Harry’s Garage

[nuttinnew]

[Broccers]

Sounded good too

[Jobbo]

Reminds me why the R129 500SL is such good value.

[nuttinnew]

A pity there wasn't more E

[V8Granite]

Finally a video where the alignment is done properly. Without a fully weighted alignment it really loses the sharpness on turn in and does understeer a little, when done properly the back will actually come around before the front let’s go.

If you go around 3/4 throttle it will downchange but yeah, it’s not exactly fast to respond. Normally I change gear between 2nd and 3rd myself when having a fun drive.
A bit surprised he didn’t mention the brakes which are just adequate and definitely age the car.

That was a particularly lovely example too.

Dave!

[mik]

Good review that - I learned things (and was reminded of others that I'd forgotten over the years). 500E appeals massively more than R129 to me.

[Jobbo]

500E appeals massively more than R129 to me.

A lot of the appeal is the engine - otherwise it is just a nice engine stuck into Germany's favourite taxi. The R129 SL was a bespoke design, far more impressive in engineering terms than a W124, and the earlier 500SL shared the same engine and transmission. I think it's a sure-fire future classic which hasn't yet been properly appreciated.

[mik]

500E appeals massively more than R129 to me.

A lot of the appeal is the engine - otherwise it is just a nice engine stuck into Germany's favourite taxi. The R129 SL was a bespoke design, far more impressive in engineering terms than a W124, and the earlier 500SL shared the same engine and transmission. I think it's a sure-fire future classic which hasn't yet been properly appreciated.

I don't argue on an objective front - it's just a personal preference. Choosing a 2-seater or 2+2 brings such a compromise over a large 4/5 seater performance saloon/estate that I need that to be offset with significant gains in other areas like performance/agility/tactility. Large performance coupe's rarely convince me that they offer that.

[Jobbo]

When new and used every day, I'd agree - but as a classic, a 4-dr is not really all that relevant. The biggest differentiator would be the rarity because far more SLs were made than 500E/E500. I don't think Harry's excitement over only 29 being sold new in the UK is all that relevant though; over 10,000 were made and plenty were imported here.

The 500E is a lovely car and it's special because of the Porsche connection, but to me it was better when it was faster than most other saloons, 20-odd years ago.

[V8Granite]

The 129 isn’t as sharp and is noticeably heavier than the 500e too.

Either cars are great examples of what Mercedes were best at though.

Dave!

[Jobbo]

The 500SL was not trying to be as sporty as the 500E so not being sharp is entirely fair. Weight isn't much different though; 1710kg v 1770kg.

If they were the same price I'd choose an R129 500SL over a 500E. The fact that the SL is cheaper just makes it look exceptional value to me. I accept that it's just my view but SLs do tend to increase in value as they age.

[V8Granite]

Also the parts supply for the SL is much much better, second hand spares better, interesting specs aswell as tbey had a lot more options to choose from.

They weigh around 1850, my 124 weighed 1725 with about a quarter of a tank of fuel but mine only has climate control as an extra.

Dave!

[Rich B]

i have zero interest in the 500SL - it’s a car for rich old ladies, but the 500e has X factor (like all the best M5/RS6/AMG products but with additional specialness due to the Porsche story.)

But essentially, It’s a pretty simple comparison of cruiser Vs bruiser.

Plus it has wider arches - and i’m a sucker for wide arches.

[Jobbo]

Also the parts supply for the SL is much much better

Are there many things for the 500E that are bespoke and unavailable? I'd guess a lot is either standard W124 or engine-specific so common to the 500SL, 500SE etc.

[V8Granite]

Headlights, wiring harnesses for the engine, pretty much all
Interior trim, wings, bodywork panels, a few suspension bushes (which make a notable difference) ecu modules etc

The suspension arms, links etc are nearly all 129 parts so supply is good.

The 5 speed auto would be a lovely SL500 to own but I’ve a penchant for anything in a cool colour.

https://www.theslshop.com/journal/2022 ... our-guide/

Some lovely colour combinations to be had. Also they made them till about 2002 so you can get a relatively new one.

Money no object though, a dark blue R107 300SL.

Dave!

[Jobbo]

Money no object though, a dark blue R107 300SL.

A friend of mine had one of those in exactly that model and colour - he replaced it with a Ford Model A, recent Mustang in Bullit spec and a late 110 Defender. All of which I think he prefers to the Merc.

[Mito Man]

The 500e gearbox would annoy me. I guess there's no way to reflash with better software on something that old?

[Jobbo]

The 500SL got a 5-speed auto gearbox from about 1996 which is apparently much better and kicks down when you press the accelerator pedal. I don't know if any 500Es or E500s got that?

[V8Granite]

Money no object though, a dark blue R107 300SL.

A friend of mine had one of those in exactly that model and colour - he replaced it with a Ford Model A, recent Mustang in Bullit spec and a late 110 Defender. All of which I think he prefers to the Merc.

I loved how it gets up on its toes and flows along the road with a snarly straight 6, a fedora and its summer days perfect.

Dave!

[integrale_evo]

Why does he keep comparing it to an e28 M5?

The 500e came out in 1990, the e34 M5 came out in 1988