Dr-Nab
MB Enthusiast
A neighbour of mine has one, for a while as well and he's never had any issues with his but does only use it when the weather is good, sounds immense!
WDB124066
MB Enthusiast
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2009
- Messages
- 6,170
- Car
- 1996 E320 Sportline Cabriolet x 2
WDB124066
MB Enthusiast
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2009
- Messages
- 6,170
- Car
- 1996 E320 Sportline Cabriolet x 2
I'm obviously biased, but would say R129 SL500 for many reasons:
Most are 2+2 (rear seats are OK for kids or even adults on short runs)
Power/comfort/refinement
Build quality & reliability
Standard hardtop gives you a secure coupe in winter
Etc.
The R129 is genuinely useable in all conditions and on long or short runs. I have a big soft spot for TVRs and was looking at Chimaeras to start off with, but decided I couldn't afford to have a car that wasn't always going to get me somewhere (or get me home again). In the 8 years I've had it the SL has been superb and has cost very little to maintain & run (it will even nudge 30 mpg on a long motorway run).
Neighbours had a BMW 645 and it sounded nice but is odd looking IMO. And I think some potential engine issues?
W209 CLK looks nice but (flame suit on) is 'only' a C class ... build quality etc. doesn't match an SL IMHO. Having said that I could maybe be tempted by a 55 one day, purely for the engine.
Jag looks like a pram with the soft top down (it doesn't retract fully like the SL's).
Most are 2+2 (rear seats are OK for kids or even adults on short runs)
Power/comfort/refinement
Build quality & reliability
Standard hardtop gives you a secure coupe in winter
Etc.
The R129 is genuinely useable in all conditions and on long or short runs. I have a big soft spot for TVRs and was looking at Chimaeras to start off with, but decided I couldn't afford to have a car that wasn't always going to get me somewhere (or get me home again). In the 8 years I've had it the SL has been superb and has cost very little to maintain & run (it will even nudge 30 mpg on a long motorway run).
Neighbours had a BMW 645 and it sounded nice but is odd looking IMO. And I think some potential engine issues?
W209 CLK looks nice but (flame suit on) is 'only' a C class ... build quality etc. doesn't match an SL IMHO. Having said that I could maybe be tempted by a 55 one day, purely for the engine.
Jag looks like a pram with the soft top down (it doesn't retract fully like the SL's).
OP
OP
- Joined
- May 21, 2009
- Messages
- 6,134
- Location
- Planet Earth
- Car
- Polo GTi (and a travel pass for the train and subway)
Bill
What's your thoughts on the SL500 in trapperjohn's ebay link ?
What's your thoughts on the SL500 in trapperjohn's ebay link ?
Chrishazle
MB Enthusiast
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- Nov 13, 2008
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- 5,776
- Location
- Nr Ashford, Kent
- Car
- 2008 S204 C220CDI Elegance Estate Auto, 2008 R171 facelift SLK280 Auto.
Only one poster got close- but I'd have a 968 cab rather than a 944S2 cab. Guess what - I've got one!! Avoid wheels larger than 17's, look for sports seats rather than comfort seats, full leather rather than half leather/cloth - beats driving an SLGay or a coxster. Also beats a Chimera for comfort - most dissapointing test drive I ever had, kidneys bouncing between toes and nose, nowhere for left foot when not on clutch - got back in my 968 coupe and thought - why would I ever think of changing this for a Chimera!!
Looks decent, obviously you'd need to check it out in the metal though. It's got heated seats (not mentioned). Slight warning bells that both windows are in the 'convenience opening' position in the pics with the hardtop on - that's where they'd drop to when you open a door. But any problem would be dead obvious when you looked at the car. Need to make sure the hood, windows, and roll bar all work properly (plus the normal electric seats, mirrors, steering column, etc.).
Steven, Steven, Steven - You're not as old as me, but you are grayer...
...and you have a lovely daughter who has recently graduated...
Before you do anything daft, imagine on a sunny day catching a reflection of yourself at the wheel of your convertible of choice in the expansive windows of Aldi's branch in Paisley Road West...
....Phil Collins - "Sussudio, No Jacket Required" on the ICE...
Be very careful what you wish for.
I stopped wearing blue jeans ten years ago - but I've NEVER worn Pringle jumpers and Farrah slacks - or Cargo pants and baseball caps!
What image do you wish to project?
If you look a prat, I'll tell you so.
MOCAŠ
MB Enthusiast
If you look a prat, I'll tell you so.
He's not kidding...
Many thanks, Derek.
A great write-up - by which all others should be judged.
But...
Hell's teeth, man...
OP
OP
- Joined
- May 21, 2009
- Messages
- 6,134
- Location
- Planet Earth
- Car
- Polo GTi (and a travel pass for the train and subway)
Steven, Steven, Steven - You're not as old as me, but you are grayer...
...and you have a lovely daughter who has recently graduated...
Before you do anything daft, imagine on a sunny day catching a reflection of yourself at the wheel of your convertible of choice in the expansive windows of Aldi's branch in Paisley Road West...
....Phil Collins - "Sussudio, No Jacket Required" on the ICE...
Be very careful what you wish for.
I stopped wearing blue jeans ten years ago - but I've NEVER worn Pringle jumpers and Farrah slacks - or Cargo pants and baseball caps!
What image do you wish to project?
If you look a prat, I'll tell you so.
Is there an Aldi on Paisley Road West ? I wouldn't know but I will bow to your superior knowledge
Own neither Pringle jumpers nor Farrah slacks. What are slacks ? Are they comfortable in the nether regions ?
Image, I don't know if I have one. I just have the things I like and enjoy the company of those around me. If that makes me a bad person, so be it.
If I turn up in cargo pants and a baseball cap - I EXPECT you to call me a prat. I can do the cargo pants but NEVER the baseball cap.
...but NEVER the baseball cap.
On your head be it...
OP
OP
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- 6,134
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- Planet Earth
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- Polo GTi (and a travel pass for the train and subway)
What are the pitfalls with that ?
I noticed that the pictures with the soft-top closed (thanks to your eagle eye) don't have the windows fully closed either.
Simple fix or sinister problem ?
TBH if you're interested in the car I'd ask the seller to confirm that both windows are working properly i.e. they drop slightly from the fully raised position when a door is opened and raise again when it's closed.
It's *possible* that the seller manually lowered the windows each time for some reason. But it does potentially look a bit worrying - the windows and hood (and roll bar) are all inter-linked via the car's electronics.
A single window misbehaving could be something as simple as a door switch (so the car thinks the door is still open), but both would be a concern IMO. I've not seen that before.
MercFanUk
MB Enthusiast
I've never owned one, but how about a Jag XK 4.0
Edit - just noticed this was already mentioned!
Edit - just noticed this was already mentioned!
Last edited:
Ok, not really a cabriolet, but I have one of these two seaters as a 'toy' and it has pretty good performance:
Go on Steve.....you know you want to
Go on Steve.....you know you want to
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2011
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- 3,593
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- C63 , E350 CDI, C320 CDI, SQ7
It would mess his hair up Lawrence.Ok, not really a cabriolet, but I have one of these two seaters as a 'toy' and it has pretty good performance:
Go on Steve.....you know you want to
Stephen buy a 645ci. It's great value for money. My neighbour had one. Nice.(and don't listen to the 4 pot diesel lover)
D
Deleted member 37751
Guest
BMW 645ci
Audi S4
Mercedes W209 CLK55
Jaguar XKR
Audi S4
Mercedes W209 CLK55
Jaguar XKR
Mk1 MX5
It doesn't meet your criteria I know, but don't spend £10k, spend £1-2k instead. Rev it high, keep the speed through the corners and you'll have great fun in it. Value for money, it's the number 1 convertible car to have. But in all seriousness, the Porsche Boxster sounds like it will meet your needs.
It doesn't meet your criteria I know, but don't spend £10k, spend £1-2k instead. Rev it high, keep the speed through the corners and you'll have great fun in it. Value for money, it's the number 1 convertible car to have. But in all seriousness, the Porsche Boxster sounds like it will meet your needs.
