Mercedes-Benz SL R129 or Mercedes-Benz SL R230?

1989–2001 vs 2001–2011 · Convertible vs Convertible

In short

Length: SL R129 4,499 mm, SL R230 4,580 mm — a 8 cm difference.
Boot: SL R129 265 l, SL R230 317 l.
Lowest consumption: SL R129 11.3 l/100 km, SL R230 9.5 l/100 km.
Power: SL R129 140–290 kW, SL R230 170–450 kW.
Standard equipment: SL R129 26 items (Base), SL R230 35 items (Base).
Neither is listed on Autodrom right now.

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

Mercedes-Benz SL R2302001–2011 · 10 engines · Base, Sport Package, Edition 50, Grand EditionSpecifications →Listings →

Only differences

better value

	Mercedes-Benz SL R1291989–2001no listings	Mercedes-Benz SL R2302001–2011no listings
Dimensions
Length	Length4,470 mm–4,499 mm	Length4,535 mm–4,580 mm
Width	Width1,812 mm	Width1,820 mm–1,827 mm
Height	Height1,293 mm–1,303 mm	Height1,298 mm–1,317 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase2,515 mm	Wheelbase2,560 mm
Ground clearance	Ground clearance115 mm–120 mm	Ground clearance105 mm–115 mm
Trunk volume	Trunk volume265 l	Trunk volume235 l–317 l
Curb weight	Curb weight1,780 kg–1,980 kg	Curb weight1,680 kg–2,035 kg
Fuel tank	Fuel tank80 l	Fuel tank80 l
Engines
Production years	Production years1989–2001	Production years2001–2011
Body type	Body typeConvertible	Body typeConvertible
Number of engines	Number of engines9	Number of engines10
Power	Power140–290 kW (190–394 hp)	Power170–450 kW (231–612 hp)
Displacement (l)	Displacement (l)2.8–6.0	Displacement (l)3.0–6.2
Fuel	FuelPetrol	FuelPetrol
Gearbox	GearboxAutomatic	GearboxAutomatic
Drivetrain	DrivetrainRear-wheel	DrivetrainRear-wheel
Lowest consumption	Lowest consumption11.3 l/100 km · SL 280 V6	Lowest consumption9.5 l/100 km · SL 300
Best 0–100 km/h	Best 0–100 km/h5.8 s · SL 60 AMG	Best 0–100 km/h4.2 s · SL 65 AMG
Top speed	Top speed250 km/h	Top speed250 km/h
Trim levelsBase · Base
Items in the base trim	Items in the base trim26 · Base	Items in the base trim35 · Base
Items in the top trim	Items in the top trim33 · Final Edition	Items in the top trim42 · Sport Package
Equipment · Comfort6 · 9
Air Conditioning	Air Conditioning✓	Air Conditioning—
Climate Control, 2-zone	Climate Control, 2-zone—	Climate Control, 2-zone✓
Cruise Control	Cruise Control✓	Cruise Control✓
Steering Wheel Height Adjustment	Steering Wheel Height Adjustment✓	Steering Wheel Height Adjustment—
Electric Steering Wheel Adjustment	Electric Steering Wheel Adjustment—	Electric Steering Wheel Adjustment✓
Front Power Windows	Front Power Windows✓	Front Power Windows✓
Power Steering	Power Steering✓	Power Steering✓
Power Folding Mirrors	Power Folding Mirrors—	Power Folding Mirrors✓
Mirror Memory	Mirror Memory—	Mirror Memory✓
Multifunction Steering Wheel	Multifunction Steering Wheel—	Multifunction Steering Wheel✓
Power-adjustable mirrors	Power-adjustable mirrors✓	Power-adjustable mirrors✓
Equipment · Interior5 · 6
Leather	Leather✓	Leather✓
Electric Front Seats	Electric Front Seats✓	Electric Front Seats✓
Heated Front Seats	Heated Front Seats—	Heated Front Seats✓
Driver's Seat Memory	Driver's Seat Memory—	Driver's Seat Memory✓
Leather Steering Wheel	Leather Steering Wheel✓	Leather Steering Wheel✓
Leather Gear Knob	Leather Gear Knob✓	Leather Gear Knob—
Front centre armrest	Front centre armrest✓	Front centre armrest✓
Equipment · Multimedia1 · 3
Audio System	Audio System✓	Audio System✓
Navigation System	Navigation System—	Navigation System✓
AUX input	AUX input—	AUX input✓
Equipment · Visibility & lights4 · 5
Xenon/Bi-xenon Headlights	Xenon/Bi-xenon Headlights—	Xenon/Bi-xenon Headlights✓
Heated Side Mirrors	Heated Side Mirrors✓	Heated Side Mirrors✓
Fog Lights	Fog Lights✓	Fog Lights—
Rain Sensor	Rain Sensor—	Rain Sensor✓
Automatic Headlight Leveling	Automatic Headlight Leveling✓	Automatic Headlight Leveling—
Headlight Washers	Headlight Washers✓	Headlight Washers✓
Auto-dimming Rear-view Mirror	Auto-dimming Rear-view Mirror—	Auto-dimming Rear-view Mirror✓
Equipment · Safety4 · 7
Driver's Airbag	Driver's Airbag✓	Driver's Airbag✓
Front Passenger Airbag	Front Passenger Airbag✓	Front Passenger Airbag✓
Front Side Airbags	Front Side Airbags—	Front Side Airbags✓
Traction Control	Traction Control✓	Traction Control✓
Brake assist (BAS)	Brake assist (BAS)—	Brake assist (BAS)✓
ABS	ABS✓	ABS✓
Electronic Stability Control (ESP)	Electronic Stability Control (ESP)—	Electronic Stability Control (ESP)✓
Equipment · Anti-theft3 · 3
Alarm	Alarm✓	Alarm✓
Central Locking	Central Locking✓	Central Locking✓
Immobilizer	Immobilizer✓	Immobilizer✓
Equipment · Exterior3 · 2
Alloy Wheels	Alloy Wheels✓	Alloy Wheels✓
R16 Wheels	R16 Wheels✓	R16 Wheels—
R17 Wheels	R17 Wheels—	R17 Wheels✓
Full-size spare wheel	Full-size spare wheel✓	Full-size spare wheel—
On Autodrom now
Listings	Listings0	Listings0

Frequently asked questions

Which is bigger — Mercedes-Benz SL R129 or Mercedes-Benz SL R230?

Length: Mercedes-Benz SL R230 4,580 mm, Mercedes-Benz SL R129 4,499 mm (a 81 mm difference). Wheelbase: 2,560 vs 2,515 mm. Boot: 317 vs 265 l.

Which uses less fuel — Mercedes-Benz SL R129 or Mercedes-Benz SL R230?

The most frugal Mercedes-Benz SL R129 uses 11.3 l/100 km (SL 280 V6); the most frugal Mercedes-Benz SL R230 9.5 l/100 km (SL 300).

Which is more powerful — Mercedes-Benz SL R129 or Mercedes-Benz SL R230?

The strongest Mercedes-Benz SL R129 makes 290 kW (394 hp) (SL 600); the strongest Mercedes-Benz SL R230 450 kW (612 hp) (SL 65 AMG).

Other comparisons

SL R129 vs Toyota Supra A80 SL R129 vs Ford Mustang IV (SN95)SL R129 vs BMW M3 E30 SL R129 vs Porsche Boxster 986 SL R230 vs Audi S4 B7 SL R230 vs Ford Mustang IV (SN95)SL R230 vs Alfa Romeo Spider (939)SL R230 vs Audi A4 B7 Compare cars →