AMGfan

Thank you...your stable is to be applauded and enjoyed.

dave3191

Looks like it's all starting to come together and looking very good at that!!! It's a good thing that SL AMG's have so much room to work within isn't it?!?!?

Rick SL55

Looking good!.
You will really enjoy the SL55 once is done.

AMGfan

Thanks guys...I hope to be driving it soon and then it goes back into the shop (May 26) for some performance mods......thankfully I'll be on vacation overseas for 10 days while all that work is being done.

It'll be ready for some summer cruising with the top down by the time I get back...:

AMGfan

I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel...hopefully I'll be picking it up late tomorrow night.

The underside of the amp rack...they are wiring the amp rack fans...


The bottom part of the wheel well holding the center channel amp, Batcap, and fuse block...untidy now but it will get a nice clean look after everything is put in place (unlike other shops around here where you don't want to look behind panels)


Completed door panel (installer took pics of the panel off with the new Focals mounted...I'll post pics of that after he sends them to me)...


Pics of the complete subwoofer enclosure (only thing missing is a finish plate to help protect the speaker and grill)...




A-pillar with new Focal tweeter...Sorry couldn't focus for crap



Sirius antenna and Kenwood nav antenna...



Underneath the drivers side storage bin...holds all the crossovers...not fully cleaned up yet...

Rick SL55

the audio shop is doing an excellent work!!!

Infamous Jiggs

Very clean job done there. A suggestion would be to have them aim the tweeters to cross paths in the center of the car or have them at least reflect off of the windshield.

AMGfan

I just got the car back today...The sound quality of the Focals and the bass from the JL13W5 kills the stock system. Now I have bluetooth, Garmin nav, Sirius/XM, HD Radio, Ipod Video/Audio, DVD/CD playback, and all touch screen...booya!

We decided to go with keeping the stock center channel speaker and stock rear speakers and just increasing the amplification that was going to them. Also, the Kenwood HU faceplate is covered in matching alcantara instead of a flat black like the cupholders fascia. I like the contrast and it matches the alcantara on the a pillars and the gauge cluster...

AMGfan

AMGfan

misterlawyer

Sweet. Nice stealthy install.

Two questions:
1) Do your steering wheel buttons do anything with the audio or nav system? Volume? Skipping tracks? Show nav directions?
2) How much passenger footroom was lost? From the photos, it looks like you didn't lose anything.

dave3191

Looks Sick as hell my friend!!! You gave me a good idea with the head unit faceplate, I'm going to do the same with my install!!! Thanks man...

AMGfan

[QUOTE=misterlawyer;3531625]Sweet. Nice stealthy install.

Two questions:
1) Do your steering wheel buttons do anything with the audio or nav system? Volume? Skipping tracks? Show nav directions?

That is on hold for now. I am waiting for the new CF steering wheel so we left the steering wheel connections unconnected for now. The PAC steering wheel module I bought for the Kenwood unit to access primary functions (up/down, volume up/volume down, etc...) will be used. I hope to have a fully functional steering wheel controls in a couple of weeks.

2) How much passenger footroom was lost? From the photos, it looks like you didn't lose anything.

I have lost about an inch in the passenger area but you really can't tell at all...![/QUOTE]

Thanks for all the comments...hope it helps in your audio installs.

Jon

Thericker

Krazy work bro! but from this picture of rear trunk, where are you going to stick the IC Reservoir Tank (mandatory w/VRP825 pack? Tank/plumming/extra pump) will be a tight squeeze if even possible now that you have all stereo stuff back their?

misterlawyer

Quote:

I am waiting for the new CF steering wheel so we left the steering wheel connections unconnected for now. The PAC steering wheel module I bought for the Kenwood unit to access primary functions (up/down, volume up/volume down, etc...) will be used. I hope to have a fully functional steering wheel controls in a couple of weeks.

Not enough Carbon Fiber yet?! Honestly, I was surprised when you did your head unit trim piece in Alcantara leather instead of CF.

Anyways, let us know how the steering wheel upgrade goes. If you're interested in selling your current steering wheel, please PM me. It seems like only yesterday you installed it... You go through steering wheels like I go through tires!

Another question about your audio upgrade: Does your SOS / Teleaid still work? I remember reading somewhere online that removing the Mercedes COMAND unit deactivates the Teleaid so if you were to get in an accident where the airbags deploy, the car would no longer automatically call for help. I hope this isn't the case.

Thanks for all the great photos and information. For every one of us taking the time to thank you on the board, there are probably at least 100 lurkers benefiting from your awesome project writeup.

garybc230

Awesome looking system, wish I could hear the difference. I keep hearing how good the Focal speakers sound, do you truly believe they are the best for the money? Myer Emco in Falls Church, VA sells a set of 5.25" seperates for about $4000, now that's expensive, I'm not sure of the model number but I'm sure that there are less expensive seperates. How much were yours and would you do this all again?

Again, congratulations on the install and the great pictures!

AMGfan

I would not spend $4000 on a set of 5.25", the incremental improvement (if any) wouldn't justify the cost. Just go with the K2 Power series and you will be happy. I paid about $1000 for the 6.5", 5.25", and 1" (Focal 130KP and Focal 165 KBE)...retail prices are a bit higher. You can get these prices (or even lower) via internet stores but just make sure they are reputable.

The prices are on the high end but the clarity, power handling, and punch of the midbass was worth the money. Also, the JLTW5 in the passenger footwell is INCREDIBLE. The way it is tuned via the Kenwood DNX8120, the enclosure, and the small space of the SL create a perfect storm of bass...this may sound like hyperbole but it just sounds fantastic to my ears and my body (bass waves are intense)...

I am very pleased with it and was surprised that the sound quality surpasses what was done to my E55 even though the E55 is a more complex system.

Jon

mistertonyn

project. I can imagine the new system rocking the house. Questions...does'nt it hurt to see them tear apart your ride eventhough they are professionals doing all those upgrades? Do all the panels, trims and other stuff go back together without rattles and squeaks? or the music is so loud that you won't hear it..
That is one bad SL.

AMGfan

Yes it is painful...between the E55 and the SL65 I'm used to it. Thankfully, the installers I picked new what they were doing...

Between the strategically placed amounts of dynamat, the stock sound deadening material in the SL, and the professional re-installation of panels/parts there is no unwanted resonances in the car...soft or loud.

mistertonyn

Glad to hear that everything is working out...no unwanted noises.
I grew up in St.Pete. and wish I was still there now...to check out your rides
Almost bought a new home in new Tampa and was thinking moving back...but the price for the HO, insurance, and property tax would leave me riding my bicycle to my 3 jobs.
Do you still have the list of all the mods on the E55? It would be fun to read!

FLSL55

AMG fan,

Pissed I didn't ask you for a listen when I saw your car at the meeting!

Your very outgoing on the forums but were very quiet at the meeting.
Hard to approach.

AMGfan

Sorry...next time just come up to me. I love to mod my car but I'm not used to showing off my car to a crowd (it was my first actual GTG so I didn't really know the protocol) and didn't want to come off like a loud *** *****. I'm pretty quiet in person until I get to know someone, then I can be the true *** I am that my old friends know and love...

Jon

VendettaMB

so, im going to go ahead and get a shop to do the subenclosure same spot as yrs. Buying a
13tw5, 500/1, & bass knob off ebay stores as HALF price of here in canada.
shop said sub enclosure, all wiring, install to oem system etc will be $940cdn. I can live with that as I know lots of work and trust the shop working on the car.

Just order the JL stuff. 735$usd shipped! grill from JL audio.


CAN U PLS POST A PIC OF THE GRILL & SPKR TRIM Guard you mae but said didnt post pic..THX

NEMES1S

I was just reading through this and thought you should get a carbon trim panel. I'm curious if you got all of your steering wheel controls to work as planned, and was there any integration for the bluetooth stuff on your phone? Is there anything you really miss from the stock setup? and who does your cf work/steering wheel source.

It looks likes an incredible system, and I may now have a use for the 4 channel anniversary kenwood amp in my closet now. I'm still not sure how you can handle seeing pictures of your car that torn apart, I was starting to get a bit nauseous....

NEMES1S

I was also curious what that little 2 channel A2150 was powering, and did you consider throwing a bigger single sub above the storage compartments? I am a big bass guy and was thinking about maybe 2 small 10's or a single 12" somehow, but not sure on how to not make it look hideous in an incredible car.