W129 SL320 or SL500?

[BTB 500]

The suspension was AMG as standard.

Not according to my 1997 model year R129 price list. That shows both AMG suspension and Adaptive Damping as cost-options for the SL60 (£1901 and £3561, respectively).

I have the A4 hardback brochure too, pretty sure the SL60s shown in there have standard SL rear boxes like Nick's. Can check tonight.

 

[stats007]

I remember a debate on this forum regarding the 500 being as quick as the V12! 9s quicker quicker to 150mph, it certainly feels more responsive to drive!

Yes its excessive but it is quicker!

In terms of straight line acceleration, yes. In-gear times look different - as does braking performance - that's where the SL60 comes into its own and the 500s lower weight benefits against the 600.

Not according to my 1997 model year R129 price list. That shows both AMG suspension and Adaptive Damping as cost-options for the SL60 (£1901 and £3561, respectively).

I have the A4 hardback brochure too, pretty sure the SL60s shown in there have standard SL rear boxes like Nick's. Can check tonight.

Bill as mentioned the adjustable AMG suspension was an option - the standard looks to be an AMG tuned version.

 

[nickg]

The AMG exhaust is listed as standard on the EPC for the SL60. The suspension was AMG as standard with a further option of fully adjustable according to the AMG forum. The brakes were uprated as well, stiffer torsion bar and recalibrated transmission and speedo with an AMG steering wheel.

Nick does your car have optioned suspension or AMG 'standard'? You can read the AMG logo and part number from the dampers.

standard as far as I know.

and for the record, in practical driving terms, I can confirm that the sl60 is considerably quicker than the 500.
Best comparison is when joining a motorway - dropping the SL60 down to 3rd at about 50mph and depressing throttle big time throws you very very quickly to 100+ in a way that the 500 simply cannot do.

 

[stats007]

If you have time Nick check the part number on the front dampers - they're stamped on the side under the rubber gator. Would be interesting to see.

 

[BTB 500]

Bill as mentioned the adjustable AMG suspension was an option - the standard looks to be an AMG tuned version.

The same AMG suspension option is listed (for exactly the same price) on the SL280/320/500 too, which is why I assumed it was a basic tuned suspension upgrade rather than a fully adjustable setup ...

 

[stats007]

You might be right Bill. Though I suspect it varied between each series of SL60 too! Maybe Nick can offer some insight as he's the only person I know that has owned SL60s!

Power / Torque curve for an SL600 vs SL60:

 

[BTB 500]

Nick could do the VIN no search too, to see if his SL60 lists a suspension upgrade or not.

 

[stats007]

I'm just off to register www.R129Nerd.com

 

[BTB 500]

I'm just off to register www.R129Nerd.com

LOL

 

[nickg]

Nick could do the VIN no search too, to see if his SL60 lists a suspension upgrade or not.

Mine does not have it listed.
My old one didn't and the other 2 that I've checked out in the past didn't either.
Infact the only one I've seen that did was the one featured in ME a couple of years ago.

 

[stats007]

Last one for today, 3rd & 4th gear acceleration for SL600 vs SL500:

 

[nickg]

very helpful, thanks !!

 

[stats007]

OK I lied - this is the last one - comparison of the M119 V8 & M113 V8:

 

[nickg]

well that was a conversation stopper

 

[IanA2]

Stats,

What about the V8's "san chat"?

Ian

edit: should of course be "sans chat" apologies

 

[stats007]

Stats,

What about the V8's "san chat"?

Ian

 

[janner]

Not sure where I got this from. Probably on this forum somewhere...

 

[stats007]

Bill posted that .pdf I believe.

Multi-piece alloys wheels come as standard though are listed alongside the suspension - doesn't make much sense!

 

[janner]

Agreed. Also the exhaust is not listed which was an extra.
I wonder what code 957, AMG-Technic Package, is?

 

[IanA2]

...without the cat!!!!!!