ElanMike

I went from a lowered, majorly modded C5 Corvette with 500HP to my SL550 (wish I got the SL55 in retrospect but at the time couldn't justify extra cost). I've been thinking of chipping the car (I know I have to send of ECU for reprogramming). I see claims of 400HP+ and 400lb-ft of tq+. Can those that have made the mod feel the difference?
I'm hoping the mod will also give quicker thicker throttle response. The SL seems to be damped somewhat to avoid surging but this relates to a delay in between pushing the throttle and accelerating. Is this fixed with the ECU upgrade?
Finally, I find the gear changes slow - especially when using the paddles. There's a 1 to 2 sec delay in actually changing a gear - very frustrating. Does an ECU upgrade this? I'm guessing not - in which case - any other way to improve this?

NCE500

Mike,

I sense that you are a hot rodder and want your SL to substitute for your C5. I owned a Lingenfelter C5 a few years back, it was quite a machine but very different from my SL.

I used to have an 07 E550, great car and reasonably quick, but it always left me a bit wanting in the performance category. Rather than mod it, I instead sold it and replaced it with my E63, night and day personality difference, and a much better car for my temperament.

I've always wanted an SL, actually got mine this past January, but did my research and test drove the different models. It was a tossup between the SL55 and the SL600 for me. I went with the 600 because it is rare, the V12 is a torque monster, seriously quick, while the car is also a top of the line luxury model....quite and refined enough to take the wife out on Saturday night, she loves the car for the luxury features.

I'm not sure what other Benzes you have owned, but I would categorize your car more as a luxury tourer. Before you delve into mods, you might want to take another look at the SL55.