SLS/R197/C197 AMG: My SLS BS has arrived
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,194
Likes: 2
From: Prague, Czech Republic
2009 C63, 2007 GL 450
I just spent two days in the car at Hockenheim with AMG Academy and here are my impressions:
1. Car seems more planted than regular SLS with a more direct feel to road. You sit lower and the car has a wider more direct feel.
2. The best improvement in the car over SLS/SLS GT are shift times which are pretty close to a SLS GT3 feel and engagement. Very fast shifting response.
3. The Michelins which come as OEM on Euro cars are great. Takes very little to get temp into them and keep temp in them. They held up very well over two days of very hard driving as Hockenheim is very hard on tires/brakes.
4. Overheating of brakes -one issue that did arise is that the brake fluid began to overheat. There was fad as temps rose so if own one and are tracking the car, keep an eye on this. Pad wear was an issue as well. I need to point out that Hockeheim is VERY hard on brakes so this would impact overall performance of brakes.
5. Overall this is one mean package. Fast, direct and a blast to drive.
Here are some vids...will do proper post later on when I get pics and in-car videos from AMG
Dave
1. Car seems more planted than regular SLS with a more direct feel to road. You sit lower and the car has a wider more direct feel.
2. The best improvement in the car over SLS/SLS GT are shift times which are pretty close to a SLS GT3 feel and engagement. Very fast shifting response.
3. The Michelins which come as OEM on Euro cars are great. Takes very little to get temp into them and keep temp in them. They held up very well over two days of very hard driving as Hockenheim is very hard on tires/brakes.
4. Overheating of brakes -one issue that did arise is that the brake fluid began to overheat. There was fad as temps rose so if own one and are tracking the car, keep an eye on this. Pad wear was an issue as well. I need to point out that Hockeheim is VERY hard on brakes so this would impact overall performance of brakes.
5. Overall this is one mean package. Fast, direct and a blast to drive.
Here are some vids...will do proper post later on when I get pics and in-car videos from AMG
Dave
Last edited by harrower; Oct 5, 2013 at 01:40 PM.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,621
Likes: 55
From: Naperville, IL/Chicago
2008 CLK63 Black Series 2012 C63 Black Series 2014 SLS Black Series
Incredible brakes, I am running the same carbon ceramic brakes on my C BS but the SLS ones are much better, I can only assume that it is due to the much lower curb weight of the SLS over the C BS. Interior quality is second to none, I would put it up there with an F car interior, every square inch is leather, carbon or alcantara including dash headliner and wall and door panels. As for speed my senses are skewed since my other two Black Series are making 790whp and 1000whp, the SLS just feels slow. The transmission on the SLS is absolutely amazing, lightening fast upshifts and downshifts, the TCU does less thinking and lets me put it into the gear I want when I want, as you know on the C BS sometimes the TCU has a mind of it's own and doesn't always put you where you need to be, the C BS TCU tries to anticipate your next move and is usually right about 90% of the time, the SLS does not really try to anticipate as much so you can be where you want in the revs pretty much 100% of the time. The matched rev program on the SLS is equally as impressive, faster and harder blips to coincide with faster downshifts and harder braking. Almost a perfect car IMO, I am very happy with my purchase. It's going to Wesitec this week for a 3.0L blower and should make about 800whp when they are done.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,621
Likes: 55
From: Naperville, IL/Chicago
2008 CLK63 Black Series 2012 C63 Black Series 2014 SLS Black Series
In North America all the CF is standard, in Europe and Australia the CF interior is an option and CF exterior is standard the way I understand it.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,621
Likes: 55
From: Naperville, IL/Chicago
2008 CLK63 Black Series 2012 C63 Black Series 2014 SLS Black Series
I am not that tall 5'10"-5'11"(I think I shrunk lol) but the headroom is still a little tight, especially with a helmet on. Let me rephrase, the area directly over head has decent room, however if I try to turn my head to look out the rear window or check blind spot 9 times out of 10 my head hits the center section where it drops down on the roof for the gull wing doors (kinda like a T-Top), the center section is a good 3 inches shorter than the area directly over head. That being said Scott over on PL owns one and he is crazy tall, like 6'7" or something and he claims hey can fit in his although I would have to see it to beleive it, it can't be a comfortable fit for him.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,194
Likes: 2
From: Prague, Czech Republic
2009 C63, 2007 GL 450
I am not that tall 5'10"-5'11"(I think I shrunk lol) but the headroom is still a little tight, especially with a helmet on. Let me rephrase, the area directly over head has decent room, however if I try to turn my head to look out the rear window or check blind spot 9 times out of 10 my head hits the center section where it drops down on the roof for the gull wing doors (kinda like a T-Top), the center section is a good 3 inches shorter than the area directly over head. That being said Scott over on PL owns one and he is crazy tall, like 6'7" or something and he claims hey can fit in his although I would have to see it to beleive it, it can't be a comfortable fit for him.
I am in 5-11" and even with helmet had zero headroom issues with BS. Now that may be up to bucket seats which are OEM on Euro cars as with other BS seats the DOT has not certified the Euro seats. The Euro seats are very deep and more like a racing seat (very little padding at all) and were on rails vs. power. I know there was the same issue with CLK Black and C Black where US customers had less head-room vs. Euro spec cars. This is true even in normal SLSs as I found the US version uncomfortable with full function seat in comparison to Euro spec car. I know AMG will not sell the Euro seats for US cars as many have tried so a good solution would be to do after-market seat like Pole Position on rails. Might resolve the issue.
You think seeing Scott getting into a SLS Black funny, you should see him when he is put into a SLS GT3. Now that is amazing to see!
Dave
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,621
Likes: 55
From: Naperville, IL/Chicago
2008 CLK63 Black Series 2012 C63 Black Series 2014 SLS Black Series
Jim,
I am in 5-11" and even with helmet had zero headroom issues with BS. Now that may be up to bucket seats which are OEM on Euro cars as with other BS seats the DOT has not certified the Euro seats. The Euro seats are very deep and more like a racing seat (very little padding at all) and were on rails vs. power. I know there was the same issue with CLK Black and C Black where US customers had less head-room vs. Euro spec cars. This is true even in normal SLSs as I found the US version uncomfortable with full function seat in comparison to Euro spec car. I know AMG will not sell the Euro seats for US cars as many have tried so a good solution would be to do after-market seat like Pole Position on rails. Might resolve the issue.
You think seeing Scott getting into a SLS Black funny, you should see him when he is put into a SLS GT3. Now that is amazing to see!
Dave
I am in 5-11" and even with helmet had zero headroom issues with BS. Now that may be up to bucket seats which are OEM on Euro cars as with other BS seats the DOT has not certified the Euro seats. The Euro seats are very deep and more like a racing seat (very little padding at all) and were on rails vs. power. I know there was the same issue with CLK Black and C Black where US customers had less head-room vs. Euro spec cars. This is true even in normal SLSs as I found the US version uncomfortable with full function seat in comparison to Euro spec car. I know AMG will not sell the Euro seats for US cars as many have tried so a good solution would be to do after-market seat like Pole Position on rails. Might resolve the issue.
You think seeing Scott getting into a SLS Black funny, you should see him when he is put into a SLS GT3. Now that is amazing to see!
Dave
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,621
Likes: 55
From: Naperville, IL/Chicago
2008 CLK63 Black Series 2012 C63 Black Series 2014 SLS Black Series
