SL/R129: Gullwing Viewing & R230 Test Drive
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 75
From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
Gullwing Viewing & R230 Test Drive
Yes it was pretty good to be me today 
.
The father of some one I know just got his 1956 Gullwing back from frame off reconditioning. It is on display at North Vancouver MB Dealership. WE went to take a look.
We also test drove a 2003 R230
.
Yes the Gullwing is for sale. Privately. Got a half a million to spare?
.The father of some one I know just got his 1956 Gullwing back from frame off reconditioning. It is on display at North Vancouver MB Dealership. WE went to take a look.
We also test drove a 2003 R230
.Yes the Gullwing is for sale. Privately. Got a half a million to spare?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 75
From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
Originally Posted by SL BRABUS
So Chris......the deal went through on the R230.....?? 
I was suprised though. I had driven an SL 55 about a year ago. I think it was not presented well. Maybe in "W" mode?
The R230 did feel very solid and did not give the "sitting in a bath tub feeing" that I had gotten previously when in show rooms.
The seat base projects quite a bit more into the foot well. So I could not raise my left leg into a comfortable position that I have been used to.
After reading so much about creaking roofs in the 2003 models ... I purposfully put the top up went over some approaches with the top up ... no squeeky noises at all.
The aerodynamics are better than the R129. It was 10 degrees C (52 F). So both my wife & I did need the wind screen up today, seat warmers on and heater blowing. But there was remakably less turbulance. We both said we could imagine leaveing the wind screen down in the summer time. And we are both sencitive to turbulance.
I think the sterio is better in our 1999. But that could maybe corrected with fade & equilizer adjustments.
All & all I was impressed. I can understand why certain forum members have said trhe R230 is superior to the R129 is every way.
I just could not justify the outlay of cash at this point in time. So I'm going to enjoy my R129 for a few more years.
If money were no object ... heck bring on the 2007 SL 550 or 2005 + SL 600!
Last edited by ChrisB; Mar 18, 2006 at 11:41 PM.
