Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (R129)

Designed in 1984, the R129 was based on the shortened floorpan of the Mercedes-Benz W124.[2] 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]

Designed in 1984, the R129 was based on the shortened floorpan of the Mercedes-Benz W124[2] 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 somewhat dated rear suspension with semi-trailing arms 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.

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.

Odometer switched from mechanical to electronic between the 1994 and 1995 models.

Note the slots behind the wheel are different

Note the tail lights are different

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

• Odometer switched from mechanical to electronic
• Option for portable cell phone with voice activated dialling
• Clear front turn signal indicators for US SPEC models
• Bose stereo now standard, rear speakers and subwoofer

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

• Front wing vents updated; only 2 rounded slots, rather than 3 squared slots
• Bumpers are now body colour
• 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

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

• 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

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

• V8 engine switch from M119 to M113
• Soft Nappa leather seats replace the perforated leather seats
• New steering wheel design
• Body colour door handles
• Taillights with curved faces replacing the classic square ribbed lights
• 17-inch wheels standard: Wheels are now 8.25 x 17" with 245/45ZR17 tyres. Sport package is 8" (front) and 9" (rear) x 18" with 245/40 and 275/35 tyres 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
• Passenger side storage net on transmission tunnel

1989-1995 Mercedes-Benz SL 320

1989–1995 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL-24

1998–2001 Mercedes-Benz SL 500

1998–2001 Mercedes-Benz SL 320

Initially, there were three different engines available,

• 300 SL with a M103 3.0 L 12-valve SOHC I6 (188 hp (191 PS; 140 kW) at 5,700 rpm),[5]
• 300 SL-24 with a M104 3.0 L 24-valve DOHC I6 (228 hp (231 PS; 170 kW) at 6,300 rpm),[5]
• 500 SL with a M119 5.0 L 32-valve DOHC V8 (322 hp (326 PS; 240 kW) at 5,500 rpm),[5]

and joined in July 1992 by the

• 600 SL with a M120 6.0 L 48-valve DOHC V12 (389 hp (394 PS; 290 kW) at 5,200 rpm).[5]

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:

• SL 280 with a M104 2.8 L 24-valve DOHC I6 (190 hp (193 PS; 142 kW) at 5,500 rpm),[5]
• SL 320 with a M104 3.2 L 24-valve DOHC I6 (228 hp (231 PS; 170 kW) at 5,500 rpm).[5]

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,

• SL 280 with a M112 2.8 L 18-valve SOHC V6 (201 hp (204 PS; 150 kW) at 5700 rpm),[5]
• SL 320 with a M112 3.2 L 18-valve SOHC V6 (221 hp (224 PS; 165 kW) at 5,600 rpm),[5]
• SL 500 with a M113 5.0 L 24-valve SOHC V8 (302 hp (306 PS; 225 kW) at 5,600 rpm).[5]

The V12 engine remained unchanged.

The new Mercedes Benz R129 roadster was first introduced into the Australian market with the 300SL and 500SL models with only the eight cylinder variant being available throughout the entire production run of the R129 model 1989-2001.[6][7][8][9]

The six cylinder 300SL 24 was replaced in 1995 by the SL 280 and finally the SL 320 in 1999 and the twelve cylinder 600SL first arrived in 1993 changing to SL 600 in 1995 with the last SL 600 being delivered in 2000.

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

Not all engines were offered in North America. The 1990 Mercedes-Benz SL base model was the 228 hp 300 SL version[10] (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.[11]

The SL 320 replaced the 300 SL in the United States in 1994, but the SL 280 was not offered.[10] The 6-cylinder SLs were dropped from the US lineup in 1998,[11] leaving just the V8 and V12.

Princess Diana's Mercedes 500 SL

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 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.[18] Media pressure eventually forced her to return the car to Mercedes-Benz in 1992. It now resides in the Mercedes-Benz Museum.[19]

Victor Chang, Companion of the Order of Australia and Australian of the Century (People's Choice Awards) was a pioneer of modern heart transplantation, fatally shot while driving his 500SL in Sydney.[20][21]

Additionally, this is the car driven by Mark Morrison in the music video of his 1996 song Return of the Mack.

• Mercedes R129 SL Digital Brochures

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