Positioning:
Premium Grand Tourer (GT) Convertible, targeting luxury and performance-oriented clientele.
Competitors:
BMW 8 Series, Jaguar XJS, Porsche 911 (993 generation), Chevrolet Corvette (C5 generation)
Highlights:
Robust V8 power, sophisticated suspension, retractable hardtop (optional vario-roof), luxury interior appointments, advanced safety features for its era.
Covered Systems:
Engine, Transmission, Drivetrain, Suspension, Brakes, Steering, Electrical System, HVAC, Bodywork, Interior, Diagnostic Procedures, Troubleshooting
Type:
Official Service and Repair Manual Software
Format:
Software (Digital)
Powertrain:
M119.970 5.0L V8 Engine, 722.6 5-Speed Automatic Transmission
Chassis:
Independent Front Suspension (MacPherson Strut with Multi-link), Independent Rear Suspension (Multi-link), Power Assisted Steering (Hydraulic), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Traction Control System (ASR)
Electrical:
Engine Control Module (ECM), Body Control Module (BCM), Ignition System, Fuel Injection System, Lighting, Power Accessories, Climate Control Electronics, Instrument Cluster, SRS (Airbag) System
Maintenance:
Scheduled Maintenance, Oil Changes, Filter Replacements, Fluid Level Checks and Replacements, Spark Plug Replacement, Belt Inspection and Replacement
Repair:
Engine Overhaul, Transmission Rebuild, Suspension Component Replacement, Brake System Repair, Steering System Repair, Electrical Component Diagnosis and Replacement, Body Panel Repair
Diagnostics:
Fault Code Reading and Interpretation (OBD-II), Component Testing, Circuit Diagnosis, Symptom-Based Troubleshooting Guides
Depth:
Comprehensive - Includes detailed diagnostic procedures, component-level repair instructions, torque specifications, wiring diagrams, and exploded views.
Displacement:
4973 cc (5.0 Liters)
Bore X Stroke:
96.5 mm x 85.0 mm
Compression Ratio:
10.0:1
Horsepower:
315 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque:
347 lb-ft @ 3900 rpm
Fuel Delivery:
Bosch Motronic M1.3 Engine Management System with Sequential Fuel Injection
Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded Gasoline (91 Octane or higher recommended)
Coolant Capacity:
11.5 Liters (12.2 US Quarts)
Oil Capacity W Filter:
8.0 Liters (8.5 US Quarts)
Recommended Oil Viscosity:
SAE 0W-40 or 5W-40 (API SJ or better, MB-Approval 229.3)
Transmission Code:
722.6 (Mercedes-Benz 5G-Tronic)
Type:
N/A for SL500 in 1997
Modes:
Comfort (C) and Sport (S) modes
Fluid Type:
MB-Approval 236.14 Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) or equivalent (e.g., Pentosin ATF 1)
Capacity:
Approximately 7.5 Liters (dry fill), 5.5 Liters (drain and fill)
NHTSA Front Impact:
Not Rated (Vehicle manufactured before comprehensive NHTSA rating system)
IIHS Side Impact:
Not Rated (Vehicle manufactured before comprehensive IIHS rating system)
Braking:
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)
Traction Control:
Acceleration Slip Regulation (ASR) / Traction Control System (TCS)
Airbags:
Driver and Front Passenger Airbags (SRS), Side Airbags (optional/standard depending on market)
Roll Over Protection:
Automatic Roll-over Bar Deployment System
Seatbelts:
Front Seatbelt Pretensioners and Force Limiters
Audio System:
Bose premium sound system (standard or optional, depending on trim/market) with cassette and AM/FM radio. CD changer optional.
Climate Control:
Automatic Climate Control with cabin air filter and recirculation mode.
Cruise Control:
Standard electronic cruise control.
Headlights:
Halogen projector beam headlights with headlight washers.
Phone Integration:
Optional factory-installed cellular telephone system (older analog technology).
Operation:
Power-operated soft top with optional hardtop (for winter use). R129 featured an advanced electro-hydraulic system for top operation.
Oil Change Interval:
Every 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first (with synthetic oil).
Transmission Service:
Every 60,000 miles or 4 years. Includes fluid and filter replacement.
Coolant Flush:
Every 2 years or 30,000 miles.
Spark Plug Replacement:
Every 100,000 miles (if using long-life iridium spark plugs).
Brake Fluid:
DOT 4 Plus (MB-Approval 331.0)
Power Steering Fluid:
Pentosin CHF 11S (MB-Approval 343.0)
Coolant:
Mercedes-Benz Approved Antifreeze/Coolant (e.g., G48)
Wiring Harness:
Degradation of the insulation on the engine wiring harness ('biodegradable wiring') can lead to various electrical issues. Repair often involves replacement.
Mass Air Flow Sensor Maf:
Can become dirty or fail, leading to rough idle, poor acceleration, and check engine lights.
Ignition Coils:
Can fail, causing misfires and rough running.
ABS Esp Sensors:
Wheel speed sensors and ABS/ESP control modules can be prone to failure, affecting braking and traction control systems.
Hydraulic System Leaks:
Leaks in the hydraulic system for the convertible top or self-leveling suspension (if equipped) can occur.
Catalytic Converters:
Over time, catalytic converters can become clogged or fail, impacting engine performance.
Legacy:
Mercedes-Benz has a long and storied history of producing luxury sports cars and roadsters, dating back to models like the 300 SL 'Gullwing'.
R129 Generation:
The R129 SL generation, introduced in 1989, represented a significant technological and design update from its R107 predecessor, focusing on safety and driver comfort while retaining performance.
Production Years R129:
1989-2001
Manufacturing Location:
Sindelfingen, Germany
1997 Updates:
The 1997 model year saw the introduction of the 5.0L M113 engine (replacing the M119 for some markets, though M119 remained for SL500 in North America), and importantly, the adoption of the 5-speed 722.6 automatic transmission across the range.
