1991 300SL vs 1991 320SL

[Teresa99]

Can someone please tell me what the difference is between a 300SL and a 320SL? I recently purchased a 1991 320SL, but when someone pulls up the VIN #, they tell me it's a 300SL. The plate on the trunk says 320SL.

This is my first Mercedes, which I bought in May, from a guy that was moving to Hong Kong and had to sell quickly. Yes, it was an impulse purchase, but I got a great deal on a cool care and it's in mint condition. I'm just curious to know what the differences are between the two models.

Thanks for any input.

Teresa

 

[television]

The chances are that it has been re badged, all the SL's are based on the 124 cars, and the first batch were classed as 124 300. in around 1992 they were given the code129 and these started with the 320 engine. the cars are identical, the only thing to look out for on yours is the bio wiring from the engine to the control boxes.


Malcolm

 

[kth286]

Teresa99

Does your car say 24 valves on the badging ?

If not, then the 300 and 320 used totally different engines.

The 300SL used the 3 litre 6 cylinder 12 valve single cam (103 engine) with the old fashioned electronically controlled mechanical fuel injection and seperate electronic controlled distributor arrangement (with moving parts) for ignition.
Power was about 188 bhp.

The 320 engine however was a 3.2 litre 24 valve engine with twin overhead cams and variable valve timing. It was fully electronically controlled both for fuel and ignition, all being controlled by one computer and no moving parts.

Power was 220 bhp and torque was 229 ft lbs produced at a relatively low 3750 rpm and that made the car very relaxing to drive with good pulling power at low revs.
By far the better model and was successfully continued in the next generation E class (210 model) until Mercedes took a backward step and went to V6 engines to make them shorter and lower for more streamlined bodywork. These only had 3 valves per cylinder and they needed 2 expensive spark plugs and produced no more power (same 220 bhp).

Mercedes have now just gone back to 4 valves per cylinder designs like yours.

If you post your VIN here we can check the status of your car for sure.

The VIN is public knowledge as its posted in your windscreen.

Hope this helps.

Regards

 

[Teresa99]

Thanks for the reply. The VIN# is WDBFA61E0MF027401. Also, what does badging mean?

On another note, I recently cracked one of the rims that came on the car. It's Silver Avalini Jubilee, 8x18, 5 bolt, 5x112 bolt pattern. I have been told that Avalini is no longer in business. Any idea where I might find one? I have been told they are still popular in the UK.

 

[big x]

Here are pics of the 3 different engine types,as you can see all very different.

320 24V in E320 cab

300 24V in SL

300 12V in SL

adam

 

[Blobcat]

Below is the Vin breakdown, badging is simply sticking a different badge to the boot.

VINWDBFA61E0MF027401
Plant67
Model300 SL-24
Chassis1290611F027401
Engine104981 12 009053
Transmission722500 03 493753
TyresPrimaryPIRELLI
Forward03/136/0
Rear03/136/0
Order0 0 704 14814
LightsBOSCH
WiperBOSCH
Delivery date18.01.91
DealerUnited States (USA)
(704) Interiorleather black / anthracite
(271) Paint040black (T) (с 01.01.1963)
040black (T) (с 01.01.1963)
Options241left front seat electrically adjustable with memory feature. only applicable to w 210 when installed in conjunction with code 275. (с 01.03.1983)
242right front seat electrically adjustable with memory feature. only applicable to series w 210 when installed in conjunction with code 275. (с 01.03.1983)
246mirror with memory circuit (с 01.02.1988 по 01.09.1996)
283draft deflector (с 01.07.1989)
291airbag for front passenger
airbag for driver and front passenger (с 01.07.1987 по 30.09.1993)
airbag for driver and front passenger (if driver airbag standard - then only for passenger)
340additional 3rd stop lamp (с 01.10.1989)
4255-speed automatic transmission (с 01.02.1988)
443tempomat (cruise control), and steering column, electrically adjustable (с 01.07.1984)
461instrument with mileage reading and english lettering (с 01.04.1990)
491USA version (с 01.01.1963)
524paintcoat preservation (с 01.01.1964)
531automatic antenna (с 01.01.1963)
551anti-theft warning system (с 01.11.1978 по 31.03.1998)
581automatic climate control (с 01.01.1977)
592heat-insulating glass, all-around, heated rear window pane (laminated glass), band filter
green heat-insulating glass all round, heated rear window, laminated safety glass - tinted strip (с 01.01.1972)
600headlamp wiper/washer (с 01.08.1971)
611courtesy lamps for front and rear doors, with W124 also for central doors/W202 front doors only (с 01.11.1978)
639elimination of first-aid box and warning triangle (с 01.08.1977)
740folding top fabric9001 black (с 01.08.1972)
757Becker radio Grand Prix 2000 - USA (с 01.06.1990 по 31.03.1994)
801Change of year of model, last figure shows new model year
810loudspeaker, sound package
sound package (bose) (с 01.12.1986)
880closing system with infrared remote control (с 01.02.1988)
881central locking inside for roadster pigeonholes (с 01.02.1988 по 30.11.1991)

 

[stats007]

The chances are that it has been re badged, all the SL's are based on the 124 cars, and the first batch were classed as 124 300. in around 1992 they were given the code129 and these started with the 320 engine. the cars are identical, the only thing to look out for on yours is the bio wiring from the engine to the control boxes.


Malcolm

Hi Malcolm, not sure where you read that but it isn't true. The R129 directly replaced the R107 in 1989 - whilst it shared a few components with the W124 (and W140) it isn't based on one.

As mentioned there were two versions of the 300SL which were built from 1989 - 1993.

129.060 used the M103.984 12v (187bhp@5700rpm / 260Nm@4500rpm)
129.061 used the M104.981 24v (228bhp@6300rpm / 272Nm@4600rpm)

With the 1994 model year the SL naming convention changed from postfix to prefix - so 500SLs became SL500s etc. The 300SL stopped being made and was replaced by the SL320.

129.063 used the M104.991 24v (228bhp@5600rpm / 315Nm @3750rpm).

Teresa you have a 300SL-24 as seen on the VIN breakdown above.

Edit: PS to bhp conversions.

 

[television]

Hi Malcolm, not sure where you read that but it isn't true. The R129 directly replaced the R107 in 1989 - whilst it shared a few components with the W124 (and W140) it isn't based on one.





.

Most of the components from the engine and drive chain, all of the electrics, the steering and heating,cooling etc are 124 based. The term I used came from the most famous 129 and 140 service CD, and the german dismantling one. In many ways it depends on how you look at it., even the 140 is based on the 124

Malcolm

 

[stats007]

You're right it depends on how you look at it but a chassis defines a car, then a bodyshell before the components come into play. Engines have always been shared - so have gearboxes and they weren't developed purely with the E-class in mind - in fact the big engines were developed for the S classes primarily - 126 - 140 etc and didn't make it into the W124 in this country. From memory only 15% of R129 parts carry a 124 designation.

 

[big x]

Most of the components from the engine and drive chain, all of the electrics, the steering and heating,cooling etc are 124 based. The term I used came from the most famous 129 and 140 service CD, and the german dismantling one. In many ways it depends on how you look at it., even the 140 is based on the 124

Malcolm

Yes,you only have to look through the EPC to see there are hundreds of shared parts with serial numbers begining with 124. For example the suspension design is similar and they share the complete front wishbone serial number.Per unit cars like the R129 are the most profitable in the line for the makers as they always share so many common components with cheaper models.

R129 front axle

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...GA=722.607&CT=F&cat=44F&SID=33&SGR=030&SGN=01

 

[stats007]

That's right - but again this happens across the entire range and for every manufacturer - it doesn't make one model based on another! In the example you give, two parts out of 18 are from a 124 - when you look over then entire vehicle it works out to be around 15%.

For one vehicle to be based on another you need true platform sharing such as the Vectra/Saab or Golf/Audi A3 etc. If you want to look at Mercedes then the W202 and the R170 come into consideration.

 

[big x]

That's right - but again this happens across the entire range and for every manufacturer - it doesn't make one model based on another! In the example you give, two parts out of 18 are from a 124 - when you look over then entire vehicle it works out to be around 15%.
.

Two out of 18 ? Look again, many of the parts are the same, steering knuckle etc.The main difference is the hub is bigger on the SL and steering arms stronger.I'm comparing an E320 with SL320 of the same year.Is 15% an MB figure ?
EPC's have a handy fitment guide listing all the models a part fits.It's surprising how many basic small mechanical parts go back 20 years or more and are carried over from previous models if it's a proven design.

E320 front axle

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...GM=717.450&CT=F&cat=15T&SID=33&SGR=030&SGN=01

 

[stats007]

My eyesight is fine thanks . Look at the part numbers - only two are from a 124.

 

[big x]

My eyesight is fine thanks . Look at the part numbers - only two are from a 124.

1293300220 steering knuckle is the same as is the one on the other side,that's 4 and there are more !
I'm wondering if you even read my previous post.

adam

 

[stats007]

The percentage will still be the same! 2 out of 18 or 4 out of 36?

 

[big x]

I posted the link to the SL and in the later post to the E320 diagrams,can't you see the transverse control arms and the steering knuckles have the same serial numbers ! As I said the difference between the models is the hub size.

adam

 

[stats007]

Sorry I think I'm missing your point? We all know they share parts - the W124 has R129 parts and vice versa - that doesn't make them generic. The control arms maybe the same but the springs and dampers are totally different. The R129 runs with differing geometry, wheel and tyre sizes.

 

[big x]

Sorry I think I'm missing your point? We all know they share parts - the W124 has R129 parts and vice versa - that doesn't make them generic. The control arms maybe the same but the springs and dampers are totally different. The R129 runs with differing geometry, wheel and tyre sizes.

The point is you have twice posted incorrectly saying only 2 of the parts in the diagrams are the same and I've pointed out that is incorrect.
Many parts are indeed generic.The multilink rear suspension of the W124 has been carried over largely unchanged apart from the subframe right through the R129,W202 and W210.The only functional changes have been the hubs,springs and dampers for each application.Revised 210 part numbers on the links fit the W124.A good example of designing something correctly the first time leading to hugh cost savings down the line.
R129 rear:
http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...507722.605&CT=F&cat=515&SID=35&SGR=075&SGN=04
I don't know the percentage of parts the same between the SL320 and E320 but clearly if some of the running gear,electrics,abs,locks, and engine parts are the same it may be higher than the 15% you quoted.

adam

 

[stats007]

It isn't incorrect - the point in question was with Malcolm about the R129 being based on the W124. It isn't. The suspension parts you highlight are common to the 190 as well as the S class and E class. As I said, the springs, dampers and geometry are unique to the 129 - these parts generally have a more signficant effect in suspension behaviour than sharing a geometric roll centre . If you take the part numbers then the R129 uses two W124 parts in the diagram you've shown - the rest are from other vehicles because like you say they are devolped for use across the board but are tweaked for each individual application. Bearing in mind the R129 has an entirely different bodyshell, panelling, roof structure and interior you can probably assume the volume of 124 parts is quite low. The 15% figure was a quote from a very experienced parts manager at Mercedes. By all means go through the EPC and look at each diagram and count!

 

[big x]

It isn't incorrect - the point in question was with Malcolm about the R129 being based on the W124. It isn't. The suspension parts you highlight are common to the 190 as well as the S class and E class. As I said, the springs, dampers and geometry are unique to the 129 - these parts generally have a more signficant effect in suspension behaviour than sharing a geometric roll centre . If you take the part numbers then the R129 uses two W124 parts in the diagram you've shown - the rest are from other vehicles because like you say they are devolped for use across the board but are tweaked for each individual application. Bearing in mind the R129 has an entirely different bodyshell, panelling, roof structure and interior you can probably assume the volume of 124 parts is quite low. The 15% figure was a quote from a very experienced parts manager at Mercedes. By all means go through the EPC and look at each diagram and count!

I agree with what your saying apart from the part numbers.It's clear you haven't looked at the E320 front axle diagram link,and have not seen there are 129 part numbers in it.(Part number prefixes are often updated EG.a 124 prefix becomes 129 or 202 or 210 over time.The part has the same original fitment application)

adam