SLS AMG wanted
Discussion
Palmball said:
I'm not so sure I'd claim the B&O system was 'phenomenal'.
Personally, I thought it was the worst 'premium' car audio system I've ever heard - the basic audio system in my current A-class loaner sounds far superior to the B&O in my SLS.
In fact, it's so bad that when I owned my first SLS, I complained to directly AMG as I thought something was wrong. To be fair to them, on one of my visits to them they put me in front of the two guys who were responsible for the audio design and they took me through all the features and details of the design, however admitted that on bass-heavy tracks, it is a 'compromised' system - in both my SLS's, the rear subs sounded like they'd popped. I had both upgraded to utilise proper subs under the rear shelf rather than the mid range speakers that AMG decided to use for this purpose and this improved things considerably.
The Burmester system in the GT had better be a significant improvement!
Good luck with the search OP
I have the B&O system in my SLS, it is the worst audio upgrade I have ever had, even worse than a Burmester system I had in a Cayenne Turbo a few years ago. Both these have put me off ordering (at high cost) premium audio systems although my current RR Sport does have one which is fantastic, but LR cars always seem to have very good sound systems. Personally, I thought it was the worst 'premium' car audio system I've ever heard - the basic audio system in my current A-class loaner sounds far superior to the B&O in my SLS.
In fact, it's so bad that when I owned my first SLS, I complained to directly AMG as I thought something was wrong. To be fair to them, on one of my visits to them they put me in front of the two guys who were responsible for the audio design and they took me through all the features and details of the design, however admitted that on bass-heavy tracks, it is a 'compromised' system - in both my SLS's, the rear subs sounded like they'd popped. I had both upgraded to utilise proper subs under the rear shelf rather than the mid range speakers that AMG decided to use for this purpose and this improved things considerably.
The Burmester system in the GT had better be a significant improvement!
Good luck with the search OP
My first SLS had the standard speaker system which was equally poor, still regret selling it though, 17 months ago for only £90k and it was newer and lower miles than most of the ones currently on offer. If I had kept it I imagine it could be worth more than I paid for it when new.
Palmball said:
I'm not so sure I'd claim the B&O system was 'phenomenal'.
Personally, I thought it was the worst 'premium' car audio system I've ever heard - the basic audio system in my current A-class loaner sounds far superior to the B&O in my SLS.
In fact, it's so bad that when I owned my first SLS, I complained to directly AMG as I thought something was wrong. To be fair to them, on one of my visits to them they put me in front of the two guys who were responsible for the audio design and they took me through all the features and details of the design, however admitted that on bass-heavy tracks, it is a 'compromised' system - in both my SLS's, the rear subs sounded like they'd popped. I had both upgraded to utilise proper subs under the rear shelf rather than the mid range speakers that AMG decided to use for this purpose and this improved things considerably.
The Burmester system in the GT had better be a significant improvement!
Good luck with the search OP
I have the B&O system in my SLS, it is the worst audio upgrade I have ever had, even worse than a Burmester system I had in a Cayenne Turbo a few years ago. Both these have put me off ordering (at high cost) premium audio systems although my current RR Sport does have one which is fantastic, but LR cars always seem to have very good sound systems. Personally, I thought it was the worst 'premium' car audio system I've ever heard - the basic audio system in my current A-class loaner sounds far superior to the B&O in my SLS.
In fact, it's so bad that when I owned my first SLS, I complained to directly AMG as I thought something was wrong. To be fair to them, on one of my visits to them they put me in front of the two guys who were responsible for the audio design and they took me through all the features and details of the design, however admitted that on bass-heavy tracks, it is a 'compromised' system - in both my SLS's, the rear subs sounded like they'd popped. I had both upgraded to utilise proper subs under the rear shelf rather than the mid range speakers that AMG decided to use for this purpose and this improved things considerably.
The Burmester system in the GT had better be a significant improvement!
Good luck with the search OP
My first SLS had the standard speaker system which was equally poor, still regret selling it though, 17 months ago for only £90k and it was newer and lower miles than most of the ones currently on offer. If I had kept it I imagine it could be worth more than I paid for it when new.
orbtar said:
Palmball said:
I'm not so sure I'd claim the B&O system was 'phenomenal'.
Personally, I thought it was the worst 'premium' car audio system I've ever heard - the basic audio system in my current A-class loaner sounds far superior to the B&O in my SLS.
In fact, it's so bad that when I owned my first SLS, I complained to directly AMG as I thought something was wrong. To be fair to them, on one of my visits to them they put me in front of the two guys who were responsible for the audio design and they took me through all the features and details of the design, however admitted that on bass-heavy tracks, it is a 'compromised' system - in both my SLS's, the rear subs sounded like they'd popped. I had both upgraded to utilise proper subs under the rear shelf rather than the mid range speakers that AMG decided to use for this purpose and this improved things considerably.
The Burmester system in the GT had better be a significant improvement!
Good luck with the search OP
What was so bad about it? Personally, I thought it was the worst 'premium' car audio system I've ever heard - the basic audio system in my current A-class loaner sounds far superior to the B&O in my SLS.
In fact, it's so bad that when I owned my first SLS, I complained to directly AMG as I thought something was wrong. To be fair to them, on one of my visits to them they put me in front of the two guys who were responsible for the audio design and they took me through all the features and details of the design, however admitted that on bass-heavy tracks, it is a 'compromised' system - in both my SLS's, the rear subs sounded like they'd popped. I had both upgraded to utilise proper subs under the rear shelf rather than the mid range speakers that AMG decided to use for this purpose and this improved things considerably.
The Burmester system in the GT had better be a significant improvement!
Good luck with the search OP
I have the B&O system in my SLS, it is the worst audio upgrade I have ever had, even worse than a Burmester system I had in a Cayenne Turbo a few years ago. Both these have put me off ordering (at high cost) premium audio systems although my current RR Sport does have one which is fantastic, but LR cars always seem to have very good sound systems.
My first SLS had the standard speaker system which was equally poor, still regret selling it though, 17 months ago for only £90k and it was newer and lower miles than most of the ones currently on offer. If I had kept it I imagine it could be worth more than I paid for it when new.
High and mid range were pretty decent but the bass was either non existent or distorted.
Quite simply, AMG fit two subs under the rear shelf. Only they're not subs, they're mid-range speakers (and not very good ones at that). So, if you have any songs that contain considerable bass (or if you have the bass settings set higher than, say, half way) it just distorts the speaker.
If you listen to classical music or stuff recorded pre 00's then everything is largely OK. However, listen to newer recordings (in particular dance music, R&B etc) and it can't cope. Probably not a problem for the majority of SLS owners (hence the relative lack of complaints) but it was a problem for me. If AMG fitted something like this to their C63 there would be outrage! As I suspect there will be if the Burmeister in the GT isn't up to scratch given the much larger volumes they'll be selling.
Anyway, I took both of my SLS's to a specialist audio installer (Platinum in Car, Coventry) and had some proper low-profile Hertz subs fitted in place of the mid-range speakers under the rear shelf - it was much improved and addressed the specific issue I've described above, but overall it still remained relatively average compared to others I've heard - the B&O in my M6 and Bower & Wilkins in my XKR we're outstanding systems and significantly cheaper.
As I said before, when I spoke to AMG about it, they were all too aware that it was sub-standard - 'compromised' I think is the word they used with me.
Quite simply, AMG fit two subs under the rear shelf. Only they're not subs, they're mid-range speakers (and not very good ones at that). So, if you have any songs that contain considerable bass (or if you have the bass settings set higher than, say, half way) it just distorts the speaker.
If you listen to classical music or stuff recorded pre 00's then everything is largely OK. However, listen to newer recordings (in particular dance music, R&B etc) and it can't cope. Probably not a problem for the majority of SLS owners (hence the relative lack of complaints) but it was a problem for me. If AMG fitted something like this to their C63 there would be outrage! As I suspect there will be if the Burmeister in the GT isn't up to scratch given the much larger volumes they'll be selling.
Anyway, I took both of my SLS's to a specialist audio installer (Platinum in Car, Coventry) and had some proper low-profile Hertz subs fitted in place of the mid-range speakers under the rear shelf - it was much improved and addressed the specific issue I've described above, but overall it still remained relatively average compared to others I've heard - the B&O in my M6 and Bower & Wilkins in my XKR we're outstanding systems and significantly cheaper.
As I said before, when I spoke to AMG about it, they were all too aware that it was sub-standard - 'compromised' I think is the word they used with me.
Sorry Palmball it was directed towards orbtar but interesting response nevertheless.
I have just deafened myself playing a track with a fair amount of bass on full volume. I didn't notice any 'popping' but I am interested to hear whether what you have experienced is similar to this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWYGOElu5hs&fe...
I have just deafened myself playing a track with a fair amount of bass on full volume. I didn't notice any 'popping' but I am interested to hear whether what you have experienced is similar to this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWYGOElu5hs&fe...
Doppelkupplung said:
Sorry Palmball it was directed towards orbtar but interesting response nevertheless.
I have just deafened myself playing a track with a fair amount of bass on full volume. I didn't notice any 'popping' but I am interested to hear whether what you have experienced is similar to this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWYGOElu5hs&fe...
It all depends on the song - it was hard to hear anything specifically wrong in the video you linked but then I wouldn't expect to as the bass settings were mainly set to flat, negative or only very slightly to the positive. I prefer a more bass-heavy setting (yes, I can sense the audiophiles tut tutting me!), at least +6, and set like this the rear speakers just couldn't cope. I have just deafened myself playing a track with a fair amount of bass on full volume. I didn't notice any 'popping' but I am interested to hear whether what you have experienced is similar to this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWYGOElu5hs&fe...
Palmball said:
Doppelkupplung said:
Sorry Palmball it was directed towards orbtar but interesting response nevertheless.
I have just deafened myself playing a track with a fair amount of bass on full volume. I didn't notice any 'popping' but I am interested to hear whether what you have experienced is similar to this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWYGOElu5hs&fe...
It all depends on the song - it was hard to hear anything specifically wrong in the video you linked but then I wouldn't expect to as the bass settings were mainly set to flat, negative or only very slightly to the positive. I prefer a more bass-heavy setting (yes, I can sense the audiophiles tut tutting me!), at least +6, and set like this the rear speakers just couldn't cope. I have just deafened myself playing a track with a fair amount of bass on full volume. I didn't notice any 'popping' but I am interested to hear whether what you have experienced is similar to this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWYGOElu5hs&fe...
In all fairness i cannot believe that many owners usually listen to music with a lot of bass in this setting, Some very expensive stereo systems can't cope with extremes of sound either but a system with plenty of "woofers" in a Ibiza club could. Does that make it a bad system? No. Would I have paid an additional £6k for the B&O? Probably not. Which is why I said originally it's good but not worth holding out for
L33 said:
Colin - many thanks. You have mail.
Andy, I'd be interested in the white SLS. I have tried dropping you a PM but the system won't allow it??? Please can you drop me a PM with an email address to get hold of you?
Many thanks,
Lee
Hi - sorry pm'S were disabled - fixed now. Send me your details and meantime I will find out if that car is still available the put you in touch Andy, I'd be interested in the white SLS. I have tried dropping you a PM but the system won't allow it??? Please can you drop me a PM with an email address to get hold of you?
Many thanks,
Lee
I have decided to hang on to mine now , when I bought it I was blown away when flat out in my C63 on the autobahn an SLS soft top with a fit bird pulled alongside and gave me the thumbs up. He then pulled away which left me feeling like I was standing still. On my return to the UK I saw my car which although standard spec I traded inn my excellent C63 in. It was a spur of the moment thing and I class myself as fortunate to be in the ownership of such a machine. I have not got the carbon pack nor the B&O system, but I did get the box upgrade and thrashed two R8 v10's for a ten minute thrash which was amazing to experience. I am glad that I have made the decision to hold on to my car and fully understand the decision from the likes of palmball to sell his but deep down I wonder if he will regret it .
Ntubb23 said:
Hello! What an awesome car you are thinking of!
I work for Mercedes so if you need any help or information on the car please feel free to get in touch!
Nathan.tubb@ridgeway.co.uk
What price range are you looking at? For a 62 plate roughly you'll be looking at 110-120000£.
A62 plate for £110- £120k? That boat has sailed unless they are poorly spec'd cars with high miles.I work for Mercedes so if you need any help or information on the car please feel free to get in touch!
Nathan.tubb@ridgeway.co.uk
What price range are you looking at? For a 62 plate roughly you'll be looking at 110-120000£.
colinc01 said:
I am glad that I have made the decision to hold on to my car and fully understand the decision from the likes of palmball to sell his but deep down I wonder if he will regret it .
All the time! But I also very much like the opportunity to experience different cars and I get huge enjoyment from that...unfortunately I'm not in the position to have more than one really nice car at a time. You'd think I'd be prime candidate for a supercar club but they're hardly cheap and come with too many restrictions / too little time. I'm glad I had the opportunity to own one (well, two) and will always have a tinge of regret but then again, I'm a forward thinking kind of person so am waiting for the next thing (it's just such a long way away
). When someone asks me what the best car I've owned is, I always say the 911 Turbo was the most technically capable, but the SLS was the best. It felt best, sounded the best, it was the most special and was probably the fastest (although I'd say it's a photo finish between the SLS, 911 and latest M6 in terms of performance). I hated the 911, I loved the SLS - I suspect I'll go through better cars in future and those thoughts won't change much.
Palmball, you are correct and I understand the difficult choice you made could not have been an easy one. I was prepared to sell my car to the OP but changed my mind when he was more interested in the spec of the stereo and carbon trim options rather than the full service history and factory gearbox upgrade. Whilst I would have opted for the options should I have been in the position to buy from new then they would have been considered. In addition I work out of the uk for most of my time but do enjoy a yearly pilgrimise to Stuttgart which clocks a few miles on the car, but what's the point of owning a car like an SLS and not using it. Not for me my car has 23k miles on the clock which for a 3 year old is better than average. Look forward to seeing your new car when you get I may be tempted.when I see it in the flesh
Colin
Once again, many thanks for your email regarding possibly letting your car go.
What you say is not strictly true... I was after an SLS that ticked as much of my wishlist as possible (B&O, carbon interior pack, reverse camera, low mileage, full history, gearbox upgrade and outstanding condition and preferably grey or red).
I was lucky enough to stumble across a car that ticked more of my wish list than yours. All I've sacrificed was the carbon interior pack and the colour but I settled on silver which I consider a safe option. I loved the look of yours in black but from previous experience, black is a difficult colour to live with.
At the time I started looking, there was very little around and I would have considered anything that was well looked after with good history.
All the best,
Lee
Once again, many thanks for your email regarding possibly letting your car go.
What you say is not strictly true... I was after an SLS that ticked as much of my wishlist as possible (B&O, carbon interior pack, reverse camera, low mileage, full history, gearbox upgrade and outstanding condition and preferably grey or red).
I was lucky enough to stumble across a car that ticked more of my wish list than yours. All I've sacrificed was the carbon interior pack and the colour but I settled on silver which I consider a safe option. I loved the look of yours in black but from previous experience, black is a difficult colour to live with.
At the time I started looking, there was very little around and I would have considered anything that was well looked after with good history.
All the best,
Lee
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