Was Going to Buy Another Black One:

But I promised myself no more Black, just too much extra work, although I freely admit that a cleaned up polished Black is the best looking IMO.

Here's my new Baby. Clear Bra and Tinted Windows are the only changes. So far. Looking into lowering, maybe and a tune sooner or later and will most likely send the Tail Lights off to be tinted. Not going for the full back out, somewhere in between this time.

 

A few more pics - Prefer the clean look and have shaved all badges/lettering/logo's.

 

Beautiful car!

thanks for sharing

 

Thanks.

Having put a few miles on the car I have to say that the reduced weight has really helped balance the car. Speed is carried into the turns with much greater agility. The plowing tendencies exhibited in prior models is gone. Much more confident handling the power of the car. At 577HP and 664TQ there is plenty of power and the car puts it down and carries it very well.

Regardless of what one thinks of this car I can tell you your opinion would change after driving it. Very much a drivers car. With all the choices one finds himself second guessing his decision. I'm not second guessing anymore. Very happy with this car.

 

I agree this car, when pushed, really handles well. It's weight is noticeable compared with lighter cars but still well hidden. Overall live this car especially after I installed the Renntech exhaust!

 

I've been looking at all the Aftermarket stuff. I had the Stage lV RENNtech, lowering module and Rims from RENNtech as well. No exhaust though.... Was very happy with their Products.

The 2017+ models have dropped another 500lbs. from the car. MB says they've replaced all the body panels, most of the body and parts of the frame with Aluminum instead of steel. They're also claiming more rigidity by doing so as well.

Certainly made a difference comparing to my 2007.

 

Ive seen cars described as R231R , what is that?

 

I'm not exactly sure as I've seen it only a few places. On my Mercedes Me App. it shows the car as an SL63R

After doing a little researching I can't find what it designates exactly.

IF I were to guess, it's for the 2017+ and the R is for -refresh-?

After more reading the weight change is around 300lbs lighter than previous, not the 500 I mentioned.

 

I-drive, I think the r stands for roadster. I know that in 2013 mb eliminated 300 pounds from the weight of the car. Did they eliminate an additional 300 in 2017?

 

Well, that makes perfect sense and I would agree with you (R).

Yes, 2017+. From the AMG website:

"Engineered from road to roof not just as a convertible but as a Mercedes-Benz, the SL body structure enhances both occupant protection and handling precision. Composed virtually entirely from stamped, cast, chilled-cast, thermoformed and extruded aluminum, the body shell is nearly 300 lbs lighter than before yet 20% more torsionally rigid. The only structural steel in the body is the windshield frame, whose "tube-in-tube" pillars offer high strength with minimal vision obstruction."

Unless I've misunderstood (which is entirely possible) and this started in 2013. My original research led me to believe this was new with the face lift/refresh for 2017

 

The 300 Lbs was dropped going from the 230 to the 231 model back in 2013. The 2017 facelift was just that, a face lift.

 

definitely R231 is Roadster231 But why, Roadster231Roadster?

 

R231 is the current SL model which started in 2013 (sl400/450, 550. 63AMG and 65AMG)


Great looking car. BTW I just did an autocross with my SL63 (a 2015), has a very hard time putting the power down. Too bad much wider tires don't fit, I think the Sl should have at least 305 in the back. What do you think?

 

Thank you,

There is a minor sheet metal change (refresh) starting with the 2017.

I had 305's on my 2007 SL55 and had to have the rear fender edges rolled to keep from tearing the sidewalls. Still hit on the big bumps but then I also had a lower stance with a RENNtech lowering module. When the 285 rears wear out I'll put 295's on this car. They should fit without an issue, not sure about 305's. I would agree the more rubber the better in an effort to put the power down and there's plenty of it!

 

Interesting, I did not know that about the 295, which brand would you choose? Maybe the new Michelin PS4?

BTW, they just posted the times for the autocross I did this weekend, the SL63 is roughly in the range of 997s Porsche (like a 2010 911s), that's pretty good I think. Are you interested in autocross or track?

 

I'm running 325/25/20 on my aftermarket 20" wheel...I'll get a pic but it looks beyond incredible from the rear.

 

Responding in your thread....

 

Thought I'd just post a quick update.

Coming up on 3K miles. Every aspect and feature of the car has been flawless. Hasn't been to the dealer for any reason.

The power is insane. Sooner or later I'll tune the ECU but I'm starting to wonder why.... With the different driving modes from comfort, S, S+ and Race you
can easily drive accordingly. The custom driving mode is even better as you get to set it up and drive exactly how you want.

Not sure why but the brakes on this one are substantially better than on my '07 SL55. The difference is extreme to the point it makes me wonder if there
wasn't something wrong with the 55 brakes.

In short, I love this car. After driving my friends GT I'm glad I went with the SL as IMO it's a much better DD. If I was tracking the car and not my DD that
would be a different story.

 

I agree the maintenance of black is difficult but with the new ceramic coatings it is a breeze to keep clean. The hardness of the surface eliminates accidental swirl marks.








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Looks fantastic. Thanks for the pics.

Sadly....................... I'm a detail nut. I wouldn't know what to do if I couldn't/didn't need to go out and wax it once a month.