The R129 was offered as a two-door roadster with an automated (electro-hydraulic), fabric convertible roof; colour-matched, automated tonneau cover; and a manually detachable hardtop that could be fitted over the stored fabric convertible roof and tonneau.

[6] Designed in 1984, the R129 was based on the shortened floorpan of the Mercedes-Benz W124[3] and featured many innovative details for the time, for instance electronically controlled damping (Adaptive Damping System ADS, optional) and a hidden, automatically extending roll-over bar.

The R107's somewhat dated rear suspension with semi-trailing arms gave way to a modern multi-link axle.

The number of standard features was high, with electric action for the windows, mirrors, seats and hydraulic convertible top.

A second facelift, introduced in late 1998, comprised new external mirrors, 17" wheels and new bumpers.

Front suspension Independent damper struts with separate coil springs and gas-pressurised shock absorbers, triangular lower control arms with anti-dive geometry and stabiliser bar.

Rear suspension Independent 5-arm multilink with separate single-tube gas-pressurised shock absorbers and coil springs, geometry for anti-lift, anti-squat and alignment control, stabiliser bar.

Body construction Monocoque with front and rear crumple zones and removable hardtop.

Rear suspension Independent 5-arm multilink with geometry for anti-lift, anti-squat and alignment control and stabiliser bar.

Sold from 1993 to 1998, it used a 6.0 litres (5,956 cc) V8 engine producing 375 hp (380 PS; 280 kW) at 5,500 rpm.

[14] After a brief hiatus, the SL 73 AMG was offered with the new M120 engine 7.3 litres (7,291 cc) from 1997 to 2001, with a bore x stroke of 91.5 mm × 92.4 mm (3.60 in × 3.64 in) DOHC 4 valves per cylinder, fuel fed by naturally aspirated Bosch HFM fuel injection and a compression ratio of 10.5:1, producing 518 hp (525 PS; 386 kW)[6] at 5,500 rpm and 750 N⋅m (553 lbf⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm of torque,[15] which was later used also by Pagani in the Zonda, enabling the SL 73 to set off from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in no longer than 4.5 seconds, while achieving a top speed of above-320 km/h (199 mph).

[19] The SL 55 AMG was sold in the R129 body style from 1998 to 2001 in limited numbers (5.4L V8, 349 hp (354 PS; 260 kW)[6] at 5,500 rpm).

A special edition of 2002 SL 500/SL 600 was made to celebrate the 1930s Silver Arrow race car.

Diana, Princess of Wales sold her Jaguar XJS to lease a metallic-red 500 SL and became the first member of the royal family to use a foreign car.

This was not without controversy as it sparked a media storm as it questioned whether a member of the British royal family should drive a foreign car.

[23] Victor Chang, Companion of the Order of Australia and Australian of the Century (People's Choice Awards) was a pioneer of modern heart transplantation, fatally shot while driving his 500 SL in Sydney.