Improving Handling of an SL AMG
Discussion
Most of the suspension modifications I've heard of have been ECU upgrades - I can only assume it's because they are the cheapest option.
However anything's possible, given that the budget will allow it (I haven't a clue as to cost, just an educated guess!)
It might be worth talking to the major tuners out there - Brabus, Carlsson, Lorinser, Kleemann.
I should think one or more of those would be able to help.
Also, don't forget the car's the best part of 2 tonnes, so it'll never be truely chuckable. I would guess the best option is to get to grips with the existing handling first, then you're more likely to notice the results of any improvements, if ultimately required. You may find, once you've altered your driving to suit the car, that the suspension is fine
Best of luck with the search of your AMG
Darren
However anything's possible, given that the budget will allow it (I haven't a clue as to cost, just an educated guess!)
It might be worth talking to the major tuners out there - Brabus, Carlsson, Lorinser, Kleemann.
I should think one or more of those would be able to help.
Also, don't forget the car's the best part of 2 tonnes, so it'll never be truely chuckable. I would guess the best option is to get to grips with the existing handling first, then you're more likely to notice the results of any improvements, if ultimately required. You may find, once you've altered your driving to suit the car, that the suspension is fine
Best of luck with the search of your AMG
Darren
Is your current car an S2000? If so, it will be a very different car, but it is still surprisingly good fun through the twisties, it stays nice and flat, and a lot of the time it will feel a lot more composed and planted than the Honda.
I have seen some companies re-program to lower the suspension, and of course the new AMG SL65 Black simply ditches the entire suspension system and uses coilovers, but I imagine that is a very expensive solution.
As said above, go try one first
I have seen some companies re-program to lower the suspension, and of course the new AMG SL65 Black simply ditches the entire suspension system and uses coilovers, but I imagine that is a very expensive solution.
As said above, go try one first
Huge understeer, massive throttle oversteer without trying, terrible traction control, very heavy...
Not the best car if you want to drive quick in anything but a straight line!
I love that car, and will get one within the next couple of years when the prices hit rock bottom, one of, if not my favourate engines and exhaust notes!
Personally, if you can afford the SL55 then surely a Porsche 996 turbo must be within reach? They are pretty much neck and neck in a straight line, maybe porsche is quicker, and no contest in the bends, porsche will leave the AMG standing...
IMHO I would consider a 996 turbo, rather than getting SL55 amg and then modifying the very expensive suspension which is a full on air or hydraulic suspension set up iirc.....
But, back on subject, the SL55 AMG will be EXPENSIVE to modify to handle better, purely because of the active suspension system... Do remember that removing it and replacing with coilovers will cost a LOT, and make the car very difficult to sell afterwards....
Not the best car if you want to drive quick in anything but a straight line!
I love that car, and will get one within the next couple of years when the prices hit rock bottom, one of, if not my favourate engines and exhaust notes!
Personally, if you can afford the SL55 then surely a Porsche 996 turbo must be within reach? They are pretty much neck and neck in a straight line, maybe porsche is quicker, and no contest in the bends, porsche will leave the AMG standing...
IMHO I would consider a 996 turbo, rather than getting SL55 amg and then modifying the very expensive suspension which is a full on air or hydraulic suspension set up iirc.....
But, back on subject, the SL55 AMG will be EXPENSIVE to modify to handle better, purely because of the active suspension system... Do remember that removing it and replacing with coilovers will cost a LOT, and make the car very difficult to sell afterwards....
Better handling I'm sure, but missing the supercharger, so performance off the line may be simular, but once moving the SL55 would kick the SLK's ass!
HOWEVER you could get the SLK55 and get Kleeman or another reputable mercedes tuner to supercharge it, which they all offer in kits for the N/A 55 AMG engine... now that WOULD be a beast!
Probably all under the cost of buying a decent SL55 AMG in the 1st place!
HOWEVER you could get the SLK55 and get Kleeman or another reputable mercedes tuner to supercharge it, which they all offer in kits for the N/A 55 AMG engine... now that WOULD be a beast!
Probably all under the cost of buying a decent SL55 AMG in the 1st place!
alc said:
The SLK 55 AMG is a better option if you like mercs. Same performance better handling.
Great choice for a woman I would saySLK has a very poor interior in comparison to an SL, it's small & poky inside, has something of a hairdressers car looks about it..apart from that, just great!
Oh yeah the SLK55 sounds quite nice, exhaust systems are cheaper to produce than superchargers.
The car was considerably cheaper new for a reason.
Biased? me?
...Yep!
The noise may be nice, but have you heard a SL55 with a performance exhaust?
Sounds like something from hell getting mad!
The kompressor engine still remains my favourate out of many I've driven... so much TOUQUE!
However, SLK55 with a supercharger would be awesome I'm sure too!
Girly maybe, but paint the wheels graphite, put on a de-cat exhaust and kompressor, and it'll be a beast!
I must admit though, for looks the SL55 tears the SLK a new one....
Sounds like something from hell getting mad!
The kompressor engine still remains my favourate out of many I've driven... so much TOUQUE!
However, SLK55 with a supercharger would be awesome I'm sure too!
Girly maybe, but paint the wheels graphite, put on a de-cat exhaust and kompressor, and it'll be a beast!
I must admit though, for looks the SL55 tears the SLK a new one....
vinnie83 said:
The noise may be nice, but have you heard a SL55 with a performance exhaust?
Sounds like something from hell getting mad!
I would like to improve the sound of my SL55, but Merc main dealers don't seem to supply any performance exhausts - can anyone recommend any off the shelf or custom systems, preferably within Sussex?Sounds like something from hell getting mad!
I test drove SLK55 before buying my car, the performance and noise were very impressive, but the interior did feel a bit pokey and low rent compared to the SL. Also gotta love that extra power!
AlexRWD said:
vinnie83 said:
The noise may be nice, but have you heard a SL55 with a performance exhaust?
Sounds like something from hell getting mad!
I would like to improve the sound of my SL55, but Merc main dealers don't seem to supply any performance exhausts - can anyone recommend any off the shelf or custom systems, preferably within Sussex?Sounds like something from hell getting mad!
I test drove SLK55 before buying my car, the performance and noise were very impressive, but the interior did feel a bit pokey and low rent compared to the SL. Also gotta love that extra power!
THX138 said:
AlexRWD said:
vinnie83 said:
The noise may be nice, but have you heard a SL55 with a performance exhaust?
Sounds like something from hell getting mad!
I would like to improve the sound of my SL55, but Merc main dealers don't seem to supply any performance exhausts - can anyone recommend any off the shelf or custom systems, preferably within Sussex?Sounds like something from hell getting mad!
I test drove SLK55 before buying my car, the performance and noise were very impressive, but the interior did feel a bit pokey and low rent compared to the SL. Also gotta love that extra power!
I'm getting excited just imagining a SL55 with that on!
THX138 said:
Try these for quality performance exhausts http://www.eisenmann.co.uk/
That looks very nice - do you have one, and if so, what level of noise did you go for - Road Sport or Race?My feeling though is that I would prefer to go to a UK manufacturer, and there are plenty on the web who also all claim to use top grade T304 s-steel, also offering 3 levels of noise, and a lot of them offering lifetime warranties rather than just 2 years, and I imagine any warranty issues would be easier to follow up with a UK company than a German one.
I also prefer the idea of being able to pop down the road to deal with any problems, whether it needs to be louder or quieter, or any other issues, rather than having to send parts back to Germany and wait for weeks.
This company - Autowise in Burgess Hill - seem to come up in quite a few websites as making custom exhausts, quoted £1,033 all inc:
http://www.autowise.co.uk/contact.php
AlexRWD said:
THX138 said:
Try these for quality performance exhausts http://www.eisenmann.co.uk/
That looks very nice - do you have one, and if so, what level of noise did you go for - Road Sport or Race?My feeling though is that I would prefer to go to a UK manufacturer, and there are plenty on the web who also all claim to use top grade T304 s-steel, also offering 3 levels of noise, and a lot of them offering lifetime warranties rather than just 2 years, and I imagine any warranty issues would be easier to follow up with a UK company than a German one.
I also prefer the idea of being able to pop down the road to deal with any problems, whether it needs to be louder or quieter, or any other issues, rather than having to send parts back to Germany and wait for weeks.
This company - Autowise in Burgess Hill - seem to come up in quite a few websites as making custom exhausts, quoted £1,033 all inc:
http://www.autowise.co.uk/contact.php
I don't particularly like loud exhausts any more (my hearing was definitely permanently affected by the noise my side-pipe equipped Cobra produced), I find them fun but tiresome after a short time, so unless someone can invent a switch a la Corvette ZO6 I wouldn't bother.
That being said, I have read good things about Eisenmann on the net
This from their own website
Eisenmann is widely recognised as one of the top three exhaust manufacturers in the world in terms of quality of engineering and quality of sound.
This is no idle claim, and is best verified when you consider Eisenmann make all the original equipment exhaust for manufacturers and tuners such as :
Porsche Gmbh
Brabus
AMG Mercedes
Kelleners Sport
Digi-Tec
G-Power
ESS Tuning
Wiesemeann
Rieger Tuning
Lumma Tuning
Schmiedmann/DK
Reuter Motorsport
DS-Motorsport
Auto Tune Heinz/NL
Dähler/CH
Edited by THX138 on Wednesday 7th January 14:22
mikial said:
I recollect EVO pitting the SL55 against a Caterham 7 a couple years ago in an article regarding handling , the result was closer than you might imagine.
November 2002 issue with Bentley Continental GT on the cover.Shout me if you want me to scan the article and email it to you.
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