SL-Class (R231) 2013 on: Discussion on the SL550

SL/R231: Does Anyone Use The S+ Mode?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Jul 28, 2019 | 09:50 PM
  #1  
Utopia Texas's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 936
From: Brookshire, Texas & Cat Spring, Texas
2019 SL550/2023 EQS 580 SUV
Does Anyone Use The S+ Mode?

Just curious if anyone uses the S+ transmission mode. Thanks....
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2019 | 12:15 AM
  #2  
Streamliner's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,201
Likes: 4,427
From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
I’ve tried all modes and S and S+ are just too noisy for me and it holds the gears too long. As much as I like the Curve setting, I feel that the transmission shifts way too soon in that setting. So, the Individual setting has become my favorite. If there was only a way to get the Curve setting to shift like the Individual, that would be the best of all worlds, IMO.
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2019 | 08:23 AM
  #3  
rmorin49's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
Veteran: Army
10 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 526
From: Hagerstown MD
2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i
Clearly I have a lot to learn. Have never heard of Curve setting. I drive in Comfort most of the time. Also didn't realize there was a way to set Individual mode.
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2019 | 08:47 AM
  #4  
threeMBs's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,530
Likes: 387
Only MBs - the best or nothing
Originally Posted by rmorin49
Clearly I have a lot to learn. Have never heard of Curve setting. I drive in Comfort most of the time. Also didn't realize there was a way to set Individual mode.
For sure regarding bolded text. None of those options are available on your car.
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2019 | 09:04 AM
  #5  
rmorin49's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
Veteran: Army
10 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 526
From: Hagerstown MD
2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i
This is good news. I have looked over my owners manual and did not remember reading about these options.
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2019 | 04:11 PM
  #6  
rorywquin's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 234
From: God's County (Yorkshire)
Shanks’s Pony
I rarely use S+ but do like the exhaust noise it gives. I live in the countryside with lots of windy roads and like the gearing in S on those roads......but (IMO,)S and S+ are pointless on the motorway.

The thing to remember is that the driver (safety) aids are reduced in S & even more in S+ (and I* depending on how you have set it up).also
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2019 | 12:17 AM
  #7  
Sky1's Avatar
Junior Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 42
Likes: 15
From: So Cal
SL550; BMW5; Bentley, CL550 Designo+all options
The SL550 pre facelift cars (‘13-‘16) do not have S+, only S. Tried it in S and the car is ridiculously fast!
Likely few replies to this topic due to fewer S+ R 231 cars.
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2019 | 01:20 AM
  #8  
billvp218's Avatar
Super Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 695
Likes: 153
From: USA
m157 SL63
I use it all the time. I would prefer that it held gears longer, actually. I'd prefer S+ to never drop below 2k RPMs (unless in 1st gears), gas mileage be damned.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

10 Coolest Mercedes-Benz Wagons of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

New Mercedes-AMG SUVs Arrive With NEW V8 Engine: 12 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish

 
story-5

7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 3, 2019 | 04:17 PM
  #9  
rorywquin's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 234
From: God's County (Yorkshire)
Shanks’s Pony
IMO - it depends on where you are driving.. S (or S+) on a motorway is pointless. Constant droning of a car wanting to be in a higher gear on the motorway is just unpleasant.
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2019 | 11:02 AM
  #10  
jmeyersnv's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 75
Likes: 11
From: Las Vegas
2017 SL450; 2012 Porsche Cayenne Turbo; 2005 Lexus SC430
All the time — except on multi-lane highways. Love the engine sound and gear shifts.
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2019 | 11:16 AM
  #11  
Streamliner's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,201
Likes: 4,427
From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by jmeyersnv
All the time — except on multi-lane highways. Love the engine sound and gear shifts.
The engine/exhaust sound on my SL450 is growing on me. I did not care for it at first, but I am warming to it, especially with the way it all works with the magnificent 9-speed transmission. Love the way it blips the throttle as it downshifts. The more and more I drive this car, I am amazed at what a bargain it is, compared to other luxury drop tops.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:14 AM.

story-0
10 Coolest Mercedes-Benz Wagons of All Time

Slideshow: These estates prove you don't need extra ride height to have performance, style, and everyday usability.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-23 14:16:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
New Mercedes-AMG SUVs Arrive With NEW V8 Engine: 12 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's updated GLE 63 S and GLS 63 bring a new-generation V8, subtle design revisions, and familiar supercar-rivaling performance figures.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-17 12:52:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production

Slideshow: Mercedes has never been afraid to experiment, and some of its strangest ideas turned out to be surprisingly successful.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look

Sideshow: A Middle Eastern tuner has transformed the Mercedes-AMG G 63 into an open-top special, replacing nearly every exterior panel in the process.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 15:29:50


VIEW MORE
story-4
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish

Slideshow: Six gift ideas your AMG loving dad or grad will cherish.

By | 2026-06-03 17:26:18


VIEW MORE
story-5
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built

Slideshow: Sometimes AMG builds fast sedans. Other times, it builds twin-turbo V12 land missiles and six-wheeled off-road monsters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 17:59:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-8
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE