SL/R230: RWD / Rain
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 19
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RWD / Rain
Never owned a rear wheel drive car before, love the SL6, looking at picking up an 04 or an 05.
Currently in a AWD CTS for 3 more months (company car) but after that i'm on my own.
I love how safe I feel when it's rainy out and i'm on the highway, I feel like i'm driving a 4x4 SUV. How much of this confidence am I going to lose? How much of it should I actually lose?
I think ESP is great and all, but I find it hard to believe its as great as the dealer claims. Frankly I think I'd be pissed off if it had to work often, so what are your thoughts?
Does your ESP turn on a lot during heavy rain? Do you just take it super easy in heavier than normal rain? What about when you hit a good amount of standing water (not uncommon on the highways i drive on), do you fishtail at all?
THANKS!
Currently in a AWD CTS for 3 more months (company car) but after that i'm on my own.
I love how safe I feel when it's rainy out and i'm on the highway, I feel like i'm driving a 4x4 SUV. How much of this confidence am I going to lose? How much of it should I actually lose?
I think ESP is great and all, but I find it hard to believe its as great as the dealer claims. Frankly I think I'd be pissed off if it had to work often, so what are your thoughts?
Does your ESP turn on a lot during heavy rain? Do you just take it super easy in heavier than normal rain? What about when you hit a good amount of standing water (not uncommon on the highways i drive on), do you fishtail at all?
THANKS!
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 911
Likes: 1
From: Wichita
2005 SL600, 2011 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite
My SL600 does not inspire confidence in heavy rain. It might be the tires--- I have Pilot Sport summer performance tires. I try to avoid driving in the rain.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 553
Likes: 221
19 X3, 24 Tacoma Trailhunter, 25 CLE53
My SL is my daily driver year round. I use winter tires in the colder months and summer tires the rest of the year. If you drive aggresively in the rain you'll get tire spin and ESP, but if you drive it normally, you shouldn't any issues in the rain. With proper tires, the SL actually does okay in light snow.
Being I have the GL & the SL to choose from, I only pick the GL over the SL under four circumstances:
1) Knowing that it's going to snow (AWD)
2) Driving into the city (pot holes)
3) Long Trips > 2 hours (comfort)
4) Carrying our bicycles (storage)
Being I have the GL & the SL to choose from, I only pick the GL over the SL under four circumstances:
1) Knowing that it's going to snow (AWD)
2) Driving into the city (pot holes)
3) Long Trips > 2 hours (comfort)
4) Carrying our bicycles (storage)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,059
Likes: 342
From: NJ
2009 SL63 AMG
Heavily dependent on tires. Dunlop SP9000's blast rain to sides, and I've plowed through some heavy pours no problem, so long as I reign in that right foot. Driven on ice and thin snow as well; certainly not the best of cars for it, but a massive weight and proper tires certainly make it plausible to drive in inclimate weather...to an extent. For rain, it is capable, just be aware of all that torque (much more so in the M275 V12). But snow I would avoid, especially anything deeper than a few inches.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 358
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From: Vancouver Canada
07 ML63 Silver Dead at 85k, 14 RS5, 05 SL600
The traction control on the 600 is very intrusive and very good at what it was designed for. It will keep even a poor driver out of trouble, especially in the rain. I find it comes on a lot in the dry never mind the wet. A quaife rear end (locking LSD) does help in the wet. It is certainly still quicker than most other vehicles in the rain and I have learned I can trust it. At 60mph this car will break the tires free without trying in the wet. Don't turn it off and be agressive in the rain.
If you wan't power in the rain try the ML63. Its as fast on a track (in the dry) as the 600!
If you wan't power in the rain try the ML63. Its as fast on a track (in the dry) as the 600!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 19
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Thanks for all the elaborate responses.
I'm really at odds as to how much lower these prices will get and if I should consider eBay as an option. I know this is a bit off topic but has anyone had experience dealing with eBay for purchasing one of these?
Thanks again!!
I'm really at odds as to how much lower these prices will get and if I should consider eBay as an option. I know this is a bit off topic but has anyone had experience dealing with eBay for purchasing one of these?
Thanks again!!
