SL Boy

Have now completed 1600 miles in a new SL55 and the steering seems not to have the same precise feel as when new.

When I took delivery I immediately noticed how direct and positive the steering was. Now it feels slightly vague and road imperfections are readily transmitted through the wheel to the hands. When driving fast and cornering on country roads there is not the same 100% sure feeling there was before. Sometimes there appears to be a slight tendency to tramline.

I was at my dealer this afternoon and drove a used SL55. This had done 1200 miles and felt just like mine did when new and didnt readily transmit the same road "feel" through to the hands.

Both cars have standard AMG 5 spoke wheels and Pirelli zero rosso tires. Dealer has checked balance of both my front wheels which is ok. Cold tyre pressures have been checked regularly by me and are always as on the fuel filer - 35 psi front and 36 psi rear.

There was a surface fault/scratch with one of the AMG front wheels from new and the dealer has replaced this. The steering seemed fine until the new wheel was fitted but the dealer is adament the new wheel cannot be the cause of the problem so has not changed or tested it.

There is no obvious fault but my dealer is concerned to make sure I am totally happy customer and when I mentioned I was a member of this forum was keen for me to post a message and encourage feedback.

Any comments suggestions welcome please as this is spoiling my enjoyment of an otherwise fantastic car.

Luke@tirerack

I agree with the dealer the wheel could not be the problem providing it is the correct offset and size ..... I have seen some silly things over looked before is the tire mounted correctly ???? The P-Zero has an astmetrical tread design and has an outside and inside area and is labelled on the side wall "mount this side out" ..... other than that I do not have any ideas

SL Boy

Thanks Luke - yes, just checked, the tyre is mounted correctly.

Anybody else with any other ideas? Desperate to find a solution.

Luke@tirerack

1 more idea ... faulty pressure guage ... try adding about 5 psi of air pressure

E55AMG99

It sounds like you believe the problem started after the wheel was replaced. If this is the case, try putting the spare tire on instead. It might help isolate the problem. I had a similar situation with my E55 which turned out to be a bad tire. However, I did not notice it until I dismounted the and remounted the tires when I polished my wheels.

SL Boy

Thanks for the tip E55AMG99. The SL55 does not have a spare wheel but I will return to the dealer and we will swap my wheel/tire with one of their used SL55s.

SL Boy

Just returned from my dealer. Tried a new wheel/tire and problem has gone. There appears to be no visible fault with my wheel or tire so the cause remains a mystery.

Thanks to all for your help on this.

E55AMG99

Tire and wheel (especially tire) problems can be very difficult to diagnose which is why the dealer was so reluctant to look there. I'm glad you were able to convince them otherwise.