SL/R129: Downshift 4 speed vs. 5 speed
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 3
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e300
Downshift 4 speed vs. 5 speed
Hi everybody,
I am a 90`s kid so R129 SL500 pre facelift was/is a dream car for me so I decided that I want one but
I know it can be a slippery slope so I would like to get as much information as I can beforehand.
I have a few questions, so please help me out.
As I said I like the pre facelift cars BUT everywhere I read ( Ken Rockwell and also in the book about r129)
they recommend facelifted cars between 1995 and 1998 mostly becouse of the 5 speed automatic ( becouse of the better downshift?)
I don`t have an option to drive both of them so I need some help from some of you that have driven both 4 speed and 5 speed
to tell me if it is really that kind of difference?
Thank you!
Greetings from Europe
I am a 90`s kid so R129 SL500 pre facelift was/is a dream car for me so I decided that I want one but
I know it can be a slippery slope so I would like to get as much information as I can beforehand.
I have a few questions, so please help me out.
As I said I like the pre facelift cars BUT everywhere I read ( Ken Rockwell and also in the book about r129)
they recommend facelifted cars between 1995 and 1998 mostly becouse of the 5 speed automatic ( becouse of the better downshift?)
I don`t have an option to drive both of them so I need some help from some of you that have driven both 4 speed and 5 speed
to tell me if it is really that kind of difference?
Thank you!
Greetings from Europe
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 428
Likes: 96
From: Houston
001 s600, 94 sl600
The biggest difference is the later years (after my1994) is the wiring. in the engine compartment. Earlier MYS have biodegradable wiring insulation. IMHO the transmission differences are minor and unless you plan to 'track' the car are not significant. The 5 speed is electronically controlled.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
e300
The biggest difference is the later years (after my1994) is the wiring. in the engine compartment. Earlier MYS have biodegradable wiring insulation. IMHO the transmission differences are minor and unless you plan to 'track' the car are not significant. The 5 speed is electronically controlled.
I am not a sporty driver so this shouldn`t be a problem
I think the insulations have been changed by now on this cars but I will keep an eye for this problem!
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 368
Likes: 73
SL600
The difference between the transmissions is like day and night. The old hydraulically controlled transmissions shift slowly, start in second gear and turn absurdly high in last gear. The new electronically controlled transmissions start in first gear and lower the engine speed by around 1000 revolutions in last gear. Once you've driven the new gearbox, you don't want the old one anymore.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 4
Likes: 2
2003 SL500, 1998 SL500
Model years 1990-1992 have no biodegradable wiring.
I currently own a 1998 SL500 (for sale locally)and recently sold a 1991 500SL. They're both great cars, and it isn't easy for me to decide which I like better.
I currently own a 1998 SL500 (for sale locally)and recently sold a 1991 500SL. They're both great cars, and it isn't easy for me to decide which I like better.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 3
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e300
One is for the classic looks and the other one is becouse I can register it as a antique car ( 30 years old...time sure flies) which will bring down the costs of enviromental tax for around 3000€ when I buy it and import it and yearly around 1500€ ( road tax and insurance) ...
In Europe we have around 30 cars like that at the moment ranging from 10.000€ to 25.000€ but the problem is first the Covid restrictions and even without them many of the cars are 700km+ away so test driving them is going to be a challenge so first I have to filter the ones I see in the ads.
Wish me luck
