SL/R230: Impulse buy
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From: Wichita
2005 SL600, 2011 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite
Interesting. I thought that the ECU upgrade was what improved the throttle response and increased the horsepower. I thought that the TCU upgrade sped up the shifting and added the Manual mode.
I also thought that the only differences between C and S in the stock version was that in comfort mode the car starts in 2nd gear as opposed to 1st and that upshifts occur at lower RPMs.
If the Renntech C mode is no different than the stock, then it would seem that I can have a docile cruiser for around the city and I can live on the edge in S mode on the open road.
I also thought that the only differences between C and S in the stock version was that in comfort mode the car starts in 2nd gear as opposed to 1st and that upshifts occur at lower RPMs.
If the Renntech C mode is no different than the stock, then it would seem that I can have a docile cruiser for around the city and I can live on the edge in S mode on the open road.
Last edited by JackStraw; May 10, 2005 at 08:32 PM.
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From: Boston
SL600, A8L W12, Continental GT, Range Rover SC
Originally Posted by JackStraw
Interesting. I thought that the ECU upgrade was what improved the throttle response and increased the horsepower. I thought that the TCU upgrade sped up the shifting and added the Manual mode.
I also thought that the only differences between C and S in the stock version was that in comfort mode the car starts in 2nd gear as opposed to 1st and that upshifts occur at lower RPMs.
If the Renntech C mode is no different than the stock, then it would seem that I can have a docile cruiser for around the city and I can live on the edge in S mode on the open road.
I also thought that the only differences between C and S in the stock version was that in comfort mode the car starts in 2nd gear as opposed to 1st and that upshifts occur at lower RPMs.
If the Renntech C mode is no different than the stock, then it would seem that I can have a docile cruiser for around the city and I can live on the edge in S mode on the open road.
Perhaps some of the other Renntech/600 owners on this board would comment on whether they’ve noticed a difference in C and S throttle response.
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From: Boston
SL600, A8L W12, Continental GT, Range Rover SC
Originally Posted by david_101
how's the GPS relative to the MB unit?
how's the LCD interface overall?
david
how's the LCD interface overall?
david
I’m a bit of a techie and don’t mind complex interfaces, but my wife, who is not, says she finds the Bentley (Phaeton) interface to be nearly as intuitive as a Lexus and easier to use than the Mercedes interface.
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From: Boston
SL600, A8L W12, Continental GT, Range Rover SC
Originally Posted by sillydriver
I’m still on the first tank, but the display shows 15.6 MPG (US) so far. This was all driven on suburban roads and motorways. I’m sure city driving would lower the average. I don’t recall exactly, but I think the tank is 23 US gallons.
In other words, the mileage is pretty poor.
Last edited by sillydriver; May 11, 2005 at 07:19 AM.
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From: Boston
SL600, A8L W12, Continental GT, Range Rover SC
Originally Posted by sillydriver
Thanks! I forgot to mention the Bentley’s worst flaw. The windows use metalized glass for sun protection, but there is no metal-free spot for radio transponders as in my S500. Hence the electronic pass for the bridge into Boston, and worse, the garage pass in the office building downtown, won’t work unless I open the window and hold the boxes outside. I’m glad I didn’t intend this car to be a daily commuter.
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From: Boston
SL600, A8L W12, Continental GT, Range Rover SC
Originally Posted by sillydriver
I had always figured the TCU and ECU exchange data to make this possible, but to be honest I’ve never confirmed that there’s a difference beyond 2nd gear start, because I’ve almost never driven in C mode. I’ll experiment with it (conditions permitting) on the way home this afternoon.
Perhaps some of the other Renntech/600 owners on this board would comment on whether they’ve noticed a difference in C and S throttle response.
Perhaps some of the other Renntech/600 owners on this board would comment on whether they’ve noticed a difference in C and S throttle response.
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 433
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From: Phoenix, AZ
2007 CL600
[QUOTE=ricky.agrawal]
It's also not about spending weeks in the shop, it's just having to go to the shop. Even BMW is better at it than Mercedes. I walk in, walk out with a loaner. For Mercedes I sit on my *** for a few hours because "the VP hasn't released all the loaner cars yet"
QUOTE]
I've never had to wait for a loaner. When I make a service appointment, I'm asked if I need a loaner and it is always ready when I take in my car.
There was one instance when I tried to schedule an appointment with a dealer closer to my home (MB of San Diego) and was told that I could not pick up a loaner the night before my appointment. I said to the lady, "Cancel my appointment, and I'll take my car to another dealer." My appointment was for 10:30 AM and they explained that I counld not get a car before that time. I then promptly emailed the General Manager and explained that they lost my business and that I would not let them inconvenience me ever. I'll continue to go to the MB of Escondido (10 or so miles up the road) where the service is at my convenience and not at the whim of the clerk who answers the phone.
It's also not about spending weeks in the shop, it's just having to go to the shop. Even BMW is better at it than Mercedes. I walk in, walk out with a loaner. For Mercedes I sit on my *** for a few hours because "the VP hasn't released all the loaner cars yet"
QUOTE]
I've never had to wait for a loaner. When I make a service appointment, I'm asked if I need a loaner and it is always ready when I take in my car.
There was one instance when I tried to schedule an appointment with a dealer closer to my home (MB of San Diego) and was told that I could not pick up a loaner the night before my appointment. I said to the lady, "Cancel my appointment, and I'll take my car to another dealer." My appointment was for 10:30 AM and they explained that I counld not get a car before that time. I then promptly emailed the General Manager and explained that they lost my business and that I would not let them inconvenience me ever. I'll continue to go to the MB of Escondido (10 or so miles up the road) where the service is at my convenience and not at the whim of the clerk who answers the phone.
Last edited by WIldcat465; May 12, 2005 at 11:41 AM.
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From: Bethesda,Md.
Bentley Arnage Red Label
Originally Posted by sillydriver
The Bentley has a non-touchscreen 16:9 display, and the GPS nav system is CD, not DVD based, although the car comes with a set of CDs covering the whole US. I haven’t played with the nav much but the interface is fairly similar to Mercedes CD-based nav: you turn a dial to roll across a set of letters to spell out names. There is a map button which gives you a nice picture, but the problem is that it doesn’t tell you what road you’re actually on. To do that you have to press an info button which clears the map display and lists off town, street, longitude and latitude. Despite this, the overall human interface of the car is pretty good. The LCD screen is flanked by four general purpose buttons on either side. The function of each button in any given mode is displayed on the screen next to the button. Below the screen there is a group of buttons to choose a particular mode: Audio, Nav, A/C, Info, Set-up, Map, etc. A large multi-purpose turn-and-press dial is in the middle of that group. Below that there is a group of buttons specific to the Audio system.
I’m a bit of a techie and don’t mind complex interfaces, but my wife, who is not, says she finds the Bentley (Phaeton) interface to be nearly as intuitive as a Lexus and easier to use than the Mercedes interface.
I’m a bit of a techie and don’t mind complex interfaces, but my wife, who is not, says she finds the Bentley (Phaeton) interface to be nearly as intuitive as a Lexus and easier to use than the Mercedes interface.
My Bentley salesman assures me the Nav is DVD. I know the Arnage is DVD and would hope that a car that came out in 04 would be. Can you double check that please. I am hoping you are wrong but it doesn't sound like it.
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From: Boston
SL600, A8L W12, Continental GT, Range Rover SC
Originally Posted by Juice it
My Bentley salesman assures me the Nav is DVD. I know the Arnage is DVD and would hope that a car that came out in 04 would be. Can you double check that please. I am hoping you are wrong but it doesn't sound like it.
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Originally Posted by WIldcat465
I've never had to wait for a loaner. When I make a service appointment, I'm asked if I need a loaner and it is always ready when I take in my car.
There was one instance when I tried to schedule an appointment with a dealer closer to my home (MB of San Diego) and was told that I could not pick up a loaner the night before my appointment. I said to the lady, "Cancel my appointment, and I'll take my car to another dealer." My appointment was for 10:30 AM and they explained that I counld not get a car before that time. I then promptly emailed the General Manager and explained that they lost my business and that I would not let them inconvenience me ever. I'll continue to go to the MB of Escondido (10 or so miles up the road) where the service is at my convenience and not at the whim of the clerk who answers the phone.
There was one instance when I tried to schedule an appointment with a dealer closer to my home (MB of San Diego) and was told that I could not pick up a loaner the night before my appointment. I said to the lady, "Cancel my appointment, and I'll take my car to another dealer." My appointment was for 10:30 AM and they explained that I counld not get a car before that time. I then promptly emailed the General Manager and explained that they lost my business and that I would not let them inconvenience me ever. I'll continue to go to the MB of Escondido (10 or so miles up the road) where the service is at my convenience and not at the whim of the clerk who answers the phone.
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From: Sacramento, CA
Several MB's Superperformance MK III Cobra
Originally Posted by lorinserbenz
I agree with you on that... Lexus does touch every market segment yet maintains a higher level of dealer service than MB does.
What Lexus has that MB doesnt is cheaper labor... MB's problems stem from their labor issues. When the people assembling the cars are pissed off you its going to effect the overall quality.
However, I dont care how you slice it a Lexus is still a Toyota to me just as a Acura is Honda and an Infiniti is a Nissan.. All three make outstanding cars, but they dont have the prestige of MB and probably never will.
I think that as MB loses more high end sales they will eventually fix their problems. The feeling the MB brand gives me is that the people that are driving the low end Benz's are just happy to have a benz and dont really complain much. Id really like to see MB ditch the C,ML, and Slk. I think it would do wonders for the brand...
This will never happen, as the sell a boatload of those models.
What Lexus has that MB doesnt is cheaper labor... MB's problems stem from their labor issues. When the people assembling the cars are pissed off you its going to effect the overall quality.
However, I dont care how you slice it a Lexus is still a Toyota to me just as a Acura is Honda and an Infiniti is a Nissan.. All three make outstanding cars, but they dont have the prestige of MB and probably never will.
I think that as MB loses more high end sales they will eventually fix their problems. The feeling the MB brand gives me is that the people that are driving the low end Benz's are just happy to have a benz and dont really complain much. Id really like to see MB ditch the C,ML, and Slk. I think it would do wonders for the brand...
This will never happen, as the sell a boatload of those models.
Quality of Lexus Service? I sold an SC430 with 1,750 miles on it because of the horrible Lexus service. They either employed the Keystone Cops or Larry, Curly and Moe or all the above. My experience was the worst that I have ever encountered and I have encountered quite a bit; by far poorest than the worst of any Benz dealer with whom I have dealt. "Passionate Pursuit of Perfection" my ***.
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Originally Posted by sillydriver
I had always figured the TCU and ECU exchange data to make this possible, but to be honest I’ve never confirmed that there’s a difference beyond 2nd gear start, because I’ve almost never driven in C mode. I’ll experiment with it (conditions permitting) on the way home this afternoon.
Perhaps some of the other Renntech/600 owners on this board would comment on whether they’ve noticed a difference in C and S throttle response.
Perhaps some of the other Renntech/600 owners on this board would comment on whether they’ve noticed a difference in C and S throttle response.
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From: 2000 ft over the FL coast in a B-17
Various
Originally Posted by trin
Very nice.
I think the Bentley Continental GT will be my next car... My only concern is that Bentley is now a Volkswagen more or less
I think the Bentley Continental GT will be my next car... My only concern is that Bentley is now a Volkswagen more or less
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From: Boston
SL600, A8L W12, Continental GT, Range Rover SC
The Bentley is past its break-in period and after using it on a long drive to a business meeting, I thought I’d update the group.
I love the car, but it’s definitely not a luxurious sports car: it’s a luxury car with good straight-line performance. Despite it’s relatively short range (17 - 18 MPG on the highway with a tank the same size as the Mercedes’) it’s a wonderful car for an interstate highway cruise. The seats are extremely comfortable. You can take your hands of the wheel and it will track dead straight for a surprisingly long while. It’s been said in reviews before, but it’s a little like taking a luxurious electric train.
Obviously the downside is that the Bentley does not deliver an exciting driving experience, and the key to enjoying the car is accepting that it isn’t meant to. Its published straight-line performance is almost exactly the same as the Ferrari 355 a business partner of mine drove to the same meeting. While a little comparison testing on country roads confirmed that this is true, it certainly doesn’t feel that way! The Bentley’s feel under hard acceleration is about the same as my S500 sedan, which is objectively much slower. My SL600, on the other hand, is both objectively and subjectively much quicker and much more exciting to drive hard.
So to conclude, I’m very glad I bought the car – even more than the day I took delivery – but the Bentley and SL (or even the CL for that matter) aren’t substitutes: they’re complementary cars for different moods and purposes.
I love the car, but it’s definitely not a luxurious sports car: it’s a luxury car with good straight-line performance. Despite it’s relatively short range (17 - 18 MPG on the highway with a tank the same size as the Mercedes’) it’s a wonderful car for an interstate highway cruise. The seats are extremely comfortable. You can take your hands of the wheel and it will track dead straight for a surprisingly long while. It’s been said in reviews before, but it’s a little like taking a luxurious electric train.
Obviously the downside is that the Bentley does not deliver an exciting driving experience, and the key to enjoying the car is accepting that it isn’t meant to. Its published straight-line performance is almost exactly the same as the Ferrari 355 a business partner of mine drove to the same meeting. While a little comparison testing on country roads confirmed that this is true, it certainly doesn’t feel that way! The Bentley’s feel under hard acceleration is about the same as my S500 sedan, which is objectively much slower. My SL600, on the other hand, is both objectively and subjectively much quicker and much more exciting to drive hard.
So to conclude, I’m very glad I bought the car – even more than the day I took delivery – but the Bentley and SL (or even the CL for that matter) aren’t substitutes: they’re complementary cars for different moods and purposes.
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From: san diego
2001 viper rt-10, 2007 SL65
i concur
Originally Posted by lkirchner
Quality of Lexus Service? I sold an SC430 with 1,750 miles on it because of the horrible Lexus service. They either employed the Keystone Cops or Larry, Curly and Moe or all the above. My experience was the worst that I have ever encountered and I have encountered quite a bit; by far poorest than the worst of any Benz dealer with whom I have dealt. "Passionate Pursuit of Perfection" my ***.
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From: Northern California
Mercedes C400, BMW X3
Db9
I wandered into the Aston Martin dealer over the weekend and spent time in the seat of the DB9. I can see this car as a complement to the SL600, since the Aston seems more like it is on a sports car mission than GT to me.
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From: UK
SL55 AMG
I agree, sillydriver's comments on the Bentley are very informative, thank you. The weight of the car was always going to compromise its role as a sports car, though there's no doubting the car's credentials as a long distance luxury GT.
My guess is that after a long drive in the Bentley, you arrive cool and calm, the same journey in the Ferrari will leave you a bit hyper..
Shoes, do you think the SL and the DB9 would be too close to each other to be worth having both? That's how I saw it compared to the SL55.
My guess is that after a long drive in the Bentley, you arrive cool and calm, the same journey in the Ferrari will leave you a bit hyper..
Shoes, do you think the SL and the DB9 would be too close to each other to be worth having both? That's how I saw it compared to the SL55.
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From: Boston
SL600, A8L W12, Continental GT, Range Rover SC
Originally Posted by blueSL
My guess is that after a long drive in the Bentley, you arrive cool and calm, the same journey in the Ferrari will leave you a bit hyper..
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Originally Posted by sillydriver
The Bentley is past its break-in period and after using it on a long drive to a business meeting, I thought I’d update the group.
I love the car, but it’s definitely not a luxurious sports car: it’s a luxury car with good straight-line performance. Despite it’s relatively short range (17 - 18 MPG on the highway with a tank the same size as the Mercedes’) it’s a wonderful car for an interstate highway cruise. The seats are extremely comfortable. You can take your hands of the wheel and it will track dead straight for a surprisingly long while. It’s been said in reviews before, but it’s a little like taking a luxurious electric train.
Obviously the downside is that the Bentley does not deliver an exciting driving experience, and the key to enjoying the car is accepting that it isn’t meant to. Its published straight-line performance is almost exactly the same as the Ferrari 355 a business partner of mine drove to the same meeting. While a little comparison testing on country roads confirmed that this is true, it certainly doesn’t feel that way! The Bentley’s feel under hard acceleration is about the same as my S500 sedan, which is objectively much slower. My SL600, on the other hand, is both objectively and subjectively much quicker and much more exciting to drive hard.
So to conclude, I’m very glad I bought the car – even more than the day I took delivery – but the Bentley and SL (or even the CL for that matter) aren’t substitutes: they’re complementary cars for different moods and purposes.
I love the car, but it’s definitely not a luxurious sports car: it’s a luxury car with good straight-line performance. Despite it’s relatively short range (17 - 18 MPG on the highway with a tank the same size as the Mercedes’) it’s a wonderful car for an interstate highway cruise. The seats are extremely comfortable. You can take your hands of the wheel and it will track dead straight for a surprisingly long while. It’s been said in reviews before, but it’s a little like taking a luxurious electric train.
Obviously the downside is that the Bentley does not deliver an exciting driving experience, and the key to enjoying the car is accepting that it isn’t meant to. Its published straight-line performance is almost exactly the same as the Ferrari 355 a business partner of mine drove to the same meeting. While a little comparison testing on country roads confirmed that this is true, it certainly doesn’t feel that way! The Bentley’s feel under hard acceleration is about the same as my S500 sedan, which is objectively much slower. My SL600, on the other hand, is both objectively and subjectively much quicker and much more exciting to drive hard.
So to conclude, I’m very glad I bought the car – even more than the day I took delivery – but the Bentley and SL (or even the CL for that matter) aren’t substitutes: they’re complementary cars for different moods and purposes.
