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Owner/drivers of both, how do they compare in your experience?
I have had some seat time but not much beyond a 1st impression (using an E31 as a base): The steering was vague and generally awful. The suspension was soft, compliant and very comfortable around town. Unfortunately, the car felt ponderous when pushed. Factory standard brakes felt a bit spongy too.
Fit / finish was great, the V12s is leagues better but clearly held back by everything else. That said, I do love the styling!
I also owned a R230 for many years and while it too had atrocious steering, the immense power / torque made it great for highway cruising.
In many ways, as different as the 456 is from the E31 (in terms of sportiness, handling, feedback, balance, nimbleness), the R129 is from the E31 going even further in the luxury/GT direction, and away from sport.
Would love thoughts from actual owners! Are there any tweaks that actually improve the steering? It makes no sense that a bone stock long wheelbase E38 has far better steering/handling than a 2 door roadster.
Last edited by Auraraptor; 11-25-2022 at 12:50 AM.
Member
Reminded me of a column by Jack Baruth, R&T, Jan 2016, "The Annoyances Of Driving Old Cars Fast", featuring my MBZ W201.Originally Posted by Auraraptor
Tip: replace all the rubber joints.
Member
Mmmmmm R129 so sexy. If I had one the hard top would stay on. The engines and interior seem so fantastic but the odds of perilous operating costs and the absurd and leaky hydraulic powered accessories means I'll keep my 850Ci despite the difference in power.
Manual Swapper
The car is a lot more "robust" than the E31 overall, but not as techy. The only trouble-spot is the convertible top hydraulics which all need to be re-sealed by now. Personally I prefer the Mercedes M119 V8 over the BMW M60/M62. I also have a 93 400E with this engine in 4.2L form and that car has 335,000 miles.
Driving, they are VERY different cars. The R129 is squishy and feels more insulated from the road. It is capable, but not as eager. This is based on a stock 1997 SL500 (Pano roof) versus the 1994 840Ci with some performance upgrades.
r129e31.jpg
Last edited by olinjohnston; 11-25-2022 at 06:47 PM.
Member
As a current owner of an 850i 6speed, 850CSI, E39M5. The 850i 6 speed is just a big rev happy 2 door Luxobarge. Surprisingly the 850CSI and E39 M5 have similar handling (IMO), but the E39 M5 has a slight edge. I drove a 1997 850i auto and compared to my E38 750il there was no comparison my E38 was a better road car all the way around even with both engines being an M73. In fact, I find my 01 E38 750il, “the best road car” although I drove a friends euro 83 or 85? Mercedes 450 sedan (I think) that car was a very nice driving/riding car with a V8. Unfortunately, I have very limited experience with Mercedes, driven that 450?, a 69 280sl, and a 09 SLK AMG….all neat cars. If you don’t get a chance to drive an 850CSI, then find a well sorted E39 M5 and enjoy…though the S70 really is quite special with a 3rd and 4th gear pulls like a freight train.
2009 M6, 2005 M3 comp 6spd slicktop, 2002 M3 convertible, 2002 530i slicktop sport package, 2001 M5, 2001 750il, 1994 850 CSI 0015, 1993 M5 3.6, 1991 850i 6spd, 1988 750il, 1988 M5, 1985 535i, 1959 502....yes it is a sickness!
Spitfire980
As an owner of both R129 (since 2010) and E31 (since 2017)
The R129 can be made to handle corners and brake much better, Mercedes left soo much on the table
For starters, H&R springs, #1 and #3 spring pad shims, AMG red strut buffers and B6 shocks. For the brakes, they were never sufficient, the 300-500 90-99 got 300mm rotors, the 600s got 320mm....all 99+ R129 got 334m brembo brakes which makes a huge difference when matched with great pads and SS lines
"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, Oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car, Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall, Torque is how far you take the wall with you."
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