ken garchow

hp? i think it was from a head change 4 valve to 3 valve?

also wasnt there a transmission change to electronic 5 speed? when was it?

thanks

blueSL

The 5 speed transmission was introduced in 96, as I discovered to my cost when it failed in my SL600 last year. The new 3 valve per cylinder engine was introduced in 99 at the same time the instruments got silver rims. It was at this time the V12 was dropped because it was a bit of a dirty beast.

ken garchow

dropped in 99, i think there are 99 and up 600's i know there are 2002's because i sat in a 2002 SL 600 silver arrow. and kelly shows prices for 99up 600's

and did the 4 to 3 valve give the hp increase of 302 to 322?

and now did the new 2003 up sl go back the the 4 valve? if so were there problems w/the 3 valve engine?

thanks

akbro93704

The SL600 was not dropped in 1999, it continued until 2002. The V12 was always 4 valve/cylinder, but the 500 V8 went to 3 valve in 1999. The horsepower dropped from 315 to 302, and the torque from 347 to 339. The current SL has the same engine as the 1999-2002 SL500, but with a freer flowing exhaust system. The new 4 valve/cylinder V8's are due in the 2006 model year, I believe.

ken garchow

what about the transmissions? when where the changes on them

blueSL

Well it surprises me that the SL600 continued to 2002, I know it was dropped in Europe for emissions reasons which is why they had to switch V8s as well.

The engine and transmission for the SL500 was carried across largely unchanged from the R129 to the R230 and of course that has been replaced recently by a 7 speed in the R230. The bigger R230s - SL55/600 continue to use the same transmission that the R129 used.

akbro93704

The 5-speed was introduced on the 1996 SL500 and SL600 models. Previous models had a 4-speed automatic, and a 5 speed manual was optional on the 300SL in it's early years.

MB AMG

So when the 5 speed was introduced, was it kinda unreliable?

blueSL

You said it. My 96 SL600 had one of the first and failed big time last year. Significant changes were made to the bearings for the 99 model year and this gearbox was carried forwards to the new SL, since replaced by the 7 speed box in the SL500.

cudaus1

Were the 1996 SL 320 cars 4 speed autos and how reliable are they?

ken garchow

i think i have learned from this site that 98-99 was a larger change year in the 129's than namy other years. different motor, transmission, interior items, mirrors, grill ,tail lights and wheel styles. is that it?

i ask because i found a nice 98 sport pano, but now think i should wait for a 99 up sport pano. are there any pluses to the 98 back cars other than money? say does the 4 valve feel faster, easier to tune? is the early 5 speed AT geared better or a better tranny than the electronic one, different rear end gears?

thanks

by the way i drove a 2002 sl 600 silver arrow today, very nice car!!

SL BRABUS

Yeah the 600 is nice......I drove both 4 valve and 3 valve engine........I like the 4 valve is faster....Off the start it a little slower but got alot of mid to high end power..The the power is more useful for the real world.....The 3 valve engine is suck.......Unless you like the race light to light....it got alot of low end power......mid to high end power not there.....If you like the 600 then you got to go with the twin cam 4 valve V8......The tranny I like the 4 speed....it build like a tank........any 5 speed tranny is ok........