SLS/R197/C197 AMG SLS the worst car

Oct 24, 2020 | 02:10 AM

JS NZ

Thread Starter

Junior Member

Joined: Nov 2019

Posts: 34

Likes: 8

SLS Roadster, S500, Jag XJ V8 SC

SLS the worst car

So posted on another thread on this but so disappointed I will start this thread. After 23T km new gearbox required, New intake manifold required. A truly awful supercar. Just a bunch of junk. Stick to Ferraris. I wish I did.

Oct 24, 2020 | 03:47 PM

cls55

Super Member

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 901

Likes: 13

Do tell,please!

Oct 24, 2020 | 05:50 PM

NewportSLS

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Mar 2015

Posts: 1,518

Likes: 191

SLS AMG

Ferrari & SLS share the same gear boxes .... So not entirely an SLS problem

https://www.rennhaus.com/projects/fe...ission-rebuild

Cars break unfortunately...

Oct 24, 2020 | 05:57 PM

JS NZ

Thread Starter

Junior Member

Joined: Nov 2019

Posts: 34

Likes: 8

SLS Roadster, S500, Jag XJ V8 SC

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewportSLS

Ferrari & SLS share the same gear boxes .... So not entirely an SLS problem

https://www.rennhaus.com/projects/fe...ission-rebuild

Cars break unfortunately...

Mercedes in NZ do not have the capability of repairing the gearbox. Ferrari in NZ does but obviously cannot due to software issues. Might be ok in larger markets to fix but they dont even have the specialist tools to attempt a repair hence replacement. I was also originally told by the first dealer they wouldnt guarantee the fix which is straight out illegal. The second dealer didnt have rhe same issue though.

Oct 24, 2020 | 07:56 PM

haa

Super Member

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 774

Likes: 262

Quote:

Originally Posted by JS NZ

This is typical of the Getrag DCT used in supercars such as the SLS AMG, Ferraris including the California the 458 Italia and the F12 Berlinetta and the second-generation Ford GT. It is considered one of the best and fastest supercar dual clutch transmissions but such neck snapping performance also brings with it durability issues. The Mercedes pricing for replacing the SLS transmission is the lowest of all the supercars that share the same transmission at $15,000 vs $22,000 for the Ferrari variant and $32,000 for the Ford GT variant so it is a bargain to replace it. Some exotic repair shops can rebuild it too but that does not seem to be available in your area so your best bet is to replace it. That is unfortunately the cost of owning and driving such a supercar.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cul...arbox-sharing/

Oct 27, 2020 | 12:40 PM

ADAMSLSAMG

Junior Member

Joined: Jun 2020

Posts: 41

Likes: 10

2012 SLS AMG

23K is not bad depending on how you drive. I used to get about 500km or less on a gearbox with my old race car. And then throw on twisted half shafts, twisted drive hubs, and torn final gears. Its just part of high horsepower machines. Drive it like you stole it.. or just get a low powered sedan if you dont want a performance car.

This poor tranny has to take 571hp into a integrated gear box and final diff/drive unit. All the while being electrically controlled...into 7 gears. I am surprised it even lasts as long as it does.

Oct 27, 2020 | 03:02 PM

JS NZ

Thread Starter

Junior Member

Joined: Nov 2019

Posts: 34

Likes: 8

SLS Roadster, S500, Jag XJ V8 SC

Yeah, any Ferrari would beat this car hands down. Also Ferrari service is way better. Basically this car is nothing more than a paper weight. Never has so much been promised and so little delivered. I should have just got an Italia for the same price.

7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built

Verdad Gallardo

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Verdad Gallardo

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Verdad Gallardo

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

Oct 27, 2020 | 03:42 PM

ADAMSLSAMG

Junior Member

Joined: Jun 2020

Posts: 41

Likes: 10

2012 SLS AMG

Why did you buy a SLS then?

I think they make great practical grand touring cars IMO.
As an all out sports car.. no ..grand touring hell yes.

Oct 27, 2020 | 03:46 PM

#10

JS NZ

Thread Starter

Junior Member

Joined: Nov 2019

Posts: 34

Likes: 8

SLS Roadster, S500, Jag XJ V8 SC

I didnt buy a car to basically have a junker. I have spent over 2 weeks trying to get that sorted. If i wanted to waste tine I would have got married again.

Oct 27, 2020 | 03:51 PM

#11

ADAMSLSAMG

Junior Member

Joined: Jun 2020

Posts: 41

Likes: 10

2012 SLS AMG

Not sure 1 transmission failure in a car makes them junkers

Mechanical things fail all the time.

Oct 27, 2020 | 07:31 PM

#12

JS NZ

Thread Starter

Junior Member

Joined: Nov 2019

Posts: 34

Likes: 8

SLS Roadster, S500, Jag XJ V8 SC

Quote:

Originally Posted by ADAMSLSAMG

Not sure 1 transmission failure in a car makes them junkers

Mechanical things fail all the time.

I know. I have a Piper Navajo and am chairman of a windfarm. Those things have issues. But they can get fixed without replacing whole units.

Oct 28, 2020 | 12:51 PM

#13

190Efan

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Feb 2020

Posts: 1,998

Likes: 395

1991 190E 2.3

Since the SLS and the Ferrari share the same gearbox as previously noted, I doubt you'd have any better luck with the Ferrari. Lots of people have SLSs and love them.

Oct 29, 2020 | 06:29 PM

#14

Last300SL

Junior Member

Joined: Nov 2019

Posts: 52

Likes: 15

From: MD

SLSAMG, S63 AMG Cabriolet Edition 130, ML55 AMG

Quote:

Originally Posted by ADAMSLSAMG

Not sure 1 transmission failure in a car makes them junkers

Mechanical things fail all the time.

I have put 8K bulletproof miles on my 2012 SLS RO over the last 2 years. No complaints at all! Got 31 bulletproof years with 300SL Roadster. Perhaps I had better mechanics in my area, or perhaps just better luck. I bought extended warranty "just in case". It is just sitting there! Your experience appears to be somewhat unusual. I would buy another SLS in a heartbeat!!!!

Dec 3, 2020 | 02:28 PM

#15

tifosiv122

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 3,364

Likes: 13

From: New Jersey

SLS AMG | S65 AMG | GL550

Quote:

Originally Posted by JS NZ

as haa pointed out the transmission is literally the same in the Ferrari's. I own an SLS as well as a 458, FF, and California - 3 of these use the same transmission (not sure about FF). They all feel the same when shifting (after the SLS update). I can tell you that I get much, much better service at Mercedes than I do at Ferrari, but it could be your local dealer. In NJ we have one Ferrari dealer - it is what it is. My California waited 3 months for airbags - they left it in the hot sun and the entire dashboard was ruined when I picked it up. Luckily I had photos from the day before I dropped it off (coincidentally) and they had to replace my entire dash. Had I not had the photos, I would have been fighting them. They aren't a bad dealer per se, just nothing special. They don't bend over backwards or anything - and I've had 12 Ferrari's currently have 5. If I had to keep one car, and I'm being 100% honest, it would be my SLS. It's just very different from anything else, including my McLaren. The car may not be for everyone, but I'm here to tell you specifically the grass is not greener in Ferrari-Land.

Best of luck with your repair.

Erik

Dec 3, 2020 | 03:40 PM

#16

hyperion667

MBWorld God!

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 31,277

Likes: 3,917

From: on my way

2012 CLS63

Quote:

Originally Posted by JS NZ

I didnt buy a car to basically have a junker. I have spent over 2 weeks trying to get that sorted. If i wanted to waste tine I would have got married again.