Mercedes R129 and Porsche 996: Meet Our Modern Classics

In a slightly different kind of video from CarGurus UK, Vicky Parrott and Chris Knapman bring together their modern classic cars: an R129-generation Mercedes SL, and a 996-generation Porsche 996.
In this video, Vicky and Chris explain what it's been like to own these cars over a number of years, as well as providing a few helpful hints for anybody who might be thinking about buying a modern classic car of their own.
And if that sounds like you, here's a great place to start your search, with a guide to the top 50 modern classic cars to buy right now: www.cargurus.c...
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#cargurusUK #porsche996 #mercedessl

[@JustinSmith-ee9kp]

One way to keep the costs of running a classic down is to do as much of the servicing as you can yourself. You can learn so much from KZbin, and it becomes a joy. Increases your bond with the car too!

[@BEGGARWOOD1]

I paid 9000 for my SL 20 years ago I have likely spent 12k to look after it, it’s likely worth 12k now but all the memories and fun I have had it it are worth every penny. Two years ago it took us to Tuscany and back without a hitch ❤

[@ericuyttebroeck]

But a modern, soulless German car with a turbo 2 liter dyson vacuum engine also costs 500-700 euros/pounds/dollars per year to maintain and you completely beat depreciation so big win as I see it!

[@BH_London]

Which version of SL do you have? I’m considering an R129 but don’t want it to bankrupt me 😅

[@mindrazor]

What a great real world video of the 2 cars that I've been vascillating between buying for the past 2 years. LOVE the sleek, rock solid elegance of that SL, especially the early models with two tone trim and orange indicators. And then that sexy rear end of the 996, the sound, the drive, the grunt, it's all just intoxicating. I've finally pulled the trigger on a 996.2 in the exact same spec as yours. Life is too short to drive a boring car.

[@timmantle7154]

996 ftw, that car is going to sky rocket, tastes are changing.

[@alessandrogetilli2831]

I owned a 996.2 for five years; the soft touch seats were very confortable. Great car. I miss it.

[@mattltvtoyreviews1955]

I could watch you both doing this all day, what a really great video. 🤗

[@Rascularvideos]

I completely agree.

[@SimonWaddilove]

Having owned a 986 boxster i thought the doors had a solid thunk on closing but that mercedes is on another level

[@fairfaxa]

Very early 3.4 fried egg 996.... lovely.... They are a real treat, and very very revvy, unlike the later 3.6 cars.

[@charliesgarageuk5881]

I rarely comment but absolutely loved this video! Friendly, honest and great insights.

[@nickduncan1505]

Great honest review of what it’s like to run a very desirable modern classic. A refreshing change from the electric white goods.

[@andrewfitzmaurice7843]

Great to see the SL and 911 again and what’s not to like about a bit of man maths! I take the view that the increased potential repair and maintenance costs of a modern classic, is still less than the finance costs and depreciation on a modern car. I keep telling myself this when faced with problems on my P38…..

[@chrisyates2591]

Very nice team presentation. I'm doing up my R129 SL 280 V6 ATM.😊

[@chrispenn715]

Agree 100% on the Alpine - I'd love one too!

[@christopherjhall]

3 cylinder merc?

[@sergei.perlov]

Special edition 😂

[@DS-fo4ed]

No, 6 cylinders but 3 brain cells

[@radinz1]

She said straight 6 later looking under hood - she probably was thinking the 3 cylinder GR Yaris makes more power 😂

[@pauldavidson2443]

Great content and presenters, honest appraisal

[@enginharman8594]

Your 911 wheels look great and compliment the silver paintwork perfectly 👌. Also I agree with the man maths 😬

[@donreidy5422]

Great video I have both triple black love them very much thank you

[@jerrys.]

I bought a 1988 R107 300Sl when it was just over 10 years old. Fearing repair bills on an older luxury car that I might not be able to afford I started a separate monthly savings account just in case. That fund increased over the years through a 2001 R129 SL320 and an R230 5.5 SL500. The fund never took a dent till I bought a modern Porsche when I had to buy a complete new PDK gearbox. That was because an electrical sensor failed and ZF who make them don’t supply spares….

[@robertlloyd7493]

A car review of petrol cars.....I like it 😊

[@pb5x5]

Optional rear seats......... I wonder if they retro fitted now? If you could find any. Nice cars shows that car journalist like the older cars in some ways more than the new cars.

[@E15tony]

Very enjoyable video, you should do an update in 12 months! 😀

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

I bought my 1999 R129 SL320 straight 6 in 2010 £9000 42,000 miles. It’s still a joy to drive. Got 68,500 on her now. Needs a new soft top. Note you can get genuine rear seats to allow you the two kids or one adult side ways

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

Vicky you’re more than welcome to try my R129 1999 (5speed) 320 straight six.

[@phillipevans9414]

I'm in Australia, and my modern classic(ish) is a 1993 Ford Fairlane Sportsman Ghia (has a factory Tickford tuned 4.0L straight six) and it's a wonderful long distance cruiser. However, would dearly love an R129 Merc at some stage in the future. Cheers!

[@callelindstrom4789]

Nice cars! I owned 996 and have 500 R129 for 13 years. Love it! But, I dont agree Vicky about the hardtop, its all alu and wiegh 70 pounds..its a masterpiece. I say its light!..

[@LCOF]

The older he gets, the more he's going to want to get an SL. I'd love a go in a manual 300SL, there are a few about. I'd stick on a supercharger, sort the suspension and maybe a short shifter just to make it a bit of an SL oddity among the range. But failing that from happening, a SL500 is still within reach.

[@waleedkhan7623]

To be honest this SL is just so beautiful ❤❤❤

[@herme99]

I own a year 2000 E46 Alpina, and a 2002 996 C2 - two things I do to manage costs; I do most maintenance myself apart from bodywork, and I never keep a running total!

[@chrispenn715]

The R230 SL is also coming into the 'affordable classic' category now. I skipped from the R107 to the R230 for the convenience of the roof........ and a mint R230 was about a fifth of the price of an R107.....

[@jamesreckling6697]

The only issue with R230’s is the quality of the car went down.

[@chrispenn715]

@@jamesreckling6697 yep. But not as much as the rest of the range (well that's what I tell myself ) 😭

[@urbanstrencan]

Mazda MX-5 the modern classic for me , #youngtimers ❤❤😊😊

[@billrbca]

good video for me...I have a '90 300SL ...and I still lust after 911's...but the air cooled are going out of sight...so the 996's are the ones I 'think' about....

[@prakashnarismulu3332]

Two great cars . Engineered in Stuttgart Germany 🇩🇪

[@prakashnarismulu3332]

That SL has 911 in its number plate 😅

[@gordonsimpson3235]

....being pedantic here. The SL was built in Bremen, miles away from Stuttgart.

[@BenR911]

A set of 2 Genuine porsche switchable sports exhaust silencers/mufflers from Design 911 is £3729. I ended up getting danske non-switchable in the end and they are fine. If I was to buy again I'd get the top gear switchable system. In one of your videos you could also mention the ridiculous cost of front headlights. £2098 each for a 996 litronic headlight.

[@RevLexus]

That red mercedes is gorge!

[@mtlsi]

Thank you.

[@martinwood9014]

Great video thanks

[@rogerlee9147]

Well done fella!

[@-DC-]

Mercedes all day long ❤

[@keith6360]

Im curious about the thought process of car journalist' everyday cars like Vicky's e46

[@buckynick]

One handed driving!

[@manekdubash5022]

Yes, don't rest your hand on the gearstick, it'll increase gearbox wear.

[@mountain_walker]

996’s are only going to increase in value

[@JeremyGeduldt-m2h]

The Speedometer in the Mercedes Benz R129 in orange kilometers in white miles .

[@nickmoulton446]

I have a 991 & starting to find it a bit much for UK roads (potholes & cameras), so thinking of swapping to R129

[@manekdubash5022]

I've owned some lovely fast cars, including 911s - and in the UK there are so few places to really enjoy them that I'm on the edge of buying an R129.

[@helmuthhaass3631]

The hardtop of an R129 only weighs 37kg and not 100kg. It can very easily be picked up by two people to be removed or installed

[@chrispenn715]

Surely not being able to get the kids in the back is a massive plus point? 😂

[@TeaVR]

Good watching! Btw, 996 - the most uncomfortable car I've ever driven. Seats are crap.

[@jes9k236]

When she said 3 cylinder thats it this is the first and last time i watch this channel

[@BEGGARWOOD1]

All R129 are a bit slow to change on the first few minutes of a drive

[@hectorhobbes]

Mine holds gears longer on cold mornings. The manual says it's to warm the engine quicker

[@Future-Classic-Cars]

I'm Disabled and live in supported living I have a mk1 slk 320, all the classic car insurers are a 2 cars household policy, does anyone know an insurer please with a 1 car household and affordable?

[@jmsjms296]

Check your budget, mate.

[@djneils100]

3 cylinder inline merc?

[@eamoneejit]

Love an R129, but to be picky, Vicky (oh yes), it’s an inline six cylinder engine. Just a slip of the tongue I’m sure.

[@davidhayes4814]

No… I am sure that she really thought it to be a 3 cylinder.

[@S2000Y]

A breakdown of the costs would be helpful, saying £7k in 3 years and £9k since 2014 doesnt help potential buyers.

[@timallsopp8656]

I’ll take the Mercedes SL over the 911… but I would say that as I am 57 years old lol

[@phillipevans9414]

56 y.o...ditto. Cheers!

[@donreidy5422]

Vicky did the three cylinder thing on purpose, did you guys really think Mercedes made a three cylinder in a SL?

[@MrGMawson2438]

Very nice VW's

[@siegfriedbarfuss9379]

The hardtop is only 35 kg. Not 100 as stated! The pano roof is a different story ..

[@arakassabian5879]

Three Cylinders.....are you sure? My R129 has Six !!!!

[@TerryUrquhart-v4w]

A 3 cylinder SL?….think u got that wrong there ..

[@JeffreyVillarreal-ng5tf]

I am so in love with my 1999 SL500 R129...cant get enough of it. it has been expensive but totally worth it. can't think of another car that can match it. sex on wheels.

[@paulcfyeung]

Did she say inline 3 cylinder? 😂

[@JeremyGeduldt-m2h]

Vickie Butler Henderson on Fifth Gear .

[@waleedkhan7623]

Thé SL is so pretty compare To the ugly porche 😂❤

[@bikemike1118]

The hardtop is made from ALUMINUM …. It’s only about 34 kilo‘s ! Not a hundred kilograms 😉

[@klausnielsen7102]

The problem with modern classics are that they are not really cheap to run and drive and…

[@jmsjms296]

NO car is "really cheap to run and drive".

[@manekdubash5022]

​@@jmsjms296I suppose there are some of those modern blobby appliances on wheels that might not cost too much. Dunno, don't care.

[@MrGMawson2438]

Do enjoy them cars China isn't really interested in Combustion engines any more

[@billturner6564]

He spent 7k on his 996 IN 3 YEARS 😅😅😅 And he is moaning..... He should really go out and get a new 911 Put his 130k down on the table and not spend a penny on it so that would be cheaper 😅😅😅 Until he trades it in for 60k😅😅😅😅

[@DS-fo4ed]

In-line 3 cylinder naturally aspirated ? Where have the other 3 cylinders gone. Thought she knew what she was talking about. School boy error. And she calls the sl,a poor man’s merc. Please someone educate her

[@lascm5237]

Digital dials… cup holders… 3 cylinders… Yep, they know what they’re talking about 😅

[@ifyouarefeelingsinister]

Haha I thought that, and then I remembered how many simple presentations I’ve butchered at work (without a camera in my face!)

[@jf8085]

He likes the worst 911 ever with those terrible headlights

[@DoubleOSeven007]

Mercedes are so expensive on parts. Real moneypits. Porsche too. I think they’re both ok, but only if you do all the spannering yourself. Both a bit ugly, so can’t see them rising in value. High miles most of them too now. That 996 interior is just bad. Shame because the chassis is excellent.

[@BEGGARWOOD1]

The r129 is beautiful ❤

[@jmsjms296]

@@BEGGARWOOD1 In YOUR eyes.

[@Paulomagalhaes495]

…The 996 C4S is in my view one of the "most beautiful" Porsches ever came from the factory, since the brand was founded in 1948…So I bought mine in june 2019. As for rising in value or not, don’t worry, it has already raised smth between 20% to 34% (even if you can not see it), depending on overall equipement, shape, mileage etc, according to dedicated press like french magazine "Flat 6", Porsche specialized since 1990…