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The inherent problem with 4 bangers is they sound and feel like 4 bangers. There is nothing about them that is smooth nor refined no matter what tech you throw at it. It's unbecoming in a luxury vehicle, no matter how much power they make...
You're assuming all 4 bangers are raspy sounding and unrefined like MB 4 bangers. Not all 4 cylinder engines are created equally. Volvo does a MUCH better job with their 4 cylinder engines than MB does with theirs.
All Cars Lost To Hurricane Isaac (W124 E420 revived - added 88 Allante 14 S550, 17 S63
Originally Posted by Streamliner
What a gorgeous, very rare car! I would just love to know how many were built in white. I have never seen another.
not a fan of the small 2 door MB’s but the SL’s (larger 2 door) have always been a breed apart and yours is a 100+... really sharp... I’ve looked at this thread a few times just to look at the car
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by S63AMG888
I honestly don’t see the rationality of putting 18 inch wheels on α S class. C and E classes comes standard with 18” and even 19 wheels with α reason even though allot of owners upgrade them to 20” wheels. It’s not the 20” wheels that is bending the wheels imho, it’s the run flat tires because they are made so stiff that even when you hit the smallest pot hole, it punctures the run flats causing bigger force on the wheels to bend.
Actually, both 18’s and 19’s are no cost, standard equipment choices on the S560, through the 2020 model year. As for bent and broken wheels, the stiffness of the tire sidewall can certainly be a problem, but so is the sidewall depth. The larger the wheel, the more shallow the sidewall. The more shallow the sidewall, the harsher the ride, the more prone to wheel damage.
To take this a step further—and I’m no expert on tire construction—I would venture a guess that the manufacturers make lower profile tire sidewalls stiffer, just to compensate for the lack of material to absorb road imperfections.
The bottom line is that a tire with a deeper sidewall will offer a softer ride than the same tire with a more shallow sidewall. Which type of ride one prefers is simple, personal preference.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by kafklatsch
not a fan of the small 2 door MB’s but the SL’s (larger 2 door) have always been a breed apart and yours is a 100+... really sharp... I’ve looked at this thread a few times just to look at the car
Yes and the R231 SL’s are the end of an era. 2020 was the last year for the car. The next SL will be AMG designed and based on the AMG GT chassis, losing the truly magnificent retractable hardtop in the process. There are still many pristine examples out there, at very attractive prices, should anyone be thinking along those lines.
I honestly don’t see the rationality of putting 18 inch wheels on α S class. C and E classes comes standard with 18” and even 19 wheels with α reason even though allot of owners upgrade them to 20” wheels. It’s not the 20” wheels that is bending the wheels imho, it’s the run flat tires because they are made so stiff that even when you hit the smallest pot hole, it punctures the run flats causing bigger force on the wheels to bend.
The amount of sidewall cushion is definitely a factor. For me its balancing looks and ride quality. IMO the 18s look too small on the car, but the 20s are too low profile to ride well, so the 19s are a good compromise. The issue with the 19s are the staggered sizes which severely limit tire choices.
Yes and the R231 SL’s are the end of an era. 2020 was the last year for the car. The next SL will be AMG designed and based on the AMG GT chassis, losing the truly magnificent retractable hardtop in the process. There are still many pristine examples out there, at very attractive prices, should anyone be thinking along those lines.
Its funny you should say that. After seeing you post one d@mn gorgeous pic after another I called a local dealer that has a ‘20 SL550 in stock (designo white with nut brown and those nice multi spokes, $121k sticker). He started at $7k off but relatively quickly went to $13k. If he hit $20k I may have pulled the trigger. I have to stay off this forum. It’s dangerous to my wallet
Its funny you should say that. After seeing you post one d@mn gorgeous pic after another I called a local dealer that has a ‘20 SL550 in stock (designo white with nut brown and those nice multi spokes, $121k sticker). He started at $7k off but relatively quickly went to $13k. If he hit $20k I may have pulled the trigger. I have to stay off this forum. It’s dangerous to my wallet
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by emilner
................. I have to stay off this forum. It’s dangerous to my wallet
Yes, but these cars can be SO much fun! Especially now, with so many other attractions closed or off limits, cruising with the top down, breathing the fresh air, wind in your hair—it is a blast!
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Just to try and push someone here over the edge, the interiors in these cars, depending on how they were ordered, can be “Bentley like” in quality. Virtually every upholstered surface in my car is covered in the most lovely Nappa leather.
Yes, but these cars can be SO much fun! Especially now, with so many other attractions closed or off limits, cruising with the top down, breathing the fresh air, wind in your hair—it is a blast!
Stop lol!!! I don’t need this right now, I’ve been looking for an excuse as it is.
The inherent problem with 4 bangers is they sound and feel like 4 bangers. There is nothing about them that is smooth nor refined no matter what tech you throw at it. It's unbecoming in a luxury vehicle, no matter how much power they make...
EXACTLY RIGHT! Coming out of an Audi A8 I bought a 2018 S90 Inscription, actually a great car, B&W sound puts Burmester to shame, BUT I could never get used to the four cylinder! The S90 is turbocharged and supercharged, 316hp, adequate is all you can say......would be fine for most people.......long live V8s!
You're assuming all 4 bangers are raspy sounding and unrefined like MB 4 bangers. Not all 4 cylinder engines are created equally. Volvo does a MUCH better job with their 4 cylinder engines than MB does with theirs.
Volvo's are poorly rated in Europe for their lousy engines in otherwise fine cars. The engines are the letdown of the brand... Going electric can only improve their cars.
Volvo's are poorly rated in Europe for their lousy engines in otherwise fine cars. The engines are the letdown of the brand... Going electric can only improve their cars.
I had one for two years and 31000 miles. You KNOW you are driving a four cylinder trust me!! It is a good one though!!
2016 S550 sport, 2018 GLC300, M3, Zo7, 2021 Sierra Denali
Originally Posted by emilner
The calipers are identical on AMG sport package and non-AMG cars. Only on dedicated AMG branded vehicles (S63, S65 etc) are the calipers different. The AMG sport package is purely cosmetic.
We all know the AMG sports package is cosmetic. But this topic has come up before and the 18" rim hits the caliper on the sports package car. You may be right that the caliper is the same, maybe someone can look up part numbers? But the sports package has staggered rims. So something is different that the 18" hits the caliper? I will figure it must be a different mounting location due to the staggered rims. There are 2 people just in this thread that its happening to. But putting 18" rims on a sport package car is an issue, maybe same caliper but probably an offset mounting tab is my guess.
2016 S550 sport, 2018 GLC300, M3, Zo7, 2021 Sierra Denali
Originally Posted by Tom in Austin
I had occasion to take off a front wheel the other day and see now why 18 inch wheels cannot be used with the AMG sport package calipers. The calipers stick out about 40mm beyond the wheel hub, so any wheel used with these calipers needs about 45 mm of clearance under it's spokes. Looking at my 20s I can see how the spokes are curved outward to provide this clearance.
I also realized the significance of the lug bolts requiring 110 ft lbs. A person would need a pretty stout wrench to produce enough torque to remove a wheel from our cars. Thus, the decision by Mercedes not to provide a jack, spare tire and tools comes a little more into focus. Moreover the 20" wheel and tire are pretty darn heavy, so again, many people might have real difficulty changing a flat even if they had the jack, spare and tools on hand. Obviously, most of us would just call AAA or some service to come out and do it, but then you'd be relying their guy and his equipment, so why carry it around in your car?
I still like the idea of the creamy smooth ride on 18s and non-run flats, so looks like the closest thing will be 19s and run-flats.
Tom, I took a leap and put Michelins non run flats on my 20" rims figuring the tuning of the suspension was to 20's. Well there is a HUGE difference. So even on 20's you will be happy. Much improved ride, compliance and noise with Michelins. Good luck
We all know the AMG sports package is cosmetic. But this topic has come up before and the 18" rim hits the caliper on the sports package car. You may be right that the caliper is the same, maybe someone can look up part numbers? But the sports package has staggered rims. So something is different that the 18" hits the caliper? I will figure it must be a different mounting location due to the staggered rims. There are 2 people just in this thread that its happening to. But putting 18" rims on a sport package car is an issue, maybe same caliper but probably an offset mounting tab is my guess.
Staggered rims are common on S class cars, not just ones that are equipped with a sports package.
Streamliner, I actually placed an order for an SL65 with your interior. It took MBLN a month to get back to me with the news that MB was no longer accepting orders for V12's. I gave them another month to search other dealers to find a similar SL65. The only restriction was not black. MBLN told me they found one at FJMC but could not work out a trade. In frustration I went to FJ and they had four, one was the all white one in the pictures. This one has the further upgraded Designo Platinum white interior with additional white leather surfaces and the black piping. I admit I had not seen one in this combo. They made me a great deal so I bought it on the spot. Since I was alone the salesman delivered it to the house. My wife was a bit surprised but pleased I got the car.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by Quadrobenz
Streamliner, I actually placed an order for an SL65 with your interior. It took MBLN a month to get back to me with the news that MB was no longer accepting orders for V12's. I gave them another month to search other dealers to find a similar SL65. The only restriction was not black. MBLN told me they found one at FJMC but could not work out a trade. In frustration I went to FJ and they had four, one was the all white one in the pictures. This one has the further upgraded Designo Platinum white interior with additional white leather surfaces and the black piping. I admit I had not seen one in this combo. They made me a great deal so I bought it on the spot. Since I was alone the salesman delivered it to the house. My wife was a bit surprised but pleased I got the car.
Great story! I’ve always had red SL’s and I was going to order one in 2018, when MB pulled the plug on the fabulous Mars Red color. Like you, I had the dealer do a nationwide search for a 2017, but if I wanted an SL450 or 550 in Mars Red, I would not be getting ABC, which was my whole point of ordering new. In the end, I settled for Polar White, optioned the way I wanted it and am happy with my choice, especially after doing the brakes & wheels. Now, if I can only find a shop to do the audio upgrade that doesn’t make me break out in a sweat when I think of them dismantling the interior.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
