MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class
R129 / R230 / R231 / R232 / 1996-2024 / Convertible / 2-door Convertible / Convertible/Coupe / 2-door convertible coupe
Year and trim selector
Choose the exact year and trim to see engine, oil and service details.
1996 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class M119 E50/M104 E32 (R129)
R129 / M119 E50, M104 E32, M119 E55, M113 E43 (Europe from late 1997) / Range of inline-6 and V8 engines including 3.2L I6, 5.0L V8, and 5.5L V8; availability varies by market and production month within 1996
2002 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class M113 E55/M113 E50 (R230)
R230 / M113 E55, M113 E50, M112 E32 / V8 and V6 naturally aspirated engines offered; main engine for 2002 was 5.0L V8 (M113 E50) in SL 500, 5.5L V8 (M113 E55) introduced mid-2002 in SL 55 AMG in some markets, and 3.2L V6 (M112 E32) in SL 320.
2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class M113 E55 ML (R230)
R230 / M113 E55 ML / 5.5L SOHC V8 naturally aspirated engine with dual overhead cams and 3 valves per cylinder
2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class M113 E55/M113 E50 (R230)
R230 / M113 E55, M113 E50, M272 E35, OM647 / The 2005 SL-Class R230 offered multiple engines globally: a 5.5L V8 M113 E55 AMG primarily in North America and Europe; a 5.0L V8 M113 E50 in select markets; a 3.5L V6 M272 E35 in some European and global markets; and a 2.7L diesel OM647 variant offered mainly in European markets. Engine offerings depended on the market due to regulatory and performance positioning.
2006 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class 113.971/113.960 (R230)
R230 / 113.971, 113.960, 273.967, 273.961 / The 2006 SL-Class R230 featured a range of V8 engines with M113 and M273 family codes depending on the market. M113 was more common in early models, transitioning to M273 in later versions within 2005-2006. Markets specified different power outputs and emissions configurations.
2007 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class M273 E55/M156 (R230)
R230 / M273 E55, M156 / 2007 SL-Class featured multiple engines globally, primarily the naturally aspirated 5.5L V8 (M273 E55) for SL550 and the high-performance 6.2L V8 (M156) for the AMG SL63 variant. Market variations exist, with the SL600 featuring a 5.5L V12 turbo (M275) in some regions.
2011 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class M278 DE46 LA/M159 (R231)
R231 / M278 DE46 LA, M159, M157 / 2011 SL-Class (R231) launched with various engines including a 4.6L biturbo V8 (M278), 6.2L V8 (M159) in the SL 63 AMG, and 5.5L biturbo V8 (M157) in certain AMG variants depending on market.
2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class M278 DE 46 LA/M157 DE 55 AL (R231)
R231 / M278 DE 46 LA, M157 DE 55 AL / 2012 SL-Class R231 launched with two main powertrains globally: a 4.6L twin-turbocharged V8 (M278) and a 5.5L twin-turbocharged V8 (M157 AMG variant). Europe had both; North America primarily M278 at launch.
2014 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class M278 DE 40 AL/M157 DE40 AL (R231)
R231 / M278 DE 40 AL, M157 DE40 AL, OM642, M276 DE 30 LA / V8 and V6 gasoline engines plus a diesel V6 for select markets. Variants include naturally aspirated and twin-turbocharged engines depending on model and market.
2016 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class M276 DE30 LA/M157 DE55 AL (R231)
R231 / M276 DE30 LA, M157 DE55 AL / The 2016 SL-Class R231 featured primarily V6 and V8 engines depending on market: a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 (M276 DE30 LA) and a 5.5L twin-turbo V8 (M157 DE55 AL) in AMG variants.
2018 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class M278 DE46 LA/M157 E63 AMG (R231)
R231 / M278 DE46 LA, M157 E63 AMG, M176 DE40 LA (AMG), M264 (4-cylinder, China) / Available engines include a 4.7L V8 biturbo (M278 DE46 LA) in multiple markets, AMG 5.5L V8 biturbo (M157 E63 AMG) for performance variants, AMG 4.0L V8 biturbo (M176 DE40 LA) introduced later, and a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo (M264) in China.
2024 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class M256 (SL 55 AMG)/M176 (SL 63 AMG) (R232)
R232 / M256 (SL 55 AMG), M176 (SL 63 AMG) / The 2024 SL-Class R232 is offered with mild-hybrid inline-6 and V8 twin-turbo engines depending on market and trim. SL 55 AMG uses the 3.0L M256 inline-6 mild-hybrid engine, and SL 63 AMG uses the 4.0L M176 V8 twin-turbo engine.
Engine codes by year
| Year | Trim | Engine codes | Displacement | Fuel system |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | technical-profile | M119 E50, M104 E32, M119 E55, M113 E43 (Europe from late 1997) | 3.2L to 5.5L | Multipoint fuel injection |
| 2002 | technical-profile | M113 E55, M113 E50, M112 E32 | 3199cc (V6), 4966cc (V8), 5439cc (V8 AMG) | Sequential multi-port fuel injection |
| 2003 | technical-profile | M113 E55 ML | 5479 cc | Sequential multi-point fuel injection |
| 2005 | technical-profile | M113 E55, M113 E50, M272 E35, OM647 | 3.5L to 5.5L (various inline-6, V6, V8, diesel inline-5) | Multi-point fuel injection |
| 2006 | technical-profile | 113.971, 113.960, 273.967, 273.961 | 4.3L to 5.5L V8 | Sequential multi-port fuel injection |
| 2007 | technical-profile | M273 E55, M156 | 5.5L V8 (M273), 6.2L V8 (M156 AMG), 5.5L V12 twin-turbo (M275 for SL600) | Sequential multi-port fuel injection |
| 2011 | technical-profile | M278 DE46 LA, M159, M157 | 4.6L - 6.2L V8 | Direct injection, multi-port fuel injection (varies by engine) |
| 2012 | technical-profile | M278 DE 46 LA, M157 DE 55 AL | 4.6 to 5.5 liters | Multi-point fuel injection with direct injection on AMG variant |
| 2014 | technical-profile | M278 DE 40 AL, M157 DE40 AL, OM642, M276 DE 30 LA | 3.0L to 5.5L | Direct injection with turbocharging on selected variants |
| 2016 | technical-profile | M276 DE30 LA, M157 DE55 AL | 3.0L V6 / 5.5L V8 | Direct injection with turbocharging |
| 2018 | technical-profile | M278 DE46 LA, M157 E63 AMG, M176 DE40 LA (AMG), M264 (4-cylinder, China) | 4.7L to 5.5L (varies by engine and market) | Direct injection with Turbocharging |
| 2024 | technical-profile | M256 (SL 55 AMG), M176 (SL 63 AMG) | SL 55 AMG: 2999 cc; SL 63 AMG: 3982 cc | Direct Injection with turbocharging |
Oil capacity by engine
| Year | Engine codes | Oil type | Oil capacity | Fluid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | M119 E50, M104 E32, M119 E55, M113 E43 (Europe from late 1997) | MB 229.1 or equivalent synthetic motor oil | Approx. 6.5 liters (including filter change and service-fill volume for V8 engines) | Mercedes-Benz ATF Type 236.14 for automatic transmissions |
| 2002 | M113 E55, M113 E50, M112 E32 | MB Approval 229.1 grade fully synthetic oil | Approximately 8.5 liters (with filter), includes service-fill and filter replacement | MB 236.5 synthetic transmission fluid |
| 2003 | M113 E55 ML | Mercedes-Benz approved synthetic 5W-40 or 0W-40 motor oil | Approximately 9.5 liters (service fill with filter change) | MB 236.14 or MB 236.15 approved fluid |
| 2005 | M113 E55, M113 E50, M272 E35, OM647 | Mercedes-Benz MB 229.5 synthetic motor oil | Approx. 8.5 liters including filter (service-fill; includes oil filter change) | MB 236.14 synthetic ATF |
| 2006 | 113.971, 113.960, 273.967, 273.961 | Mobil 1 0W-40 synthetic or manufacturer equivalent | Approximately 8.5 liters (including filter) - service fill with filter change recommended | Mercedes-Benz MB 236.14 approved synthetic fluid |
| 2007 | M273 E55, M156 | Mercedes-Benz approved synthetic 5W-40 or 0W-40 engine oil | Approx. 10.5 liters with filter change (service-fill) | Mercedes-Benz ATF Type 236.14 (7G-Tronic approved) |
| 2011 | M278 DE46 LA, M159, M157 | Mercedes-Benz-approved synthetic 5W-40 or 0W-40 | Approx. 9.5L including filter (service fill, varies by engine) | MB 236.14 approved synthetic fluid |
| 2012 | M278 DE 46 LA, M157 DE 55 AL | Mercedes-Benz specification MB 229.5 synthetic motor oil | Approx. 9.5 liters (service fill including filter change) | MB 236.15 approved ATF |
| 2014 | M278 DE 40 AL, M157 DE40 AL, OM642, M276 DE 30 LA | Mercedes-Benz approved synthetic motor oil, meeting MB 229.5 or MB 229.51 specification | Approximately 10.5 liters service-fill with oil filter change (varies by engine) | Mercedes-Benz ATF approved fluid, typically MB 236.14 |
| 2016 | M276 DE30 LA, M157 DE55 AL | MB 229.5 approved synthetic engine oil | Approx. 9.5 liters service-fill including filter change (varies by engine type and market) | MB 236.14 or MB 236.15 approved transmission fluid |
| 2018 | M278 DE46 LA, M157 E63 AMG, M176 DE40 LA (AMG), M264 (4-cylinder, China) | Mercedes-Benz-approved synthetic 0W-40 or 5W-40 | Approx. 9.5 liters (service-fill with filter change; varies slightly by engine and market) | Mercedes-Benz ATF type 236.14 or equivalent |
| 2024 | M256 (SL 55 AMG), M176 (SL 63 AMG) | Mercedes-Benz MB 229.5 approved synthetic engine oil | Approximately 8.5 liters (engine oil and filter service fill) depending on engine variant | Mercedes-Benz synthetic automatic transmission fluid MB236.14 or equivalent |
Technical specifications
- Engines: M119 E50, M104 E32, M119 E55, M113 E43 (Europe from late 1997), M113 E55, M113 E50, M112 E32, M113 E55 ML, M272 E35, OM647, 113.971, 113.960
- Transmissions: 5-speed manual available in some markets with I6 engine, 4-speed and 5-speed automatic (with electronic control), depending on engine and market, Mercedes-Benz ATF Type 236.14 for automatic transmissions, Not available; all models equipped with automatic transmission, 5-speed 5G-Tronic automatic transmission (W5A580), MB 236.5 synthetic transmission fluid, No manual transmission offered in 2003 SL-Class R230, 7G-Tronic 7-speed automatic transmission (722.6)
- Tire sizes: 225/50ZR16, 235/45ZR17, 255/40ZR17 depending on tire package, Front: 225/50 ZR17, Rear: 255/45 ZR17 (varies by trim and market), Front: 255/40 ZR18, Rear: 285/35 ZR18, Front: 235/45 ZR17 to 265/40 ZR18, Rear: 255/40 ZR17 to 285/35 ZR18, Front: 255/40ZR18
- Bolt pattern: Verify by exact trim and wheel package
- Wheel torque: Verify by VIN and wheel package
- Battery: Verify by engine, market and equipment package
Fluids and service data
- Engine oil: MB 229.1 or equivalent synthetic motor oil / MB Approval 229.1 grade fully synthetic oil / Mercedes-Benz approved synthetic 5W-40 or 0W-40 motor oil / Mercedes-Benz MB 229.5 synthetic motor oil
- Transmission fluid: Mercedes-Benz ATF Type 236.14 for automatic transmissions / MB 236.5 synthetic transmission fluid / MB 236.14 or MB 236.15 approved fluid / MB 236.14 synthetic ATF
- Coolant: Approximately 10 liters / Approx. 11 liters, depending on market-specific radiator configuration / Approximately 12 liters / Approx. 11.5 liters
- Brake fluid: DOT 4 / DOT 4, change recommended every 2 years / DOT4 / DOT 4 synthetic
Known problems
- Soft top mechanism wear with age
- Electrical issues in climate control
- Suspension bushing deterioration
- Early R230 models may have issues with airmatic suspension components
- Electrical gremlins in COMAND system reported
- Early build models experienced issues with the air suspension compressor
- Electronic soft top mechanism failures
- Front lower control arm bushings wear
- Balance shaft oil seal leaks (M272)
- Hydraulic roof system leaks
- Electrical issues with electronics and instrument cluster
- Airmatic suspension air spring wear