SL/R230: SL and sports package
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2003
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From: Northern NJ
2014 BMW 550i
SL and sports package
My friend is about to order a SL500, and he was wondering about the disadvantages of the sports package. A couple of questions:
- Are the tires all season?
- Does it hurt the ride appreciably? (Or course the expectation is that it will hurt the ride, but a matter of how much?)
- Are the rims more prone to damage? Particularly, are they made of aluminum and subject to bent rims, etc? The car will be driven in pothole ridden New Jersey/New York City.
- And, does it improve the handling dramatically, or is it more of an appearance mod?
Thanks for your input.
- Are the tires all season?
- Does it hurt the ride appreciably? (Or course the expectation is that it will hurt the ride, but a matter of how much?)
- Are the rims more prone to damage? Particularly, are they made of aluminum and subject to bent rims, etc? The car will be driven in pothole ridden New Jersey/New York City.
- And, does it improve the handling dramatically, or is it more of an appearance mod?
Thanks for your input.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 894
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- They are performance tires, IE, they should not be used in the snow. However, performance tires *usually* perform well dry or wet.
- The ride will be more firm, but you will gain benefits from a better tire. You will also get more feedback from the road, which some people enjoy
- AMG wheels are pretty sturdy. They are not made from aluminum, rather, i believe it is a metal alloy. Plus, 18" wheels still allows plenty of tire profile. Unless you hit a major pothole at high speeds, you won't damage the wheels.
- It is both. You get a better tire plus 18" wheels look better on the SL.
IMO the sports package isn't worth it. The front, rear, and side aprons are a nice addition, but I think the sports package wheels are complete ***. Stock wheels are 17", so going for the sports package isn't a big upgrade on the wheels.
I think the best situation would be to go for the sports package and get a 19" wheel setup.
- The ride will be more firm, but you will gain benefits from a better tire. You will also get more feedback from the road, which some people enjoy
- AMG wheels are pretty sturdy. They are not made from aluminum, rather, i believe it is a metal alloy. Plus, 18" wheels still allows plenty of tire profile. Unless you hit a major pothole at high speeds, you won't damage the wheels.
- It is both. You get a better tire plus 18" wheels look better on the SL.
IMO the sports package isn't worth it. The front, rear, and side aprons are a nice addition, but I think the sports package wheels are complete ***. Stock wheels are 17", so going for the sports package isn't a big upgrade on the wheels.
I think the best situation would be to go for the sports package and get a 19" wheel setup.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Sugar Land, Texas
09' 335i coupe
yea, our sl has a sports package, it doesnt hurt the ride appreciably at all, actaully id think even if we didnt get the sports package the ride would be the same as slboy said
ano0oj
ano0oj
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sl and M-class E320 4Matic SLK350
I have to agree with jl88 - the "sports package" is a rip off. It costs Mercedes nothing extra to have altered side skirts and front air dam molding. What you get in a more expensive tire equates to a tire that needs to be replaced more often - and as the above poster noted you don't even get any appreciable feel that results in the driving experience being enhanced. Also I've noted on resale that you end up eating the cost of the sports package as a similar equipped SL without it has a five thousand dollar price advantage which is money you get to pocket.
At least in Canada you get an AMG badge to go with the "sports package" on the SL. In fact, the only statement the "sports package" makes is that you are a wannabe SL55 driver. If you are going to throw away an extra $5000 on purchase of an SL500 that looks like an SL55 then consider adding the extra bucks to get the real thing.
At least in Canada you get an AMG badge to go with the "sports package" on the SL. In fact, the only statement the "sports package" makes is that you are a wannabe SL55 driver. If you are going to throw away an extra $5000 on purchase of an SL500 that looks like an SL55 then consider adding the extra bucks to get the real thing.
Last edited by northbenz; Jun 24, 2003 at 04:41 AM.
