Mercedes-Benz SL R129 or Porsche Boxster 986?

1989–2001 vs 1996–2004 · Convertible vs Convertible

In short

Length: SL R129 4,499 mm, Boxster 986 4,315 mm — a 18 cm difference.
Boot: SL R129 265 l, Boxster 986 260 l.
Lowest consumption: SL R129 11.3 l/100 km, Boxster 986 9.7 l/100 km.
Power: SL R129 140–290 kW, Boxster 986 150–185 kW.
Standard equipment: SL R129 26 items (Base), Boxster 986 17 items (Boxster).
Neither is listed on Autodrom right now.

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

Porsche Boxster 9861996–2004 · 3 engines · Boxster, Boxster SSpecifications →Listings →

Only differences

better value

	Mercedes-Benz SL R1291989–2001no listings	Porsche Boxster 9861996–2004no listings
Dimensions
Length	Length4,470 mm–4,499 mm	Length4,315 mm
Width	Width1,812 mm	Width1,780 mm
Height	Height1,293 mm–1,303 mm	Height1,290 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase2,515 mm	Wheelbase2,415 mm
Ground clearance	Ground clearance115 mm–120 mm	Ground clearance110 mm
Trunk volume	Trunk volume265 l	Trunk volume260 l
Curb weight	Curb weight1,780 kg–1,980 kg	Curb weight1,250 kg–1,295 kg
Fuel tank	Fuel tank80 l	Fuel tank57 l–64 l
Engines
Production years	Production years1989–2001	Production years1996–2004
Body type	Body typeConvertible	Body typeConvertible
Number of engines	Number of engines9	Number of engines3
Power	Power140–290 kW (190–394 hp)	Power150–185 kW (204–252 hp)
Displacement (l)	Displacement (l)2.8–6.0	Displacement (l)2.5–3.2
Fuel	FuelPetrol	FuelPetrol
Gearbox	GearboxAutomatic	GearboxManual
Drivetrain	DrivetrainRear-wheel	DrivetrainRear-wheel
Lowest consumption	Lowest consumption11.3 l/100 km · SL 280 V6	Lowest consumption9.7 l/100 km · 2.5
Best 0–100 km/h	Best 0–100 km/h5.8 s · SL 60 AMG	Best 0–100 km/h5.9 s · S 3.2
Top speed	Top speed250 km/h	Top speed260 km/h
Trim levelsBase · Boxster
Items in the base trim	Items in the base trim26 · Base	Items in the base trim17 · Boxster
Items in the top trim	Items in the top trim33 · Final Edition	Items in the top trim21 · Boxster S
Equipment · Comfort6 · 4
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✓
Equipment · Interior5 · 2
Leather	Leather✓	Leather✓
Electric Front Seats	Electric Front Seats✓	Electric Front Seats—
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 · 1
Audio System	Audio System✓	Audio System✓
Equipment · Visibility & lights4 · 0
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 · Safety4 · 4
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—
ABS	ABS✓	ABS✓
Equipment · Anti-theft3 · 3
Alarm	Alarm✓	Alarm✓
Central Locking	Central Locking✓	Central Locking✓
Immobilizer	Immobilizer✓	Immobilizer✓
Equipment · Exterior3 · 3
Alloy Wheels	Alloy Wheels✓	Alloy Wheels✓
R16 Wheels	R16 Wheels✓	R16 Wheels✓
Full-size spare wheel	Full-size spare wheel✓	Full-size spare wheel—
Compact spare wheel	Compact spare wheel—	Compact spare wheel✓
On Autodrom now
Listings	Listings0	Listings0

Frequently asked questions

Which is bigger — Mercedes-Benz SL R129 or Porsche Boxster 986?

Length: Mercedes-Benz SL R129 4,499 mm, Porsche Boxster 986 4,315 mm (a 184 mm difference). Wheelbase: 2,515 vs 2,415 mm. Boot: 265 vs 260 l.

Which uses less fuel — Mercedes-Benz SL R129 or Porsche Boxster 986?

The most frugal Mercedes-Benz SL R129 uses 11.3 l/100 km (SL 280 V6); the most frugal Porsche Boxster 986 9.7 l/100 km (2.5).

Which is more powerful — Mercedes-Benz SL R129 or Porsche Boxster 986?

The strongest Mercedes-Benz SL R129 makes 290 kW (394 hp) (SL 600); the strongest Porsche Boxster 986 185 kW (252 hp) (S 3.2).

Other comparisons

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