Viper98912

Finally. For anyone who's been reading my undecided back and forth posts here in the past year...



The wheels will be up for trade soon. They are BEAUTIFUL 20" RennTech 2 piece wheels. Beautiful design up close. But unfortunately I want 19's; I'm partial to the "stock" look...if interested let me know.

I will be posting more pix and information later

fxrs1955

Congrats, nothing quite like an SL.

mcguirja

Nice, looks like it was worth the wait!

Viper98912

I found this car in Texas, and the seller was great. Our negotiation was pretty straightforward, and in the end met halfway as to what we each wanted. He picked me up from the airport, we went out to get food and to talk shop, was understanding that I was financing the car (not a cash buyer, some people have issues with this), and the next day I was off back to Georgia. 15 hours later (I got stuck in Baton Rouge for 2 hours, that was nuts) I made it home in one straight shot. I gotta admit, I don't like driving more than 4 hours anymore, and around 7-8 I normally start to get annoyed and tired. Maybe it's the car, but the SL lived up to it's GT cruiser name - I made it through the whole trip without much hassle. The 15 hours wasn't bad at all in this car.

This car is fantastic, it's an 08 with some miles, and he had installed some great options. Includes Renntech 20" wheels, LED drl's (replaced the fogs), carbon fiber interior including the steering wheel and shift knob, some longer fender stakes, bluetooth, and a Passport 9500ci. He had all maintenance records since 8,000 miles, and of course it includes all the standard upgraded goodies that came in the 08 model year, including parktronic and pano roof. This car has all the options I was looking for (if you've read my previous posts); I love the car!



Still trying to learn how to modulate the throttle on quick get arounds - specifically, once the turbos kick in, the rush of power is so immense that if you were just trying to get around something quickly and needed to come to a stop (or off the gas situation) the engine is still pulling. Definitely not like some of the other high hp NA engines I've driven, where the neck snap on and off is slightly more controllable



I'm probably going to return some of the exterior upgrades back to stock, since I'm on a kick recently for "mostly stock" cars.

First will be the Renntech 20" wheels. I haven't had a chance to wash the car yet, but from what I can see these wheels are perfect. They are mounted with Nitto Invos in 255 and 305. Looking for a trade plus cash for original, excellent condition graphite 2 piece 19's from the SL65. These wheels from Renntech are $1800 each.

Second will be the LED drl's. These are wired to the corner lights, not the fog lights. The look fantastic on the car, the previous owner did a great job with the retrofit. Essentially it's a few other grills cut in half and these mounted in. There is a small piece of the bumper that you need to cut on the inner fins to get it to fit perfectly. I want to trade these because even though they make the front end look more modern, I always drive with my fog lights on due to the extra light output on the road. These DRL's definitely don't have the same output intensity since their purpose is different. I remember wanting to do this exact retrofit on my C55 and always wondered what it would look like. Now I know, but unfortunately I'm disappointed with the light output; doesn't replace a 55 watt bulb. I guess most manufacturers are technically dumping fogs altogether? Looking for a trade on these and in return I'd like your great condition grills, fogs, bulbs, etc so I can put mine back to stock.

SpiritR230

is the hood fins chromed or silver? is the side fins chromed or silver? close up photo please if possible, I really like the side fins so please keep that!!! and I think silver looks 4 times better compare to chrome on the fins.

jrgator

very nice. I agree with you about the wheels and LEDs. the interior is very cool.

fxrs1955

I agree with your wanting to return the trim to stock, much better looking. You might have trouble with your wheel swap proposal, there's been a few Renntech sets on ebay for as little as 1200.00-1500.00. The stock two piece wheels are selling for considerably more.

Viper98912

Chrome. I believe that's factory? No? If I pull off the side fins, I'll probably put them up for sale. I have some extras he gave from when an automated car wash ripped a couple pieces off. I hand wash all my cars...


Renntech wheels for $1500?!?! ANY 20" wheels for 1500? Wow. Well, hopefully someone will come through that wants a trade. If anything, my goal is to get a set of the factory 19's with brand new Pilot Super Sports (255/295).

Thanks for the comments guys!

fxrs1955

I looked at couple of used sets of 20's but in the end decided to buy a new set of Rohana 19's. I spoke with the guys at Renntech, they couldn't believe the prices either.

Jan T

V12 killer! Nice! Here are my perfect 19" waiting for you: https://www.flickr.com/photos/102810...7643478860034/

Viper98912

Jan, beautiful wheels you have there, but looking for the split spoke graphite ones. Thanks though!

sgaar

Do you know where the PO got the LED drl? If you have a minute, would you be able to post some close up's of the fog/drl lights?

Thanks,

sgaar

If you want yours pack to stock, the fog light is $111 per side at the dealer (with MBCA discount). With out the discount, they are $202 per side.

Viper98912

He bought the LED DRL's from the dealer, and did some custom grill work. I'll try to post some pictures a little later this evening.

RMEuropean sells the original RH fog light for $89 each. Also sell the newer LED DRL's for $206 each.

sound 8

Lovely car, good choice, you will luv it. How come you got driving lights.

alx

congrats on the car

this is not going to work as you think it will... just a data point for you

the stock wheels are very very expensive and maintain their value very well. in contrast any aftermarket set (even true renntech wheels) are usually pretty much worthless (compared to new) when used.

V12TTenthusiast

Yep Renntech, Carlsson, Lorinser all top MB tuners take a hit. I think the only big MB tuner wheels that don't hit as much is Brabus but I could be wrong

Viper98912

The driving lights are a custom mod

Yes, I'm starting to see that these graphite wheels are more desired than I originally expected! This reminds me of a conversation I had with a guy from the NE who was selling his 65. He had 20's on his car and I asked him if he had the original wheels. This guy was so arrogant, especially when he told me "those things went in the trash". I was shocked beyond belief on the phone, and wanted to say quite a few words. Pretty much ended up the phone conversation right then and there.

Well hopefully I will find the right trader that at best wants to do an even trade.

fxrs1955

The factory wheels on the 07-08 SL55's and the SL65's are nice and not cheap.I ordered a new set of aftermarket wheels for my 55 so I could send the factory wheels out for some curb rash repair and a repaint. I'll put new tires on them and the couple times a year I go on road trip, I'll put them back on.

sound 8

OK let's not overdo things, sure the 65 wheels are nice, certainly for a stock
wheel, but they need to be 20 inch and they need to be deep dish.
I put Mandrus Velo wheels on my 65, these are imo far better looking than
the stock wheel, and friends agree, and for £3500 a set good value, considering the stock wheels are £5200 a set
Of course there is 20 inch tyres to buy, but it would still be less than just
the stock wheels.

Viper98912

More pix! (since we all love looking at pix, or at least I do)











The Renntech 20" wheels are for sale / for trade. Will trade for original great condition 19" graphite SL65 wheels.

I'm also pulling off the extended side stakes on Sunday, so those will be up for sale as well. Taking best offer on these. The box has a brand new set of stakes, plus the ones I'm pulling off.

The LED drl's will eventually be for sale / for trade as well. Right now I'm having trouble locating the factory fog grills; without them I'm stuck in going back to factory fogs. This is where the trade portion may need to come in.

Lastly, there's an Escort 9500ci radar detector I may remove (it's a fully custom install, not a dash mount). Even though it's amazing, I just don't use them. Not for me I guess, in case anyone was interested.

Viper98912

Wheels have been posted for trade / for sale in the classifieds: https://mbworld.org/forums/wheels-ti...em-wheels.html

Fender side grills / stakes have also been posted for sale:
https://mbworld.org/forums/exterior-...ns-stakes.html

BlownV8

The wheels look heinous on your SL. Glad you are getting new ones.

Viper98912

I wouldn't say they look that bad, they just don't go with what I want to do with the car. These do look awesome though on CL's and especially CLS's. Renntech has some great pix on their website.

BlownV8

The wheels are beautiful just not on an SL.