500SL or SL500 ? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Benz300 · #1 09-17-2003, 11:34 AM

I'm looking for a 92 - 96 SL500.
From a technical stand point I wanted to know if there were any major upgrades made when they changed from the 500SL to SL500 .. If so which year was the most reliable and what should I watch out for when getting a used one. I won't mind something with 100K on the clock either. but do these cars have A/C trouble just like the S500's ?

blackmercedes · #2 09-17-2003, 01:02 PM

There are subtle changes to the R129 as time progressed, but nothing really major. If memory serves, in the last run it did get the M113 V-8 and the M119 was dropped. Also, the five speed 722.6 became standard along the way, I think in 96 or 97.

These are very complex cars with no room to work on them. The top mechanism is reliable, but if something does happen it can be very expensive. I understand the R129 has AC difficulties, and the price tag for repairs is equal to or more than the sedan S-Class cars.

That said, there is no high-end roadster that will give as long a life an low operating costs. Compared to a Porsche Cabriolet or Jag XK it's a miserly car for long term costs. MB shares parts where possible and the R129 is no exception, so some maintenance and repair items are "off-the-shelf" MB units and that cuts the cost somewhat.

When buying a V-8 R129 SL, ignore the year. Look for a well cared for example with perfect service records. That will be the most important factor. I would take a well cared for, fully documented 1990 over a "mint" looking 1996 with no history every time. Original owners of these cars tend to be well-off and I'd look for a one-owner car.

BAd124 · #3 01-29-2005, 08:10 PM

I would be interested to find when they dropped the m119 for the 113 as well. I recently drove a 91 500 and that engine is absolutely amazing sounding. I would suspect like you said it would be 96 or 97. Anyone know for sure ?

deanyel · #4 01-29-2005, 09:27 PM

The name change from 500SL to SL500 in 1994 was just that - a name change only. All models of Mercedes went from letter(s) in front to letter(s) in back that year. In the 129 the 119 motor was dropped for the 113 in 1999. The five speed automatic came in 1996. I believe monochromatic paint also came in 1996 - prior to that almost all were a slightly different color in the lower cladding. 1996 also brought a new style interior - with quite a few changes, different gear shift knob, different seats, etc. You mention 92 to 96 - all pretty similar really, with some refinements along the way. If it was me I'd go for a 96 to get the new style interior.

Gilly · #5 01-29-2005, 09:35 PM

I could try finding an answer to the 119/113 question at the MB website, you could probably find the answer yourself too, I might have some time to kill though. I think it was a little later than the rest of the product line, I think the SL got the 113 in 2000. I's look for the newest one with a 119 that you can afford.

Gilly

Gilly · #6 01-29-2005, 10:15 PM

98 was the last year for the 119. 99 had the 113.

Gilly

deanyel · #7 01-30-2005, 12:37 PM

Interestingly the February Automobile magazine has a letter to the editor from a disgruntled MB owner (2000 & 2003 S500s) that says in part: "The 24 valve SOHC V8 engine is a feeble joke, as M-B tries to save a few bucks." He goes on to say the mean time between failures on the 2003 S500 is less than three months. He doesn't really say that the failures are engine related but he's obviously not fond of it for some reason. It's the kind of dirty laundry that you didn't used to see in public for MB.