[lhd7]

Good afternoon
Am looking seriously at a 1992 300SL and have a badging question - car has the M104 motor but is badged 300SL whereas Google images of similar cars have 300SL-24 on the trunk. Is this an American model designation variable or are the 300SL and 300SL-24 distinctly different cars?

 

[carltwo]

I believe in US only, they badge the 300SL-24 as a 300SL so all cars in US really are 300SL-24 and none in US are 300SL and there is a difference motor specs.

 

[LewisMend]

I believe in US only, they badge the 300SL-24 as a 300SL so all cars in US really are 300SL-24 and none in US are 300SL.

I own a 92 300SL. They are as described above
nice car BUT. They normally start off in 2nd gear unless you mash the go pedal. Thisnisna shif modification so the car would pass American EPA. they aren’t quick off the line unless you mash them.
There is a modification that can be done to eliminate this a(i havent donr it as it requirees wiring alterations). Thought you might like to know before you buy one

 

[lhd7]

Thanks for the replies- regarding the transmission-;I have a W126 300SE that has the same start in 2nd gear feature if the car is in D. Select 2 and it starts in 1st gear.
To be honest I am OK with not hooning around any more so the more sedate pace of the 300SL will be fine ( am resisting a SL 600!)

 

[carltwo]

Try not to resist to hard for the 600SL, however I would consider a later r129 600SL, oil leaks with the earlier ones.

 

[wlb50]

IIRC the early 129s in the US were all with the M104 engine but badged as a 300SL. In the rest of the world the 300SL had the M103 engine before the M104 although I think they made relatively few of those.

I HAVE seen some US W124s with the moniker 300E-24 when they first transitioned from the M103 to M104. This was 1993 before the W124 facelift.

I am 90% certain you have the correct badging.

 

[lhd7]

Thank you - I was the high bidder on the BaT auction so the car is on its way to my garage - now comes the fun part of getting it as good as it can be (and waiting for 4 months to drive it as winter and salted roads are here in the NE)

 

[Bill SD]

Thank you - I was the high bidder on the BaT auction so the car is on its way to my garage - now comes the fun part of getting it as good as it can be (and waiting for 4 months to drive it as winter and salted roads are here in the NE)

congrats...was it that recent 48k mile no-reserve? you got a great deal, I followed that one...yes I lust after the V8 and V12 was well but the 6 will get up and go if the revs are up.

 

[lhd7]

Yes that is the car - no reserve auctions can turn up gems if no one is in the room!
Very looking forward to mining the knowledge of this group to make this car as perfect as possible - seems like good solid platform to start with but the crome wheels got to go!!

 

[carltwo]

Ihd7,
So it's this one?
Nice

 

[lhd7]

That is her yes.

 

[lhd7]

Chrome wheels have to go but otherwise it looks really clean.

 

[carltwo]

Curious to know your wheel upgrade thoughts. I do enjoy a nice ride, however 18" AMG Staggered wheels are on all of my 3 r129 and IMO, I'll suffer a bit of comfort for looks.

 

[lhd7]

Roads here in CT are full of irregularities and potholes so comfort first!
I got ride of a 2011 CL550 with AMG 20 inch rims and 30 profile tires after replacing 2 rims and tires in quick succession! Same with a 997- that went to Florida as crashing the 325/30 profile rears on these roads was painful!

Welcome suggestions as to which style of OEM wheels would be recommended, staying with the 16s

 

[carltwo]

Ihd7,
As you can see I also live in CT. and never, never had a problem with my AMG wheels having trouble with potholes. Sure I fell into some, but never damaged a wheel yet... Just saying. If you going for comfort, there's a differences but really not much. IMO, wheel choice makes a huge difference. I like these cars because they look good at any angle but needs the right wheel choice to give it a true sporty look. Even my r107 has non factory wheels and looks IMO, amazing. Of course I'm more into design not the typical stock car.

 

[Bill SD]

Mine had the same rims, chromed 16' ones,that came with the car in addition a set of 18' staggered rims from an early SLK 55, 7.5 front and 8.5 rear. I felt same on stock 16's for the extra cushion but these 18's I haven't had any problems. I'm in WV eastern panhandle the roads I tend to be on are not bad. Of course the 300SL doesn't really more rubber in the rear but it looks good !

you could look are around for a set of stock same wheel in painted silver. I also picked up a set of stock alloy wheels from '97 SL like these more because they came with almost new Continental DSW's . I have thought about blasting and repainting the stock early wheels

1997 Mercedes SL Class Rims, 1997 Mercedes SL Class Wheels at OriginalWheels.com

www.originalwheels.com

 

[lhd7]

Thanks Bill - that 8 hole wheel is my first choice to keep the car original as possible.

 

[UncleWolfy]

Back to your original question. Only European M104' s are badged 300SL-24V if so equipped. In the US all 300SL R129's were 24V models.

 

[UncleWolfy]

You can use the R230 staggered rims, but need 10mm spacers front and rear. I do.