SL/R231: Favorite Driving Mode
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Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Las Vegas
2017 SL450; 2012 Porsche Cayenne Turbo; 2005 Lexus SC430
Favorite Driving Mode
Which driving mode(s) do you like to use most? For me, it is Sport+ for the engine sounds and downshifting and Curve for comfort. Most of the time these days it is in Sport+; I have a 2017 SL450.
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From: Brookshire, Texas & Cat Spring, Texas
2019 SL550/2023 EQS 580 SUV
Most of my driving is Hiway and back rural roads at 70-80mph and I don't see much advantage running high rpm's at those speeds so I usually use the C mode. I also want as quiet of a ride as possible and have no need to attract attention so exhaust burble does nothing for me. I will drop into S mode occasionally for twisting roads but in my part of Texas there are a lot of deer near roadways and occasional cows and tractors to watch out for while driving.
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AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Sport is default, Sport Plus & manual when the transmission shift logic gets too lazy. Never Comfort or Curve; don't like the shift patterns. Keep in mind that the SL450 has a louder exhaust than our SL550
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AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
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From: Franklin, TN
2019 E450 wagon: 2019 BMW 430i: 2013 Chevy Traverse: (departed)2013 SL550 & 2019 E450 cab
Around town, it's E, just set it and forget it. On the Natchez Trace, it's Sport; better transitional throttle. In the mountains, it's Manual. I want to know what the gear is, and I want to keep it in the right RPM range. But I will have to admit that the Sport mode provides a rather spot on and robust attention to the immediate road conditions, even in the mountains. This is an itelligent car. One that you can set and drive, regardless of circumstance. It is all fun!
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From: God's County (Yorkshire)
Shanks’s Pony
I live in the countryside with twisty roads that I know well so S+ on those roads or similar roads when I want to have a bit of a thrash . C or CV (still not sure if I like about CV) on the motorways and in traffic with distronic and lane keeping activated - pointless driving 100s of miles at a high RPM on the motorway. I need to fiddle with I mode again as I like the responsiveness of the car / gearbox in S and S+ but would like to combine that with a softer ride on some roads.
I find the 9 gear a huge improvement on the 7 gear SLK the I had before this. I was in M or flicking the paddles most of the time in the SLK
I find the 9 gear a huge improvement on the 7 gear SLK the I had before this. I was in M or flicking the paddles most of the time in the SLK
Last edited by rorywquin; Dec 27, 2017 at 04:07 AM.
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Los Angeles, CA
S65, SL65
Sport plus - I’m addicted to the deep burble and pops of the biturbo v12 exhaust system. Comfort mode for SF city driving. SF streets are really suffering from all the construction. These newer SLs are truly underrated. Wonderful machines.
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From: So. Kalifornia
17 SL550 (Designo Edition), 08 C300, 13 Mini Cooper, 17 Macan GTS, 18 720s
Just got a new SL550, I would say the Sport+ is just too aggressive for daily use. Sure the exhaust note is better, blips on downshifts and all that, but unless you are canyon carving, just not practical for normal use. Also road tests show the SL delivers the "full beans" in all modes, so not sure what is left to prove...save the gas and don't be a baller. LOL
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From: southeastern NC
'18 SL 550, '19 1500 Z71 Silverado LTZ, '19 Mustang convertible
Just got a new SL550, I would say the Sport+ is just too aggressive for daily use. Sure the exhaust note is better, blips on downshifts and all that, but unless you are canyon carving, just not practical for normal use. Also road tests show the SL delivers the "full beans" in all modes, so not sure what is left to prove...save the gas and don't be a baller. LOL
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Just got a new SL550, I would say the Sport+ is just too aggressive for daily use. Sure the exhaust note is better, blips on downshifts and all that, but unless you are canyon carving, just not practical for normal use. Also road tests show the SL delivers the "full beans" in all modes, so not sure what is left to prove...save the gas and don't be a baller. LOL
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I guess I have to disagree a bit. The modes don't have anything to do with the engine anyway, so you will get the same power but the transmission shift patterns is what makes it noticeably different. Plus the suspension changes more with ABC (height and body roll). The change in steering wheel is very light only ...
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From: God's County (Yorkshire)
Shanks’s Pony
I guess I have to disagree a bit. The modes don't have anything to do with the engine anyway, so you will get the same power but the transmission shift patterns is what makes it noticeably different. Plus the suspension changes more with ABC (height and body roll). The change in steering wheel is very light only ...
