sl500 3 valve engine
Discussion
You can tell from the engine number: all 3-valve V8s begin m113. The older 4-valve engines all begin m119. The m113 also has a plastic air cleaner cover on which "Mercedes-Benz" is written in the modern, current Merc font; on the M119 it is all caps and in a sans serif font.
The engines are fine and continue to be fine: it is the over-complicated electrical crap and the body work which is bad. Things improved in about 2004. The r129 was never really affected because it was built to a design which was started in the late-1970s and on a production schedule which was implemented in 1989.
The engines are fine and continue to be fine: it is the over-complicated electrical crap and the body work which is bad. Things improved in about 2004. The r129 was never really affected because it was built to a design which was started in the late-1970s and on a production schedule which was implemented in 1989.
Edited by r129sl on Saturday 21st March 18:25
There are no good, late 5.0litre R129s for sale at the moment. I haven't seen any really good ones for ages. I suspect they are so low in value that owners are just hanging onto them. I know mine is worth more to me than it is to the market.
I do occasionally see apparently good early (1990-93) 500SLs. For me, the best indicator of condition on such cars is originality: if the car still has low ownership, two tone bodywork, orange indicators and 16" wheels, then it is likely to be OK!
1998 to 2001 models have a lot of nice extra kit. The 500s are pretty much fully loaded, the only major extras beign extended leather (called Exclusive), ADS suspension and AMG wheels and bodywork. The three valve motor is also more fuel efficient and generates more torque across a wider range and significantly lower in the engine speed range. It doesn't have the oil feed tube problem of the older motor and the timing chain lasts longer.
I do occasionally see apparently good early (1990-93) 500SLs. For me, the best indicator of condition on such cars is originality: if the car still has low ownership, two tone bodywork, orange indicators and 16" wheels, then it is likely to be OK!
1998 to 2001 models have a lot of nice extra kit. The 500s are pretty much fully loaded, the only major extras beign extended leather (called Exclusive), ADS suspension and AMG wheels and bodywork. The three valve motor is also more fuel efficient and generates more torque across a wider range and significantly lower in the engine speed range. It doesn't have the oil feed tube problem of the older motor and the timing chain lasts longer.
Edited by r129sl on Monday 23 March 09:22
I drive mine pretty much every day and only occasionally see another. They aren't that common until spring kicks in when you seem to see them a little more often. Noticed quite a few hoods down just lately due to the good weather though.. Time to take the hardtop off soon 
Incidentally, the M113 puts out 306hp whereas the older M119 puts out 326hp, not better necessarily but more powerful, Perhaps some explanation for the trade off against the torque and fuel economy gains of the newer M113? Also the SL70, SL73 and Pagini Zonda (amongst others) all use a DOHC 4 valve configuration, albeit it in V12 form (the M120) It must be doing something right!
Incidentally, the M113 puts out 306hp whereas the older M119 puts out 326hp, not better necessarily but more powerful, Perhaps some explanation for the trade off against the torque and fuel economy gains of the newer M113? Also the SL70, SL73 and Pagini Zonda (amongst others) all use a DOHC 4 valve configuration, albeit it in V12 form (the M120) It must be doing something right!
MB has also reverted to the 4 valve layout for its V6 and V8 petrol engines. I suspect it is an inherently better layout but it does not follow that the 1989 m119 32valve v8 is a better engine than the 1998 m113 24valve v8. For me the torque and economy clinch it where build quality seems to be equivalent.
I drive mine 20,000miles a year and only occasionally see another one. There are lots of 320s and a few 280s--nothing at all wrong with them, I just prefer the extra umph. They come out more in summer.
I drive mine 20,000miles a year and only occasionally see another one. There are lots of 320s and a few 280s--nothing at all wrong with them, I just prefer the extra umph. They come out more in summer.
r129sl said:
MB has also reverted to the 4 valve layout for its V6 and V8 petrol engines. I suspect it is an inherently better layout but it does not follow that the 1989 m119 32valve v8 is a better engine than the 1998 m113 24valve v8. For me the torque and economy clinch it where build quality seems to be equivalent.
I drive mine 20,000miles a year and only occasionally see another one. There are lots of 320s and a few 280s--nothing at all wrong with them, I just prefer the extra umph. They come out more in summer.
What mpg do you get out of yours R129?I drive mine 20,000miles a year and only occasionally see another one. There are lots of 320s and a few 280s--nothing at all wrong with them, I just prefer the extra umph. They come out more in summer.
Rarely other than 23mpg, never less than 19mpg, never more than 28mpg. Amazingly, I get 28mpg when cruising at a high but constant speed on the continent. As you will know, in France you can sit at 95mph all day long and that seems to be the optimum. It will go for 450miles between tanks at that speed. Usually, though, it is 23mpg. That is the same as used to get out of my C240, so not bad in my view.
r129sl said:
Rarely other than 23mpg, never less than 19mpg, never more than 28mpg. Amazingly, I get 28mpg when cruising at a high but constant speed on the continent. As you will know, in France you can sit at 95mph all day long and that seems to be the optimum. It will go for 450miles between tanks at that speed. Usually, though, it is 23mpg. That is the same as used to get out of my C240, so not bad in my view.
I think that's remarkable actually. Is it much worse for an M119?The impression I get from others is that the M119 gives 18 to 22mpg.
My 500 SEC, fitted with a M117 which is the same block as the M119 but with 2 valve heads, gives 17 to 20mpg.
There are no know weak points with the M113 (weaknesses with the crankshaft vibration damper seem to affect the M112 only and in any event it is easy to inspect and change) whereas the plastic oil feeder tubes which supply oil to the top of the heads are known to clog on the M119.
My 500 SEC, fitted with a M117 which is the same block as the M119 but with 2 valve heads, gives 17 to 20mpg.
There are no know weak points with the M113 (weaknesses with the crankshaft vibration damper seem to affect the M112 only and in any event it is easy to inspect and change) whereas the plastic oil feeder tubes which supply oil to the top of the heads are known to clog on the M119.
Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff