Mercedes Benz SL Class (R129)

Model history

Designed in 1984, the R129 was based on the shortened floorpan of the Mercedes-Benz W124 and featured many innovative details for the time, for instance electronically controlled damping (Adaptive Damping System ADS, optional) and a hidden, automatically extending roll-over bar. The R107's rather dated rear diagonal swing axle gave way to a modern multi-link axle. The number of standard features was high, with electric action for the windows, mirrors, seats and hydraulic convertible top.

Starting in 1993 for the 1994 model year, R129 were re-designated. For example, 500 SL became SL 500. Starting in model year 1994, Mercedes-Benz offered special SL models from time to time, such as the Mille Miglia edition cars of model year 1994 or the SL edition of model year 2000.

1994 cars (for 1995 model year) had minor updates for the car

1995 onwards R129s for the 1996 model year featured a minor facelift for the car:

During 1996 for model year 1997, cars were the first year to have an option of the panoramic roof. Also newly available:

A second facelift occurred in 1998 for model year 1999 which featured:

Engine history

Initially, there were three different engines available,

and joined in July 1992 by the

There was a choice of 5-speed manual or 4–5 speed automatic for the six-cylinder cars; the V8 and V12 could only be ordered with an 4-speed automatic gearbox.

In Autumn 1993 Mercedes-Benz rearranged names and models. Also, the 300 SL and 300 SL-24 were respectively replaced by:

Only the 280 was available with a manual gearbox. SL 500 and 600 continued with their respective engines.

A second facelift, introduced in late 1998, comprised new external mirrors, 17" wheels and new bumpers. Also new were the engines,

The V12 engine remained unchanged.

The North American Market

Not all engines were offered in North America. The 1990 Mercedes-Benz SL base model was the 228 hp 300 SL version (European 300 SL-24) equipped with a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission, but it was the 322 hp 500 SL (with a 5.0-litre V8 engine) which made the most headlines. For model year 1993, the 600 SL was additionally introduced stateside.

The SL 320 replaced the 300 SL in the United States in 1994, but the SL 280 was not offered. The 6-cylinder SLs were dropped from the US line-up in 1998, leaving just the V8 and V12.

1990–1995

Front suspension Independent damper struts with separate coil springs and gas-pressurised shock absorbers, triangular lower control arms with anti-dive geometry and stabiliser bar.

Rear suspension Independent 5-arm multilink with separate single-tube gas-pressurised shock absorbers and coil springs, geometry for anti-lift, anti-squat and alignment control, stabiliser bar.

Wheels 8.0Jx16H2 aluminium alloy and regular.

Tires 225/55 ZR 16 steel-belted radial

Brakes 2-circuit hydraulic power-assisted 4-wheel discs. Antilock Braking System (ABS).

1996–1997

Body construction Monocoque with front and rear crumple zones and removable hardtop.

Front suspension Independent damper strut with anti-dive geometry and stabiliser bar. Separate shock absorbers and coil springs. Negative-offset steering.

Rear suspension Independent 5-arm multilink with geometry for anti-lift, anti-squat and alignment control and stabiliser bar. Separate shock absorbers and coil springs.

Steering Recirculating ball with speed-sensitive power assist and hydraulic damper. Steering wheel turns (lock-to-lock) 3.0.

Tires Steel-belted radials. Performance 225/55ZR16.

Wheels aluminium alloy 8.0Jx16 H2.

Brakes 2-circuit hydraulic power-assisted 4-wheel disc. Ventilated front, solid rear brake discs.

Antilock Braking System (ABS) ABS senses impending wheel lock-up under heavy braking and pumps the front brakes individually or the rear brakes together (to help maintain stability), as needed, up to 30 times per second to prevent lock-up and maintain steering ability.

300 SL

Wheelbase 99.0 in

Curb weight
1989: 1800 kg – 3,970 lb
1991: 1819 kg – 4,010 lb
1993: 1830 kg – 4,035 lb
1994: 1855 kg – 4,090 lb

Trunk capacity 7.9 cu ft

Fuel capacity 79.9 l – 21.1 gal (US) 17.5 gal (Imp)

500 SL

Wheelbase 99.0 in

Curb weight
1989: 1880 kg – 4,145 lb
1993: 1889 kg – 4,165 lb
1999: 1890 kg – 4,167 lb

Trunk capacity 7.9 cu ft

Fuel capacity 79.8 l – 21.1 gal

600 SL

Wheelbase 99.0 in

Curb weight 2020 kg – 4,455 lb

Trunk capacity 7.9 cu ft

Fuel capacity 79.8l 21.1 gal

1990–1995

Automatic climate control.

Automatic day/night rearview mirror (1993).

Seating and trim

Leather upholstery.

10-way power seats with 3-position memory.

Audio, navigation and communication

Bose Acoustimass sound system (1994).

Restraint system

SRS with driver air bag.

Front passenger air bag (1991).

Automatic pop-up roll bar.

1990–1995

Headlamp washers with wipers.

Removable hardtop with electrically heated rear window.

ADS (Adaptive Damping System), standard on 600 SL, optional on 500 SL.

Removable wind deflector.

8-hole alloy wheels (1994–95).

ASR (Automatic Slip Control).

AMG offerings

AMG had already offered an SL version while still independent, the AMG 500 SL 6.0 of 1991. After being taken over by Daimler-Benz, there were several AMG SL-models available through D-B dealers.

The SL 60 AMG was the most numerous of these rare cars. Sold from 1993 to 1998, it used a 6.0-litre V8 (5956 cc) engine producing 381 PS (280 kW; 376 hp) at 5500 rpm. AMG claimed a 0–62 mph (100 km/h) speed of 5.6 seconds. Its top speed was limited to 250 km/h (155 mph).

Extremely rare was the SL 72 AMG, with a 7055 cc engine, sold through Mercedes-AMG in 1995, and offering the most powerful V12 engine ever put into an SL up to that time with 525 PS (386 kW; 518 hp). After a brief hiatus, the SL 73 AMG was offered with the new 7291 cc engine from 1997 to 2001. The same 7.3 L V12 was later used by Pagani in the Zonda. Only 85 cars were made.

Also very rare is the SL 70 AMG which was powered by a 7.0 L (7055 cc) V12 engine developing 496 PS (365 kW; 489 hp) at 5500rpm and a maximum torque of 720 Nm at 3.900 rpm. It was a bored out version of M120 6.0 V12, and with a longer stroke. Produced between 1996 and 1997 in 150 units.

The SL 55 AMG was sold in the R129 body style from 1998 to 2001 in limited numbers (5.4L V8, 354 PS (260 kW; 349 hp) at 5500 rpm). It was the predecessor of the production R230 SL 55 AMG sold later, albeit was normally aspirated in the R129 and not supercharged as in its R230 successor. 65 cars were made.

Only about 300 cars in the SL-class were customised by AMG prior to the 2003 model year.

Mille Miglia Edition

In 1995 Mercedes released the Mille Miglia edition, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Stirling Moss's win of the 1955 Mille Miglia road race. The limited edition was available in either SL 320 or SL 500 guise, came in Brilliant Silver metallic, and had Evo II six-spoke polished alloys, red and black leather interior, carbon-fibre trim and extra equipment. Stirling Moss was given the first SL 500 built.

Silver Arrow Edition

A special edition of 2002 SL 500/SL 600 was made to celebrate the 1930s Silver Arrow race car. It had two-tone interior, leather on steering wheel and seats, and special wheels. For the US market, only 1550 Silver Arrow units were produced; 100 units of the SL 600 and 1450 units of the SL 500.

Other Editions

Several other editions were released of the 129 body SL. These include:

Sport model SL 320 included AMG staggered tire setup (1997)

Media attention

The R129 received heightened media attention in Great Britain in 1991 when Diana, Princess of Wales sold her Jaguar XJS to lease a metallic-red 500 SL and became the first member of the royal family to use a foreign car. This was not without controversy as it sparked a media storm as it questioned whether a member of the British royal family should drive a foreign car. Media pressure eventually forced her to return the car to Mercedes-Benz in 1992, with whom it now resides in the Mercedes-Benz Museum.