Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Roadster · 4th generation SL

R129

Sportlich. Leicht. Perfected.

Production
1989–2002
Built
213,089
Body
2-door roadster
Top power
525 PS
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Roadster (R129)

Unveiled at the 1989 Geneva Motor Show, the R129 replaced the long-running R107 with a clean-sheet roadster shaped under Bruno Sacco. Its wedge profile, flush glazing and integrated hard tonneau made every contemporary rival look a generation older overnight.

Beneath the styling sat engineering theatre: an automatic roll bar that deployed in 0.3 seconds when sensors detected an imminent overturn, electrically adjustable seats with integrated belts, and adaptive damping on the flagship models.

Over thirteen years Mercedes-Benz built 213,089 examples, spanning everything from the six-cylinder 300 SL to the 7.3-liter V12 SL 73 AMG — the largest engine fitted to a production Mercedes-Benz of its era.

R129 interior
Electrically adjustable seats with integrated belts and a driver-focused cockpit.

Every model.

23 distinct series across 1990–2002 — from the six-cylinder 300 SL to the 7.3-liter SL 73 AMG, each identified by its chassis, engine and transmission numbers.

ModellModelljahreBaumusterMotorGetriebeUSAÜbrigeGesamt
300 SL1990–1993129.060103.984717.434 · 722.363312,01712,020
300 SL-241990–1993129.061104.981717.451 · 722.352 · 722.5008,76818,21626,984
SL 2801994–1995129.058104.943717.444 · 722.437 · 722.506010,31910,319
SL 2801996–1998129.058104.943717.444 · 722.604oben enthalten
SL 2801999–2002129.059112.923717.465 · 722.60601,7041,704
SL 3201994–1995129.063104.991722.5078,64823,57532,223
SL 3201996–1998129.063104.991722.605oben enthalten
SL 3201999–2002129.064112.943722.60707,0707,070
500 SL1990–1992129.066119.960722.35338,31041,51779,827
500 SL1993129.067119.972722.364oben enthalten
SL 5001994–1995129.067119.972722.364oben enthalten
SL 5001996–1998129.067119.982722.620oben enthalten
SL 5001999–2002129.068113.961722.62420,4423,19723,639
SL 60 AMG1994–1995129.067119.E60722.3640164164
SL 60 AMG1996–1998129.067119.E60722.6200469469
SL 55 AMG1999–2002129.068113.985722.62406565
600 SL1993129.076120.981722.3625,7365,11810,854
SL 6001994–1995129.076120.981722.362oben enthalten
SL 6001996–1998129.076120.983722.621oben enthalten
SL 6001999–2002129.076120.983722.621oben enthalten
SL 73 AMG1996129.076120.E73722.62104343
SL 70 AMG1997–1998129.076120.E70722.6210150150
SL 73 AMG1999–2002129.076120.990722.62104242

* Die veröffentlichte Produktionszahl umfasst alle Serien dieses Modells; die Quelle schlüsselt sie nicht weiter auf.

717.4x 5-speed manual722.3x 4-speed hydraulic automatic722.4x 4-speed automatic722.5x 5-speed automatic722.6x 5-speed electronic automatic
R129 side profile
Bruno Sacco's wedge profile, unchanged in essence for thirteen years.

Year by year.

Mercedes-Benz refined the R129 continuously. These are the changes that matter when you are buying, restoring — or just winning arguments.

  1. 1995
    • Odometer switched from mechanical to electronic.
    • Option for portable cell phone with voice activated dialling.
    • Clear front turn signal indicators for US models.
    • Bose stereo now standard, rear speakers and subwoofer.
  2. 1996
    • Front fender vents updated; only 2 rounded slots, rather than 3 squared slots.
    • Bumpers are now body color.
    • V8 and V12 upgraded to 5-speed electronic transmission; previous transmission was hydraulic 4-speed.
    • Xenon HID headlamps standard on SL 600, optional on SL 500.
    • Addition of side airbags.
  3. 1997
    • 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.
    • "Sport" package became an option.
    • Automatic rain-sensing windshield wipers standard.
    • Three-way programmable garage door opener "HomeLink" transmitters built into the rear-view mirror.
    • Replaced the earlier climate control panel with one with a much larger LCD.
    • Remote control uses dual infrared (IR) and radio (RF) control.
  4. 1999
    • 6-cylinder engine switch from I6 M104 to V6 M112.
    • V8 engine switch from M119 to M113.
    • Soft Nappa leather seats replace the perforated leather seats.
    • Body color door handles.
    • Tail lights with curved faces replacing the classic square stepped lights.
    • 17-inch wheels standard: 8.25 x 17" with 245/45ZR17 tires. Sport package is 8" (front) and 9" (rear) x 18" with 245/40 and 275/35 tires respectively.
    • Fiber-optic digital audio links to the CD player instead of analogue copper.
    • One-touch starting, called "Tip-start". Once the key is turned, the engine cranks on its own until it catches and starts.
    • Instrument cluster now has silver rings around each gauge.
    • Oil pressure gauge replaced by oil temperature.
    • Different engine vanity cover.
    • Removed the automatic lock on the left rear storage compartment which houses the Bose subwoofer.
R129 rear three-quarter view
The classic square stepped tail lights — replaced by curved-face units for model year 1999.

From straight-six to 7.3-liter V12.

Six engine families powered the R129. The M120-based SL 73 AMG's 7,291 cc V12 remains the largest engine AMG ever put into a road car.

M103

I6
  • 103.984 3.0 L · 2,960 cc

    190 PS

    140 kW · 188 hp bei 5,700 U/min

    260 N·m

    192 lb·ft bei 4,400 U/min

M104

I6
  • 104.981 3.0 L · 2,960 cc

    231 PS

    170 kW · 228 hp bei 6,300 U/min

    272 N·m

    201 lb·ft bei 4,600 U/min

  • 104.943 2.8 L · 2,799 cc

    193 PS

    142 kW · 190 hp bei 5,500 U/min

    270 N·m

    199 lb·ft bei 3,750 U/min

  • 104.991 3.2 L · 3,199 cc

    231 PS

    170 kW · 228 hp bei 5,600 U/min

    315 N·m

    232 lb·ft bei 3,750 U/min

M112

V6
  • 112.923 2.8 L · 2,799 cc

    204 PS

    150 kW · 201 hp bei 5,700 U/min

    270 N·m

    199 lb·ft bei 3,000 U/min

  • 112.943 3.2 L · 3,199 cc

    224 PS

    165 kW · 221 hp bei 5,600 U/min

    315 N·m

    232 lb·ft bei 3,000 U/min

M119

V8
  • 119.960 5.0 L · 4,973 cc

    326 PS

    240 kW · 322 hp bei 5,500 U/min

    450 N·m

    332 lb·ft bei 4,000 U/min

  • 119.972 5.0 L · 4,973 cc

    320 PS

    235 kW · 315 hp bei 5,600 U/min

    470 N·m

    347 lb·ft bei 3,900 U/min

  • 119.E60 6.0 L · 5,956 cc

    381 PS

    280 kW · 375 hp bei 5,500 U/min

    580 N·m

    428 lb·ft bei 3,750 U/min

M113

V8
  • 113.961 5.0 L · 4,966 cc

    306 PS

    225 kW · 302 hp bei 5,600 U/min

    460 N·m

    339 lb·ft bei 4,250 U/min

  • 113.985 5.4 L · 5,439 cc

    354 PS

    260 kW · 349 hp bei 5,500 U/min

    530 N·m

    391 lb·ft bei 3,000 U/min

M120

V12
  • 120.981 6.0 L · 5,987 cc

    394 PS

    290 kW · 389 hp bei 5,200 U/min

    570 N·m

    420 lb·ft bei 3,800 U/min

  • 120.983 6.0 L · 5,987 cc

    394 PS

    290 kW · 389 hp bei 5,200 U/min

    570 N·m

    420 lb·ft bei 3,800 U/min

  • 120.990 7.3 L · 7,291 cc

    525 PS

    386 kW · 518 hp bei 5,500 U/min

    750 N·m

    553 lb·ft bei 4,000 U/min

Factory wheels.

Every original wheel offered for the R129, from the 16″ Alamak to the 18″ AMG styles — with sizes, tires and genuine part numbers.

Alamak

8-hole wheel

16″

  • 8 J x 16 ET 34 · 225/55 R 16

    B6 647 0016

    Standard silver finish; not for SL 600; vehicles without ESP only

Monkar

12-hole wheel

16″

  • 8 J x 16 ET 34 · 225/55 R 16

    B6 647 0095

    High-sheen rim flange; not for SL 600; vehicles without ESP only

Albali

5-hole wheel

17″

  • 8.25 J x 17 ET 34 · 245/45 R 17

    B6 647 0541

    High-sheen rim flange; for models up to 06/98: FA 235/45; with 245/45 R17 some modification may be required

Ceginus

EVO II wheel

17″

  • 8.25 J x 17 ET 34 · 245/45 R 17

    B6 647 0061

    Sterling silver finish; for models through 06/98: FA 235/45; with 245/45 R17 some modification may be required

  • 8.25 J x 17 ET 34 · 245/45 R 17

    B6 647 0084

    High-sheen finish; not compatible with snow chains

Sador

5-spoke wheel

17″

  • 8.25 J x 17 ET 34 · 245/45 R 17

    B6 647 0542

    High-sheen finish; for models up to 06/98: FA 235/45; with 245/45 R17 some modification may be required

Albireo

6-hole wheel, multi-piece

18″

  • 8.5 J x 18 ET 25 · 245/40 R 18

    B6 647 1761

    Sterling silver finish; with stainless steel scuff guard; modification of bodywork necessary

  • 9.5 J x 18 ET 23 · RA 275/35 R 18

    B6 647 1762

    Sterling silver finish; with stainless steel scuff guard; modification of bodywork necessary; not compatible with snow chains

Style I (multi-piece)

AMG spoke wheel, multi-piece

18″

  • 8.5 J x 18 ET 25 · 245/40 R 18

    B6 603 1003

    High-sheen rim flange; for models through 06/98 only; modification of bodywork necessary

  • 10 J x 18 ET 25 · RA 275/35 R 18

    B6 603 1004

    High-sheen rim flange; modification of bodywork necessary

Style I

AMG spoke wheel

18″

  • 8.5 J x 18 ET 25 · 245/40 R 18

    B6 603 1008

    High-sheen rim flange; modification of bodywork necessary

  • 9.5 J x 18 ET 23 · RA 275/35 R 18

    B6 603 1009

    High-sheen rim flange; modification of bodywork necessary

Style II

AMG disc wheel

18″

  • 8 J x 18 ET 31 · 245/40 R 18

    B6 603 1007

    High-sheen rim flange; for models through 06/98 only

  • 9 J x 18 ET 35 · RA 275/35 R 18

    B6 603 1001

    High-sheen rim flange; for models through 06/98 only