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Mercedes-Benz R129
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The Mercedes-Benz R129 automobiles were produced from 1989 through 2001. They were sold under the SL-Class model names. The R129 replaced the R107 SL-Class in 1989 and was in its turn replaced by the R230 in 2001.
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 (optional) and a hidden, automatically extending roll-over bar.
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Encyclopedia
The Mercedes-Benz R129 automobiles were produced from 1989 through 2001. They were sold under the SL-Class model names. The R129 replaced the R107 SL-Class in 1989 and was in its turn replaced by the R230 in 2001.
Model history
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 (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 hood.
Initially, there were three different engines available,
- 300 SL with a M103 3.0L 12-valve SOHC L6 ( at 5700 rpm),
- 300 SL-24 with a M104 3.0L 24-valve DOHC L6 ( at 6300 rpm),
- 500 SL with a M119 5.0L 32-valve DOHC V8 ( at 5500 rpm),
joined in July, 1992 by the,
- 600 SL with a M120 6.0L 48-valve DOHC V12 (389 hp/290 kW) @ 5200 rpm)
There was a choice of 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic for the six-cylinder cars , the V8 and V12 could only be ordered with an automatic gearbox.
In Autumn 1993 Mercedes rearranged names and models.
The 300 SL was replaced by the,
- SL 280 with a M104 2.8L 24-valve DOHC L6 (197 hp(145kW) at 5500 rpm)
and,
- SL 320 with a M104 3.2L 24-valve DOHC L6 (220 hp (161 kW) at 5500 rpm)
Only the 280 was available with a manual gearbox. SL 500 and 600 continued with their respective engines.
1995 saw a mild facelift concerning head- and taillights and several new features adopted as standard: side air bags, automatic climate control and ESP, among other things. HID headlights were newly optional, as was a full-glass hardtop.
A second facelift, introduced in late 1998, comprised new external mirrors, 17" wheels and new bumpers. Also new were the engines,
- SL 280 with a M112 2.8L 18-valve SOHC V6 ( at 5700 rpm),
- SL 320 with a M112 3.2L 18-valve SOHC V6 ( at 5600 rpm)
and
- SL 500 (( at 5600 rpm) - full throttle enrichment removed .
The V12 engine remained unchanged.
Starting in 1994, Mercedes offered special SL models from time to time, like the Mille Miglia edition cars of 1994 or the SL edition of 2000.
North America
In North America, the SL followed the development of the European cars, except that not all engines were available there. The 1989 Mercedes SL base model was the 228 hp 300SL version, but it was the 322 hp 500SL (with a 5.0 L V8 engine) which made the most headlines. For model year 1993, the 600 SL was additionally introduced stateside.
The SL320 replaced the 300SL in the United States in 1995, but the SL280 was not offered. The 6-cylinder SLs were dropped from the US lineup in 1998, leaving just the V8 and V12. The SL500 got the new 302 hp 5.0 L V8 for 1999.
Engine&Drivetrain
1990–1995
300SL
Engine 3.0-liter DOHC 24-valve inline 6-cylinder. 1994: 3.2-liter DOHC 24-valve inline 6-cylinder.
Net power 228 hp @ 6,300 rpm. 1994: 229 hp @ 5,600 rpm. 1995: 228 hp @ 5,600 rpm.
Net torque 201 lb-ft @ 4,600 rpm. 1994: 232 lb-ft @ 3,750 rpm.
Compression ratio 10.0:1
Fuel requirement Premium unleaded gasoline.
Fuel and ignition system KE-5. 1994: HFM fully electronic with integrated ignition.
Transmission 5-speed automatic or 5-speed manual. 1994: 5-speed automatic.
500SL
Engine 5.0-liter twin-DOHC 32-valve aluminum-alloy V-8.
Net power 322 hp @ 5,500 rpm. 1993: 315 hp @ 5,600 rpm.
Net torque 332 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm. 1993: 347 lb-ft @ 3,900 rpm.
Compression ratio 10.0:1
Fuel requirement Premium unleaded gasoline.
Fuel and ignition system KE-5. 1993: LH electronic.
Transmission 4-speed automatic.
600SL
Engine 6.0-liter twin-DOHC 48-valve aluminum-alloy V-12.
Net power 389 hp @ 5,200 rpm
Net torque 420 lb-ft @ 3,800 rpm
Compression ratio 11.0:1
Fuel requirement Premium unleaded gasoline.
Fuel and ignition system LH electronic.
Transmission 4-speed automatic.
1996–1997
SL320
Engine DOHC 24-valve. Inline 6-cylinder.
Displacement 195.2 cu in/3,199 cc
Net power 228 hp/170 kW @ 5,600 rpm
Net torque 232 lb-ft/315 N.m @ 3,750 rpm
Compression ratio 10.0:1
Fuel requirement Premium unleaded gasoline, 91 pump octane.
Fuel and ignition system ME 2.1 fully electronic fuel injection and ignition with antiknock control.
Transmission Driver-adaptive electronically controlled 5-speed automatic.
Rear axle ratio 3.45:1
Bore x Stroke 3.54x3.30 in/89.9x84.0 mm
Maximum engine speed 6,400 rpm
Alternator output 14V/110 A
Battery rating 12V/100 Ah
Fuel capacity 21.1-2.6 tank-reserve/80.0-10.0 gal/l
Oil capacity 7.4 qt/7.0 l
Coolant capacity 12.1 qt/11.5 l
SL500
Engine Twin DOHC 32-valve. V-8 with alloy block.
Displacement 303.5 cu in/4,973 cc
Net power 315 hp/235 kW @ 5,600 rpm
Net torque 347 lb-ft/470 N.m @ 3,900 rpm
Compression ratio 11.0:1
Fuel requirement Premium unleaded gasoline, 91 pump octane.
Fuel and ignition system ME 1.0 fully electronic fuel injection and ignition with antiknock control.
Transmission Driver-adaptive electronically controlled 5-speed automatic.
Rear axle ratio 2.65:1
Bore x Stroke 3.80x3.35 in/96.5x85.0 mm
Maximum engine speed 6,000 rpm
Alternator output 14V/143 A
Battery rating 12V/100 Ah
Fuel capacity 21.1-2.6 tank-reserve/80.0-10.0 gal/l
Oil capacity 8.5 qt/8.0 l
Coolant capacity 16.4 qt/15.5 l
SL600
Engine Twin DOHC 48-valve. V-12 with alloy block.
Displacement 365.4 cu in/5,987 cc
Net power 389 hp/290 kW @ 5,200 rpm
Net torque 420 lb-ft/570 N.m @ 3,800 rpm
Compression ratio 10.0:1
Fuel requirement Premium unleaded gasoline, 91 pump octane.
Fuel and ignition system ME 1.0 fully electronic fuel injection and ignition with antiknock control.
Transmission Driver-adaptive electronically controlled 5-speed automatic.
Rear axle ratio 2.65:1
Bore x Stroke 3.50x3.16 in/89.0x80.2 mm
Maximum engine speed 6,000 rpm
Alternator output 14V/143 A
Battery rating 12V/100 Ah
Transmission Driver-adaptive electronically controlled 5-speed automatic.
Rear axle ratio 2.65:1
Fuel capacity 21.1-2.6 tank-reserve/80.0-10.0 gal/l
Oil capacity 10.7 qt/10.0 l
Coolant capacity 21.1 qt/20.0 l
Chassis
1990–1995
Front suspension Independent damper struts with separate coil springs and gas-pressurized shock absorbers, triangular lower control arms with antidive geometry and stabilizer bar.
Rear suspension Independent 5-arm multilink with separate single-tube gas-pressurized shock absorbers and coil springs, geometry for antilift, antisquat and alignment control, stabilizer bar.
Wheels 8.0Jx16H2 aluminum alloy.
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 convertible with front and rear crumple zones and removable hardtop.
Front suspension Independent damper strut with antidive geometry and stabilizer bar. Separate shock absorbers and coil springs. Negative-offset steering.
Rear suspension Independent 5-arm multilink with geometry for antilift, antisquat and alignment control and stabilizer 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 Aluminum-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 lockup 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 lockup and maintain steering ability.
Dimensions
1990–1995
300SL
Wheelbase 99.0 in
Curb weight
1989: 3,970 lb
1991: 4,010 lb
1993: 4,035 lb
1994: 4,090 lb
Trunk capacity 7.9 cu ft
Fuel capacity 21.1 gal
500SL
Wheelbase 99.0 in
Curb weight
1989: 4,145 lb
1993: 4,165 lb
Trunk capacity 7.9 cu ft
Fuel capacity 21.1 gal
600SL
Wheelbase 99.0 in
Curb weight 4,455 lb
Trunk capacity 7.9 cu ft
Fuel capacity 21.1 gal
Interior Features
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.
Exterior Features
1990–1995
Headlamp washers with wipers.
Removable hardtop with electrically heated rear window.
ADS (Adaptive Damping System). (SL600 only)
Removable wind deflector.
8-hole alloy wheels (1994-95).
ASR (Automatic Slip Control).
AMG
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 SL60 AMG was extremely rare. Sold from 1993 to 1998, it used a 6.0 litre V8 engine producing at 5500 rpm. AMG claimed a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) speed of 5.6 seconds. Its top speed was limited to , but with the limiter removed, it was capable of approximately . AMG later unofficially admitted that 0-60 mph was more like 5.0 seconds and the engine produced between 405-410 bhp.
Also very rare was the SL73 AMG, sold through Mercedes-AMG in 1995, and offering the most powerful V12 engine ever put into an SL up to that time. After a brief hiatus, the SL73 was offered again from 1998 to 2001. The same 7.3 L V12 was later used by Pagani in the Zonda.
Even more rare is the SL70 AMG.
The SL55 AMG was sold in the R129 bodystyle from 1998 to 2001 in limited quantity (5.4L V8, at 5500 rpm). It was the predecessor of the production R230 SL55 AMG sold later.
Only about 300 cars in the SL-class were customized by AMG prior to the 2003 model year.
2002 Silver Arrow Edition
Special edition of 2002 SL 500/SL 600 made to celebrate the race car with the same name (from 1930).
Two-tone interior leather on steering wheel and seats, special wheels, etc.
Princess Diana ownership
The R129 came into public attention in 1991 when Diana, Princess of Wales sold her Jaguar XJS to lease a J-reg metallic-red 500SL, she 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 a British royalty should drive foreign cars. Media pressure eventually forced her to return the car to Mercedes-Benz in 1992, which it now resides in the Mercedes-Benz Museum
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