Mercedes-Benz SL R129: The Legendary Roadster of the 90s

The Mercedes-Benz R129 SL is a roadster which was produced by Mercedes-Benz from 1988 until 2001. The R129 replaced the R107 in 1989 and was in its turn replaced by the R230 SL-Class in 2002 for the 2003 model year. The R129 was offered as a two-door roadster with an automated (electro-hydraulic), fabric convertible roof; colour-matched, automated tonneau cover; and a manually detachable hardtop that could be fitted over the stored fabric convertible roof and tonneau. It was available with a variety of powertrains across its twelve-year production, including a V12 option used in the SL600.Designed in 1984, the R129 was based on the shortened floorpan of the Mercedes-Benz W124 and featured many innovative details for the time, for instance electronically controlled damping (Adaptive Damping System ADS, optional) and a hidden, automatically extending roll-over bar. The R107's somewhat dated rear suspension with semi-trailing arms gave way to a modern multi-link axle. The number of standard features was high, with electric action for the windows, mirrors, seats and hydraulic convertible top. This car has a distinction of being the first passenger vehicle to have seat belts integrated into the seats as opposed to anchoring to the floor, B-pillar, and transmission tunnel.arting in 1993 for the 1994 model year, R129s were re-designated. For example, 500 SL became SL 500. Starting in model year 1994, Mercedes-Benz offered special SL models from time to time, such as the Mille Miglia edition cars for the 1994 model year, or the SL edition for the 2000 model year.

1994 cars (for the 1995 model year) featured minor updates:

Odometer switched from mechanical to electronic

Option for portable cell phone with voice activated dialling

Clear front turn signal indicators for US SPEC models

Bose stereo now standard, rear speakers and subwoofer

From 1995 onwards, R129s for the 1996 model year featured a minor facelift for the car:

Front wing vents updated; only 2 rounded slots, rather than 3 squared slots

Bumpers are now body colour

V8 and V12 upgraded to 5 speed electronic transmission; previous transmission was hydraulic 4-speed

Xenon HID headlamps standard on SL 600, optional on SL 500

Addition of side airbags

During 1996 for the 1997 model year, these cars were the first of their model line to have an option of a panoramic roof. Also newly available:

A new front-seat occupant-detection sensor could deactivate the right-side airbag when it determined that the passenger seat held less than 26 pounds

"Sport" package became an option

Automatic rain-sensing windshield wipers standard

Three-way programmable garage door opener "HomeLink" transmitters built into the rear-view mirror

Replaced the earlier climate control panel with one with a much larger LCD

Remote control uses dual infrared (IR) and radio (RF) control

A second facelift occurred in 1998 for model year 1999 which featured:

V8 engine switch from M119 to M113

Soft Nappa leather seats replace the perforated leather seats

New steering wheel design

Body colour door handles

17-inch wheels standard: Wheels are now 8.25 x 17" with 245/45ZR17 tyres. Sport package is 8" (front) and 9" (rear) x 18" with 245/40 and 275/35 tyres respectively.

Taillights with curved faces replacing the classic square ribbed lights.

Fiber-Optic digital audio links to the CD player instead of analogue copper

One-touch starting- called "Tip-start". Once the key is turned, the engine cranks on its own until it catches and starts.

Instrument cluster now has silver rings around each gauge
Oil pressure gauge replaced by oil temperature
Different engine vanity cover
Removed the automatic lock on the left rear storage compartment which houses the Bose subwoofer
Passenger side storage net on transmission tunnel

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