jackywhatever
Precision Tuner
Brief History
Back in 1992, I was 4. My family’s W126 500SEL was stolen. A W140 with the M120 (6.0 V12) was the replacement. Shortly thereafter, my father sold his Porsche 911 (should be a 964, not sure if it’s a turbo) for a R129 with M120 as well.
The country I live in was not very safe back in those years. At times cars in front stopped suddenly and made us crash into them. For this reason and also my family being pretty low-profile, my father asked the dealer to rebadged both cars: 300SEL and 300SL-24. The V12 badges were removed.
The M120 on the W140
Today
There is 130,000 KM (80,000 miles+) on the W140, 58,000 KM (36,000+ miles) on the R129. They are still the faster and safer cars on the road, plus both cars means a lot to my family we are not selling them away. To me, I spent lots of time in the back seat and the W140 was the first car I have driven.
General Feeling
The way everything works together makes a complete A->B driving experience. It drives like a… car. Be reminded that even most of the new 2010 cars out there still doesn’t drive like a car, but something with four wheels. In my limited experience with newer I4, i5 and V6 cars, V12 feels MILES apart. Heavy, but refined.
Just to include how different is the R129 from W140. R129 is much more sensitive to your foot, rpm climbs to the point in milliseconds. Steering is tight. Suspension is spring-based, you get a good idea about the road surface, bumpy but very sensational. There is much more driving fun in there.
Sound (Basically the same engine, but tuned very differently)
W140: Startup sounds loud, thereafter very quiet up to 2500rpm, 2500-3500rpm sounds reserved, 4000+ were loud but nowhere aggressive
R129: Startup sounds like the real deal, supercar style! moans up to 2000rpm, 2000-3000 sounds raw and it begs you to push harder, 3500+ sounds exotic but capable.
Decline and Resurrection
it is no longer easy to service the vehicles. In 2002 both cars locked up itself because it was a self protective measure to prevent further use. (to prevent potential accident caused by aging mechanics, possibly only implied on V12s). A full inspection and hiring specialist from Mercedes cost about USD$37,500 for both cars. Not sure if that will happen again in 2012. Also strange problems starting to pop up here and there, some easier, some more troublesome.
Windows stuck, air-conditioning, brakes, less-than-perfect suspension, not-so-smooth transmission (still the V12 helped a lot, but gear shift feels a slight kick), poor noise isolation, lowered engine output, cracks in original paint. With some servicing and tolerance, it is still enjoyable to drive the W140, still better than a Toyota in any measure. It’s an 18-year-car, I think that’s impressive enough.
The R129 is in better condition though, everything works great. Although it received new bodyworks and post-facelift (clear) headlamps after an accident.
(sorry for my English, but I hope you enjoyed my first post to this forum
)
Should I post this in the SL forum as well?
Back in 1992, I was 4. My family’s W126 500SEL was stolen. A W140 with the M120 (6.0 V12) was the replacement. Shortly thereafter, my father sold his Porsche 911 (should be a 964, not sure if it’s a turbo) for a R129 with M120 as well.
The country I live in was not very safe back in those years. At times cars in front stopped suddenly and made us crash into them. For this reason and also my family being pretty low-profile, my father asked the dealer to rebadged both cars: 300SEL and 300SL-24. The V12 badges were removed.
The M120 on the W140
Today
There is 130,000 KM (80,000 miles+) on the W140, 58,000 KM (36,000+ miles) on the R129. They are still the faster and safer cars on the road, plus both cars means a lot to my family we are not selling them away. To me, I spent lots of time in the back seat and the W140 was the first car I have driven.
General Feeling
The way everything works together makes a complete A->B driving experience. It drives like a… car. Be reminded that even most of the new 2010 cars out there still doesn’t drive like a car, but something with four wheels. In my limited experience with newer I4, i5 and V6 cars, V12 feels MILES apart. Heavy, but refined.
Just to include how different is the R129 from W140. R129 is much more sensitive to your foot, rpm climbs to the point in milliseconds. Steering is tight. Suspension is spring-based, you get a good idea about the road surface, bumpy but very sensational. There is much more driving fun in there.
Sound (Basically the same engine, but tuned very differently)
W140: Startup sounds loud, thereafter very quiet up to 2500rpm, 2500-3500rpm sounds reserved, 4000+ were loud but nowhere aggressive
R129: Startup sounds like the real deal, supercar style! moans up to 2000rpm, 2000-3000 sounds raw and it begs you to push harder, 3500+ sounds exotic but capable.
Decline and Resurrection
it is no longer easy to service the vehicles. In 2002 both cars locked up itself because it was a self protective measure to prevent further use. (to prevent potential accident caused by aging mechanics, possibly only implied on V12s). A full inspection and hiring specialist from Mercedes cost about USD$37,500 for both cars. Not sure if that will happen again in 2012. Also strange problems starting to pop up here and there, some easier, some more troublesome.
Windows stuck, air-conditioning, brakes, less-than-perfect suspension, not-so-smooth transmission (still the V12 helped a lot, but gear shift feels a slight kick), poor noise isolation, lowered engine output, cracks in original paint. With some servicing and tolerance, it is still enjoyable to drive the W140, still better than a Toyota in any measure. It’s an 18-year-car, I think that’s impressive enough.
The R129 is in better condition though, everything works great. Although it received new bodyworks and post-facelift (clear) headlamps after an accident.
(sorry for my English, but I hope you enjoyed my first post to this forum
)Should I post this in the SL forum as well?
Reflections of the backup lights from the walls tells the whole story about the distance of the car from rear objects. Clever optics. 
The photos had a very HK feel.
ended up the car was towed.
