What's to know about the SL500?

[need4speed]

I'm looking for an SL500 from about 93-95. I'm told the engines are bomb-proof and the cars I've seen seem pretty well built. So here's a couple of questions.

Are there 16V and 32V versions of the engine? What bhp? Are there any key points to look at when buying one of these cars?

 

[guydewdney]

93 - 95 500's will be the M119 engine - 32V Probably have 4 speed 'dumb' gearbox (96 iirc was the introduction of the 5 speed adaptive box)

Personally, i thought all the 129's (the 90's SL's model number) I saw looked quite shabby in comparison to the E class or the S class. You may have had better luck then I...

 

[BTB 500]

Yup there was a major facelift in 96 that saw a much better 5 speed auto box. If you can stretch to one of those cars they are more desirable. Early/mid 90s cars had a known problem with the wiring loom (insulation breaking down causing shorts, IIRC) with many needing the whole loom replacing - very expensive. There are a lot of complex electrics so make sure EVERYTHING works if you're looking at a car.

Useful info./history on the SL here:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/sl/r129history.htm

 

[stats007]

Have a search on the forum as this has been discussed quite a few times. Ken's site has turned into more of a personal opinion than factual data so make up your own mind. If you can speak german this site is very good:

German R129 Club

M119 engines are generally pretty good but went through three major revisions as well as yearly updates to the fuel injection and minor items. They do suffer from distributor tracking problems and I'd say 75% of the posts about poor running are down to this.

Main revisions are:

119.96*
119.97*
119.98*

The US forums have some good technical information:

Mercedes Shop Forum

Mercedes Forum

though you can sometimes encounter the odd redneck

If I were in your position I'd go for a '95, though as BTB500 says, the '96 and '99 facelifts are more desireable.

 

[guydewdney]

the 96 on M119 doesnt have a dizzy cap.. it has induvidual coils - one per plug.

The pre 96 wiring loom issue (also on the S class) is easily identified - pick any bit of engine wiring loom, peel back a tiny bit of the cloth insulation, and look at the plastic insulation - is it cracked and broken?

 

[stats007]

Yep, though I thought it was '97 onwards these were changed - the early cars have two distributors - usual recommendation is to change the whole assemly at 60k

The later M113 goes one better and has 16 coils (8 twin coil packs) and 16 spark plugs

 

[GregE240]

I wouldn't discount an earlier SL if the price was right and it checked out okay.

My 1990 has a full MB service history, and the wiring loom was changed as part of a service bulletin. It WAS a known problem.

The 4 speed box in mine is absolutely fine, I've had no issues with it whatsoever. Okay, its not got the extra gear of the later models, but the changes are smooth as silk, and it sets off in 2nd gear unless you really give it some beans.

Ken Rockwells site is a good reference, but I found his comments re the earlier cars just conclusions from someone who hadn't actually driven one.

I've had 2 new dizzy caps put on mine recently and now its better than ever. Still 16 plugs though......

 

[need4speed]

Cheers guys.