San Diego tuner HG Motorsports displaying tuned M159 SLS AMG strength at the airstrip - Runs vs. ESS-VT2 600 M3, ZR1, and Ford GT

It's San Diego, Sticky! I got to ride in that SLS a month or two ago, it sounds incredible and HG's work is top notch. I know the guys who run the shop so I've had the pleasure of being destroyed by many of their cars.

Originally Posted by Remonster

It's San Diego, Sticky! I got to ride in that SLS a month or two ago, it sounds incredible and HG's work is top notch. I know the guys who run the shop so I've had the pleasure of being destroyed by many of their cars.

You see a typo? Because I don't...

That SLS is sick. Why the hell does Mercedes not put DCTs in their cheaper AMG's? Makes no sense. You can get a Golf GTI with a DSG, BMW's, Audis, etc.., Is it because those AMG engines have a lot of torque? I understand not using DCT's for non AMG models, but all AMG's should come with DCT's IMO, just like the SLS.

why in the $#@!ing world would they have that horrible music over this video!

Originally Posted by leo985i

That SLS is sick. Why the hell does Mercedes not put DCTs in their cheaper AMG's? Makes no sense. You can get a Golf GTI with a DSG, BMW's, Audis, etc.., Is it because those AMG engines have a lot of torque? I understand not using DCT's for non AMG models, but all AMG's should come with DCT's IMO, just like the SLS.

Because Mercedes wants to keep costs down. They only implemented it with the SLS first but it's going to trickle down to all the models soon enough. The CLA is coming with it for example. The E-Class facelift will likely get it. Lot's of cars...

Originally Posted by leo985i

That SLS is sick. Why the hell does Mercedes not put DCTs in their cheaper AMG's? Makes no sense. You can get a Golf GTI with a DSG, BMW's, Audis, etc.., Is it because those AMG engines have a lot of torque? I understand not using DCT's for non AMG models, but all AMG's should come with DCT's IMO, just like the SLS.

A DCT isn't necessarily better than an automatic, it trades quicker, more crisp shifts and the ability to have launch control for some smoothness. Mercedes probably thinks its customers prefer an automatic and I'm inclined to agree with them considering the way their cars generally feel to drive. I have a DCT-equipped 335is and I love it but in a Benz I actually prefer a real automatic. A couple years ago AMG started introducing their 7 speed automatic with a wet clutch which is getting close to DCT levels of shift speed while maintaining some of the things that make an automatic superior for a big, comfy Benz. I've driven the original C63 and the 2012 which has the new transmission and it makes a huge difference.

AMGs are all about cruising in comfort and having the option to put your foot through the floor, kick down to a low gear and annihilate that annoying Civic that just pulled up next to you. This is another criticism I have of dual clutch transmissions (particularly BMW's DCT): they cannot kick down at full throttle. With an actual automatic, the engine can go wide open throttle while the gear change is happening so by the time it engages the gear, you're at full power (handy in a turbocharged car). My DCT cannot handle the sudden torque, so it has to de-clutch, blip the throttle, select the proper gear, engage the clutch, open the throttle and then finally begin building boost and this takes a significant amount of time. If you drive an automatic 335i and a DCT 335is back-to-back you'll see exactly what I mean, the auto box can kick right into a low gear at full boost and take off in a jiffy but the DCT seems to take forever. When I first got my 335is I almost got rear ended a couple of times before I realized I can't just point and squirt into gaps in traffic like I used to (my previous cars have all been manual).

Lastly, I'm sure cost-savings has a lot to do with it, but the fact that AMG took the time to develop their MCT transmission (an evolution of the 7G Tronic) tells me they genuinely like it and don't see a dual clutch as a 100% better solution.

MCT rocks

Originally Posted by Remonster

Lastly, I'm sure cost-savings has a lot to do with it, but the fact that AMG took the time to develop their MCT transmission (an evolution of the 7G Tronic) tells me they genuinely like it and don't see a dual clutch as a 100% better solution.

It's this area where they struggle to offer a real alternative as a drivers car to BMW.

That's pretty impressive for just a tune and headers. Keeping up with a Whippled FGT is no easy task.

Originally Posted by LZH

That's pretty impressive for just a tune and headers. Keeping up with a Whippled FGT is no easy task.

Definitely that is why I would like to see what this thing actually puts down to the tire.

Originally Posted by 63Master

MCT rocks

Are you suggesting the SLS uses the MCT transmission ??? LOL - is uses the DCT.

Originally Posted by Remonster

A DCT isn't necessarily better than an automatic, it trades quicker, more crisp shifts and the ability to have launch control for some smoothness. Mercedes probably thinks its customers prefer an automatic and I'm inclined to agree with them considering the way their cars generally feel to drive. I have a DCT-equipped 335is and I love it but in a Benz I actually prefer a real automatic. A couple years ago AMG started introducing their 7 speed automatic with a wet clutch which is getting close to DCT levels of shift speed while maintaining some of the things that make an automatic superior for a big, comfy Benz. I've driven the original C63 and the 2012 which has the new transmission and it makes a huge difference.

AMGs are all about cruising in comfort and having the option to put your foot through the floor, kick down to a low gear and annihilate that annoying Civic that just pulled up next to you. This is another criticism I have of dual clutch transmissions (particularly BMW's DCT): they cannot kick down at full throttle. With an actual automatic, the engine can go wide open throttle while the gear change is happening so by the time it engages the gear, you're at full power (handy in a turbocharged car). My DCT cannot handle the sudden torque, so it has to de-clutch, blip the throttle, select the proper gear, engage the clutch, open the throttle and then finally begin building boost and this takes a significant amount of time. If you drive an automatic 335i and a DCT 335is back-to-back you'll see exactly what I mean, the auto box can kick right into a low gear at full boost and take off in a jiffy but the DCT seems to take forever. When I first got my 335is I almost got rear ended a couple of times before I realized I can't just point and squirt into gaps in traffic like I used to (my previous cars have all been manual).

Lastly, I'm sure cost-savings has a lot to do with it, but the fact that AMG took the time to develop their MCT transmission (an evolution of the 7G Tronic) tells me they genuinely like it and don't see a dual clutch as a 100% better solution.

Interesting explanation. I guess in that light, they should offer the DCT as an option then, for those who might prefer something with a more manual feel, sice they don't even give you the option of a true manual. Not gonna lie though, I sometimes miss the automatic transmission in my automatic, it was super smooth and loved the kick down feature.

Originally Posted by Sticky

It's this area where they struggle to offer a real alternative as a drivers car to BMW.

True enough, I've loved Benzes all my life but there's a reason I've only owned one (1991 300E 2.6) and have had four BMWs in a row.

Originally Posted by LZH

Are you suggesting the SLS uses the MCT transmission ??? LOL - is uses the DCT.

Nope. Are you suggesting that?

I just like the newly developed MCT speedshift that is applied on all M157 applications. It can handle monster power and torque!

Originally Posted by 63Master

Nope. Are you suggesting that?

I just like the newly developed MCT speedshift that is applied on all M157 applications. It can handle monster power and torque!

Why do you ask if I'm suggesting that ?? Clearly I am not. The vehicle being discussed in this thread is an SLS - which has the DCT. So why would you even mention the MCT, and say that "it rocks" ??? How does the MCT in an M157 have ANY relevance here ??? This is an M159. Are you retarded ?

Read the last part of post #7 by remonster and get a life while you are at it.

HG Motorsports did an incredible performance work on this SLS M159 & would highly recommend them.

Originally Posted by LZH

Why do you ask if I'm suggesting that ?? Clearly I am not. The vehicle being discussed in this thread is an SLS - which has the DCT. So why would you even mention the MCT, and say that "it rocks" ??? How does the MCT in an M157 have ANY relevance here ??? This is an M159. Are you retarded ?

He mentioned it because the post above him was discussing the MCT so he was essentially saying it rocks in response to that.

Originally Posted by m54b25

HG Motorsports did an incredible performance work on this SLS M159 & would highly recommend them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iceRjaMym_8

Are they using Renntech tuning?

Yes, they are Global RENNtech dealers partners.

Originally Posted by Sticky

Are they using Renntech tuning?