Norm, the overall dimensions (cab size) remained the same throughout the series. Most of the interior changes were basically cosmetic with differing seat styling.
The electrically adjusted seats are very configurable and can adjust to almost every shape and size of driver. Maybe you could go to a dealer and just sit in one and play around with the seat adjustment controls as well as the adjustable steering column to find out if you can fit into an SL500.

Re. the gearbox, the first 5 speed electronic box came out in 1995 but did suffer with some electrical teething troubles, however these were corrected. I think it was after 1996 that these 5 speeders became virtually bulletproof.

I'm sure others will chime in and add or correct the above info.

 

bielefeld280se if we knew you were after an R129 we would have invited you too at our meet at Brooklands at the end of April were RedLiner and me were two of the people there since a few fellow memebers showed with their own R129 so you could have tested them. Yes the seat do move backwards a lot and I don't know your driving style or your usual driving position but at 6'8" I fear you might feel pretty cramped. As RedLiner said your best bet is to test one and see if you can actually fit and go out for a test drive and see if driving is comfortable for you also. Both with the top up or down because you might experience too much airflow while driving with the top down.

Cheers.

 

I'm 6'1" with fairly long legs and find that I max out in terms of seat travel before I get to a truly comfortable driving position with my 2001 R129. I like to have my legs fairly close to straight out when I drive. If I bring the front edge of the seat up a bit it helps, but because of travel limits this usually causes the seat bottom to automatically move forward a bit in response, thus limiting the benefit. At 6'8" I'm guessing that you won't be as comfortable as you might like (or expect).

I'm reminded of many years back when I lived in the same apartment building with Ralph Sampson's "little" sister. Ralph, a pro basketball player, would occasionally show up to visit her - it was quite a sight to watch him unfold his 7'4" frame from his Porsche 944. Having owned one of those autos myself (from 1990 to 1996), I can only imagine that he had removed the front seat and was actually sitting in the back!

 

Yeah, if you're 6'8" I hate to say it, but this isn't the car for you. I'm 6'3" or so, and find it very hard to get comfortable on longer drives. The seat hits the stops just before I get comfortable, and I generally find myself putting my left food under the brake pedal so I can at least have one leg straight.

 

Thanks for the replies.

Doesnt sound too good for me does it! It's a really shame because I love the styling of the R129 and it ticks a lot of boxed for me. i.e. reasonably priced, seem to be well made from what I have read, fast, handles well, etc but my height might put a stop to things.

I've been out in an R230 and it was fine, no problems at all. The newer cars all seem a lot more roomy but the R230 is too expensive for me and I hear the build quality is poor too.

Anyone have any other recommendations for a car, something a little sporty / fun to drive for under £10k, that might be more suitable for a guy my height? (Suppose that would be around $16k US?)

 

Really? I found the R230 to be more cramped feeling than my R129. Hmm...

I think this is one of those things where it might be different for different people. I can tell you firsthand that if you are tall and most of your height comes from long legs, then you're in trouble. But if your legs are normal and your torso is long, then you probably won't have an issue. The car has plenty of headroom, it's the legroom that's limited.

I think you should find one for sale at a dealer or whatnot, and go test it out. You may just be fine in it after all. If you didn't mind the 230, then that makes me think you will probably fit into this one fine.

 

bielefeld280se it's really connected to what you have to spend. I would say to consider a Mercedes CL (W215) boy but I feel they might be scarce in UK and since the more reliable models are from 2003 (I have a 2003 anyway) and from 2004 they have the newer DVD based navi and newer electronic goodies I think they might be a tad more expensive than the amount of money you have in mind.
Again, the best bet for you is to go to a dealer and test it.

Good luck.

Cheers.

 

Yeah I'll see if I can find one locally to try out. Fingers crossed!

 

If cost is an issue and you are really set on an R129 SL500, you could perhaps modify the the seat position.
As you are in the UK the most common models will probably have the rear leather seats, so if you don't mind chopping into those it may be possible to unbolt the driver seat from the floor and re-fix it 15 - 20 cms. (6 -8 ins.) further back. As you will be RHD there are some electrics under the right rear seat but far enough away to allow you to cut and shut