SL-Class (R230) 2003 -- 2012: Discussion on the SL500, SL550, SL600

SL/R230: POWER OF the V12

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Old Mar 11, 2005 | 08:41 PM
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POWER OF the V12

Late this afternoon while going home, I had the opportunity on a wide open road to open up the SL600 a little bit, the weather was so nice I even put the top down. I never get over the feeling of power when accelerating in this vehicle. Today I gunned it from the start and it felt like the back end was going to lose traction (but the car adjusted, held it's grip and a few seconds later I was going 80 mph. We have all encountered some items that aren't perfect with our vehicles, but each time I drive the car a little hard, I just love it.
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Old Mar 11, 2005 | 08:50 PM
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Originally Posted by StephenK
Late this afternoon while going home, I had the opportunity on a wide open road to open up the SL600 a little bit, the weather was so nice I even put the top down. I never get over the feeling of power when accelerating in this vehicle. Today I gunned it from the start and it felt like the back end was going to lose traction (but the car adjusted, held it's grip and a few seconds later I was going 80 mph. We have all encountered some items that aren't perfect with our vehicles, but each time I drive the car a little hard, I just love it.
I totally understand how you feel. The weather has been great, the top is down and I have been pushing the SL600 often. It is such an incredible feeling when she performs.
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Old Mar 11, 2005 | 09:04 PM
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Glad you are enjoying it too!

Originally Posted by LovinSL600
I totally understand how you feel. The weather has been great, the top is down and I have been pushing the SL600 often. It is such an incredible feeling when she performs.
I have been climbing up the ladder with my mercedes purchases. My old SL320, to my 2001 S500 and now the 2005 SL600. The SL320's power is best described as a dog, the S500 has impressive power considering the size of the vehicle, but the SL600 is no comparison in power to anything I have ever driven. Some hot rod style cars could be more powerful, but none would be as luxurious with so much POWER.

This will come across to some people as very childish, but I like to do it occasionally. When I come home, before I get to my community, off a main highway, I have to take a left onto a road that starts with two lanes and then merges to one. When the opportunity arises and I get into the front of the right lane, I get a kick out of people to my left, noone ever wants to let anyone get ahead of them and I can see the person edging forward anticipating the light trying to make sure I don't go around them. I typically will let them go and as they take the turn I can tell they are speeding up to not let me in, I can hear their engines screaming. I take the turn calmy, then once on the straight away, effortlessly roar by them. Again the feeling of the POWER is GREAT!
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Old Mar 12, 2005 | 07:23 AM
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Originally Posted by StephenK
I have been climbing up the ladder with my mercedes purchases. My old SL320, to my 2001 S500 and now the 2005 SL600. The SL320's power is best described as a dog, the S500 has impressive power considering the size of the vehicle, but the SL600 is no comparison in power to anything I have ever driven. Some hot rod style cars could be more powerful, but none would be as luxurious with so much POWER.

This will come across to some people as very childish, but I like to do it occasionally. When I come home, before I get to my community, off a main highway, I have to take a left onto a road that starts with two lanes and then merges to one. When the opportunity arises and I get into the front of the right lane, I get a kick out of people to my left, noone ever wants to let anyone get ahead of them and I can see the person edging forward anticipating the light trying to make sure I don't go around them. I typically will let them go and as they take the turn I can tell they are speeding up to not let me in, I can hear their engines screaming. I take the turn calmy, then once on the straight away, effortlessly roar by them. Again the feeling of the POWER is GREAT!
And I thought I was the only one!

(edit: btw, the "POWER is GREAT" in a sl500 too ... "rich" *******s and your sl600's :v )

Last edited by Overclocked412; Mar 12, 2005 at 07:27 AM.
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Old Mar 12, 2005 | 10:28 AM
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God's car

If God had a favorite car, it would be a twin turbo V12 Mercedes.

This is my third Mercedes V12. The CL600 is awesome, but feels much like the large sedan it is based on. The CL65 is great but really more of a bragging rights exercise. The SL600 is where this engine really shines- smaller car and tighter handling and with the top down, you can listen to the sounds of "ripping silk".
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Old Mar 12, 2005 | 10:41 AM
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Yeah, I love when you push the gas petal past the resistence point and it clicks in (kickdown). The RPMs push all the way to the redline before the gears change (smooth). I do this at least once every two weeks ever since 1500 miles. I think it will keep the engine healthy by giving it a change of pace from the almost constant 2000-4000 (mostly 2000-3000) RPM range. Every time I do it, its exhilerating. I love the mild vibration from the engine thats felt by gently holding the stearing wheel at the 9:30-10:00 point. It must be really be something else in the 600.
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Old Mar 12, 2005 | 10:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Chris 45971
Yeah, I love when you push the gas petal past the resistence point and it clicks in (kickdown). The RPMs push all the way to the redline before the gears change (smooth). I do this at least once every two weeks ever since 1500 miles. I think it will keep the engine healthy by giving it a change of pace from the almost constant 2000-4000 (mostly 2000-3000) RPM range. Every time I do it, its exhilerating. I love the mild vibration from the engine thats felt by gently holding the stearing wheel at the 9:30-10:00 point. It must be really be something else in the 600.
Your description above is perfect. You just couldn't imagine how great it feels with the SL600. The power is incredilbe, the handling is also amazing. I love when I am going through the back roads and I actually accelerate through the bends and turns. What a feeling.
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Old Mar 13, 2005 | 10:19 PM
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You guys really have me wanting to drive the R230 SL 600. I don't need much encouragement. :v

I have been wondering lately ... does any one really need more than 500 performance?

I drive quite aggressively and find that all the other cars just get in the way too much.

I love the zone beyond the sticky point in gas pedal travel. Since you almost have to dislocate your ancle to puch through that ... I wonder how many SL drivers have never even experienced that?

On an open road the SL 500 can blast past normal traffic for quick passing manuver with ease.

But I love the idea of getting the bi-turbo V12.

One day!
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Old Mar 13, 2005 | 10:25 PM
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Originally Posted by ChrisB
You guys really have me wanting to drive the R230 SL 600. I don't need much encouragement. :v

I have been wondering lately ... does any one really need more than 500 performance?

I drive quite aggressively and find that all the other cars just get in the way too much.

I love the zone beyond the sticky point in gas pedal travel. Since you almost have to dislocate your ancle to puch through that ... I wonder how many SL drivers have never even experienced that?

On an open road the SL 500 can blast past normal traffic for quick passing manuver with ease.

But I love the idea of getting the bi-turbo V12.

One day!
There is agressively passing a car and then there is leaving someone in the dust.

The SL600 is basically a rocket ship on the road. There really is no other feeling like it.

I know the SL500, especially with the 7 speed transmission does a really nice job. You won't think so after you drive that SL600.

An experience you won't want to give up once you have it.

Granted it is not a cheap experience.
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Old Mar 13, 2005 | 11:05 PM
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Renntech your SL600 and you get the "Manual Mode" feature as well as 625hp and 745 lb-ft. Do you need all that? Practical purposes, probably not. Then again is the SL a practical car?
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Old Mar 14, 2005 | 12:13 AM
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"MANUAL MODE"

Originally Posted by zzoorrkk
Renntech your SL600 and you get the "Manual Mode" feature as well as 625hp and 745 lb-ft. Do you need all that? Practical purposes, probably not. Then again is the SL a practical car?
What is this "MANUAL MODE" feature you mentioned??
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Old Mar 14, 2005 | 12:18 AM
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Originally Posted by StephenK
What is this "MANUAL MODE" feature you mentioned??
I believe he is talking about the two silver buttons on the back of the steering wheel which comes with the Sport-Package on the SL600 and are standard on the SL55 and SL65.

With these buttons you can manually shift the gears up and down.
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Old Mar 14, 2005 | 12:20 AM
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Silver Buttons

Originally Posted by LovinSL600
I believe he is talking about the two silver buttons on the back of the steering wheel which comes with the Sport-Package on the SL600 and are standard on the SL55 and SL65.

With these buttons you can manually shift the gears up and down.
I have the silver buttons and the sport package, I am not sure what the upgrade has to do with the buttons?
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Old Mar 14, 2005 | 12:23 AM
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Originally Posted by StephenK
I have the silver buttons and the sport package, I am not sure what the upgrade has to do with the buttons?
I believe in the manual mode you get less of the upgrade so you still have the smoothness of the SL600 but if you go out of manual mode, you get all that horsepower.

I have looked into this and I just don't see the need for the additional power. There are also those that say this is too much stress on the engine and will hurt the life of the engine. Who knows but since there is no definitive answer I have stayed away from it.
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Old Mar 14, 2005 | 12:40 AM
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I Agree With You

I have read different peoples reviews of the RENNTECH upgrade. I personally feel the car has all the power it needs, but we all have our opinions. I know when I occasionally punch it, it sometimes feels like traction is going to be lost, but it doesn't. I would think with the upgrade, the other systems may be in some way affected and the overall safety compromised.
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Old Mar 14, 2005 | 07:04 PM
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Whatever keys I grab first...
Hello,

StephenK, or LovinSL600 for that matter, I like both of your sigs, and I wonder, if one of you has some free time, can put one together for me? I will send the pics to you, if one of you would be as so kind as to help. The pics are in the "Events and Gathering" section of the boards. I attended last weeks, and had someone take some pics. Thank you.

Best Regards,
John
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Old Mar 14, 2005 | 07:37 PM
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Glad to Put It Together For You.

Originally Posted by Lexani
Hello,

StephenK, or LovinSL600 for that matter, I like both of your sigs, and I wonder, if one of you has some free time, can put one together for me? I will send the pics to you, if one of you would be as so kind as to help. The pics are in the "Events and Gathering" section of the boards. I attended last weeks, and had someone take some pics. Thank you.

Best Regards,
John

Glad to put it together for you, email me at

SL_OWNERS@KYNIO.COM
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Old Mar 14, 2005 | 08:40 PM
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Originally Posted by StephenK
Glad to put it together for you, email me at

SL_OWNERS@KYNIO.COM
Great, I am sure you will handle it perfectly as I got the idea from YOU!
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Old Mar 14, 2005 | 10:22 PM
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My understanding is that after RENNtech upgrade you get Manual mode that incorporates the upgrade power and torque up to redline (which is activated by either the stick or wheel buttons, if so equipped, in usual manner), you keep comfort mode as the same as pre-upgrade for smooth around the town driving (completely the same as before upgrade), and sport mode incoporates the upgraded hp and torque. This is per Brian at RENNtech.
Steve
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Old Mar 14, 2005 | 10:38 PM
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After the Renntech upgrade my SL600 now has 3 modes: S,C, and M (Sport, Comfort, and Manual). The S and C modes are unaffected. The M mode is like the AMG manual mode (available in SL55 and SL65). So after the upgrade, I got 625hp and 745 lb-ft and an "AMG like M mode". In the M mode, shifts are faster and cpu downshifts when rpm drops below 1800.
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Old Mar 14, 2005 | 11:50 PM
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Whatever keys I grab first...
Originally Posted by StephenK
Glad to put it together for you, email me at

SL_OWNERS@KYNIO.COM
Sent, thank you.
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Old Mar 20, 2005 | 09:37 AM
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Isn't it amazing that the 500 engine with 300+hp is only "just enough"? Not so many years ago (maybe dating myself) the 500 engine was "rip-roaring"!

What's next for "everyday" driving?
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