Something for R129 aficionados

Shaun @ Tru6 · Yesterday, 01:44 PM

and Jason Cammisa fans

onewhippedpuppy · Yesterday, 04:31 PM

Great video. I walked away from an interesting but poor example a few months ago, I would still like to drive a well sorted one. I do think they are timeless, classic cars.

greglepore · Yesterday, 04:42 PM

IDK. They're gorgeous. But the interior plastics are brittle, and your alternative now is 3d stuff. Nice, pricey. Soft tops are a thing of the past. Your 55 roof is better. The hyd issues are the same, but doing the fabric on the 129, well, just watch the Mercedes oem video on youtube. Its like 20 hrs. My fabric is great but I opened the top once at 40 degrees and one window split, f me. Don't ever jump start the car under any circumstances without defusing a bunch of stuff, also learned the hard way.
I'd really rather have an AMG 63 at this point, but it'll be where my 129 is in 8-10 years, and I'd be almost 80 and too feeb to do anything about it.

jyl · jyl's Garage

The high end German cars of the 80s and 90s are irreplaceable. Nothing today feels or drives like them, or ever will. Outside of special models, they are pretty affordable. I wish I had enough storage. I’d get three of a model and cannibalize to preserve.

onewhippedpuppy · Yesterday, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greglepore

IDK. They're gorgeous. But the interior plastics are brittle, and your alternative now is 3d stuff. Nice, pricey. Soft tops are a thing of the past. Your 55 roof is better. The hyd issues are the same, but doing the fabric on the 129, well, just watch the Mercedes oem video on youtube. Its like 20 hrs. My fabric is great but I opened the top once at 40 degrees and one window split, f me. Don't ever jump start the car under any circumstances without defusing a bunch of stuff, also learned the hard way.
I'd really rather have an AMG 63 at this point, but it'll be where my 129 is in 8-10 years, and I'd be almost 80 and too feeb to do anything about it.

After spending a lot of time working on the R230 SL55, I can tell you that a lot of improvements were made throughout the life of the R230. I feel like my R230 SL63 was a much better made car, and there were a lot of improvements made to the ABC suspension and other components over the life of the model. The SL55 is going to my son eventually, and I’ll be looking for a late SL63 with the P030 Performance Package to replace it. Unless I find a good deal on an SL65 and then all bets are off.

greglepore · Today, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyl

The high end German cars of the 80s and 90s are irreplaceable. Nothing today feels or drives like them, or ever will. Outside of special models, they are pretty affordable. I wish I had enough storage. I’d get three of a model and cannibalize to preserve.

100%. I think the E28 is the epitome of what German cars are about. The Benz's of that era are amazing as well, but the amt of engineering in the 140's and to some extent the 129's necessary to pull off what are now common tricks is somewhat frustrating. Having donor is likely necessary.
One example- on the v12's they made the fans and valve covers out of magnesium. We're now seeing issues with the fans fracturing at the base, no big deal if you catch it before it throws a blade thru the hood, but they're nla . Luckily you can swap in a normal v8 fan, fewer blades, but it works. But the valve covers are becoming porous with age, and no cure for that.
If you're really into these, I have a 140 v12 coupe (one of 200 in 96) on FBM. God, what a cesspool that place is. Should have put it on cars and bids.

Shaun @ Tru6 · Today, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greglepore

100%. I think the E28 is the epitome of what German cars are about. ... But the valve covers are becoming porous with age, and no cure for that.

There is a cure. I've Cerakoted E39 magnesium valve covers inside and out and they have performed for years. Same with 964.

The only challenging part is clean and baking, cleaning and baking since cast Mg is a sponge. Ultrasonic cleaner and hot acetone baths in between bake and media blast cycles until acetone stays clean.

greglepore · Today, 05:48 AM

Excellent. Mind if I pass that along on Benzworld? Folks over there are thinking 3d print.
BTW, you were right about the GTS. Hard to believe its a 5k vehicle. Oddly, its not all that much taller than my 140. The driving dynamic reminds me very much of my ex Audi A8, another giant vehicle that drove like a sports car.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 06:17 AM

Sure thing, you can use those pics as well if you like. 3D printing is a good option if the cost isn't insane. I'm working on a custom project in which the entire suspension is 3D printed. It's a little pricey from what I understand.

I was going to ask about your GTS, really happy you like it. Even though you're temperate now, warm tires and hot roads take it to a whole other level with the PSM turned off this summer.

greglepore · Today, 06:23 AM

Yeah, played with it a wee bit. Like gorilla sport mode.