Vehicle Segment:
Luxury Grand Tourer / Sports Roadster
Target Audience:
Affluent buyers seeking sophisticated design, performance, and open-air motoring
Primary Competitors:
Porsche 911 Carrera, BMW 8 Series, Jaguar XJS, Chevrolet Corvette
Convertible System:
Power-operated retractable soft top with integrated hardtop option
Safety Features:
Integrated Roll-Over Protection System (ROPS), Advanced ABS
Build Quality:
Renowned Mercedes-Benz build quality, extensive use of high-grade materials
Cost Savings:
Enables DIY repairs, reducing reliance on expensive dealership labor
Empowerment:
Empowers owners to understand vehicle maintenance, diagnose issues, and verify shop recommendations
Powertrain:
Engine (M104, 3.2L Inline-6), Transmission (5-Speed Automatic 722.6 '5G-Tronic')
Chassis:
Suspension (Independent Front/Rear, Multi-link Rear), Steering (Hydraulic Power Steering), Brakes (ABS, Ventilated Discs Front/Rear)
Electrical:
Engine Control Unit (ECU), Ignition System, Fuel Injection System, Lighting, Instrumentation, Body Control Modules, Convertible Top Hydraulics, Power Windows/Locks/Seats
Body:
Exterior Body Panels, Doors, Hood, Trunk, Bumpers, Convertible Soft Top, Hardtop Installation/Removal, Interior Trim
Routine Maintenance:
Oil Change, Filter Replacements (Oil, Air, Fuel, Cabin), Spark Plug Replacement, Coolant Flush, Brake Fluid Flush, Power Steering Fluid Flush, Drive Belt Inspection/Replacement
Mechanical Repair:
Engine Overhaul/Rebuild, Cylinder Head Gasket Replacement, Fuel Injector Service, Exhaust System Repair, Transmission Service/Overhaul, Driveshaft/CV Joint Repair, Suspension Component Replacement (Bushings, Ball Joints, Shocks/Struts), Brake System Overhaul (Calipers, Rotors, Lines)
Electrical Diagnosis And Repair:
Wiring Schematic Interpretation, Sensor Testing/Replacement (MAF, O2, Crankshaft Position), Actuator Testing (Injectors, Ignition Coils), Module Diagnostics, Troubleshooting Electrical Faults
Body And Trim Repair:
Door Panel Removal, Seat Removal, Convertible Top Mechanism Adjustment/Repair, Hardtop Sealing, Interior Trim Piece Replacement
Troubleshooting:
Diagnostic Flowcharts, Symptom-Based Troubleshooting Guides
Diagnostic Capability:
Advanced Diagnostics, On-Board Diagnostics (OBD-II) interpretation for the era
Repair Scope:
Complete Repair and Overhaul Procedures for all major systems
Documentation Type:
Detailed Step-by-Step Procedures, Torque Specifications, Special Tool Requirements
File Type:
Portable Document Format (PDF)
Print Capability:
High-Resolution, Printable Pages
Digital Binding:
N/A (Digital, Printable Sections)
Digital Paper Emulation:
N/A (Digital, Print to User's Choice of Paper)
Engine Type:
Naturally Aspirated, Inline 6-Cylinder
Displacement:
3199 cc (3.2 Liters)
Bore X Stroke:
89.9 mm x 84.0 mm
Compression Ratio:
10.0:1
Valvetrain:
DOHC, 4 Valves per Cylinder
Horsepower:
228 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
232 lb-ft @ 3750 rpm
Fuel Delivery:
Sequential Multi-Port Fuel Injection (Bosch Motronic M1.5.5 or M1.5.4N)
Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded Gasoline (91 Octane or higher)
Crash Test Availability:
Older vehicle, comprehensive modern crash test data may be limited or unavailable.
Braking System:
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Traction Control:
Acceleration Slip Regulation (ASR) - where equipped
Rollover Protection:
Automatic Deploying Roll-Over Protection System (ROPS)
Airbags:
Driver and Passenger Airbags
Seatbelts:
Three-point Inertial Reel Seatbelts with Pretensioners
Audio System:
Factory Premium Sound System (e.g., Becker Grand Prix/Mexico), often with cassette player and optional CD changer.
Climate Control:
Automatic Climate Control (ECC - Electronic Climate Control)
Cruise Control:
Standard Cruise Control
Memory Seats:
Power Adjustable Seats with Memory Function
Phone Integration:
Optional factory-installed tele-aid or hands-free communication systems (often requiring specific interfaces or adapters for modern phones).
Oil Change Interval:
Typically every 7,500 - 10,000 miles or 12 months (refer to manual for precise guidance based on driving conditions).
Major Service Interval:
Refer to 'Service A', 'Service B', etc. in the manual, typically around 15,000-30,000 mile intervals for more comprehensive checks and fluid changes.
Engine Oil Specification:
Refer to MB-Approval 229.1 or 229.3 specification, typically SAE 0W-40 or 5W-40 synthetic.
Transmission Fluid:
MB-Approval 236.10 (ATF 3.5)
Coolant:
MB-Approval 325.0 or 326.0 (Ethylene Glycol based, typically blue or green color)
Brake Fluid:
DOT 4 (refer to manual for specific MB approval)
Power Steering Fluid:
MB-Approval 236.3 (ATF DEXTRON II/III equivalent)
Common Complaints:
Can include aging wiring harnesses (especially insulation), distributor-less ignition system (coil pack issues), hydraulic cylinder leaks (soft top, suspension), mass air flow sensor failures, and potential transmission conductor plate issues on early 722.6 transmissions.
Preventative Measures:
Regular inspection of rubber and plastic components, timely fluid changes, and addressing warning lights promptly.
Brand Legacy:
Mercedes-Benz is renowned for luxury, engineering excellence, and automotive innovation dating back to the late 19th century.
R129 Introduction:
The R129 SL-Class replaced the R107 SL in 1989, introducing a more advanced chassis, safety features, and a sleeker design.
Facelift Details:
The 1996 facelift (affecting 1997 models) brought subtle exterior styling updates (e.g., clear indicator lenses, revised bumpers), the introduction of the 5G-Tronic automatic transmission across the range, and interior refinements.
Production Period:
R129 SL-Class produced from 1989 to 2001
