500]

Do you need 4 full-size seats? If not an R129 of similar vintage is far better built, IMO.

 

[Chattonmill]

I have been toying with the idea of an R129, but I have two kids to consider one is 12 and one 2 and still in a car seat. I think the rear seats may be a little tight for a car seat. I have managed to get the seat into the 107 so it may work in the 129 as well?

 

[BTB 500]

The rear seats in the R129 are designated by M-B as child seats, with lap belts only. Our two (aged 5 and 8) go in there fine, but to be legal nowadays they should have booster seats (impossible but pointless anyway).

No problem with a child seat in the front, although on my R129 you can't deactivate the airbag so the seat needs to be fully back. Which means no legroom for anyone in the back on that side.

I think later R129s had the M-B child seat recognition sensor, which would address this (if you bought an M-B child seat).

 

[Chattonmill]

So is there less room in the back of a 129 than a 107?
The problem comes when we want to go out as a familly in the drop top, I am 6ft 4 and sometimes like a drink so the missus drives, I could not in any way fit in the Back!

 

[BTB 500]

Yes it sounds like you'd have a problem, unless you can find a child seat that would fit securely with a lap belt only (in the back).

We have a baby as well now, so the SL is out for whole-family trips anyway. In fact convertibles in general as virtually all are only 4-seaters.

 

[Chattonmill]

As we are a 4 person familly I thought the CLK was a good bet, or the darkside.........

 

[BTB 500]

Or possibly Audi A4 cabriolet?

 

[Chattonmill]

They seem to keep their value far too well for My liking.....BMW...there I said it

 

[SilverSaloon]

the CLK cab i had was pretty spacious in the back considering its a cabrio.

 

[PXW]

Chattonmill: They seem to keep their value far too well for My liking.....BMW...there I said it

Since you said it ....I ran a 330Ci convertible from new for three years/67000 miles. Absolutely faultless. Great handling - I loved the balance of the car - decent interior space for the type of car, very quick. Overall one of the very few vehicles I have regretted parting with. Still hanker after buying one to go with my E class...

 

[Ade B]

A124?

4 decent sized seats and kiddy seat friendly.


Ade

 

[glojo]

Don't forget your children are 12 and 2 this year How long do you intend keeping this car?

Good luck with the decision
John

 

[BTB 500]

Back seats of my 129:

You are advised to manually raise the roll bar (switch on dash) when they're in use.

 

[Indiepath]

@BTB500, that car is just too clean.

 

[BTB 500]

You should see the inside of our Audi A4

 

[Indiepath]

Thread Hijack (sorry).

You should see the inside of the Beemer! OMG!

 

[Chattonmill]

@BTB500, that car is just too clean.

I was just thinking that

The littl'un will be in a seat for a while to come yet so I will need the space for the forseeable future, it will be a second car essentially with the S211 taking the day to day duties.
If I am to sell the 107 and the Golf then I would like another convertible, but I need something reliable so keeping the 107 is not really an option for the mileage we do.