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2012 SLS AMG, 2002 Ferrari 360, 1956 Austin Healey
Just bought an SLS
So I got my SLS! Drove it for about 45 minutes today... Initial impressions...
-Build quality is top-notch
-Doors are worth the price of admission
-Sounds epic
-Feels great, definitely feels like a special car when driving it
I'm super happy with this purchase because I wasn't looking to replace my Ferrari 360, but was concerned I would walk out of this not wanting to drive the 360 anymore.
Not the case.
While I still need much more time driving the SLS, I feel like it's not hugely faster than the 360 in the real-world (meaning not on a track). Hear me out.
It seems (maybe I'm doing something wrong) like the car almost has too much power, to the point where if the road isn't glass smooth and almost freshly paved it has traction issues. I can't really put my foot to the floor when going on highway on ramps. The lights turn red and 1UP flashes on screen way before I'm in the 5000rpm range. (which has me concerned for ever trying Race Start) I assume due to a loss of traction.
The transmission reaction to paddle shifts is definitely slower than the 360, but I can see how the 2013 GT software could fix this. The actual shifts are much faster and smoother, when the car executes them. The car seems to use less effort when accelerating than the 360, if that makes any sense, but I can't get it to scare me...
For example, coming out of a Ferrari 348 to a Ferrari 360 seemed like leaving the 1950's and entering the modern world. The 360 seemed insanely quick compared to the 348, but I sold the 348 and waited about a year to buy the 360. So maybe it was a combination of just not being exposed to fast cars for a while, then jumping into the 360.
The 360 is more raw feeling, which probably adds the illusion that it's quicker than what it is. Where the SLS is really refined. The 360's shifts are almost violent compared to the SLS, which is better in some ways, and worse in others. Different for sure, and that was the point.
I can see how the SLS is probably the most fun at speeds that are criminally higher than the posted limits.
I'm very happy that the SLS is very different from the 360. Far more capable for sure, but it feels like an ultra classy race car that has all the capability of hanging with the big boys, yet civilized enough to go out to dinner. It seems like less of an event taking this car out than the Ferrari... but just as much fun.
Am I insane or is there a point to which you can't really notice a huge gap in performance if you just drive on the streets?
Congrats on your sls purchase !
I had the same concerns with the slow transmission shift with the my 2011 SLS after a month or two after I purchased. I took over weistec for an upgrade for tcu / ecu, huge difference. I also upgraded the air filters with the AFE filters. In regards to performance, my sls will consistently beat my friends 458 Italia !!
Congrats on the purchase! Are they new tires? I have the same issue losing traction almost every time but I think it's because my tires have been heat cycled a few times. Thinking of moving to Trofeo R's soon but the SLS has so much power in assuming it will still be easy to spin those tires. On another note, I don't think it's that the car is shifting slow but more so that the car doesn't recognize and input the command immediately when you pull the paddle. Update definitely helps though.
Set traction control on/off, then set the mode (C, S, S+). When you have it the way you want your 'AMG' to function - push and hold AMG down. It will beep (I think). Next time you want those settings just hit AMG and you are good to go. I have mine for traction on, S+ mode.
beautiful ride, but I must say a 360 is way out of its league in every respect to the SLS.
360 is way out of its league even compared to an F430... the leap from F430 to 458 is enormous yet an SLS will keep up with a 458. You could not compare two more different cars than Ferrari and Mercedes. I would have to disagree that the shifts in 360 are anywhere close to the SLS shifts, lets be realistic the F1 system in the 360 is terrible... even the F430 doesn't compare to the SLS shifts in my opinion.
Totally agreed.
As long as the 360 does not have a doble clutch (getrac), it will never be close to the SLS and any other car that is using the same gearbox.
Below all cars using the same brand dual clutch transmission,: (don't see Ferrari 360 or 430!!).
Getrag dual-clutch transmissions are used in the BMW M3, BMW 335is, BMW Z4 Sdrive35i, Ferrari California,Ferrari 458 Italia,LaFerrari, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG,Mercedes-Benz CLA, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart, Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus, Renault Megane, Renault Scenic, smart fortwo, Volvo V40, Volvo V60 Volvo V70 vehicles.
Sounds like you are definitely justifying the ferrari haha. My partners F430 is tuned, headers, straight bypass, and exhaust. I give him a spanking when we race. His car is also a 6 speed manual which he drives better than a F1 transmission.
We own a 360 in stock at our dealership and it is definitely... Two generations of power difference in my opinion. Enjoy that beautiful gullwing it's a beauty!!
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