2005 - sl600

[Mjpmark]

Guys

I have been advised that im better off going for an SL600 over the Sl55 AMG, so my question is simple. What is available out there to get more power from the SL600 v12. Oh and who would you use for the work?

Thanks in advance.

[Pentoman]

Down to choice, both have their appeals..

Renntech are popular for tuning the Mercedes, and well known. American? Set up by an ex Merc or ex AMG guy or something?

[Mjpmark]

I have to admit, i love the sl, and much to the disgust of all merc owners, i found myself sitting in a tuned sl600, however it had a Tc concepts merc black bodykit on it! The car literally stopped traffic. I have an Ultima GTR and it doesnt get half the attention, now for what the Sl600 and 55's are going for im very tempted to get back into one.

Cars are great for causing controversy, the purists and i thought myself to be one may say how dare you, but i drove it and felt special something you rarely feel these days.

However i like my power, my Ultima has got tonnes of it, and previous cars have also had the same, so with the above taken into consideration 55 or 600?

[markbe]

Mjpmark said:

Guys

I have been advised that im better off going for an SL600 over the Sl55 AMG, so my question is simple. What is available out there to get more power from the SL600 v12. Oh and who would you use for the work?

Thanks in advance.

Hi Mark,
first drive both and see what you think.
Second you can only take a SL55 to around 620bhp without extreme costs.
I chose the 600 as it suited my tastes better, tuning wise, Kleemann stage 2 engine and gearbox
upgrades will give you 'manual' and faster changes on the gearbox and 650-680bhp.
I have also changed the exhaust, 200cats etc, so now giving 730bhp and 900+fpt.
All work can now be done at CPR Warrington. 01925 414199.

Mark.

Edited by markbe on Wednesday 19th January 11:20

[Mjpmark]

Ok 600 it is, those figures sound impressive. How driveable is it with the power?
Also anyidea of what PCR cahrge for that work?

Edited by Mjpmark on Wednesday 19th January 11:36

[markbe]

Mjpmark said:

Ok 600 it is, those figures sound impressive. How drivable is it with the power?
Also any idea of what CPR charge for that work?

Edited by Mjpmark on Wednesday 19th January 11:36

How drivable,err well,in a straight line good surface pilot sport tyres 1st gear maybe 1/2 throttle
2nd gear up, full power. Poor surface a clever right foot is needed, a fine balance between your abilities or the ECU beating you to it.
0-100mph in less than 8 sec and 150mph in less than 17sec.
CPR do the exhaust for circa £2000 and they are agents for Kleemann I do not know the current
cost of the stage 2 upgrade as mine was done 6 years ago. Guess £3000.

Mark.

[benzito]

I had a similar decision to make last summer and went for the sl55. Sl600 with just a simple remap can get you close to 600bhp. For sl55 you will need uprated crank pulley (180mm likely) with map at least and even then you're only looking at about 570-580bhp. Remember even stock the sl600 has about 80 more torques.

I've upgraded mine with kleemann 168mm pulley and map (+ little things like exhaust, filters, Johnson pump) and car is probably doing only around 550bhp realistically (not officially checked on dyno) but even this is too scary unless roads are absolutely bone dry. However even then traction control interferes in first and second and back is twitchy. Main issue with drivability of these cars is the massive amount of torque relative to bhp as soon as you put your foot down - just think a Ferrari F355 or 360 only have half the torque of these beasts!

I've tried both cars before I chose the 55. If your looking to take the care to track/drag racing then defo sl600 is the option as simple remap will get significant gains. If you need an every day car, then the more stylish, finer tuned, lighter (I think 150kg less weight), slightly higher revving sl55 is a better option but I guess its personal choice. Also IMHO the sl55 sounds better, I have had to tweak the exhaust slightly to unleash the full sound though! Remember that the SLR is also a 5.4 litre supercharged V8 - it is still a completely different engine I know but you can get a similar sound by removing resonators and secondary cats from the 55.

[Mjpmark]

I have to say the power isnt my main concern, i have an Ultima GTR so that satisfies my thirst for speed.

The SL simply oozes quality and i love the SL black, now im fortunate enough to be able to have a play and basically do to it waht i like knowing i have a team around me that are superb.

So my thoughts so far are:

SL600 - Renntech Chip - Im guessing somewhere around 600+hp
SL Black Body Kit & Rims - Idential to the TC Concepts SL Black.

Then minor interior carbon fibre upgrades and i should have myself a nice little weekend toy.

Ive ordered a lowering kit. Im just looking at brake upgrades, any ideas? or are the sl600 brakes ok?

[markbe]

Mjpmark said:

I have to say the power isnt my main concern, i have an Ultima GTR so that satisfies my thirst for speed.

The SL simply oozes quality and i love the SL black, now im fortunate enough to be able to have a play and basically do to it waht i like knowing i have a team around me that are superb.

So my thoughts so far are:

SL600 - Renntech Chip - Im guessing somewhere around 600+hp
SL Black Body Kit & Rims - Idential to the TC Concepts SL Black.

Then minor interior carbon fibre upgrades and i should have myself a nice little weekend toy.

Ive ordered a lowering kit. Im just looking at brake upgrades, any ideas? or are the sl600 brakes ok?

Good job Mark,

The standard units are good, they will take 3 stops from 190mph+ back to back before the ECU announces on the dash the bakes are hot and need to cool down. On road driving never a problem.
If you do abuse them, they crack from the 'drill holes'. Merc say cracks may be 26mm before they
need changing. Cost; reasonable, £280 for discs and pads + fitting.[ If self fit make sure the key
is out of the ignition].
Renntech should give similar power to Kleemann.

Mark.

Edited by markbe on Friday 21st January 17:16

[Mjpmark]

Thanks Mark, ill stay stock then.
I havent read any bad reviews on the brakes, its just that every sl600 that has been converted and tuned, has brembo brakes all round.

Ive just been talking to a guy that has installed the amg paddle shift system to his 600 has anyone else tried this?

[markbe]

Mjpmark said:

Thanks Mark, ill stay stock then.
I havent read any bad reviews on the brakes, its just that every sl600 that has been converted and tuned, has brembo brakes all round.

Ive just been talking to a guy that has installed the amg paddle shift system to his 600 has anyone else tried this?

Mark, don't forget to bring your car to VMax when it is finished.

Mark.

[Mjpmark]

will do, though my aim was to get the Ultima there this year, how have the sl's faired at VMAX?

[markbe]

Mjpmark said:

will do, though my aim was to get the Ultima there this year, how have the sl's faired at VMAX?

SL 55's 174-180mph.
SL 65DMS 192mph
Mine 193-197mph depending on wind direction.

Mark.