Learoy,

I don't have the detailed information you require. You are right that there were several manifestations of the M119 engine in the SL (according to my big Mercedes tome, Mercedes-Benz Opera Omnia). However, it is fundamentally the same engine throughout.

As you suspect, there were probably changes to the fuel injection system, there may have been emissions set up changes, and there may have been other small variations to the engine spec. But it is definitely the same basic 119 engine.

Suignami is also right that after 6/98 the engine used in all 500s is the M113. This is the 3-valve per cylinder engine I was talking about.

Regarding your search, MB presently has two 1996 cars at GBP20k, which suggests that if you stay patient, you will find older cars for less.

I don't know where you could get a technical manual. There is probablya workshop manual available from somewhere but they tend to be expensive. If you are after a vehicle handbook, these can be purchases for about a tenner (I think) from the dealer, but there is nothing extraordinary about operation of the vehicle. I get my information from a couple of Mercedes books I own and the original sales brochures.

Travis,

I've filled the tank three or four times so far. Yesterday I used pretty much three quarters of a tank on a mixed drive. This was made up of about 120 miles highway (70-100mph), 120 miles rural roads (40-70mph), 20 miles urban (stop/start-30mph). The car gave approximately 25mpg (Imperial gallons, not US).

I have used one tank doing my commuting (each day being about 20mins heavy traffic, 30mins rural roads and 20mins highway). The car gave approximately 21mpg.

And my first tank was very mixed driving but gave 23mpg.

I haven't really ragged the car, but I have given it big licks a couple of times and I generally drive quite rapidly.

__________________
JJ Rodger
2013 G350 Bluetec
1999 SL 500
1993 E300 diesel T
1990 190