M103
I6- 103.984 3.0 L · 2,960 cc
190 PS
140 kW · 188 hp a 5,700 giri/min
260 N·m
192 lb·ft a 4,400 giri/min
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
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.
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.
| Modello | Model year | Telaio | Motore | Cambio | USA | Altri | Totale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 SL | 1990–1993 | 129.060 | 103.984 | 717.434 · 722.363 | 3 | 12,017 | 12,020 |
| 300 SL-24 | 1990–1993 | 129.061 | 104.981 | 717.451 · 722.352 · 722.500 | 8,768 | 18,216 | 26,984 |
| SL 280 | 1994–1995 | 129.058 | 104.943 | 717.444 · 722.437 · 722.506 | 0 | 10,319 | 10,319 |
| SL 280 | 1996–1998 | 129.058 | 104.943 | 717.444 · 722.604 | incluso sopra | ||
| SL 280 | 1999–2002 | 129.059 | 112.923 | 717.465 · 722.606 | 0 | 1,704 | 1,704 |
| SL 320 | 1994–1995 | 129.063 | 104.991 | 722.507 | 8,648 | 23,575 | 32,223 |
| SL 320 | 1996–1998 | 129.063 | 104.991 | 722.605 | incluso sopra | ||
| SL 320 | 1999–2002 | 129.064 | 112.943 | 722.607 | 0 | 7,070 | 7,070 |
| 500 SL | 1990–1992 | 129.066 | 119.960 | 722.353 | 38,310 | 41,517 | 79,827 |
| 500 SL | 1993 | 129.067 | 119.972 | 722.364 | incluso sopra | ||
| SL 500 | 1994–1995 | 129.067 | 119.972 | 722.364 | incluso sopra | ||
| SL 500 | 1996–1998 | 129.067 | 119.982 | 722.620 | incluso sopra | ||
| SL 500 | 1999–2002 | 129.068 | 113.961 | 722.624 | 20,442 | 3,197 | 23,639 |
| SL 60 AMG | 1994–1995 | 129.067 | 119.E60 | 722.364 | 0 | 164 | 164 |
| SL 60 AMG | 1996–1998 | 129.067 | 119.E60 | 722.620 | 0 | 469 | 469 |
| SL 55 AMG | 1999–2002 | 129.068 | 113.985 | 722.624 | 0 | 65 | 65 |
| 600 SL | 1993 | 129.076 | 120.981 | 722.362 | 5,736 | 5,118 | 10,854 |
| SL 600 | 1994–1995 | 129.076 | 120.981 | 722.362 | incluso sopra | ||
| SL 600 | 1996–1998 | 129.076 | 120.983 | 722.621 | incluso sopra | ||
| SL 600 | 1999–2002 | 129.076 | 120.983 | 722.621 | incluso sopra | ||
| SL 73 AMG | 1996 | 129.076 | 120.E73 | 722.621 | 0 | 43 | 43 |
| SL 70 AMG | 1997–1998 | 129.076 | 120.E70 | 722.621 | 0 | 150 | 150 |
| SL 73 AMG | 1999–2002 | 129.076 | 120.990 | 722.621 | 0 | 42 | 42 |
* Il dato di produzione pubblicato copre tutte le serie di quel modello; la fonte non lo scompone ulteriormente.
717.4x 5-speed manual722.3x 4-speed hydraulic automatic722.4x 4-speed automatic722.5x 5-speed automatic722.6x 5-speed electronic automatic
Year by year.
Mercedes-Benz refined the R129 continuously. These are the changes that matter when you are buying, restoring — or just winning arguments.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
M104
I6- 104.981 3.0 L · 2,960 cc
231 PS
170 kW · 228 hp a 6,300 giri/min
272 N·m
201 lb·ft a 4,600 giri/min
- 104.943 2.8 L · 2,799 cc
193 PS
142 kW · 190 hp a 5,500 giri/min
270 N·m
199 lb·ft a 3,750 giri/min
- 104.991 3.2 L · 3,199 cc
231 PS
170 kW · 228 hp a 5,600 giri/min
315 N·m
232 lb·ft a 3,750 giri/min
M112
V6- 112.923 2.8 L · 2,799 cc
204 PS
150 kW · 201 hp a 5,700 giri/min
270 N·m
199 lb·ft a 3,000 giri/min
- 112.943 3.2 L · 3,199 cc
224 PS
165 kW · 221 hp a 5,600 giri/min
315 N·m
232 lb·ft a 3,000 giri/min
M119
V8- 119.960 5.0 L · 4,973 cc
326 PS
240 kW · 322 hp a 5,500 giri/min
450 N·m
332 lb·ft a 4,000 giri/min
- 119.972 5.0 L · 4,973 cc
320 PS
235 kW · 315 hp a 5,600 giri/min
470 N·m
347 lb·ft a 3,900 giri/min
- 119.E60 6.0 L · 5,956 cc
381 PS
280 kW · 375 hp a 5,500 giri/min
580 N·m
428 lb·ft a 3,750 giri/min
M113
V8- 113.961 5.0 L · 4,966 cc
306 PS
225 kW · 302 hp a 5,600 giri/min
460 N·m
339 lb·ft a 4,250 giri/min
- 113.985 5.4 L · 5,439 cc
354 PS
260 kW · 349 hp a 5,500 giri/min
530 N·m
391 lb·ft a 3,000 giri/min
M120
V12- 120.981 6.0 L · 5,987 cc
394 PS
290 kW · 389 hp a 5,200 giri/min
570 N·m
420 lb·ft a 3,800 giri/min
- 120.983 6.0 L · 5,987 cc
394 PS
290 kW · 389 hp a 5,200 giri/min
570 N·m
420 lb·ft a 3,800 giri/min
- 120.990 7.3 L · 7,291 cc
525 PS
386 kW · 518 hp a 5,500 giri/min
750 N·m
553 lb·ft a 4,000 giri/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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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