SL/R231: Dead forum?
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Dead forum?
I suspect we have about 10 guys with an R231 on this board and everyone is enjoying their cars. Which makes this forum a bit of a boring destination. Nothing to read or post...
This is normal with a low production new model, but I am curious about other experiences...
Do you like your rides? Apart from ECO, that is? Is anyone planning any upgrades or mods? If so, what and post some pics/videos...
I am personally not a modder, but like to take the car to the point how I like it best. Close to OEM but improved
So here is my list:
Lower the car - Done
Upgrade wheels/tires -Done
Install AMG aluminum shift paddles - tbd
Renntech ECU upgrade - tbd
This is normal with a low production new model, but I am curious about other experiences...
Do you like your rides? Apart from ECO, that is? Is anyone planning any upgrades or mods? If so, what and post some pics/videos...
I am personally not a modder, but like to take the car to the point how I like it best. Close to OEM but improved
So here is my list:
Lower the car - Done
Upgrade wheels/tires -Done
Install AMG aluminum shift paddles - tbd
Renntech ECU upgrade - tbd
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 623
Likes: 131
From: pittsburgh
'25 740i; '15 targa4s; '24 cayenne
yeah, wolfy - i think everyone is out enjoying their cars now that summer is here! you know - playing with them instead of writing about them. i'm only on the site this afternoon cos im kickin back with a single malt and waiting for the preakness.
i don't mod my cars. ever. i usually trade them in for a new one every year so it is not worth it. however, this one has my heart - so i may keep it for maybe two years or so. i got the multi-spoke 19" wheel option (not amg) and i have yet to see another sl around chicagoland with "my" wheels. makes it tough to be anonymous. haha!
eco does not bother me any more; i am used to it. and now i know and am confident it will not leave me stranded in the middle of the intersection, which was always my fear. im good with it now and don't pay that much attention to it any more.
i only had a few hiccups/ teething problems which have been corrected (and documented on this site). otherwise, this car is brill. i get thumbs up from at least someone every day. it sort of makes me uncomfortable but now im diggin that others like it. i think it looks and rides terrific. i would buy it again in heartbeat. i have not one bad thing to say about this machine.
and i agree that this site is dead. compare this site to the bimmerfest site for the 5 series (f10). now THAT is a bizee site!
i don't mod my cars. ever. i usually trade them in for a new one every year so it is not worth it. however, this one has my heart - so i may keep it for maybe two years or so. i got the multi-spoke 19" wheel option (not amg) and i have yet to see another sl around chicagoland with "my" wheels. makes it tough to be anonymous. haha!
eco does not bother me any more; i am used to it. and now i know and am confident it will not leave me stranded in the middle of the intersection, which was always my fear. im good with it now and don't pay that much attention to it any more.
i only had a few hiccups/ teething problems which have been corrected (and documented on this site). otherwise, this car is brill. i get thumbs up from at least someone every day. it sort of makes me uncomfortable but now im diggin that others like it. i think it looks and rides terrific. i would buy it again in heartbeat. i have not one bad thing to say about this machine.
and i agree that this site is dead. compare this site to the bimmerfest site for the 5 series (f10). now THAT is a bizee site!
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: New York
SL550
I agree the thread has been quiet. I have a 2014 SL550 ordered that I am picking up in Europe first week of Sept. I was considering the Renntech ECU mod but I cannot find anyone who has done this. Also, I cannot get a definitive answer as to whether the warranty is voided by the ECU mod. In addition, I have never seen any posts about people who have ordered the Designo Edition. I was toying around getting either the Sienna Brown or Light Brown Designo interior with the Iridium Silver outside. Any suggestions? Any Comments?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 413
From: Irvine, California
2022 AMG SL63
Yep. I guess most of us either went to the site to get a problem solved and then bugged out never to return unless another issues prompts its head - or are out driving in the nice weather.
I also am curious about the Renntech ECU mod - and emailed them a detailed letter with questions about it - same ones we all have - and they never responded....a month or two ago. I sent it from their site too. If they can't respond to a letter inquiring about their product can they respond to an actual problem one might have once they have purchased their product? Hmmm.
I also am curious about the Renntech ECU mod - and emailed them a detailed letter with questions about it - same ones we all have - and they never responded....a month or two ago. I sent it from their site too. If they can't respond to a letter inquiring about their product can they respond to an actual problem one might have once they have purchased their product? Hmmm.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 395
Likes: 1
From: Florida
AMG SLS & S coupe
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 413
From: Irvine, California
2022 AMG SL63
For me, the ECO has always been a bit problematic. However I've come to understand how it works and now it is fairly predictable. It seems that the biggest variable is the differential between indoor and outdoor temperatures. Since I have my car's top down 90% of the time (Southern California), I am often at odds with optimum settings as the air conditioning and heating unit is most often turned off - therefore the temperature inside the car is just whatever it happens to be.
The car rides very well - I have the AMG package (with ABC) - which I keep in sport setting all of the time. Going around corners rapidly, the car stays quite level. There is very little pitch, yaw, roll, dive, squat - or any of that extraneous body movement. I especially appreciate that coming from a racing background. In my racing background my *** was usually about 8 inches above the ground on the race track with only a thin sheet of aluminum separating me from the track. Now, a race car handles better the harder you drive it as the suspension is optimized for the limit. Our R231 is nothing like a race car - or a Porsche for that matter - but this is not a car I wanted for track days and the new 911 convertible I drove was smaller inside, much noisier and slower!
The R231 is very solid and happy to be driven fast and hard as long as hard doesn't mean quick transitions back and forth like carving up a back canyon. I love the car - its speed, handling, looks and comfort.
The car rides very well - I have the AMG package (with ABC) - which I keep in sport setting all of the time. Going around corners rapidly, the car stays quite level. There is very little pitch, yaw, roll, dive, squat - or any of that extraneous body movement. I especially appreciate that coming from a racing background. In my racing background my *** was usually about 8 inches above the ground on the race track with only a thin sheet of aluminum separating me from the track. Now, a race car handles better the harder you drive it as the suspension is optimized for the limit. Our R231 is nothing like a race car - or a Porsche for that matter - but this is not a car I wanted for track days and the new 911 convertible I drove was smaller inside, much noisier and slower!
The R231 is very solid and happy to be driven fast and hard as long as hard doesn't mean quick transitions back and forth like carving up a back canyon. I love the car - its speed, handling, looks and comfort.
Last edited by California John; May 19, 2013 at 04:17 PM.
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,534
Likes: 3,669
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
We live in a more moderate climate and ECO works all the time. There are a few conditions in between which have to do with heating/cooling that deactivate it, but it definitely works as advertised.
That said, it's the first thing I turn off along with switching the transmission from E to S. very annoying that it won't remember the transmission setting as the old SL.
Will definitely go back to the ABC suspension on the next one.
Re. Renntech, it is a highly regarded, if expensive, tuning company. The founder came from AMG and I have never heard of any their tunes desctroying an engine.
There are certainly other quality lower-cost tuners out there like Eurospeed and speeddriven, but very few hav tunes for the R231 yet.
Just call Renntech and/or find a local shop who offers Renntech...
That said, it's the first thing I turn off along with switching the transmission from E to S. very annoying that it won't remember the transmission setting as the old SL.
Will definitely go back to the ABC suspension on the next one.
Re. Renntech, it is a highly regarded, if expensive, tuning company. The founder came from AMG and I have never heard of any their tunes desctroying an engine.
There are certainly other quality lower-cost tuners out there like Eurospeed and speeddriven, but very few hav tunes for the R231 yet.
Just call Renntech and/or find a local shop who offers Renntech...
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,534
Likes: 3,669
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
yeah, wolfy - i think everyone is out enjoying their cars now that summer is here! you know - playing with them instead of writing about them. i'm only on the site this afternoon cos im kickin back with a single malt and waiting for the preakness.
i don't mod my cars. ever. i usually trade them in for a new one every year so it is not worth it. however, this one has my heart - so i may keep it for maybe two years or so. i got the multi-spoke 19" wheel option (not amg) and i have yet to see another sl around chicagoland with "my" wheels. makes it tough to be anonymous. haha!
eco does not bother me any more; i am used to it. and now i know and am confident it will not leave me stranded in the middle of the intersection, which was always my fear. im good with it now and don't pay that much attention to it any more.
i only had a few hiccups/ teething problems which have been corrected (and documented on this site). otherwise, this car is brill. i get thumbs up from at least someone every day. it sort of makes me uncomfortable but now im diggin that others like it. i think it looks and rides terrific. i would buy it again in heartbeat. i have not one bad thing to say about this machine.
and i agree that this site is dead. compare this site to the bimmerfest site for the 5 series (f10). now THAT is a bizee site!
i don't mod my cars. ever. i usually trade them in for a new one every year so it is not worth it. however, this one has my heart - so i may keep it for maybe two years or so. i got the multi-spoke 19" wheel option (not amg) and i have yet to see another sl around chicagoland with "my" wheels. makes it tough to be anonymous. haha!
eco does not bother me any more; i am used to it. and now i know and am confident it will not leave me stranded in the middle of the intersection, which was always my fear. im good with it now and don't pay that much attention to it any more.
i only had a few hiccups/ teething problems which have been corrected (and documented on this site). otherwise, this car is brill. i get thumbs up from at least someone every day. it sort of makes me uncomfortable but now im diggin that others like it. i think it looks and rides terrific. i would buy it again in heartbeat. i have not one bad thing to say about this machine.
and i agree that this site is dead. compare this site to the bimmerfest site for the 5 series (f10). now THAT is a bizee site!
Bimmerfest is very active to be sure. Have a 2012 750li x-drive and there is a lot of posting even on that model. I am looking at the new S-Class now which will be a fun upgrade to the 7
How about posting a pic so we can see your car looks with those wheels. Never seen one either...
Enjoy your SL!
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
1988 560SL (sold); 2001 E430 (sold); 2004 SL500; 2009 CL550
J1013 - What date are you picking up your car? I am picking up my 63 on the 5th. I did order the Designo interior - we already did it in our CL and it was definitely worth it.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 623
Likes: 131
From: pittsburgh
'25 740i; '15 targa4s; '24 cayenne
here is a pix of the car with the 19" multi-spoke (non amg) wheel option (code 11r) they are painted and look similar to the wheels that came standard on the previous gen sl amg.
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,534
Likes: 3,669
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Nice! Definitely gives the car a different look than the ubiquitous AMG SL wheel. If they are anything like my old SL55 turbine wheels, they are a real pain to clean.
Are the lots of new SL's in Chicago? In Minneapolis, I have only come across maybe half a dozen or so. Rare bird...
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 623
Likes: 131
From: pittsburgh
'25 740i; '15 targa4s; '24 cayenne
any of those turbine fan-type wheels can be a real be-yatch to clean. my 07 s550 had a similar spoke and they were tough to clean. but these painted wheels on the sl seem not to attract the brake dust as much as the non-painted wheels for some reason. that is to say, the brake dust doesn't seem to cling as much to them. they are still higher maintenance then the standard five spoke wide easy access to clean wheels of the amg ,,,
as to the chicagoland "sl experience," i see a few in my neighborhood and a few on the motorways around here, but they still seem to be far and few between. not sure why. low 13 builds? people think it is ugly? too much $, yada. whatevs - me likey mine a lot. what i do find interesting is the number of used ones for sale already at all the dealers around here. it's like people drive them for 2k-3k miles and dump them for some reason. probably eco! haha. which is too bad cos eco ain't goin' away on other new models.
as to the chicagoland "sl experience," i see a few in my neighborhood and a few on the motorways around here, but they still seem to be far and few between. not sure why. low 13 builds? people think it is ugly? too much $, yada. whatevs - me likey mine a lot. what i do find interesting is the number of used ones for sale already at all the dealers around here. it's like people drive them for 2k-3k miles and dump them for some reason. probably eco! haha. which is too bad cos eco ain't goin' away on other new models.
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,534
Likes: 3,669
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
any of those turbine fan-type wheels can be a real be-yatch to clean. my 07 s550 had a similar spoke and they were tough to clean. but these painted wheels on the sl seem not to attract the brake dust as much as the non-painted wheels for some reason. that is to say, the brake dust doesn't seem to cling as much to them. they are still higher maintenance then the standard five spoke wide easy access to clean wheels of the amg ,,,
as to the chicagoland "sl experience," i see a few in my neighborhood and a few on the motorways around here, but they still seem to be far and few between. not sure why. low 13 builds? people think it is ugly? too much $, yada. whatevs - me likey mine a lot. what i do find interesting is the number of used ones for sale already at all the dealers around here. it's like people drive them for 2k-3k miles and dump them for some reason. probably eco! haha. which is too bad cos eco ain't goin' away on other new models.
as to the chicagoland "sl experience," i see a few in my neighborhood and a few on the motorways around here, but they still seem to be far and few between. not sure why. low 13 builds? people think it is ugly? too much $, yada. whatevs - me likey mine a lot. what i do find interesting is the number of used ones for sale already at all the dealers around here. it's like people drive them for 2k-3k miles and dump them for some reason. probably eco! haha. which is too bad cos eco ain't goin' away on other new models.
The new SL is much better in so many ways. Had the R230 for 11 years and was ready to move on. I could be talked into an new SL63, but that's about it.
I like our wheels for the ease of cleaning, but they also get dirty in a cool kind of way. They have polished aluminum spokes with gunmetal paint in-between so they look darker. As brake dust builds up the wheels actually turn more titanium. With a silver car that looks actually right
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65
Likes: 3
From: So. Kalifornia
17 SL550 (Designo Edition), 08 C300, 13 Mini Cooper, 17 Macan GTS, 18 720s
We are really enjoying our new SL. The only regret is not having easy close doors, like on the S-Class. Might do the Renntech ECU, but not seeing the value in .5 second improvement, car is fast enough in my opinion.
If I want a faster car, can hope in the Ferrari - just got a 599 GTB, sold the 360 after 6 years of trouble free use.
MB
If I want a faster car, can hope in the Ferrari - just got a 599 GTB, sold the 360 after 6 years of trouble free use.
MB
Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: TX
2013 SL550 Tectite Black
I am still not used to the ECO. First thing I do is turn it off, change the mode to sports, and get the top down. Wish the memory setting would do all of this. I have the easy close doors ... much different than the W221 easy close doors ... Easy close doors on my SL are much more subtle and it takes a second or so for them to engage (I am guessing there was a difference between the pneumatic doors and these doors) ... I did have an issue with the headlamps fogging up the first week I had my car. The dealer ordered new headlamps. Other than that, all is good. I do get a lot of thumbs-up and compliments on this model as compared to my '11 SL. The magnetite black is harder to keep clean as opposed to the diamond white. I will post pictures this weekend. Happy riding. 
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,534
Likes: 3,669
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
We are really enjoying our new SL. The only regret is not having easy close doors, like on the S-Class. Might do the Renntech ECU, but not seeing the value in .5 second improvement, car is fast enough in my opinion.
If I want a faster car, can hope in the Ferrari - just got a 599 GTB, sold the 360 after 6 years of trouble free use.
MB
If I want a faster car, can hope in the Ferrari - just got a 599 GTB, sold the 360 after 6 years of trouble free use.
MB
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 395
Likes: 1
From: Florida
AMG SLS & S coupe
If I turn the A/C on, the system goes yellow as expected. When the ducts cool down, I still have to restart the engine for the ECO to turn green.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: MA
13 SL550, 14 E63 Wagon, 15 S550, 11 M3, 08 F430 Spider, 12 ML350
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,534
Likes: 3,669
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,534
Likes: 3,669
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
After the car warms up, I can force the ECO to turn green by restarting the engine. This works about half the time. Otherwise it doesn't work 90% of the time.
If I turn the A/C on, the system goes yellow as expected. When the ducts cool down, I still have to restart the engine for the ECO to turn green.
If I turn the A/C on, the system goes yellow as expected. When the ducts cool down, I still have to restart the engine for the ECO to turn green.
