W208 CLK CAB or R129...?

[Flash]

OK – I am toying with the idea of getting a W208 CLK 320 Cab (Face Lift) as a second car for the summer – I know that I am able to get them at a good price now especially with it being Winter and plan to only keep the car for a year and am looking to buy one now.

At first I was double minded and was thinking about getting a late R129 BUT think that it looks old/out dated where the W208 cab looks more modern and can easily fit two adults in the rear seats with more room. R129s are similar money or even cheaper price wise.

My question is IF you were in my position would you opt for the W208 CLK Cab or a R129 (SL).

Lets discuss…

 

[BTB 500]

I personally find the W208 pretty dated (whereas I like the W209 a lot). If you don't really need 4 full-size seats I would definitely say R129. You'd be getting a fully sorted top of the range car with few known problems, the standard hard top is great too (allows you to use the car all year round, if you want/need to).

 

[C240Sport97]

a V8 R129 is what you want

or a CLK 430 Conv

of the two, the CLK looks less dated, and with the right wheels, still looks 'this century'.

 

[nickg]

looks wise its a totally personal perspective. You like the 208, I think the 129 has a more timeless quality.
Quality wise I think the 129 is in a different league (I would say that wouldn't I) but go and drive both and see what you think.
Space wise - its a fact - 4 seat vs 2 seat - depends what you really want/need.
When I bought the SL I bought it because I wanted a 2 seat "sports car" shape/feel.
You sit lower in the 129 so it feels sportier.

For me the 129, if it has dated, won't date much more over the next year or two, whereas the 208 shape will.

 

[Alfie]

OK – I am toying with the idea of getting a W208 CLK 320 Cab (Face Lift) as a second car for the summer – I know that I am able to get them at a good price now especially with it being Winter and plan to only keep the car for a year and am looking to buy one now.

At first I was double minded and was thinking about getting a late R129 BUT think that it looks old/out dated where the W208 cab looks more modern and can easily fit two adults in the rear seats with more room. R129s are similar money or even cheaper price wise.

My question is IF you were in my position would you opt for the W208 CLK Cab or a R129 (SL).

Lets discuss…

W208 for me everytime but then I would say that. I personally think its one of the most classic shapes of car every produced and will be a true collectors item in years to come.

The R129 is of course a lovely car also but as for practicality the two are different beasts.

If you are seroious about a W208 Cabriolet, mine is for sale

 

[A-AvantGarde]

A feclift W208 Cab would be very nice indeed, however if you don't need the practicality I would go for a late facelfited R129 SL (e.g. 1998 / 1999 onwards).

Far more timeless and 'old money' than the W208, get a 129 in the right colour & spec and you won't go wrong. Prices of the R129 have dropped a lot but I'm pretty sure they'll stabilise. However, I feel that the W208 Cabs will drop further in price as the W209 Cabs start to get cheaper.

Good luck in your search!

 

[stats007]

Late model R129s still look modern - without being made of of tin cans and plastic that unfortunately all CLKs are - even the new 63.

It really depends on what you want the car for - the rear seats in the SL are practically useless and the boot isn't that big but if that isn't a problem they're great cars to own and drive. The last of the decent MBs IMO.

 

[C240Sport97]

interesting that almost all of the comments on this thread have been by R129 and W208 owners

 

[Rose Chap]

There is a disturbing trend for some of the early CLKs to fall into the hands of those who think loud stereos and 20" wheels are de rigeur which doesn't do the model association any favours.

As with all MBs, a tidy CLK in a good colour with genuine MB wheels in a will always look classy, and is a more modern car than the SL so will offer niceties like COMAND and a information display in the middle of the speedo. I'm also not sure if the SLs had ESP, but facelifted CLKs definitely did.

Not sure what the tin cans and plastic comment is about as my CLK feels better put together than my fastidiously maintained W124.

I think an SL has some style, but you see some early 90s ones around looking pretty shabby, and the basic shape has dated enough to make it look old, but not yet enough to make it a classic. Excellent cars however and hewn from granite - probably more pricey to maintain properly than a CLK but you'd expect that as they cost more when new.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[BTB 500]

the boot isn't that big.

Helps if you take the wind deflector & covering panel out, I do this when I have the hard top on.

 

[IanA2]

I was thinking of buying a CLK 320 about 3 years ago. I drove it for a weekend and although i enjoyed it, I very much prefer the V8, I felt the 320
V6 was a bit underpowered.
As far as looks go, I think the 129 has classic good looks that never go out of fashion!

 

[stats007]

There is a disturbing trend for some of the early CLKs to fall into the hands of those who think loud stereos and 20" wheels are de rigeur which doesn't do the model association any favours.

As with all MBs, a tidy CLK in a good colour with genuine MB wheels in a will always look classy, and is a more modern car than the SL so will offer niceties like COMAND and a information display in the middle of the speedo. I'm also not sure if the SLs had ESP, but facelifted CLKs definitely did.

Not sure what the tin cans and plastic comment is about as my CLK feels better put together than my fastidiously maintained W124.

I think an SL has some style, but you see some early 90s ones around looking pretty shabby, and the basic shape has dated enough to make it look old, but not yet enough to make it a classic. Excellent cars however and hewn from granite - probably more pricey to maintain properly than a CLK but you'd expect that as they cost more when new.

Good luck with your decision.

Tap a CLK body panel or compare interior trim with an R129 and you'll see where the extra £30k went!

There are a lot of shabby 129s about - there are also a lot of CLKs around in varying 'feminine' colours which don't do it's image any favours.

R129s have ASR or ESP as well as BAS on post '96 models.

 

[stats007]

I know which one I'd have!

 

[BTB 500]

R129s have ASR or ESP as well as BAS on post '96 models.

BAS wasn't part of the '96 facelift ... my early '97 R129 doesn't have it. But it did come in sometime around then. ESP was also made standard (rather than ASR).

 

[Flash]

Thanks for all the replies much appreciated and keep them coming.

I’m now double minded again. As this is just a second car for me to enjoy every now and again the SL would meet my criteria.

Some good points made as W208 cab is likely to loose its residual value more than a R129 which has now absorbed most of its depreciation.

In the past I have always bought my cars brand new but will have to thoroughly do my research when going out to view/inspect the cars as last thing I want is a lemon and end up having to spend money on rectifying it.

I’m only planning on keeping the car for about a year anyway.

Rust /corrosion issues on W208 have me made wary but I have not heard many horror stories about the cabriolet suffering from rust yet.

In past I have always had a soft spot for R129s but now need to be decisive and decide on which one to get. If a R129 it will need to be a late/final edition model.

If I went for a R129 then I would like to get the V8 or make do with a highly speced V6 if was to be in stunning/immaculate condition. With a W208 Cab I would be happy with a mint V6 320 Avantgarde but if found a mint 430 V8 than I would have a look but they are rare to find. FMBSH is a must for myself.

 

[stats007]

You'll need at least £20k for an immaculate '01 R129 with a V8. The cheapest decent post '99 facelift SL500 I've seen was £16.5k.

BAS was introduced in Dec '96 - it's not uncommon to have cars overlapping with different specs.

 

[KLP 92]

I would pick an SL every time over the W208 CLK. The CLK doesn't feel particularly well built, where as the SL feels quality and is alot better built.

Final edition SLs still look modern, and besides it will not look dated, but will look like a classic in years to come. Its a timeless classic.

CLKs don't do it for me, just not well built enough.

 

[stats007]

Here's an example that should make your mind up! Just a shame it's not a V8!

 

[aka$h]

Having had both, if I had to have another it would be an SL no 2 ways about it. It drives and feels the way a Mercedes used to, it was designed in an era where 'cost' wasnt the biggest factor.
The CLK is nice, but you feel like your in something special when your in a SL, get a glass roof and you'll enjoy the winter months too.

 

[Rose Chap]

I normally hate it when people do this on other threads, but if I was me I'd also be looking at Jaguar XK8s and XKRs. The supercharged V8 in the XKR would show a clean pair of heels to all but the most AMG'ed Mercedes-Benz, and they do have a certain elegance.