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2022 AMG SL63, 2015 Ferrari 458 Spyder, 2021 ALPINA B7
3 weeks with my my new SL
Time flies - when you are having fun - and it has been already three weeks since " making the deal".
Let's start with the " elephant in the room " - that big carbuncle that dominates the cabin - that king size center i-pad.
I wish MB had come up with a different idea rather than copying Tesla. However, it is what it is and I have moved on, The information is very easy to read and once you organize the menus the way you want, it works rather well. Things got markedly better after I read the hint from CL that you can just press the button to make it open and close. Certainly a lot more sensible than that finger print inducing slider. Talking about finger prints, I now keep a super soft cloth in the center arm storage and wipe it once a day - problem solved. As I said I wish MB had a been a bit more stylish, but you have to have the screen if you want the car.
What I love about the car:
Love the look of the car - with the roof down
Love that open air feeling
Love the sound of the engine
Love how the car deals with the nasty Washington DC roads, with aplomb and rattle free
Love the comfortable and supportive seats
Love the ambient lights and feeling of the cabin at night
Love the handling of the car - it really sticks to the road like glue
Love the incredible acceleration and performance
Love the sound system ( now that I figured out how to make it work for me)
Not so much:
Overkill and at times counterintuitive technology - there is a great Gernan expression : Too much " Klim-Bim"
I am disappointed that certain instrument that have been in sports car since the beginning of time were removed - e.g. Oil Pressure Gauge
So, I realize that plastic is necessary in every car produced these days - however, not all plastic has to look cheap. Unfortunately cheapness is what comes to mind as I look some of the panels in the SL.
There is a problem with wind noise on the driver's side above 60 mph when the roof is closed, to be dealt with when we come back from vacation .
Extreme difficulties reaching MB customer service using the number on the app - 404 -...... 0/4 to be precise - I just gave up.
Thx, kind of same impression I had after one day of (test) driving the new SL63 head to head with an AMG GT-R, AMG GT 63s ePerformance and my S63 converible.
I had my GTS Edition 1 for 7 1/2 years loved that car, however, DC roads really took the enjoyment out of driving.
Great, and then indeed the new AMG GT Roadster, uh, sorry, AMG SL63 is a fantastic upgrade on almost every aspect I think!
Hope you can enjoy for another 7+ years!
1. What is “Kim Bim”?
2. Which plastic pieces?
3. Do you think the wind noise to all SLs or just your? Appreciate you sharing the follow up on this with MB.
2022 AMG SL63, 2015 Ferrari 458 Spyder, 2021 ALPINA B7
Klimbim is one of those cute poignant terms for which there is no literal translation - loosely it means too much unnecessary junk that really nobody really needs😄
Hawk, do you also have wind noise over 60 with the top down? What can be the cause?
Of course you will always have (some) wind noise with the roof down, at any speed, but it depends on the car (especially the length!) and the wind deflector if it is acceptable for you or not.
Example: my previous Audi convertible (RS5) was a mid-size car (4m70 or so?), with a good wind deflector, so it was comfortable to drive 130 kmh (80 mph?) with the roof down and have a normal conversation, but of course there is still wind noise, etc. I even drove > 280 kmh with the roof down (in Germany) then of course you just enjoy and don't say a thing
After that came the pre-facelift S63 convertible: much longer car (>5 meter) and with an almost useless electric wind deflector in the back and on the front window shield....... Result: when driving 90 kmh (55 mph?) wind noise, etc felt the same as 130 kmh in the Audi. But also then I drove > 280 kmh on the Autobahn sometimes
Now I have the facelift S63 convertible, WITH the optional black windshield behind the front seats, and that is a major upgrade! Result: when driving 120 kmh (75 mph?) the same wind noise, etc as 130 kmh in the Audi, so regarding wind noise almost on par. Even drove few times > 300 kmh in Germany with it
When driving the SL63 AMG WITH the black windshield behind the front seats, it felt the same as my current S63, maybe even a little better (less windnoise), since it is a much shorter car. Drove 265 kmh during the test drive with it.
2022 AMG SL63, 2015 Ferrari 458 Spyder, 2021 ALPINA B7
In case I expressed myself poorly- the wind noise happens when the roof is closed, at speeds above 60 mph, just as was observed in the review of the German Magazine AUTOMOTORUNDSPORT.
In case I expressed myself poorly- the wind noise happens when the roof is closed, at speeds above 60 mph, just as was observed in the review of the German Magazine AUTOMOTORUNDSPORT.
Yes I miss worded. Noise when closed is a concern.
In case I expressed myself poorly- the wind noise happens when the roof is closed, at speeds above 60 mph, just as was observed in the review of the German Magazine AUTOMOTORUNDSPORT.
Hmmm, that is indeed not good. During my long test drive with the SL63, we also drove with the roof closed, and up to about 200 kmh no wind noise.
Same as in my current S class convertible, only when you drive above 250 kmh or so, there is some very light windnoise, but at "normal" Autobahn speeds, you don't notice driving in a convertible!
Time flies - when you are having fun - and it has been already three weeks since " making the deal".
Let's start with the " elephant in the room " - that big carbuncle that dominates the cabin - that king size center i-pad.
I wish MB had come up with a different idea rather than copying Tesla. However, it is what it is and I have moved on, The information is very easy to read and once you organize the menus the way you want, it works rather well. Things got markedly better after I read the hint from CL that you can just press the button to make it open and close. Certainly a lot more sensible than that finger print inducing slider. Talking about finger prints, I now keep a super soft cloth in the center arm storage and wipe it once a day - problem solved. As I said I wish MB had a been a bit more stylish, but you have to have the screen if you want the car.
What I love about the car:
Love the look of the car - with the roof down
Love that open air feeling
Love the sound of the engine
Love how the car deals with the nasty Washington DC roads, with aplomb and rattle free
Love the comfortable and supportive seats
Love the ambient lights and feeling of the cabin at night
Love the handling of the car - it really sticks to the road like glue
Love the incredible acceleration and performance
Love the sound system ( now that I figured out how to make it work for me)
Not so much:
Overkill and at times counterintuitive technology - there is a great Gernan expression : Too much " Klim-Bim"
I am disappointed that certain instrument that have been in sports car since the beginning of time were removed - e.g. Oil Pressure Gauge
So, I realize that plastic is necessary in every car produced these days - however, not all plastic has to look cheap. Unfortunately cheapness is what comes to mind as I look some of the panels in the SL.
There is a problem with wind noise on the driver's side above 60 mph when the roof is closed, to be dealt with when we come back from vacation .
Extreme difficulties reaching MB customer service using the number on the app - 404 -...... 0/4 to be precise - I just gave up.
That's it for today !
Good thoughts and a good note on the top open/close button rather than having to use the digital slider which is iffy at best. Plus, I made an entry in another thread that the cornering with the active anti-roll feature is amazing. Stays really planted on the road.
My top had to be adjusted since there have been two factory updates on how it works better with some tweaks and a new controller so you should be prepared for that possibility. Also, it took several weeks for an online manual to show up, but it finally did recently.
My only real complaint is that the AC seems to go to have reduced compressor power when I am stopped at a light even with the engine auto-stop feature turned off. In South Texas weather, that is a real issue when the top is down and there is no speed/wind moving to cool you down. Supposedly the dealer is looking into this but I am worried the compressor slow down is built in by the factory rather than a glitch. It sucks on a hot day with the engine heat boiling up into the cabin
too.
Good thoughts and a good note on the top open/close button rather than having to use the digital slider which is iffy at best. Plus, I made an entry in another thread that the cornering with the active anti-roll feature is amazing. Stays really planted on the road.
My top had to be adjusted since there have been two factory updates on how it works better with some tweaks and a new controller so you should be prepared for that possibility. Also, it took several weeks for an online manual to show up, but it finally did recently.
My only real complaint is that the AC seems to go to have reduced compressor power when I am stopped at a light even with the engine auto-stop feature turned off. In South Texas weather, that is a real issue when the top is down and there is no speed/wind moving to cool you down. Supposedly the dealer is looking into this but I am worried the compressor slow down is built in by the factory rather than a glitch. It sucks on a hot day with the engine heat boiling up into the cabin
too.
Anybody else with this problem and or a solution?
interesting you say that. When I was test driving the one I ordered I thought there wa ps something wrong with the AC. Service checked it out and everything was working as it,should. I had to set it at 68 to keep the inside cold and it never came on very strong. Salesman thought it was just their new compressor they are using not good in Texas or Florida.
interesting you say that. When I was test driving the one I ordered I thought there wa ps something wrong with the AC. Service checked it out and everything was working as it,should. I had to set it at 68 to keep the inside cold and it never came on very strong. Salesman thought it was just their new compressor they are using not good in Texas or Florida.
I recall a story from my BMW years -- In the '70s BMW A/C was marginal and not adequate for TX or FL. Dealers were getting a lot of complaints. So in July, the Dallas BMW dealer hosted several top German BMW execs and picked them up at the airport with the windows closed and full A/C. The Germans had not understood and appreciated the temperature and humidity in these environments. Shortly thereafter, BMW made big improvements to their A/C systems.
Good thoughts and a good note on the top open/close button rather than having to use the digital slider which is iffy at best. Plus, I made an entry in another thread that the cornering with the active anti-roll feature is amazing. Stays really planted on the road.
My top had to be adjusted since there have been two factory updates on how it works better with some tweaks and a new controller so you should be prepared for that possibility. Also, it took several weeks for an online manual to show up, but it finally did recently.
My only real complaint is that the AC seems to go to have reduced compressor power when I am stopped at a light even with the engine auto-stop feature turned off. In South Texas weather, that is a real issue when the top is down and there is no speed/wind moving to cool you down. Supposedly the dealer is looking into this but I am worried the compressor slow down is built in by the factory rather than a glitch. It sucks on a hot day with the engine heat boiling up into the cabin
too.
Anybody else with this problem and or a solution?
Love the color! I haven't noticed this in So Cal as yet...and we do have hot weather. But it could be my circumstances have not put me in a similar situation. What was your complaint that led them to adjust the top? Again I haven't noticed any problem with it...but it could just be my use case...I hardly ever have it closed! Yes, the car stays planted. It just digs in and not only stays flat - it doesn't want rotate too soon! I haven't noticed any over or understeer. I have also found the further I get into the MBUX system that there is a huge amount of information available. And the ability to customize the "dashboard" is remarkable. They tried to make it simple and easy for those who don't want a lot of "drilled down" info or more complex for those who want that. I personally don't want to be watching my g forces in all directions as my eyes need to be on the road when I am pushing it...but it would be fun to know how many g's I was pulling at the exit to a very fast corner! But in a situation like that I am focused first to my turn in marker and then to my exit point and my eyes need to be there! If my eyes go down to the dash to see the actual g's God knows where the car would end up!
Love the color! I haven't noticed this in So Cal as yet...and we do have hot weather. But it could be my circumstances have not put me in a similar situation. What was your complaint that led them to adjust the top? Again I haven't noticed any problem with it...but it could just be my use case...I hardly ever have it closed! Yes, the car stays planted. It just digs in and not only stays flat - it doesn't want rotate too soon! I haven't noticed any over or understeer. I have also found the further I get into the MBUX system that there is a huge amount of information available. And the ability to customize the "dashboard" is remarkable. They tried to make it simple and easy for those who don't want a lot of "drilled down" info or more complex for those who want that. I personally don't want to be watching my g forces in all directions as my eyes need to be on the road when I am pushing it...but it would be fun to know how many g's I was pulling at the exit to a very fast corner! But in a situation like that I am focused first to my turn in marker and then to my exit point and my eyes need to be there! If my eyes go down to the dash to see the actual g's God knows where the car would end up!
When I used the button push twice or the onscreen slider, the wings would open but the top would just shudder a bit then stay in place. It wasn't pleasant stuck in traffic jam in 98* heat with AC compressor blowing weak air and the top is completely stuck even after the wings open.
The 2000 Honda Civic behind me must have been chortling while I tried multiple times to get it to close while he was cool as a cucumber. Dealer finally got the factory updates and got it fixed ok so far.
When I used the button push twice or the onscreen slider, the wings would open but the top would just shudder a bit then stay in place. It wasn't pleasant stuck in traffic jam in 98* heat with AC compressor blowing weak air and the top is completely stuck even after the wings open.
The 2000 Honda Civic behind me must have been chortling while I tried multiple times to get it to close while he was cool as a cucumber. Dealer finally got the factory updates and got it fixed ok so far.
I finally got it figured out, When I got the sequence right I get it every time. But on the screen, not the button on lower left, you have to drag way over and not let go or go too far while it is in motion. Poor UI. Not tested properly on real humans.
I finally got it figured out, When I got the sequence right I get it every time. But on the screen, not the button on lower left, you have to drag way over and not let go or go too far while it is in motion. Poor UI. Not tested properly on real humans.
All that is true, you do have to keep your finger exactly in the slider space but the additional issues are the controller unit may need replacing and the rollers need lubricating. Using the button twice does work if the top itself is working ok. An analog toggle switch would have been better. Using the screen slider is virtually impossible when using it on a normal road up to the stated MPH capability. It doesn't tolerate anything outside its tight parameters.
Great, and then indeed the new AMG GT Roadster, uh, sorry, AMG SL63 is a fantastic upgrade on almost every aspect I think!
Hope you can enjoy for another 7+ years!
To be clear, there will be a new AMG GT- the SL63 is not it! The SL63 is growing on me; but not enough positives to warrant a change from my GTC, which I doubt I will ever sell.
The price is also a head-scratcher, even in this time of high inflation. It’s almost 100% more than the brand new fully loaded 2019 GTC I purchased!!!
To be clear, there will be a new AMG GT- the SL63 is not it! The SL63 is growing on me; but not enough positives to warrant a change from my GTC, which I doubt I will ever sell.
The price is also a head-scratcher, even in this time of high inflation. It’s almost 100% more than the brand new fully loaded 2019 GTC I purchased!!!
And more than double to cost of my 2019 SL550 with that very, very expensive retractable hardtop.
2022 AMG SL63, 2015 Ferrari 458 Spyder, 2021 ALPINA B7
So, I totally "get" your affection for the GTC.
However, also to be fair, I looked and found the invoice for my 2016 AMG GTS Edition 1, which I bought in May of 2015.
the invoice was for $ 144 k plus tax - so just over $ 150 k in total, and that did not include Carbon Ceramic Brakes or the High End Audio. which roughly add about $ 14 k.
So, the 2022 SL 63 cost $ 207 which would make this a $ 49 k ( 31% ) increase in cost after 7 years, equating to about 4.5 % annualized - I don't think that is totally obscene.
All that is true, you do have to keep your finger exactly in the slider space but the additional issues are the controller unit may need replacing and the rollers need lubricating. Using the button twice does work if the top itself is working ok. An analog toggle switch would have been better. Using the screen slider is virtually impossible when using it on a normal road up to the stated MPH capability. It doesn't tolerate anything outside its tight parameters.
Good point. I didn’t think the GTS was that much 7 years ago.
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