Car Purchasing Advisory: Mercedes SL (R129) Edition
The Mercedes-Benz SL R129, unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1989, marked a new era in grand touring with its sleek design, aluminium body panels, and advanced safety features. Over its 12-year production span, from 1990 to 2001, this iconic roadster built a reputation as a comfortable, stylish, and enduring grand tourer, with over 237,000 units produced.
The R129 SL is a testament to Mercedes-Benz's engineering prowess, involving the manufacturer's design, engineering, and marketing departments, along with key institutions such as Daimler-Benz AG and various suppliers and production facilities associated with Mercedes-Benz.
One of the SL's standout features is its suspension, which is softly sprung yet tightly damped, preserving consistent geometry across a wide range of movement. However, it's crucial to check for worn dampers and bushes, particularly at the front, to ensure a smooth ride. Rear springs on the R129 SL commonly fail at the bottom, and trunnion bushes at the rear are another frequently replaced item, often revealed by wear on the inner edges of the rear tyres.
Brakes on SLs are prone to wear, and their condition deserves careful attention. Later Silver Arrow editions of the R129 SL were equipped with special Brembo calipers, though these bring higher replacement costs. The steering system, including the steering idler, damper, and drag link, can wear and develop play.
Air conditioning deserves special mention in the R129 SL. Even used replacement compressors cost around £250. The R129 SL's five-speed 722.6 gearbox isn't as robust as the earlier four-speed with optional overdrive, but its main weakness is a typical oil leak at the front of the box, where the ECU plug connects. Gearbox fluid should be changed at around 40,000 miles.
The interior trim of the R129 SL is usually robust, but elegant features such as the cantilevered glovebox are susceptible to impact from knees and are known to break. The roof of the R129 SL is prone to electrical issues, and a low fluid level beneath the spare wheel could explain a reluctance to close. If the roof control module fails completely, it typically costs over £500 to replace.
The R129 SL benefited from suspension and electronics upgrades in 1995, improving ride comfort and handling finesse. A facelift for the R129 SL occurred in 1998, bringing revised headlights, bumper design, and updated interior switchgear. In 1992, the 500SL received a minor update, improving interior trim and offering an optional multi-function steering wheel. A high-performance SL600 with a V12 engine joined the range in 1993.
The R129 SL isn't exactly a sports car, but few rivals match its blend of comfort, stylish good looks, and long-distance GT appeal. Tracking down the source of an electrical fault in the R129 SL can be incredibly tricky. The development, production, and marketing of the Mercedes-Benz SL R129 involved Mercedes-Benz as the manufacturer, including their design, engineering, and marketing departments; key institutions would have been Daimler-Benz AG (the parent company at the time) along with various suppliers and production facilities associated with Mercedes-Benz. Specific individuals are not named in the search results.
The R129 SL offers a very sensible entry into the history of elegant roadsters, being well-built, easy to drive, and backed by strong support from numerous clubs and specialists. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a novice enthusiast, the R129 SL provides a unique blend of luxury, performance, and timeless design that continues to captivate drivers today.
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