[R129 SL] Planning on buying an SL500

[Peter S]

Hi George,
I am sure we have been through this before re the transmission fluid.   Originally MB stated that the transmission fluid would never require changing in the R129 SL transmission.  This was altered in about 1996 when MB issued a notice to service agents indicating that oil should be changed every 60,000 (not sure whether it was km or miles!).  So you should change the transmission fluid at regular intervals (60,000) if you want the trans to last.  I have just changed mine at 60,000km to be on the safe side (expensive oil !!!). 

The notice by MB was issued after a few transmissions failed through water in the oil, and resulting corrosion in the transmission - the oil was found to be slightly hygroscopic.  I have seen 2 x transmissions ex Japan and the trans oil was slightly milky and a slight brown colour.  Both trans units required overhauling after the discovery. 

Regards, Peter S, New Zealand. 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: George Jenner 
  To: 'SL Mailing List' 
  Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 3:50 AM
  Subject: Re: [R129 SL] Planning on buying an SL500


  Andrew, Ken Rockwell has a very comprehensive SL500 website for comparison purposes.  Go to http://www.kenrockwell.com/sl/  

   

  According to everything I have read and researched the best years for the R129 vehicle are 1996, 1997 and 1998.  I have had my 1996 SL500 for going on 4 years now and bought it from a dealer in Ft. Lauderdale, FL on ebay.  Aside from smaller fixes which I was able to do myself I have not had anything major occur.  The car is beautiful and I truly love driving it.  I changed the stock wheels to AMG 18" and have the low profile tires etc. I also had the transmission fluid changed at a Mercedes shop because the car was at 80K and the fluid had never been changed in the transmission.  That is one item you should be aware of in many R129 models.  The transmission has no dip stick for transmission fluid checking and MB initially claimed that the fluid was not ever going to need changing but that was never a good idea and I am happy I had that done.

   

  I recommend you look seriously at the 1997 model year SL500 with the AMG optional package installed.

   

  Good Hunting, George  





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