Hopefully somebody can post copies of actual AMG documents on this real soon. I am #1 on a large California dealer's list for an '06 SLK55 and am wondering if I want this.

It may undermine regular drivability and comfort too much, and push maintenance costs out of sight (e.g., brake pad and disk replacement costs are already damned expensive -- having fried a set taking the high performance driving class in my '01 CLK55 I speak here from sorry experiance). Is this is pgk for a street capable race car that only a masichist would drive, like some models of Corvette?

Below is what I personally understand is coming, based on comments by AMG's production manager at the AMG Challenge event that I attended last month.

Mostly tire, brakes, suspension mods: 186mph Z rated tires on 19" wheels (even the SLK); ceramic brakes; and "Nurburgring" suspension. Leather seat surfaces will also be replaced with something more comfortable for performance driving (Nomex? SP?).

Not a single engine mod was mentioned. The distinct impression I got from all of the AMG officials that would actually know is that engines and power are not areas AMG feels it needs to do much work on for a while. The 63 is not coming in any AMG cars in 2006, and they apparently do not know when it will.

One interesting story was told that may scare a lot of us that have gone with larger than OEM tires. AMG mounted 19" tires on the CLS55 and they ran fine, until they got hot and expanded at high speed. Then suspension bolt heads cut into the sidewalls "just a little," and major mods suspension ensured.

 

Thanks to Beowulf for the information.

Model Year 2006 AMG Performance Package Summary

For Model Year 2006. AMG will offer a special "AMG Performance Package" for certain AMG models including the SLK55 AMG, SL55 AMG and CLS55 AMG. This package uses components proven on the world's racetracks on AMG's official safety cars for Formula One racing. These special components are designed to deliver a heightened driving experience.

SL55 AMG Performance Package (Option Code 030)

* AMG Safety Car front bumper with side air extractors
* Alcantara AMG sport steering wheel
* 186 mph (300 km/h) top speed (electronically limited)
* AMG ABC Active suspension with "Nurburgring" calibration
* AMG "Compound" braking system
- AMG Compound front brakes: cross-drilled, internally-ventilated
15.4" two-piece discs with AMG 8-piston calipers
- AMG rear brakes: cross-drilled, internally-ventilated
13.7" two-piece discs with AMG 4-piston calipers
* AMG 19-inch twin-spoke multipiece alloy wheels with high performance tires
- Front: 8.5 x 19 inch 255 35 ZR 19
- Rear: 9.5 x 19 inch 285 30 ZR 19
* AMG Locking rear differential

Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price: $14,000 (tbd - not confirmed)
-----------------------------------------------------

CLS55 AMG Performance Package (Option Code 030)

* AMG front bumper wth special mesh inset and body modifications for rear tires
* Alcantara AMG sport steering wheel
* 186 mph (300 km/h) top speed (electronically limited)
* AMG "Nurburgring" suspension system (control arms and stabilizers)
* AMG "Compound" braking system
- AMG Compound front brakes: cross-drilled, internally-ventilated
15.4" two-piece discs with AMG 8-piston calipers
- AMG rear brakes: cross-drilled, internally-ventilated
13.7" two-piece discs with AMG 4-piston calipers
* AMG 19-inch twin-spoke multipiece alloy wheels with high performance tires
- Front: 8.5 x 19 inch 255 35 ZR 19
- Rear: 10 x 19 inch 285 30 ZR 19
* AMG Locking rear differential

Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price: $9,500 (tbd - not confirmed)
---------------------------------------------------------

SLK55 AMG Performance Package (Option Code 030)
* Alcantara AMG sport steering wheel
* Carbon fiber trim set
* 176 mph (280 km/h) top speed (electronically limited)
* AMG "Nurburgring" sport suspension system
* AMG "Compound" braking system
- AMG Compound front brakes (standard)
- AMG rear brakes: compound rotors with AMG 4-piston calipers
* AMG 18-inch twin-spoke multipiece alloy wheels with high performance tires
- Front: 7.5 x 18 inch 225 40 ZR 18
- Rear: 8.5 x 18 inch 245 35 ZR 18

Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price: $6,800 (tbd - not confirmed)

 

they already have pics of this on the C55 performance package. it would make sense that they would have it on the SLK55. and i can imagine that it would looks awesome.

 

Where are they?? (pics)

 

I wanna see the carbon fibre trim set!!! Will it replace all the mat silver pieces, or is it the whole center console (that would be neat if it came like they did with the SLR Brabus that has a full CF middle console, looks totally sweet).

I guess the front bumper will be the one with single air outtakes on the side (larger ones then in the current 55 bumper). hmmm... I wonder how much it will sell for, maybe I could replace mine with the other look as it's kinda funky. Not sure which one is sportier/more agressive.

 

OK, so now I'm confused. Is this an optional pkg for (on top of) the "base" SLK55 AMG? Or is this a pkg to "AMGize" the SLK350?

If this is for the SLK55, how differerent are the brakes from "standard" SLK55 (i.e. the 2005)? What is "compounding" brake system?

Also how different is the suspension from "standard" SLK55? What is "nurburgring" suspension?

 

This is a package ON TOP OF the 55. It is NOT an option package for the 350. No info on the compounding brake system yet. The Neurburgring suspension should have stiffer springs and with different shock valving.

 

I was at the dealer and decide to ask. Looked in their computer.....no actual photos available of ANYTHING .....don't even know what the carbon fiber trim will be like. They had no idea what are "compound brakes" They could only "think" that are SL65 type brakes (i find that hard to beleive). They couldn't even tell me what the wheels willl looked like. They only knew they are 2 piece wheel. Didn't know what tires they are refering to either

I imagine that the stering wheel and carbon fiber, brakes etc is what the F1 pace car. Anyone have pics of this car? I assume the wheels are also the same as the f1 pace car.

Any pics Master Harris?

JMC

 

Here are the wheels of the pace car, I would imagine they would be the same.

 

Those 4 "openings" under the front bumper, are they brake ducts for cooling?

I noticed that the front bumper has only one big "gill" on the side but the "regular" 55 has 2. Could this also be a functional duct for cooling or just a different model/type?

Comments?

JMC

 

I believe the wheels on the safety car in the picture above are 19". However, it seems like they will remain 18" with this AMG "performance" package based on Tony007's post (but they will be multi-piece like the safety car).

JS

 

Are you sure they are ceramic? In the other post it mentions 'compound brakes' but the SLK 55 AMG already has brake discs made of steel and aluminium bonded together, which Mercedes normally describe as composite brakes, and compound and composite are similar meanings.

Ceramic brakes are definitely a mixed blessing. The theory is that the discs last much longer, but the practice (as Porsche owners have found out to their cost) is that the life of the discs is often worse than steel discs due to premature cracks in the discs if they get hot, as they would on a track day. This seems unbelievable, but check this out: ceramic discs are available as an option on the 911 for £6,000. However, a set of replacement discs and pads costs... wait for it... £27,000! Yes folks, that's $49,000. Or you can have your discs refurbished for a bargain £14,000. This is a big problem because the brakes are not included in the warranty, as they are wear and tear items. More on this here:

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/evo/new..._problems.html

Personally I would avoid ceramic brakes like the plague. However, I doubt that the ones offered on the SLK are ceramic.

 

I doubt it will be ceramic. In detail, it seems the "bigger" models are getting bigger rotors up front and back. The SLK will keep his front "compound" brakes as they are (??? are they?/??) and bigger in the back. (obviously, I'm just guessing).

What pisses me off is the fact that the F1 has 19's and they offer the same in 18's. That doesn't make any sense at all! Plus, no details on suspesion....is it "stiffer", lower or what?

No pics of the carbon fiber trim....there is not much trim in the car anyway!!

Does anyone has pics of the F1 from inside? Maybe it has the carbon fiber trim.

Anyone going to the Indianapolis F1 race? Detail pics a must!!

 

here's a link to pics of the C55 performance package. it is not a c63, as earlier posts may have indicated, but you can see the window sticker says it is indeed C55 performance package. due to similar description of modifications, i would believe that the slk55 performance package would have similar features. the use of carbon, alcantara, and black/white two tone leather is awesome IMO.

http://mercedes-amg-class.com/commun...ht=nurburgring

 

Did you noticed that the wheels are 19's???

 

Well....

 

This is the PP (German version)...

 

Are those pics of the performance package trim? If so, not quite as interesting as I was hoping. Basically just a few of the silver pieces replaced with CF (real CF?) and the side mirrors too.

I don't like the side mirrors in CF, it looks tacky, a bit too ricey for my taste

The center console in white is interesting, but I think it should stay 'dark' and having that piece in CF would have been REALLY nice

 

Harris, got any pictures of the newly designed antenna?? I want to see what that one looks like before I replace what's on right now. I was thinking of replacing it w/ an SL antenna, but losing some range might **** off my fiancee.

IMO, the CF pieces would look good in the darker exterior colors.

 

Anyone?

 

Porsche has fixed the problem of ceramic rotors cracking by changing from a regular spacing on the holes to an irregular spacing.