Hey guys I'm trying to decide on how I want to build an r129. My grandparents have a 2000 sl500 that I'm gonna end up either inheriting or I will buy off of them down the road. At first I thought about keeping it stock and build a w201 or w124 but I feel like the 129 would be more fun. I would keep the m113 currently under the hood but there is not a huge aftermarket for it. The other option would be to use an m104 and do a turbo setup from turbo bandit. I would like to get some other opinions on what direction I should take. I would be keeping the looks pretty much stock except for the rims which suck, and it would be lowered just a little with the suspension upgrade. Any input would be appreciated.

 

being one of the "older than Dirt" crowd, I would not change it. It is a cruiser not a racer, heavy like a tank, comfortable ride
If you want speed buy it. Had a R199 great ship but not a daily driver.
On the other side with the right plan and power plant you could maybe approach the tuners products. I have restomods with 350's and cleveland, edlebrock, etc. and the vehicles were great fun, but never got more value than I had sunk into the projects!
So my view, enjoy what MB designers produced .

 

I've actually been giving a lot of thought I'm going to keep the 129 close to original maybe change the rims. I'm actually looking into building a w201 with an m104 for the engine. I'm trying to find more information on the getrag 5 speed that was put in the 201's. I cant seem to find what the maximum power/torque it can handle is.

 

wheels, tires and sound systems are often part of my temporary updates to vehicles that make it to weekly driver status.
Keep us posted on your "drifter" dream! Where in the world are you?

 

I'm in atlanta georgia, I really want this to be more of a street car, something that I can pull up next to the new bmw m's and completely blow away. I'm no street racer but it's kind of a dream. I have a passion for mercedes and fell in love with them with the w202 I used to have. I love the boxy look from the 80s and 90s. I think if I do anything to my grandparents 129 once I get it will be to supercharge it and keep it clean. I love the way it looks. Maybe an amg body kit and rims. I've got a lot of stuff I wanna do.

 

I was thinking of building up my R129 as well, but I just decided to keep it as OEM as possible but add some nice flair too it. (Bilstein suspension w/ HHR Springs, Exhaust, AMG wheels). Old school euro is most appreciated when its clean & OEM.