BMW M3 E30 or Mercedes-Benz SL R129?

1986–1991 vs 1989–2001 · Coupe/Convertible vs Convertible

In short

Length: M3 E30 4,345 mm, SL R129 4,499 mm — a 15 cm difference.
Boot: M3 E30 400 l, SL R129 265 l.
Lowest consumption: M3 E30 7.8 l/100 km, SL R129 11.3 l/100 km.
Power: M3 E30 143–175 kW, SL R129 140–290 kW.
Standard equipment: M3 E30 24 items (Standard), SL R129 26 items (Base).
Neither is listed on Autodrom right now.

BMW M3 E301986–1991 · 6 engines · Standard, Evolution, Evolution II, Sport EvolutionSpecifications →Listings →

Mercedes-Benz SL R1291989–2001 · 9 engines · Base, Final Edition, Mille Miglia Edition, Silver ArrowSpecifications →Listings →

Only differences

better value

	BMW M3 E301986–1991no listings	Mercedes-Benz SL R1291989–2001no listings
Dimensions
Length	Length4,345 mm	Length4,470 mm–4,499 mm
Width	Width1,680 mm	Width1,812 mm
Height	Height1,370 mm	Height1,293 mm–1,303 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase2,565 mm	Wheelbase2,515 mm
Ground clearance	Ground clearance115 mm–120 mm	Ground clearance115 mm–120 mm
Trunk volume	Trunk volume300 l–400 l	Trunk volume265 l
Curb weight	Curb weight1,165 kg–1,300 kg	Curb weight1,780 kg–1,980 kg
Fuel tank	Fuel tank70 l	Fuel tank80 l
Engines
Production years	Production years1986–1991	Production years1989–2001
Body type	Body typeCoupe, Convertible	Body typeConvertible
Number of engines	Number of engines6	Number of engines9
Power	Power143–175 kW (194–238 hp)	Power140–290 kW (190–394 hp)
Displacement (l)	Displacement (l)2.3–2.5	Displacement (l)2.8–6.0
Fuel	FuelPetrol	FuelPetrol
Gearbox	GearboxManual	GearboxAutomatic
Drivetrain	DrivetrainRear-wheel	DrivetrainRear-wheel
Lowest consumption	Lowest consumption7.8 l/100 km · 2.3 Evolution II	Lowest consumption11.3 l/100 km · SL 280 V6
Best 0–100 km/h	Best 0–100 km/h6.5 s · 2.5 Sport Evolution	Best 0–100 km/h5.8 s · SL 60 AMG
Top speed	Top speed248 km/h	Top speed250 km/h
Trim levelsStandard · Base
Items in the base trim	Items in the base trim24 · Standard	Items in the base trim26 · Base
Items in the top trim	Items in the top trim26 · Evolution	Items in the top trim33 · Final Edition
Equipment · Comfort6 · 6
Air Conditioning	Air Conditioning✓	Air Conditioning✓
Cruise Control	Cruise Control—	Cruise Control✓
Steering Wheel Height Adjustment	Steering Wheel Height Adjustment✓	Steering Wheel Height Adjustment✓
Front Power Windows	Front Power Windows✓	Front Power Windows✓
Power Steering	Power Steering✓	Power Steering✓
Power-adjustable mirrors	Power-adjustable mirrors✓	Power-adjustable mirrors✓
Sport suspension	Sport suspension✓	Sport suspension—
Equipment · Interior6 · 5
Black Interior	Black Interior✓	Black Interior—
Fabric	Fabric✓	Fabric—
Leather	Leather—	Leather✓
Driver's Seat Height Adjustment	Driver's Seat Height Adjustment✓	Driver's Seat Height Adjustment—
Electric Front Seats	Electric Front Seats—	Electric Front Seats✓
Sport Seats	Sport Seats✓	Sport Seats—
Leather Steering Wheel	Leather Steering Wheel—	Leather Steering Wheel✓
Leather Gear Knob	Leather Gear Knob—	Leather Gear Knob✓
Folding Rear Seat	Folding Rear Seat✓	Folding Rear Seat—
Front centre armrest	Front centre armrest✓	Front centre armrest✓
Equipment · Multimedia2 · 1
Audio System	Audio System✓	Audio System✓
12V Socket	12V Socket✓	12V Socket—
Equipment · Visibility & lights3 · 4
Halogen Headlights	Halogen Headlights✓	Halogen Headlights—
Heated Side Mirrors	Heated Side Mirrors✓	Heated Side Mirrors✓
Fog Lights	Fog Lights✓	Fog Lights✓
Automatic Headlight Leveling	Automatic Headlight Leveling—	Automatic Headlight Leveling✓
Headlight Washers	Headlight Washers—	Headlight Washers✓
Equipment · Safety0 · 4
Driver's Airbag	Driver's Airbag—	Driver's Airbag✓
Front Passenger Airbag	Front Passenger Airbag—	Front Passenger Airbag✓
Traction Control	Traction Control—	Traction Control✓
ABS	ABS—	ABS✓
Equipment · Anti-theft2 · 3
Alarm	Alarm—	Alarm✓
Central Locking	Central Locking✓	Central Locking✓
Immobilizer	Immobilizer✓	Immobilizer✓
Equipment · Exterior5 · 3
Alloy Wheels	Alloy Wheels✓	Alloy Wheels✓
R15 Wheels	R15 Wheels✓	R15 Wheels—
R16 Wheels	R16 Wheels—	R16 Wheels✓
Body Kit	Body Kit✓	Body Kit—
Metallic Paint	Metallic Paint✓	Metallic Paint—
Full-size spare wheel	Full-size spare wheel✓	Full-size spare wheel✓
On Autodrom now
Listings	Listings0	Listings0

Frequently asked questions

Which is bigger — BMW M3 E30 or Mercedes-Benz SL R129?

Length: Mercedes-Benz SL R129 4,499 mm, BMW M3 E30 4,345 mm (a 154 mm difference). Wheelbase: 2,515 vs 2,565 mm. Boot: 265 vs 400 l.

Which uses less fuel — BMW M3 E30 or Mercedes-Benz SL R129?

The most frugal BMW M3 E30 uses 7.8 l/100 km (2.3 Evolution II); the most frugal Mercedes-Benz SL R129 11.3 l/100 km (SL 280 V6).

Which is more powerful — BMW M3 E30 or Mercedes-Benz SL R129?

The strongest BMW M3 E30 makes 175 kW (238 hp) (2.5 Sport Evolution); the strongest Mercedes-Benz SL R129 290 kW (394 hp) (SL 600).

Other comparisons

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