SL55 AMG, SL63 AMG, SL65 AMG (R230) 2002 - 2011 (2003 US for SL55 and 2004 for the SL65)

SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: anybody lighten up their car at all for better et ?

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Old Dec 25, 2009 | 11:18 AM
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2003 SL55,2020 GTC ,2017 GTS sold ,2002 G500 Sold,2003 SL500 Sold,
anybody lighten up their car at all for better et ?

looking to get rid of some weight to get better et,s
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Old Dec 25, 2009 | 11:53 AM
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SL55 AMG
Tough to know what you'd remove. The seats are hugely heavy because they are strong enough to provide seat belt anchorages; the roof mechanism is heavy which is why the SL65 Black is a fixed roof coupe. The fact remains the SL is a bit of an overweight porker which will dull the performance and turn-in. Not much you can do about it.
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Old Dec 25, 2009 | 07:39 PM
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'03 SL55
Stuff I've done:
  1. Empty the trunk
  2. Remove the passenger seat (will cause an SRS error that can only be reset through Star Diagnostics)
  3. Lightweight wheels
That will help shave off a tenth or two. After that it gets much more difficult.
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Old Dec 26, 2009 | 12:51 AM
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Originally Posted by jmf003
Stuff I've done:
  1. Empty the trunk
  2. Remove the passenger seat (will cause an SRS error that can only be reset through Star Diagnostics)
  3. Lightweight wheels
That will help shave off a tenth or two. After that it gets much more difficult.


Just a question but could you also have removed all of the insulation from the doors? I'm just remembering the movie highwaymen, where the cop tells the detective the car they are looking for has no insulation in the doors.
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Old Dec 26, 2009 | 04:54 AM
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Even the most ambitious weight reduction programs by manufacturers struggle to achieve more than 100 kg and they involve things like plastic windows, no carpets and smaller capacity batteries - the SL is hampered by not one but two of the things. Some manufacturers are now selling Li-Ion batteries to save weight, but at a price.

Other measures would be to run the tank as close to empty as possible - no point carrying a full tank of fuel everywhere and for the OP to quit going to MacDonalds for lunch. Losing a few pounds might make a difference...
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Old Dec 26, 2009 | 09:10 PM
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06 SL65 / 97 993tt /11 Suburban/ 2012 GTR (AMG è la mia Famiglia la Bestia è la mia protezione)
The SL65 wheels, while beautiful, are HEAVY (close to 40lbs each)...so I would start there...my rear ADV's are 21lbs each and the fronts are 17lbs...they also have drag wheels (18" all the way around which are 17lbs each)...

You could also get lighter rear (?) rotors...I believe Evosport made a lighter set and I believe (by memory) that it'll save you about 14lbs...which I eventually will do...

At the track, I just show up with about a 1/4 tank...
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