SL/R230: Best Bang-for-Buck Performance Mods
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
SL500
Best Bang-for-Buck Performance Mods
I just bought my SL, and I'm interested in doing something to boost up the performance on the car a bit. Does anyone have any advice they'd like to share on the best / most common mods that people are doing to get more performance? My car is a stock SL500. Options I'm considering are:
- Renntech ECU and/or headers
- Eisenmann exhaust
- Performance springs
If I had the dough, I'd be considering a Kompressor upgrade, but I don't have 13k kicking around and budgetted for stuff like that.
Anyone with comments on what they've done? Comments on the options I've listed? Additional options to consider?
Cheers.
- Renntech ECU and/or headers
- Eisenmann exhaust
- Performance springs
If I had the dough, I'd be considering a Kompressor upgrade, but I don't have 13k kicking around and budgetted for stuff like that.
Anyone with comments on what they've done? Comments on the options I've listed? Additional options to consider?
Cheers.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,746
Likes: 1
BMW F02 (750Li) F10 (550i)
I just bought my SL, and I'm interested in doing something to boost up the performance on the car a bit. Does anyone have any advice they'd like to share on the best / most common mods that people are doing to get more performance? My car is a stock SL500. Options I'm considering are:
- Renntech ECU and/or headers
- Eisenmann exhaust
- Performance springs
If I had the dough, I'd be considering a Kompressor upgrade, but I don't have 13k kicking around and budgetted for stuff like that.
Anyone with comments on what they've done? Comments on the options I've listed? Additional options to consider?
Cheers.
- Renntech ECU and/or headers
- Eisenmann exhaust
- Performance springs
If I had the dough, I'd be considering a Kompressor upgrade, but I don't have 13k kicking around and budgetted for stuff like that.
Anyone with comments on what they've done? Comments on the options I've listed? Additional options to consider?
Cheers.
OR JUST GET YOURSELF AN SL55
Last edited by m4xm1l10n; Jan 14, 2009 at 02:49 PM.
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 244
Likes: 1
From: Louisiana
2005 SL500
@mikeinsf, if you really want a blown SL, just buy an SL55 and forego the huge out-of-pocket cost to do it yourself.
Also, keep in mind that if you do these mods without informing your auto insurer, then they will not be covered in the case of an accident. AND if any of the mods could be found to have caused the accident, then none of the damage will be covered at all. Again, probably better to go straight for the SL55 and just insure it properly.
Rook
Also, keep in mind that if you do these mods without informing your auto insurer, then they will not be covered in the case of an accident. AND if any of the mods could be found to have caused the accident, then none of the damage will be covered at all. Again, probably better to go straight for the SL55 and just insure it properly.
Rook
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 730
Likes: 0
From: Puerto Rico
2005 SL55 AMG, 1986 Porsche 930S, 1996 Porsche 993tt
After researching around I decide to leave my car stock as any of those upgrades will NOT bring you crazy noticeable power difference. If you really want to go with the mods you mention !!!!!! 1st , start thinking on how to make your SL500 LIGHTER , than do the mods . if you'd like a deeper sound than get the EXHAUST (SOUND PURPOSE ONLY ) if you can't afford the SUPERCHARGER don't even waist your money !!!!! again it's just my opinion , but i experienced it already !!!!!!!
OR JUST GET YOURSELF AN SL55
OR JUST GET YOURSELF AN SL55
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,921
Likes: 173
From: Long Island New York
2003 SL55,2020 GTC ,2017 GTS sold ,2002 G500 Sold,2003 SL500 Sold,
I dont think your statement is correct about the insurance coverage,my agent said my kleeman supercharger install would be covered if car was stolen as long as I had receipts for install,and never mentioned anything about adding horsepower would negate coverage,doesnt seem right to me,
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 244
Likes: 1
From: Louisiana
2005 SL500
I dont think your statement is correct about the insurance coverage,my agent said my kleeman supercharger install would be covered if car was stolen as long as I had receipts for install,and never mentioned anything about adding horsepower would negate coverage,doesnt seem right to me,
Your auto coverage also states that if modifications were made to the vehicle that made it unsafe to operate, and those mods caused an accident, then that circumstance isn't covered as well. As an example, if you installed a supercharger and it caused your electronics to fail for some reason and this caused you to plow into the back of another car, then the insurance company will say you modified your car in an unsafe manner. You would have no choice but to drag out a lawyer in your defense and try to get them to pay.
If you get a chance, take a read over your auto policy coverage booklet and make sure to read it from the insurer's point of view. It is an interesting read if you can figure out some of the lawyer-speak.
(FYI, this insurance information is limited to the United States and does not apply elsewhere.)
Rook
Last edited by Rook3300; Jan 15, 2009 at 12:39 AM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
SL500
Rook3300, you're dead-on about insurance company machinations. I recently learned a very, very bitter lesson wrt this. They take your money for a policy. When it comes time to pay out, if there's one single clause anywhere that allows them some sort of justification for denial... they'll take it. Now I'm out.. potentially to the tune of 30k.
Moral of the story... with insurance companies assume NOTHING. Be very, very careful what you tell them. Can't hurt to consult a lawyer before you get on the phone with them when a claim is involved.
Moral of the story... with insurance companies assume NOTHING. Be very, very careful what you tell them. Can't hurt to consult a lawyer before you get on the phone with them when a claim is involved.
Last edited by mikeinsf; Jan 15, 2009 at 11:53 AM. Reason: Accidentally saved prematurely.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 244
Likes: 1
From: Louisiana
2005 SL500
@mikeinsf, yep, insurance is just a game and you have to keep the numbers on your side in order for it to work out. My wife found out the hard way back when she mentioned to her insurance agent that she needed to talk to her husband to make a decision (just before we were actually married, she was using the word anyway). The phone person wrote a note and within a few days she was being called for my information so I could be added to the policy. Since I don't drive her car except occasionally, I wasn't going to pay extra and I didn't want to be excluded either (auto policies automatically cover "occasional" drivers). Suffice it to say, she was threatened to be dropped so she just got coverage elsewhere. Turned out it was cheaper as well, so all for the better. It's just the hassle the insurance company went through was astounding and the result was to finally lose a customer.
On the performance mods, I was wondering about the Kleeman ECU tune myself. If anyone out there with it could give some feedback, that would be great. I also wonder about the benefits of a performance header + exhaust setup. Though I would imagine that the Mercedes engineers are not constrained by budget concerns as much as US automakers, so they should have "gone for the gusto" when engineering the engine parts for the SL. Hence the almost $100K+ price for just a regular SL500.
I'm just armchair theorizing here, but wouldn't any sort of suspension modification affect the ABC system and throw it out of whack? With ABC, the car should be pretty sporty already -- well, as sporty as a 4100+lbs car can be.
Rook
On the performance mods, I was wondering about the Kleeman ECU tune myself. If anyone out there with it could give some feedback, that would be great. I also wonder about the benefits of a performance header + exhaust setup. Though I would imagine that the Mercedes engineers are not constrained by budget concerns as much as US automakers, so they should have "gone for the gusto" when engineering the engine parts for the SL. Hence the almost $100K+ price for just a regular SL500.
I'm just armchair theorizing here, but wouldn't any sort of suspension modification affect the ABC system and throw it out of whack? With ABC, the car should be pretty sporty already -- well, as sporty as a 4100+lbs car can be.
Rook
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 691
Likes: 0
From: Southern CA
08 CLS63, Honda Accord, 04 911
Well it seems like across the board on a variety of models- an ECU upgrade for about $1-1.5k may be your best bet. I have seen a bunch of tuners get good results from the CLS, C, E class etc...if you do go this route let us know which one and how it goes!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,746
Likes: 1
BMW F02 (750Li) F10 (550i)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,921
Likes: 173
From: Long Island New York
2003 SL55,2020 GTC ,2017 GTS sold ,2002 G500 Sold,2003 SL500 Sold,
insurance
my old insurance broker is my girlfriends insurance broker,he knows we live together,we are both insured with same company,he is trying to raise rates as if we are married wtf ?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,653
Likes: 5
From: Ann Arbor
'03 SL55
B&G performance (http://www.bgmercedes.com/) claims they can get an extra 10 to 15 horsepower (a 3% to 5% improvement) out of your engine for $1,500. You may or may not notice that small a change. B&G also does TCU tuning. If they could significantly shorten your shift times, that would almost certainly be noticeable. Cost is an extra $1,400 (or more) on top of the $1,500 ECU tune. That's a lot of money but that's pretty much what it takes to get a credible ECU tune on a late model Benz.
A slam dunk, can't-help-but-notice change is tires. If you are running 255/45 Pilot Sport tires on 17x8.5 wheels, then save those wheels for snow tires and buy a set of staggered wheels. You can get SL55 AMG take-offs sized 18x8.5 front and 18x9.5 rear for less than $1,000. The only thing wrong with the AMG wheels is their weight; mine are 29 lbs front, 31 lbs rear. Lighter weight wheels are available from companies such as BBS, CCW, and HRE but they cost quite a bit more. Figure $2,000 to $6,000 depending on the specific vendor and wheel. Then once you have the staggered wheels, put on new tires. The OEM sizes for an SL55 are 255/40R18 front and 285/35R18 rear but you can use different sizes as long as the tire diameter doesn't change more than 2% or 3%. Just having wider rubber on the rear will keep the tail in line during aggressive corning. On top of that, you can certainly find tires that are grippier than the OEM Pilot Sports.
Good luck! Have fun!
A slam dunk, can't-help-but-notice change is tires. If you are running 255/45 Pilot Sport tires on 17x8.5 wheels, then save those wheels for snow tires and buy a set of staggered wheels. You can get SL55 AMG take-offs sized 18x8.5 front and 18x9.5 rear for less than $1,000. The only thing wrong with the AMG wheels is their weight; mine are 29 lbs front, 31 lbs rear. Lighter weight wheels are available from companies such as BBS, CCW, and HRE but they cost quite a bit more. Figure $2,000 to $6,000 depending on the specific vendor and wheel. Then once you have the staggered wheels, put on new tires. The OEM sizes for an SL55 are 255/40R18 front and 285/35R18 rear but you can use different sizes as long as the tire diameter doesn't change more than 2% or 3%. Just having wider rubber on the rear will keep the tail in line during aggressive corning. On top of that, you can certainly find tires that are grippier than the OEM Pilot Sports.
Good luck! Have fun!
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 730
Likes: 0
From: Puerto Rico
2005 SL55 AMG, 1986 Porsche 930S, 1996 Porsche 993tt
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
SL500
m4xm1l1on ------
That is one hot color combination you've got going on there. I wonder if I can shoot a thin coat of silver metallic on my black to get it like that.
Did you get an aftermarket exhaust put on yours? I'm wondering how much louder the Eisenmann system is than stock. Every day I go on Youtube and listen to it at least once.
jmf003 --------
Those are some pretty good pointers.
That is one hot color combination you've got going on there. I wonder if I can shoot a thin coat of silver metallic on my black to get it like that.
Did you get an aftermarket exhaust put on yours? I'm wondering how much louder the Eisenmann system is than stock. Every day I go on Youtube and listen to it at least once.jmf003 --------
Those are some pretty good pointers.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,746
Likes: 1
BMW F02 (750Li) F10 (550i)
m4xm1l1on ------
That is one hot color combination you've got going on there. I wonder if I can shoot a thin coat of silver metallic on my black to get it like that. Did you get an aftermarket exhaust put on yours? I'm wondering how much louder the Eisenmann system is than stock. Every day I go on Youtube and listen to it at least once.
jmf003 --------
Those are some pretty good pointers.
That is one hot color combination you've got going on there. I wonder if I can shoot a thin coat of silver metallic on my black to get it like that.
Did you get an aftermarket exhaust put on yours? I'm wondering how much louder the Eisenmann system is than stock. Every day I go on Youtube and listen to it at least once.jmf003 --------
Those are some pretty good pointers.
Last edited by m4xm1l10n; Jan 19, 2009 at 06:53 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,653
Likes: 5
From: Ann Arbor
'03 SL55
Here's a good deal on a set of AMG take-offs: https://mbworld.org/forums/wheels-ti...brand-new.html
Conti Sport Contact 3s are a decent high end tire, too. Slightly less grip than Michelin PS2s but much less susceptible to the sidewall flex problem (aka the "wiggle" problem). A new set of CSC3s alone will cost north of $1,000.
Conti Sport Contact 3s are a decent high end tire, too. Slightly less grip than Michelin PS2s but much less susceptible to the sidewall flex problem (aka the "wiggle" problem). A new set of CSC3s alone will cost north of $1,000.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
SL500
Yeah, I saw those last night. Thinking about getting them, if just for a spare set of wheels.
I already have the 18" upgraded Mercedes 5-spokes--like the ones pictured--on my car. Are these wheels lighter than those?
Also, I'm guessing the wheels that I have aren't staggered, correct?
I already have the 18" upgraded Mercedes 5-spokes--like the ones pictured--on my car. Are these wheels lighter than those?
Also, I'm guessing the wheels that I have aren't staggered, correct?
Last edited by mikeinsf; Jan 20, 2009 at 10:58 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,653
Likes: 5
From: Ann Arbor
'03 SL55
This post says 18" AMG Style IV wheels are 28 lbs, which sounds about right: https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...lb-wheels.html
And this post says 18" Mercedes wheels are 30 lbs, which also sounds about right: https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...el-weight.html
