Wolfman

Between all the rainy days, we finally got the Renntech lowered module installed and put on the forged AMG wheels from our last SL.

I felt that the earlier spacers were a bit too aggressive for the softer design, so some new, thinner ones are coming. Pics are without any spacers.

Still love the wheel design (19" front/20" rear) so they work for a while longer. I have some curb rash so I'll have them refinished and maybe make a change.

The 19" multi spoke AMG wheels are very nice but too basic. They'll work nice for snows.

Dash cam is installed as well

Here are some pics so you can compare to stock SL's.

branmin

fabulous..Wolf

would love to see a pic of the dash cam

what are those tires and will you be replacing and if so with what?

Wolfman

Here is a pic of the front dash cam. Doesn't look that good from that view but I wanted the camera centered and that is as close as the camera can get to the plastic cover inside (which is about twice the size from before).

From the inside you can't even see the camera though (hidden behind the mirror and all cables run inside the housing).
No pic of the rear cam yet but will come soon.

I left the Passport Max360 by the dash so I can see the arrows

Re. the tires, I LOVE the Michelin Pilot Super Sports. Grip is much better and those forged wheels with conventional tires are much lighter.
I will stay with forged AMG wheels or maybe 20" HRE/ADV's. Same tires as well.

thewb

HRE or Adv.1 custom forged wheels will be more lightweight and arguably much more visually appealing than these AMG OEM wheels. Here at Wheels Boutique we happen to be the largest dealer in the world for both so I can definitely help you out with top notch pricing if it ever comes down to getting some proper wheels for this bad boy SL.

branmin

very cool indeed............having probs with my escort..it was wired into the mirror leaving me with about 6 inches of cord and had it stuck onto the glass and it was basically invisible. can't now keep the suction cups anymore sticking to the glass even after replacing....so I am intrigued to see you have yours on the dash..how can it see out of the front and back?

Would you know if getting a phone extension lead would work(never seen one) enabling me to extend the lead giving me more options? I even took my valentine 1(love the arrows) out of the vette as I had brought a special metal frame which slotted into the visor and thought I could do the same with the Mercedes visor....couldn't believe the wires therein and it wouldn't work................
Glad you like the M Sports..smooth ride? Did you get ABC as well?

Wolfman

Did you have the older mount with the 2 small suction cups? Those have either worked great or very poorly. The new mounts are better but very big.
I also like the position high up (have that on the S-Class) but with with Max360 it's not a good location.
The radar signals are picked up front and rear just fine even if low near the dash. The range may not be as high but still much farther than the radar guns.
I find that the Escort live app gives me at least 50% of the speed traps with with instant-on or Laser.

Re. the phone extension, I personally wouldn't take a chance since I don't know if these are straight wired inside the cable. Would hate to short out the RD. A new cable with fuse is only $20 (https://www.amazon.com/Escort-Direct...s=escort+cable)

I found the preferred hookup to be the 12V outlet in the passenger footwell, btw...

And yes, car has ABC which is a must IMO. Michelins are are super smooth with great grip.

branmin

Great Info and thx...yes have the older mount with these pathetic half inch suction cups.....if not escort themselves where did you get the bigger mount? Would still have to stick on the window...Have the old Passport 950 or something like that.......when I get a new car will upgrade.......even liking your color combo...normally I just cannot stand the Black dash and surround, so always gone for the beige seats with brown dash and surround...but your seats put mine to shame..they now look dirty, think I would dirty those babies up though...I'm not messy but not spotless either

Now if they had the intelligence to match the seats with a nice cream/off white dash and surround..it would lighten everything up...........mind you, I'm in Florida and dark and blk just don't work.....

Wolfman

I have Passport Max models so they all came with the new mount but they are also available for the 9500 (https://www.amazon.com/Escort-001004...ort+9500+mount)
No beauty, but works pretty decent.
The color combo worked great for me and never really got dirty. Sometimes there was a light blue-ish tint from my jeans that I was able to wipe off with just a moist cotton cloth. Never used a cleaner on the leather, just water...

Then, of course we don't have the option of driving top-down all year long

Funny thing is that on paper a porcelain/black combo should look ridiculous with Iridium silver but in real live it's stunning. The black provides the contrast but I probably wouldn't pick the combo with a white car.

What I found is that the black steering wheel and carpets make it very practical in regards to dirt, even it is creamy white.
Our S-Class with light carpets steering wheel and headliner is super delicate and much more difficult to keep clean as compared to the SL.
Here is a pic for comparison...

branmin

oooooh..that looks stunning............that's what I am talking about.

Thx....

branmin

and thx for the bracket tip........should fit the 9500 basic model that I have and looks much better designed. Its been driving me mad for a while.

I really must get out more.............

branmin

and I nearly forgot..look at the size of the command screen.....that's some real estate...............as we get older, the eyes go....what's the matter with them..its not rocket science and I don't believe our car is for the 20-40 somethings...............OH dear..might get some flack here?

Come on MB....you really should have upgraded the damn thing......some Fords are better than yours............ speaking to my man in navigation these days, he keeps repeating things and I am not drunk.

Wolfman

I like the size of the command screen in our S but I have to admit that I wouldn't want a huge screen in the SL.
To me, a top-down roadster looks great with analog instruments and a good size screen that is discreet in-dash.
The ideal setup is actually the new Panamera screen but not as wide and then no bezel.

branmin

swap the command screen where the electrics are..make the air vents smaller and voila....it would look great.....................bwtfdik

TennesseeZ4

WM, really like the stance of the car with the lowering package in place. Did it affect the ride in any appreciable manner? Great look with those wheels.

Wolfman

Thanks!
There is zero change in ride quality with an electronic lowering module.
Reason is the the car is lowered only from 0-35mph. After that the car raises back to stock height.
For that reason there is no alignment needed.

Keep in mind that this only works if the SL has ABC. It doesn't work if the car has springs.

We had a 2013 SL550 that had springs and we lowered it via H&R sport springs.
Bad move, it was too low and ride quality was affected.

branmin

Wolfman, just to say thx for the tip..brt it from Amazon, 2 days on prime and after suffering for so long, although not as hidden as before, as I rested it on the mirror(which caused all sorts of problems) it now works brilliantly......very happy...................

now for my Valentine 1(at least 11 years old) it clips on the visor for my C5 vette) but rattles around quite a bit.......any suggestions?

Love your car by the way, the more I look at it..................now thinking of just getting an extended warranty and wait for the complete new shape..perhaps I will be lucky in the next three years???

By the way..in Switzerland, did you just rent the 400SL as I cant keep up with your cars? Must have been a blast.....

Wolfman

There is an easy fix for the Valentine 1; just get rid of it and get a newer RD
Seriously though, you have to match the latest radar and laser guns to be effective and old detectors just don't have the hardware to handle it.

Re. Your car, I definitely would encourage you to keep yours. It's a great car that you own, not lease (if I recall) and while the newer one is better in many ways, the differences are not day and night.
No reason to take a big hit for minor stuff. All R231's are very enjoyable cars to drive and very competent and safe vehicles.

The new model will still be over 3 years out...

The SL400 was a fun car, great fun to drive on tight Italian lake roads and Swiss mountain passes. Of course, going 160mph top down in Germany had it's benefits too
The weather was unbelievable for this time of year. Upper 80's to mid 90's with cloudless skies. Now it's snowing in Switzerland.
Now being back in the Sl550, I realize tha car is so much nicer than the 400; more power and less noise. The SL400 in Sport+ Exhaust would backfire anytime you take the foot off the gas, break or when the transmission downshifts. Somewhat like an F-type albeit not as loud, but it was getting old. Plus the V8's torque has such nice delivery at higher speed.