[R129 SL] Planning on buying an SL500

[Peter S]

Hi Andy,

There is a lot of stuff going around about engines and valves.  I understand there are three engine types, but the first engine in the 500SL was in the 1988 to 1992 models - this was the M119 V8 engine.  There were only 38,598 cars built in this series,  being 31 in 1988, 3,413 in 1989, 10,649 in 1990, 15,053 in 1991 and 9,483 in 1992.   I have the 1992 version of this series.  Yes, the engine does sound nice, especially when you put your foot down - mine does 0 - 60 mph in about 6.2 seconds.  

This 4,973 cc engine has 4 valves per cylinder, and has 4 cam shafts. It was also fuel supplied by the CIS-E5 mechanical/ electronic K5 injection system that has been reasonably reliable.  This engine is known to be near 'bullet proof' provided the (fresh) oil is kept on the cam shafts and valves (use the car!), and the engine is maintained.  I have not seen one of these engines apart nor have I heard of one being re-conditioned, although ones can be bought via car dismantlers for about NZ$2,000.  The only issue that I know of with this engine is the ignition coils (one per cylinder) fail.  This is caused by poor maintenance on the spark plugs, in that the gap increases, the voltage required to jump the gap on firing requires more voltage and the ignition coils fail.   This also occurs on the larger Nissan cars etc although Nissan's have platinum spark plugs for longer life!

For your thoughts etc, but any engine correctly maintained and used in the larger MB's is pretty good.

Regards, Peter S. 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Andrew Somers 
  To: SL Mailing List 
  Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 6:32 AM
  Subject: Re: [R129 SL] Planning on buying an SL500


  My understanding is the 3 valve is 99 on, the 4 valve was 90-98


  A




  On Jan 14, 2009, at 9:16 AM, <mid-co at ix.netcom.com> wrote:


    I agree.....not much difference in reliability , they are
    both durable engines , if they are well maintained.

    However , when pushed  , the 4 cammer ( 90-95 ) sounds like a Ferrari at
    full wail ......just beautiful to listen to........where the 3 valver (96 on) sounds
    well.......kind of American ( thrashy).


    Bruce in Nashville.



      ----- Original Message -----
      From: Flodur2 at aol.com
      To: r129list at mbcoupes.com
      Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2009 11:07 AM
      Subject: [R129 SL] Planning on buying an SL500


      One of the questions in the message of the subject topic was:

       
            2) The engine in the 99-02 is not desirable.

      A web site of an individual who owns an R129 series from the middle years of production claims that because his engine has four valves per cylinder and produces slightly greater horsepower that models with that engine are more desirable than the newer versions. It is a debatable point. The difference in HP is minor and at the road speeds to which one is limited in the U.S. is hardly noticeable. Further, since the mechanical complexity of three (3) valves per cylinder is less, one may say that it is more serviceable and reliable. As I say, a debatable point and not one which should influence your buying decision. The 99-02 engines are not undesirable.

      Rudy
      2002 SL500
      1998 S320
      1996 S600      





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