cap'n jasper

Late 1996.
This is what you need to make the SL500 quicker..

1985mb

I like the OEM hood more ... just my opinion

DANSMB

That sticker is the gross weight not the curb weight. I am guessing about #3900 for a 129.

Dan

RSpreier

Having owned an SL 500 an SL 600, and my current car, an Renntech SL74, here are my observations:

Handling
My SL 500 handled slightly better that the SL 600 meaning less body roll in corners, but the power differential killed any handling advantage in the straights. The Renntech handles better than either because of the lowered ride height and thicker sway bars. It's no Ferrari in the corners, but 600 ft/lbs of torque makes it scream on the straights.

Acceleration
The stock SL 600 will do 0-60 in 5.8 and the quarter in 14.2. The stock SL 500 does 6.1 and 14.9. As an observation, the 600 feels significantly faster than the 500 and passing acceleration is hugely superior. The Renntech does 0-60 in 4.1 and the Quarter in 12.4. I think it can do better, but to get the best launch, traction control has to be off to allow for a little wheel spin. It's a fine line between the perfect launch and a smoking tire melt-down. As for a race against a 360? The Renntech will beat it from, and to any speed. All you do is stomp the accelerator to the floor and go. The 360 needs 7000 RPM to make horsepower.

Weight
The Renntech weighs 4450 lbs without any carbon fiber components. I'd like the look of the carbon fiber hood, but I won't pay 10k to save 70 lbs. Renntech makes fenders and a trunk lid too, but the cost isn't worth the weight savings. Having less weight in the car made a slight difference in quarter mile times, but not as much as you would think. I believe it has to do with the huge torque output that starts right off idle.

Renntech does just about everything possible to improve the performance of the SL. There isn't much more that can be done without destroying what makes the SL an SL.

mebeJOE

[QUOTE=RSpreier]Good post from somebody who appears to know. Thanks.

SL BRABUS

I though curb weight and gross weight are the same.......what the different ??

DANSMB

Gross weight is the max weight with cargo, pax and fuel. My GMC pickup gross says #7700 but the empty weight is #5900. There is a scale down the street from me and I will get the MB across it and post the weight.

Dan

bc2602

Vincent, I'm just in the process of buying a '97 SL600 !! any specific things you did as soon as you got your hands on it? any improvements you did? Bob in Penna.

Carson_Kitt

Bob-

I haven't done anything to mine in the four or so months that I've owned it.

I do need to pick up a tow hook cover one of these days.

It had 28K on the clock when I bought it and it just hit 33K.

My A/C is all out of whack after a nasty bump I hit last week (see my post from last night.)

Aside from that, the 600 is a blast to drive.

What color combo did you decide on?

Best,

Vincent

HLG600

I made some minor upgrades on my '97 SL600 after I obtained it. First, added on a sport pedal kit. Then, replaced the amber corners with clear ones. That was followed by a K&N Filter Upgrade along with blacked out tail lights and brake light. Then came the 18 in AMG wheels with Dunlop UHP Tires (245F/275R) - and let me say, they significantly improved the ride and feel of the car. Going into the corners, the car holds its own. As for the rain, it handles precisely. The final two upgrades were red brake calipers (needed to seal/rustproof them - just went with red - nice touch to the black exterior) and personalized plates. Nothing too extreme, just a few subtle modifications to transform the look of the car.

bc2602

thanx HL, I'll keep those in mind. do you know where I'd go to obtain records on the SL? e.g., how many red/tan SL600s were made in '97 with xenons ?

HLG600

No problem BC, some basic upgrades give your car a nice personal touch. As for records, you should try MBUSA, they probably have stored production records.

tipds

Glad you guys have had fun with your pissing contest. I really don't dig the idea of customizing this beautiful car to death. The car was built for a reason and it wasn't for drag racing. As some have pointed out, it's a touring car, and I can't think of a finer example in the world.

As for traction control... I have an SL600 and have turned off the ESP. I was goofing around for a few of my co-workers while leaving a restaurant on the water one day. Anyhow, I went from a dead stop, perpendicular to the road. I turned off the ESP and put the hammer down. I peeled out, and performed a power slide to a left turn and continued to burn rubber until I finally completely lost control. The firmware didn't even try to stop me from making a complete fool out of myself. Now, this was the first time I had done anything like that in the car, so that's my excuse. I was very much surprised by the perfomance of the car! So, yes, you can have all the fun you want with the electro-nanny turned off. Even to the point of completely looking foolish. I have done it. If you get one, please be careful. Don't wreck a fine beast like the SL600.

Tip DS