Mercedes-Benz SL Camshaft Replacement Parts

Yes, every Mercedes-Benz SL has camshafts — they are a fundamental part of any four-stroke internal combustion engine and every SL variant across all generations has been petrol-powered, so all of them use camshafts. The exact number and specification of camshafts depends entirely on your engine code: older straight-six and V8 engines may use a single camshaft per bank, while later dual overhead camshaft (DOHC) V8s and V12s use two per bank, so quoting the wrong engine code to a breaker could mean receiving an incompatible part.

Both years fall within the R230 generation (2001–2012), but that generation covered a wide range of engines — from the SL350 M112 V6 through to the SL65 AMG M275 V12 — and Mercedes facelifted the R230 in 2006 with engine revisions on several variants. The engine code is the critical factor here: even within the same generation a camshaft from a pre-facelift 3.5-litre will not suit a post-facelift 5.5-litre, so confirm the engine codes on both donor and recipient vehicles before assuming fitment. Always confirm the specific part reference against your registration with the breaker.

No, these are different generations: the R230 ran from 2001 to 2012 and the R231 launched in 2012 with a substantially revised engine line-up, including new twin-turbocharged units that share little with the naturally aspirated engines of the R230. A camshaft is precision-matched to a specific engine's bore spacing, valve timing profiles and head architecture, so crossing a generation boundary like this is very unlikely to work. Quote your engine code to the breaker and let them confirm whether any parts cross over.

Trim level names on the SL directly indicate different engines, so in this case the badge genuinely does matter — but only because it points to a different engine code, not because of any trim-specific fitment rule. An SL350 uses a different engine to an SL500 or an SL55 AMG, and each requires its own specific camshaft profile and dimensions. The safest approach is to read the engine code directly from your V5 or a VIN check and give that to the breaker, rather than relying on the badge alone, as mid-production engine changes mean the badge is not always sufficient.

Where the engine code is genuinely identical, the internal rotating components including camshafts are often shared across the Mercedes-Benz range — the M272 or M273 engine, for example, appeared in multiple models. However, ancillary brackets, sensors and timing chain components can vary even between models sharing a core engine code, so confirm the full part reference with the breaker against your specific registration before purchasing.

Camshaft wear is directly linked to oil maintenance history, so a low-mileage example from a poorly serviced donor car can be in worse condition than a higher-mileage one that was properly maintained — ask the breaker what they know about the donor vehicle's service history where possible. You should also ensure the camshaft comes with its bearing caps if applicable, as these are line-bored as a matched set to the cylinder head and should not be mixed between components. Confirm the engine code, the specific camshaft position (inlet or exhaust, and which bank on a V-engine) and the part number with the breaker before committing to a purchase.