Info about the R129 SL
http://www.r129sl-club.de/der-r129/geschichte.html
Quick navigation menu
Are you interested in buying an SL? Click here to look at my Buyer's guide
Read more about the different special editions
Technical manuals
These are the original owner's manuals in PDF format. They literally have everything the real manual has.
To save these to disk, right click the links and pick "Save Target As..."
More technical manuals. I recently added the ADS II manual which will be useful if you have an SL600.
Radio manual (First generation)
Radio manual (Second generation)
Radio manual (Second generation)
Radio manual (Third generation)
Upgraded Becker unit - find more information about this unit by clicking here
Bose® sound system in the Mercedes-Benz SL
Shop manual for ADS II - Notes from BenzWorld member chriswufgator :
"The WIS is woefully incomplete regarding this system, as is alldata. For the most part, ADS-I diagrams and components are shown, and are mis-labeled as ADS-II. This creates a huge problem with shops not knowing what they're doing. Even the bleed points shown in WIS are not accurate."
"Steve Brotherton was apparently aware of a german-language version of this thing and managed to track the english one down, so now I have come into possession of the entire 162-page ADS-II factory manual. This material is pre-labeled for insertion in WIS, and was apparently slated for inclusion, but for whatever reason MB never actually did put it in. So accordingly, 95%+ of this is not found in WIS."
Service videos
The videos are part of the R129 Infoaccess Course (part number: TT-2806-CD). This course was released to the public by Mercedes-Benz USA around the year 2003; You can download the full training course from here:
http://www.mercedestechstore.com/r129.htm
I've done a WHOIS lookup on the domain above to verify that it's owned by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.
To save these to disk, right click the links and pick "Save Target As..."
Wheels
Frequently asked questions
These are links which have answers to frequently asked questions. The links direct you to online forums with information.
BenzWorld.org - Important useful archived topics
How to buy the service manual on DVD
Beware of scammers when buying a panoramic hardtop; click here for more
Everything you want to know about the panoramic hardtop
Secrets of the R129
Not sure which to buy? SL500 vs SL600
6 Cylinder US Models
Beware of wiring harness on models manufactured 1993 -1995
Ordering / installing AMG Pedals
Wheel sizes with ETs (offsets)
Replacing the center vent backlighting
Manually removing hard top and operating soft top
Rear View Mirror Removal Instructions
Description of the AC vent unit
Door panel removal for 99 - 01
Trip Computer (the one in the eyeglasses case)
How the roll-over bar works
SL (R129) accessories
R129 Series Reference Materials
Online communities
These are great places to turn to to find information and meet people with similar cars.
Mercedes-Benz Club of America - SL Class (R129)
BenzWorld.org Forums - R129 SL Class
MBWorld.org Forums - SL Class (R129)
129SL Forum (in German)
R129-Forum (in German)
The official R129 club (in German)
Magazine articles 
The Star
[Uncredited] (1989, January / February). World Premiere For New SL. The Star, Volume 34, Number 1, Page 21.
Michael Cotton (1989, May / June). New SL Stars at Geneva Auto Show. The Star, Volume 34, Number 3, Pages 48-51.
Frank Barrett (1989, July / August). 1990 300SL & 500SL. The Star, Volume 34, Number 4, Pages 22-29.
Frank Barrett (1989, November / December). Mercedes-Benz for 1990............. The Star, Volume 34, Number 5, Page 36.
Frank Barrett (1992, November / December). 600SL Leads 1993 Models. The Star, Volume 37, Number 6, Pages 46-47.
Frank Barrett (1993, January / February). Truly Grand Tourers, The V12 Coupes & SL. The Star, Volume 38, Number 1, Pages 34-37.
Ian Fraser (1996, May / June). Driving 40 Years of Big SLs (Part II). The Star, Volume 41, Number 3, Pages 48-51.
[Uncredited] (1997, May / June). Factory News. The Star, Volume 42, Number 3, Pages 36-37.
Jim McCraw (2000, July/ August). SL600 Nearly Grabs One Lap of America. The Star, Volume 45, Number 4, Page 42.
Mercedes Enthusiast
David Sutherland (2006, January). Black beauty. Mercedes enthusiast, Issue 51, Pages 58-65.
Tim Slade (2006, April). Macho Man. Mercedes enthusiast, Issue 54, Pages 46-51.
Ian Kuah (2007, June). Original Sinner. Mercedes enthusiast, Issue 68, Pages 36-40.
Eric Richardson (2009, March). First In Line. Mercedes enthusiast, Issue 89, Pages 36-42.
David Sutherland (2010, August). V Almighty. Mercedes enthusiast, Issue 106.
Chris Eckermann (2011, March). A Green Dream. Mercedes enthusiast, Issue 113, Pages 96-97.
Karl Middelhauve (2011, May). Dream Come True. Mercedes enthusiast, Issue 115, Pages 86-88.
David Sutherland (2011, July). More Than Metal. Mercedes enthusiast, Issue 117, Pages 66-70.
Online articles
"1989: Heart flutter or fascination at its best" by ourSL.com
"A Day in History: The 1989 Mercedes-Benz SL R129 series" by Muamer Hodzic (2009)
"Mercedes-Benz History: The R 129 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class" by Chris Danielson (2010)
"1990-2002 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class: Full Review" by Consumer Guide (2009)
"R129 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class History" by Pace Motors
"1990 - 2002 R129 Mercedes SL500 Historical Summary" by Ken Rockwell (2006)
The official Daimler Global Media Site for the R129 SL
Comments? Corrections? Feedback?