Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (R129)

The Mercedes-Benz R129 SL is a roadster which was produced by Mercedes-Benz from 1988 until 2001. The R129 replaced the R107 in 1989 and was in its turn replaced by the R230 SL-Class in 2002 for the 2003 model year.

The R129 was offered as a two-door roadster with an automated (electro-hydraulic), fabric convertible roof; colour-matched, automated tonneau cover; and a manually detachable hardtop that could be fitted over the stored fabric convertible roof and tonneau. It was available with a variety of powertrains across its twelve-year production, including a V12 option used in the SL600.

Development and launch

Designed in 1984, the R129 was based on the shortened floorpan of the Mercedes-Benz W124. The new SL-class was presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1989, with left-hand drive sales beginning that summer and right-hand drive sales in the autumn. It came runner-up behind the Citroen XM for the European Car of the Year accolade.[5]

Models

Model history

Designed in 1984, the fourth-generation SL (commonly referred to as R129, the car's internal designation) was based on the shortened floorpan of the Mercedes-Benz W124[6] and featured many innovative details for the time, such as electronically controlled damping (Adaptive Damping System ADS, optional) and a hidden, automatically extending roll-over bar. Its predecessor's somewhat dated rear suspension with semi-trailing arms gave way to a modern multi-link axle. The number of standard features was high, with power windows, mirrors, seats, and hydraulic convertible top among the car's many amenities.

This car has a distinction of being the first passenger vehicle to have seat belts integrated into the seats as opposed to anchoring to the floor, B-pillar, and transmission tunnel.

For the 1994 model year, R129 SLs received new nomenclature, with the alphanumeric naming convention reversed so that the class designation now came before the numeral; this was the first major change to the Mercedes-Benz model naming convention in decades. Under the new format, the 500 SL became SL 500 and the 300 SL became either the SL 280 or SL 320 depending on which engine was equipped.

1995 models featured the following updates:

A minor facelift for the 1996 model year brought further updates, including several small exterior changes that helped differentiate them from the earlier cars. Changes included:

Despite the refresh in 1996, further changes were made in 1997. Most notable was a new panoramic roof, but the following features and packages also became newly standard or available:

1999 SLs were significantly refreshed; these models featured some of the most notable changes since the car debuted, such as:

• Odometer switched from mechanical to electronic.
• A portable cell phone with voice activated dialing became an option.
• Clear front turn signal indicators were added for U.S. models.
• A Bose stereo with rear speakers and subwoofer was made standard.

• Front wing vents were updated, with the new design featuring 2 rounded slots rather than 3 squared slots.
• Bumpers were now body color.
• V8 and V12 models retired their hydraulic 4-speed transmission for a 5-speed electronic transmission.
• Xenon HID headlamps became standard on SL 600, optional on SL 500.
• Side airbags were added.

• A new front-seat occupant-detection sensor could deactivate the right-side airbag when it determined that the passenger seat held less than 26 pounds
• A new "Sport" package became an option
• Automatic rain-sensing windshield wipers were made standard
• A three-way programmable garage door opener "HomeLink" transmitters was now built into the rear-view mirror
• The climate control panel was upgraded with a larger LCD readout

• For SL 500 models, the M119 V8 was replaced by the M113 V8.
• Nappa leather replaced the perforated leather seats found in older models.
• A new steering wheel design was introduced.
• Body-color door handles became standard.
• Taillights with curved faces replaced the classic square ribbed lights.
• 17-inch wheels were made standard: Wheels are now 8.25 x 17" with 245/45ZR17 tires. Models equipped with the Sport package are equipped a staggered-wheel designed featuring 245/40/R18 and 275/35/R18 tires front and rear, respectively.
• Fiber-optic digital audio replaces analog copper connections for the CD player.
• One-touch starting is introduced, called "Tip-start" by Mercedes-Benz. Once the key is turned, the engine cranks on its own until it catches and starts.
• Instrument cluster is updated to feature silver rings around each gauge.
• Oil pressure gauge is replaced by oil temperature gauge.
• Different engine vanity cover is introduced.
• Passenger side storage net is added on transmission tunnel.

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 a 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.

• 300 SL with a M103 3.0 L 12-valve SOHC I6 (188 hp at 5,700 rpm),[5]
• 300 SL-24 with a M104 3.0 L 24-valve DOHC I6 (228 hp at 6,300 rpm),[5]
• 500 SL with a M119 5.0 L 32-valve DOHC V8 (322 hp at 5,500 rpm),[5]

• 600 SL with a M120 6.0 L 48-valve DOHC V12 (389 hp at 5,200 rpm).[5]

• SL 280 with a M104 2.8 L 24-valve DOHC I6 (190 hp at 5,500 rpm),[5]
• SL 320 with a M104 3.2 L 24-valve DOHC I6 (228 hp at 5,500 rpm).[5]

• SL 280 with a M112 2.8 L 18-valve SOHC V6 (201 hp at 5700 rpm),[5]
• SL 320 with a M112 3.2 L 18-valve SOHC V6 (221 hp at 5,600 rpm),[5]
• SL 500 with a M113 5.0 L 24-valve SOHC V8 (302 hp at 5,600 rpm).[5]

Australian market

The new Mercedes Benz R129 roadster was first introduced into the Australian market in May 1990 with the 500SL model.[7][8][9][10] The 600SL followed in May 1993, while a 6 cylinder SL did not arrive until the SL280 in October 1995.

Only 38 cars of the 600SL/SL 600 were delivered to the Australian market.

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[11] (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.[11] The manual transmission option was also dropped at this time, after just 397 examples were imported over a four model year span.[12] The 6-cylinder SLs were dropped altogether from the US lineup in 1998,[13] leaving just the V8 and V12.

Chassis

Dimensions

Special editions

Media attention

The R129 received heightened media attention in 1991 for two reasons.

Diana, Princess of Wales sold her Jaguar XJS to lease a metallic-red 500 SL, becoming the first member of the royal family to use a foreign car. This was not without controversy, as it sparked a media storm that questioned whether a member of the British royal family should drive a foreign car.[23] Media pressure eventually forced her to return the car to Mercedes-Benz in 1992. It now resides in the Mercedes-Benz Museum.[24]

Victor Chang, a pioneer of modern heart transplantation, as well as Companion of the Order of Australia and Australian of the Century (People's Choice Awards), was fatally shot while driving his 500 SL in Sydney.[25][26]

External links

• Mercedes R129 SL Digital Brochures