I just returned from a short trip to Germany, during which I was able to visit the AMG factory in Affalterbach and get a behind the scenes tour. It was incredible to go through the factory and watch the engines being built by hand. The performance studio was great too, seeing all the cars being customized for their owners. (Too bad we can't get that stuff here in the States.) I had an opportunity to see one of the new 63 engines for the SLS get hot tested for durability validation as well as see the entire build process for 63 and 65 engines. To say that they keep the shop clean while working is an understatement! They had some nice cars in the Customer Center as well. Pics are below of a SL65 in Lambo Orange complete with orange contrast stitching on the interior, an SLS in a matte bronze and an ML63 in White with full custom blue interior.

All in all, it was a great way to spend the day before heading to Nurburg to drive the Nordeschleife.

 

thx for the post! just curious - how did u make arrangements? was there a fee and any red tape involved?

 

The SLS is sick, but the rear end looks sort of like an older tl.

 

love that sl63bs

 

I never thought painted wheels looked good, but those white ones on the ML63 look awesome!

 

Oh...the SL Black looks so bloody nice!!!

the ML also Mmm....sweet..

 

SL looks amazing...
not feeling white rims on ML tho...

 

AMG owners can set it up through the AMG Private Lounge.

http://www.mercedes-amg.com/privatel...ead.php?t=1553

 

Nice pics! The SLS wasn't in the showroom when I visited. I visited the AMG facility on Wednesday, 30th September. When did you go there? Did you see the matte Green SL65 Black series with the tan interior and matte black wheels? I thought it looked amazing!

 

I did see that one in the Performance Studio work area. I went on Oct 9th. There was also a really nice C63 estate in there getting a full leather two tone treament with contrast stiching in white to match the paint. It was bound for Australia and looked amazing.

 

You mean this C63 estate? see below.

 

Any pics of the ML's blue interior?

 

These are the best I have, maybe qship 5 has some with the doors open. It looked very nice in person. Only the airbag was the odd thing out but I was told that it would cost approx EUR 20,000 to get it done in a custom color as the airbag system had to be tested and certified by the German authorities. They would have to explode a few sample units to ensure the color change doesn't affect the airbags ability to release. Maybe the owner is waiting for it or not, I don't know.

 

Cool, thanks! Those pics give me an idea. It's a chalky blue...interesting. Yeah, the airbag insert in black looks a little funky.

 

Thanks for your post, qship, now I can tag along!

I visited on Monday 9/7/09.

It was quite the highlight of our trip to Germany/Italy. I need to post vids/pics!

Who was your tour guide? Ours was Alex. He took us everywhere and I learned so much. This tour made me an AMG believer for life. I am forever a fan of the brand.

The best parts, the best builders, the best process.
All the major components are barcoded and scanned as they are put into the engine. MB can tell who built it, what parts came from what batch, and what time they were installed. If your engine ever has a problem, they will be able to trace it down to the exact component. Each builder takes full responsibility for his work. If he must go home or leave for the day, he wheels his engine cart off to the side to pick up again when he returns. A very controlled and monitored process, but with each builder taking full responsibility for his work. Each engine is pressure tested and then cold bench tested before being sent off to the assembly factory (the engines are NOT broken in btw)

The entire process was one-of-a-kind. It combines AMG engineering with the financial backing of Mercedes Benz. Passionate engineering with state-of-the-art process and testing. I cannot imagine any manufacturer doing it better than this (including Ferrari) In contrast, we saw BMW's Munich plant 2 days earlier. Munich is the only place they assemble the M3's 4.0l V8 engine. While the BMW Welt and Munich plant tour was pretty amazing, the M3's V8 engine is built on a standard assembly line. The M156 is leagues beyond that. It simply amazing!

Also, our tour guide at AMG, Alex, told us that the M156 is capable of 700HP, completely N/A. HOW 'BOUT THAT????

AMG and our engine is the very best. The tour was exceptional, just like the product. Again, made me a believer for life.

THEY EVEN HUNG AMERICAN FLAGS FOR OUR VISIT!!! Now that is attention to detail. These guys don't mess around!

I will add that the Affalterbach plant is in a very small, quaint town.... amidst rolling hills and beautiful countryside. A great place to work = happy employees. Go ///AMG!!!!

Here are pics from our engine's birthplace:

 

The tour was great and as you mentioned, very informative. The level of care and detail that goes into the building of those engines is amazing. Being able to know the parts that went into each engine and the eventual car that the particular engine was put into is incredible. The entire process and the engineering behind it is enough to keep me an owner for life. I was also told that they have reached 700 HP NA, so for us to reach 600 shouldn't be too tough.

 

I've had my car for a year now, and I'm still impressed w/out a tune but closing in on one real soon.

I'm also impressed to hear they pushed 700 HP wow

 

Unfortunately I was not able to get any pics with the doors open either.

I was told that this particular leather was the excess from what was purchased when a customer brought in a towel from his favorite resort and asked to have leather that matched the color of the towel. I think the leather was originally purchased for a CL65.

 

Did you guys all arrange your trips through the AMG Private Lounge?