Which is the best year to buy a Mercedes SL500?
Thus the best years for drivers are 1996, 1997 and 1998, which have both the quad-cam engine and the 5-speed transmission. They are the best SL500s ever made and are real Mercedes, not watered down Daimler-Chryslers. The 1996 is the least expensive as a driver’s car.
When did the SL500 body style come out?
This R129 body style SL500 was made from 1990 through 2002. It was called the 500 SL from 1990 – 1993. They all have just about the same suspension regardless of year or package. The “sport” packages are just trim and tires, not suspension, engine or drivetrain.
What kind of engine does the Mercedes SL500 have?
During production, Mercedes changed from the 24-valve, twin-cam M104 straight-six and 32-valve quad-cam M119 V8 to the 18-valve single-cam-per-bank V6 and 24-valve quad-cam M113 in ’98. Some power outputs were marginally down, making the 1995-’98 five-speed auto SL500s the most sought-after of the standard cars.
When did the Mercedes Benz 500SL come out?
For the U.S. market, the R129 was sold with two different DOHC inline-sixes, two different V-8s, and a V-12. Each model had its charms, but our favorite was the 500SL (a.k.a. the SL500 after Mercedes switched its naming scheme in 1994) with the M119 V-8. Sold between 1990 and 1998, this DOHC 5.0-liter was ultrahigh tech for its day.
How many horsepower does a Mercedes SL500 have?
This dwarfs BMW’s 12 cylinder 5.0l engine (1989 – 1994) which only has 296 HP and 332 ft-lbs of torque. The SL500 accelerates smoothly and brutally at any speed.
Is there a performance upgrade for the SL500?
There’s also Veloce Performance ( Veloce Performance) that sell an ECU upgrade. It can take the 302hp 5.0L up to about 335hp or so. I was going to get one until my wife shot me down pretty hard. I’ll have to wait until I can sneak it past her — which is hard because the SL is my daily driver. just as an add on.
For the U.S. market, the R129 was sold with two different DOHC inline-sixes, two different V-8s, and a V-12. Each model had its charms, but our favorite was the 500SL (a.k.a. the SL500 after Mercedes switched its naming scheme in 1994) with the M119 V-8. Sold between 1990 and 1998, this DOHC 5.0-liter was ultrahigh tech for its day.
When did the Mercedes Benz sl60 come out?
European buyers had AMG-fettled special editions—the 350-hp SL60 and the 525-hp SL73—but there would be no AMG-branded SL sold in the States until the following generation. Mercedes-Benz reversed its naming logic for 1994, putting the model designation first, followed by a number denoting engine displacement.