Mercedes SL Driven: New & Old - /CHRIS HARRIS ON CARS

The new SL 500 is the consummate all-rounder with an unrivalled heritage. We trace its roots from the classic W198 300 SL to the Pagoda W113 and the classic R107. Bobby Ewing forever!

[@manfromnantucket9544]

Am I the only one who wanted to see the R230?

[@Spartan168]

Probably. That car is total dogshit

[@CornflakesYognaut]

That ave maria at the end is just brilliant. It lets you contemplate what has been said, enjoy cars for a second, and then stop and take a moment for yourself. Isn't it beautiful? Just to stop for a second. Stop from the internet, from checking facebook or twitter, stop whatever you were going to do, and just relax. Do nothing. Smooooth....

[@Jeremysf1.]

I've bought an SL500, it's a lovely drive and Chris has nailed the review, as for the looks well I have never driven a car that's been admired so much.

[@d4r4gorn]

FInally someone who understands the SL, it's not about sport, it's about a comfy ride. Great review. Loved the 300sl part at the beginning

[@domanater480]

absolutely love the sl500! test drove a 2015 model last year and my god the power was unbelievable 0-60 in 4.5s and the torque is on whole other level!

[@MGrahamnz1]

No R129!? Best SL to date!

[@rscosworthfan]

totally agree

[@notroll1279]

I couldn't say… I've had one for 14 years now but haven't had the opportunity to compare it to the others so I'd have loved to see what CH thinks about it in comparison to earlier or later models.

[@callelindstrom4789]

Where is R129! That modell was the real game changer for the SL model. How can you exlude it?!😡 R231 even looks like a tribute for the R129 in design.

[@Memovox]

Harris owns a R129 now. So there's your answer.

[@Baerchenization]

This review cannot be complete without the R129 !! The first R129 test I had read back in the day said that with the new mesh wind screen and windows up, you could drive around with an open roof, wearing only a T shirt at minus ten degrees Celsius, such was the ventilation system :) It had the automatic roll-bar ! It's still a modern car :)

[@adeleodell8019]

Kind of a shame he jumped from the R107 to the latest rendition skipping the R129. Having owned a 1988 R 107 and currently owning an R 129. The R 129 was quite a jump ahead of the R107 in many ways. The R 107 was beautiful and still is but by the end it was a 60's car being made in the late 80's. The R 129 was the first of the modern SL's

[@michaelmottlau2072]

I really enjoy these videos with chriss harris - well done!!

[@cupdrums]

if there are going to be drive chanel awards. this man right here deserves something.

[@blurrrrz]

r 129 was by far the best looking one

[@viktork4003]

For me too. They should include it in this episode.

[@AbdoulAzizWane]

not WAS.. *** is **** the best looking

[@flavourboss]

Man these sort of episode are incredible, it should become a staple on the new network show! The ability to see the bloodline and ancestry of a car being reviewed is great, and to make the whole thing better having those cars described and DRIVEN by a genuine enthusiast is all the better. Well bloody done! Also Neil should have a hoon sometime!

[@NGNMYokohama]

This is the only drive show that I ALWAYS watch full screen, 720p. Well done as always guys.

[@gdgnj1]

Great video but how on earth do you skip right over the R129?!?!

[@reinhardhydrich]

GREAT Video but you really should have included the R129. perhaps a re edit for the future ?

[@complicatedtime]

"Like a DB5 having its bits fondled". Love the writing Chris.

[@rvpsilva9213]

The 1gen R129 model was, by far, the most beautiful

[@CaliBreeeze]

There’s something special with all older vehicles I swear

[@EnFonde_6]

Chris is by far the best to do reviews on cars !

[@valensi1988]

This new SL really has to be seen in first person to be judged. The red one at Geneva Motorshow was astonishing. In the pictures you can't see how three dimensional the front lights are. Beautiful.

[@Jxsey]

"It's like a DB5 having it's bits fondled" Classic

[@psyren7587]

You skipped the R230 and R129....

[@timber750]

Also the SLK350...

[@callelindstrom4789]

@@timber750 SLK is not SL

[@azmike3572]

Your reference to the Millenium Falcon does not go unnoticed...

[@disengagejam]

my Wednesday is now complete thanks to Chris Harris !!!

[@cupdrums]

haha i love how he always has to throw in that unessassry drift in every video. dont stop it though, do it just because you can! epic video

[@markcarter9476]

The R230 is one of the best looking cars ever made and you missed it out ....... I am biased as I have one and they currently represent one of the best value for money vehicles you can purchase. The SL350 being the pick of the range.

[@knifelunatic]

I love these "history of the model" eps!

[@aslightbreeze]

Your car commentaries fulfill my need for clever reviews of cars while Jeremy is on vacation

[@celsorod]

The definitive convertable and the definitive reviewer together make this a great video.

[@SaMaster18]

I absolutely love the SL class. My dad has the 09 SL550 (model style right before this one) and it is beautiful. He also had one of the older ones and loved it as well.

[@jeembomb]

"a munter"... hahaha! I watch and listen to a lot of British TV and such, but I've never heard that word before. Love it!

[@ohyeahbabyitson]

Aw man, I wanted to see my r230 on the list. But anyway, good video. 😊👍

[@jongadsby1623]

Why not the 230 SL500??? which is wonderful!!! Still not a sports car but a real Grand Tourer!!!!

[@almaris]

The R107 produced from 1971 to 1989 is the one I'd have! Stunning in every way

[@rjs15570]

Aside from great engineering, the SL is still stuck in the era of excess. Chris though did another amazing review!

[@AkaAndyKnuckles]

What a day it must have been. You lucky, competent man!

[@specops]

i love the way he drives that car around corners.

[@Rendclaw]

The Millennium Bloody Falcon! Priceless!!

[@jonathanjrdevalk6538]

I was just allowed to drive a 1984 300 sl euro spec car that my dad has owned for a number of years now. And I have to say that I get it now, it floats along very comfortable but when you want it there is enough performance to scare even the most savvy sports car driver. It was driving nirvana. The best way I can describe it is a quote from a cartoon "Floats like a cadillac stings like a beemer"

[@assassinm4]

Chris Harris guarantees a good review. Keep it going Chris.

[@timleuther2857]

Thank you. I'm to young to know the caracters from the show Dallas. I only heart that such a TV-Show exsisted.

[@G55STEYR]

I wanted to say do 40 min of each SL generation Especially in R129 wich is modern and can be use well every day as such is the 350SLC/ 450 SLC, very good roadholding and comfort. So in R129's at least 2 chapters: V8 (maybe SL60) and necessarily a V12 one. So beautiful are the first ones, a huge thanks for those driven and drifted, real sounds.

[@spartonboat1]

Where is the 1991-2002 SL? Skipped that one, which was a wonderful car and a leap forward vs. the 1971-1990 SL. Why? Who knows, maybe couldn't get one to test?

[@ZE0SPantera]

He skipped the 90's SL's. I love the look of those years.

[@jongadsby1623]

love your articles!!! not a moan!!!! Just a statement!!!! next year will have my 1965 Porsche 911R replica!!! Also have a 1964 appendix K Saab 96 2 stroke Rally car!!! was a minor motoring journalist many years ago!!! John

[@rscosworthfan]

in a perfect world it would be r129 body with the interior from this new one

[@dumkopf]

Brilliant as ever, Chris.

[@BenzinioB]

My personal favorite is still R-129 and... i think I prefer the exterior look of FL model of R230 then 231

[@tonyd223]

And what beautiful music

[@lucrativeelfmongrel]

That W198 is my sort of car... gorgeous.

[@shielddetailing]

Chris Harris the best drive reviewer

[@TomLoo]

Ave Maria. Very delicate song.

[@alternativethree]

The true first daily driver SL, the 190 SL, thats genesis SL, the most beautiful one.

[@grechjames]

drive i thank you for something to look forward to mid week :) perfect !! pagoda is just class love it

[@alexpeak16]

No you're not alone I feel the same way too; the original was just amazing the new car just looks like a bigger SLK. Can't wait for the twin turbo SL63 though!

[@fabiojalmeida]

I think Chris got it very right, this is a cruiser, a very fast cruiser and there's nothing else to say about the SL I think Chris Harris and Drive make the perfect union :D

[@dxlink]

R129. Best looking SL

[@mrdragancelan]

Considering Chris Harris's number 1 complaint about most modern cars is the change from hydraulic to electro-mechanical steering assist, I wouldn't mind seeing him take the new 3-series out for a test drive to verify its operation. Apparently when you go into sport mode, on top of many of the other things it does, it dramatically reduces the steering assist in order to provide more feedback to the driver via the steering wheel. Hopefully he takes the new 328 out and comes up with some criticism.

[@superset5]

music in the credits is BACH Prelude 1 C Major

[@Aramigo123]

that tach on the 198! fix it!

[@pezzonovante888]

Um... R129?

[@XenoRacing]

Love the W198 and R129 :D

[@Laurynas_S]

awesome video, is very interesting to see those old cars tested

[@AHMADF93]

I dont get why people say the new SL is ugly. It's beautiful. It is better looking compared to the previous gen(R230)

[@bhegg]

Look at those RIDICULOUS seats.

[@petrol_addict]

i actually did buy it. came in the mail a few days ago. I recognized the tag on the sleeve; if you didn't it's Superdry. The website has a double and a triple zip, i got the triple zip. It's a really awesome jacket actually.

[@Shift4g]

This new SL makes me want a CL even more.

[@Kobun-kw2pf]

CHRIS HARRIS IS THE KING!!!

[@TJPark01]

This video just goes to show how brilliant the W198 really is, and why it commands the stratospheric price tag and is coveted by every MB collector in the world.

[@vincentsolito8234]

so you include a $1,000,000 300SL but cant be bothered to include a $5,000 R129? Still a great video but you skipped the best one!

[@murrieteacher]

thanks Chris, very informative video. The roads you drove on are very interesting too. I could see me driving one of those through the Jarah Forests in Western Australia or the hinterland of the Gold Coast on the Eastern coast of Australia.

[@Novazon2]

YAY! Chris! misssssed you.

[@Porvena]

Another great video thx

[@normaspirated]

R231 is hot as fuck, but the R129 will always have a place in my heart.

[@spartan0x75]

Am I the only one here who thinks that the original is so much better looking than the new one?

[@EatmyDust1311]

I really want that 57' now damn you Chris

[@loloh91]

Why didn't you show the 90's one? I love that SL!!!

[@iAutogenius]

I honestly think people should stop criticizing electronic steering. Manufacturers are going towards it today because if is more efficient and surely safer. Get with the new times and appreciate the technology of today.

[@sasajungic89]

another great video Chris

[@minibus1351]

just give me chris harris, nothing less, nothing more.

[@timbodancer]

Nice video but I miss the R129

[@Aurora_v_cali]

That old sl300 sounds pritty good:)

[@skuz34]

look at the size of that steering wheel, thats so awesome! big ass truckin wheel

[@D.difran.1367]

If you guys are paying big buks for those drive ads that come on before the video... Id contact youtube and have it so they dont waste them on videos on the Drive channel.... we're already here, and most of us are thoroughly enjoying it and don't need to be convinced to watch it.

[@charliedigital1]

yeah I really wanted to hear his thoughts on the R129

[@MusicianKnowsBest]

I know pretty much everyone thinks this is the ugliest SL ever made, but... I actually like the looks of the car. It’s not my FAVORITE SL, but I definitely prefer it over the new refresh. Mercedes, BMW, and Porsche build the best cars in the world in my opinion of course. My dad has an R107 model SL and I have always loved that car. The only thing about the SL’s starting with R107 all the way until now is pretty much every single one of them came with an automatic. I wish more of them came with manual transmissions. I would love to experience driving my dads with a manual transmission!

[@TripleZ89]

Actually I saw the new SL in person at the Chicago Auto Show, and it looks good, top up and down, and especially with a satin dark grey metallic paintjob. :P

[@jeremyk5414]

The R107 will always be known as the body of the “The Excellent” which should have sold at the Coy’s auction for £100,000

[@Aventador123]

Now thats a beauty.

[@SBak46]

I was looking for R129 and R230...

[@golotitore]

Chris, hope u liked the Ascari race resort, and the beautiful roads surrounding it!!!

[@pablopozoblanco]

What is the location of this video? It seems Spain.

[@Carrera911Fan]

does anybody else think the older ones look way better than the new one ??

[@000Haze]

Agree, seems to be a love it or hate it thing.

[@gregaperkin]

Super video Chris

[@TheStwat]

Why did you miss out the R129?

[@bmancodgta4]

the entry level berlinetta ferrari would be a great one for that. Even just from the 355, 360, 430, 458... that'd be sick

[@IDiedForYou1776]

Hey Chris can you do some classic American Muscle cars? I would love to hear your take on them...could people thumbs up this so he can see please

[@Rangeroversport12]

am i the only one who likes the look of the new one?

[@tab1990]

What the R129?