I'm shopping for a '17+ SL63, and wondering if the inclusion of a standard LSD on these cars also signifies that the rest of the Performance Pack is also now standard equipment. What else was/is included in the package? Thanks in advance...

there is no perf pkg any more, they have everything standard, but you can look at the window sticker to see the equipment that is included, or a vin decoder, or dealer can pull up build sheet

Yes, I have been using the V.I.N. de-coder on all my candidates. Being a newby, though, I'm not yet fluent in all the various build codes and their definitions. Examples: "412 Glass Vario Roof" (is this Magic Sky, or just the standard up/down hard top?), "23P Driving Package" (is this the AMG Performance Suspension, or something else?), etc. I haven't learned what these V.I.N. codes mean yet, which is kind of frustrating. Thanks for your help.

Hope this helps - I'm no expert but do have a '17 SL63 and here are the codes of interest:
412 - is the optional Magic Sky
486 - is the optional AMG 2 Stage Performance Suspension
23P - is a sub-code within code 997 / Driver Assistance Package

Good Luck, Steve

Thanks, Steve. I should also inquire about that 486 suspension...I just watched a review of current 63 in which the guy made a point of commenting about the substantially stiffer ride of the AMG version of ABC when compared to the ABC in the 450/550, and he did not make it clear whether his 63 had the 2-Stage setup or not. I'm curious as to how pronounced the difference really is. Is the 2-Stage Performance Suspension something that I should be concerned about if ride quality means anything to me?

Well, I've actually never driven a non-ABC SL ... but I can say that in the "Comfort" setting you have the option of the more "compliant" suspension setting -or- with Option 486 you can choose to select the enhanced AMG setting while leaving the transmission and engine in the "C" mode ... of course, in the "S" mode, the suspension defaults to the firmer setting. I find the ride in "C" w/o the AMG suspension setting selected to be quite compliant and comfortable.

the 486 seems to be same parts but harder programming. On C and other cars it is different parts. Who knows what they are giving you unless you look up part #s at the counter and see the difference
Most of the options and definitive if you read the decoder and I think the PP is all that was before but standard now on the 577hp cars.

I've attached a clip from my vehicle documentation (MY17 SL63) - had to refresh my memory .... Mercedes-AMG remains faithful to the Active Body Control® (ABC) active spring and damper system. For even

greater agility and high cornering speeds, the AMG SL models have more negative camber all round and fully

revised, substantially stiffer elastokinematics. At the touch of a button, the Performance suspension (optional

for AMG SL63, standard on AMG SL65) offers an emphatically sporty characteristic with reduced roll angles

and taut body damping at the touch of a button ("Sport") or a more comfort-oriented set-up for a high level of

comfort on longer journeys ("Comfort").

OK, correct me if I have this wrong. All 63s come with one of two types of ABC: 1) the standard AMG ABC, or 2) the optional AMG 2-Stage Performance Suspension (which is a different ABC than the standard AMG ABC). Are you saying that the optional AMG 2-Stage Performance Suspension, when in Comfort mode, rides the same as the standard AMG ABC does in its Comfort mode, or is the optional 2-Stage Performance Suspension's Comfort mode firmer than the standard AMG Comfort mode? And, how do each of these AMG suspensions compare to the 450/550 ABC? I don't currently foresee tracking my 63, so I would probably lean toward the standard setup rather than the optional 2-Stage, unless their Comfort modes rode similarly. A lot going on here...

I have a 13 SL63 with the optional 486. To order it in 2013 one had to select a $250 special option code, then the 486 which was around $1,400. It has different springs and dampers. Check the parts listing. It is substantially stiff, so much so that even in comfort mode is it harsh. My wife will not ride in it for the most part. It is as stiff as my sons 2006 Z06 Corvette. It is not just an electronic adjustment. Google it.

agreed it was option on 13, and it is stiff. But I tried to find this all over and there is no info that any parts are different or height. I assume it is just stiffer pressure controlling in the system, as a part of the abc programming

This is interesting. One of the reasons that I'm shopping SLs is that I definitely want a car that rides substantially better than my '96 Corvette. I've driven '09 and '15 Corvettes as well and they're really no better than my '96, so let's just say better than "a Corvette". The '17 SL450 that I test drove did not have ABC and it seemed to ride just fine, so I expect even more from an ABC-equipped car, not less. Perhaps I should bypass 486-equipped cars. This is timely, as I was about to make a run on a car that had 486 on it.

Look up the springs. 231-321-111-04 without sports suspension. 231-321-112-04 with sports suspension. Sport suspension is option 486. Other parts will have similar differences. Shocks without sport suspension 231-323-06-00 , with sports suspension is 231-323-07-00. You have to go to a Mercedes parts company like MBpartscenter.com.

There is definitely parts differences. Perhaps software as well. In any case it makes it a track suspension with the 486. If you google Mercedes sl63 option 486 you will find plenty of information.

Thanks, Brick...will do.

A year too late, but as a recent owner of the 2019 SL63 I had the same question what the hell is this $1500 option.

Below is the excerpt from the MB own brochure on 2018 SL:

Competitive spirit, superlative specs.
Based on Active Body Control, the AMG Performance Suspension teams advanced electronics and hydraulics to actively counteract pitch, dive and roll with millisecond-quick response and multiple modes. An optional setup adds two-stage damping that’s also 30% firmer damping in Sport mode. Silver or optional red calipers grasp the 15.4" front/14.2" rear composite brakes. Even larger yet lighter Ceramic Composite brakes are an option proven in racing.

In the second sentence MB implies that AMG performance suspension is fitted in every AMG SL. In the third they talk about optional two stage dumping that is 30% more firm in the sport mode. From other posts we know that there are both the software and the hardware differences between the cars fitted and not with this option. The language is gone from the 2019 brochure. The way I read it, sometime in 2018 the “option” became part of the standard equipment but MB continued to separately charge for it and all there is is a 30% firmer dampers when set in sport mode but not so in comfort mode. This would explain why MB has been so vague with their answers related to this matter. I have not seen a single sticker on Autotrader that did not have this option included in the build on 2019 SL63s and I have seen many.

the 2 stage perf susp seems to be the same as the old sport suspension option. 2 stage, hard and soft shocks
and different program somewhere in the eng, trans sport program. Alot of MB programming is a mystery or secret

Dr Manhattan did you ever get an sl.....