There are cars that over the years look better and better, and after a while, they acquire a special charm. This is the case of the Mercedesfourth generation SLknown internally with the code R129and whose story we are going to tell you briefly below.
It’s about a two-seater convertiblewith powers ranging from 193 CV of an inline six-cylinder to 525 CV of the rare and exclusive SL 73 AMG with 85 units sold, with a electric soft top and a hardtop that suits you really well. However, do not expect genuinely sporty behavior from the SL R129, as it is a kind of S-Class convertible from clear GT approachdespite the fact that the initials SL, from Sports Leichtmeans light sports in German.
Thus, about five years ago this model had hit bottom in the used market, being possible to find units of the famous SL 500, a 5-liter V8 with powers of 320 HP or 306 HP, depending on the version, for around six thousand euros. That time has passed, and the SL is an upward value with a clear upward trendwhere a healthy unit is clearly moving in the around €15,000although it is always possible to find a bargain by “some clueless.”
The fourth generation SL R129 was introduced in 1989
It was in the Geneva Salon of 189 when the Mercedes SL made its debut, surprising with a design of straight lines and elegant work of Bruno Saccowho sought to unify the style code of the star brand, thus keeping great similarities with the W124 (E-Class), the W201 (C-Class) or the immediately subsequent W140 (S-Class).
The truth is that the SL surprised, and the initial forecast of 20,000 units fell short, which took the first deliveries longer than desired. Also, had great innovationsas a safety arch that deploys automatically in less than 0.3 seconds in the event of an accident or an electro-hydraulically operated soft top that was complemented by a removable aluminum alloy hardtop that weighed less than 35 kg.
As a good Mercedes flagship, I was loaded with technologyfrom front airbags for the driver and passenger, ABS and traction control, cruise control, automatic climate control, heated electric seats with memories and a long etcetera.
Regarding the dynamic section, it was not a car of sensations, but rather It was designed for long drives at full speed or quiet rides on a coastal road.. However, his bodywork had a high torsional rigidity, one of the best for a convertible, 30% more than the previous generation and in the same order as the other sedans from the star’s firm. It was also possible to equip it with a optional active suspensionadjustable depending on the load of the car, the style of driving and the condition of the road surface.
SL 500 and SL 73 AMG, the two most characteristic engines
The SL had a wide range of engines throughout its twelve years of commercialization, from 1989 to 2001, and more than 213,000 units sold. All of them with rear-wheel drive, and depending on the version, with a five-speed manual gearbox or a 4- or 5-speed automatic.
So that, the basic versions were integrated by six-cylinder engines, at first in line, and later in vee, with the possibility of having the aforementioned manual change. Of these, I would especially highlight the 300SL-24a three-liter 231 hp and 272 Nm capable of reaching a top speed of 240 km/h and doing 0 to 100 km/h in just 8.4 seconds.
Nevertheless, the most iconic and sought after for its balance and all that it represents, in addition to having an affordable price for any person of average income, it’s the SL 500, a 5-liter V8. The first 500, with 32 valves, yielded a maximum power of 320 CV being associated with a 4-speed automatic transmission, although later, with the aim of complying with Euro 3, they would have 3 valves per cylinder and lower power. up to 306 CV, in exchange for adding a 5-speed automatic gearbox, thus achieving better consumption that makes it more recommendable if you are considering buying it.
Finally, we could not ignore the iconic SL 73 AMG of which only 85 units were manufactured between 1998 and 2001 hand in hand with the people of Affalterbach. Under the hood contains a V12 with a displacement of 7.3 liters that yields 525 HP and 750 Nm, and that despite its more than two tons of weight, it is capable of registering still impressive 4.8 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h together with an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. Although perhaps the most special thing about this car is that shares the same engine as the Pagani Zonda: there is nothing.
