Goodbye, S600. Hello, Tesla!

[Alfie]

Phew...I thought for a moment you had bought one of the ugliest cars ever - a Tesla. Pleased to see its a proper styled car you have.

 

[Alex]

But ...............has it got quilted seats !!!!

Nope. They are too fussy for my eyes anyway. Bright wood veneer is quite enough for one car!

 

[Alps]

Lovely car Alex, if my Garage was big enough its what id get too!

 

[Alex]

Update.

The S65 is a fantastic piece of engineering but if anything, it makes you appreciate (and miss) the softness, quietness and laziness of the “600” S-Class.

In comparison, the 65 is harsh, loud and sometimes overly responsive. It almost resembles a supercharged car (close but no cigar, obviously).

My first thought was to get a set of 19” wheels to replace factory AMG 20’s. After 2 days of driving I realised that this is not going to make any difference as the suspension travel is short. Which is bizarre as it’s an S-Class, not an A35 (which in Sport is undriveable on public roads.)

Despite all that, I choose to get on with the programme and drive the 65 in Sport. It is an “A. M. G.” after all.

Bottom line. The 600 is often overlooked and dismissed in favour of the magical two digits of the AMG models. 63, 65, yadda yadda. For day to day driving it blows them both out of the water. This is actually a good news as prices for S600 are usually amongst the cheapest for all petrol S-Class models.

Now that I got you all excited about the 600, there might be one in black/brown coming up for sale soon (no idea where or when). Registration BV56***, 44k miles.

She’s a good, straight car and had some new parts fitted recently: spark plugs, alternator, starter battery, rear strut, PS reservoir. All by the main dealer. Hopefully she will end up in good hands that will continue to appreciate her. Something I didn’t have the time or patience for right now.

 

[st13phil]

Just picked up on this thread - gorgeous looking car, Alex, even if you're already missing the waftability of the S600.

The wood is little Marmite Alex

Could always carbon wrap it






I'll get me coat...

 

[alabbasi]

The S65 is a fantastic piece of engineering but if anything, it makes you appreciate (and miss) the softness, quietness and laziness of the “600” S-Class....In comparison, the 65 is harsh, loud and sometimes overly responsive. It almost resembles a supercharged car (close but no cigar, obviously).

I don't really have any experience with the W221 body but I own a W220 S55 and a W215 CL65. Compared to the airmatic cars (S430,S500) they suspension is a little more sporty but not harsh in the least. I have a couple of S600 parts cars and I don't see anything different between the ABC suspension in any of them (S600's also came with ABC as standard). Agreed that the 600's are more refined than the 55's (or 63's in the later cars). The creamy V12, full leather interior etc make it so but from what I can tell, the 65's are just 600's plus more.

FYI, you get the same power from a 600 as you get from a 65 with just a software tune.

 

[Alex]

I don't really have any experience with the W221 body but I own a W220 S55 and a W215 CL65. Compared to the airmatic cars (S430,S500) they suspension is a little more sporty but not harsh in the least. I have a couple of S600 parts cars and I don't see anything different between the ABC suspension in any of them (S600's also came with ABC as standard). Agreed that the 600's are more refined than the 55's (or 63's in the later cars). The creamy V12, full leather interior etc make it so but from what I can tell, the 65's are just 600's plus more.

The suspension struts in the 65 and 600 are not the same. This is true for both chassis, 220 and 221. They are tuned differently too - the 65 is lower to start with and suspension travel is shorter compared to the 600 which looks like a 4x4 on the same set of 20" wheels.

FYI, you get the same power from a 600 as you get from a 65 with just a software tune.

Having drag raced all my cars (apart from the last pair), I can tell you that a remapped 600 is still slower than the standard 65. This was further confirmed when a heavier and unmodified 221 S65 rolling on 21" Brabus anchors outran on a runway my remapped 215 CL600 with forged sub 10kg Carlsson wheels.

 

[alabbasi]

The suspension struts in the 65 and 600 are not the same. This is true for both chassis, 220 and 221. They are tuned differently too - the 65 is lower to start with and suspension travel is shorter compared to the 600

You're right, the 65's share the same struts as the 63's (or 55 in my case).

 

[Alex]

So Tesla has been a very good daily car and to celebrate that she's got a couple of new goodies:

1) A set of new 19" Carlsson 1/16 Ultra Lights to help her steer and brake with less unsprung weight and help restore the S-Class ride comfort robbed by the 20" wheels specced by the first owner.

2) An OE iPod integration kit. Now this has really moved us out of dark ages and into this century. Next on the list is a bluetooth transmitter for streaming audio out of the phone.

She's also been washed, clayed, polished and sealed on the outside as well as treated with AirVidox on the inside for a few hours to help remove the cigarette and damp smell. The leather has been cleaned and conditioned which made everything smell and look fresh.

Some pictures of the wheels and fat tyres that absorb all the road imperfections:

 

[MrRight]

I'm liking those rims , great looking piece of kit this Tesla is ... looks so classy, yet is such a beast

 

[clk320x]

I think the 20s really suited it

 

[Alex]

I think the 20s really suited it

I agree. There simply isn’t a better looking wheel for this chassis. Unfortunately, in such a nose heavy car every bump, hump or pothole is a severe punishment to the front suspension.

In both, 600 and this 65 wheels were far from round after covering only 30-40k miles. I wanted a period looking wheel that was strong, light and didn’t look too aftermarket.

The Carlssons are period, weigh only about 8kg each and with 5% more side wall the ride is smooth as it should be. 19” is what 221 S65 came with as standard. I simply went back to what worked.

 

[oldguy57]

I agree. There simply isn’t a better looking wheel for this chassis. Unfortunately, in such a nose heavy car every bump, hump or pothole is a severe punishment to the front suspension.

In both, 600 and this 65 wheels were far from round after covering only 30-40k miles. I wanted a period looking wheel that was strong, light and didn’t look too aftermarket.

The Carlssons are period, weigh only about 8kg each and with 5% more side wall the ride is smooth as it should be. 19” is what 221 S65 came with as standard. I simply went back to what worked.

Amazed at the weight of the Carlssons. Do you not anticipate any problems with cracking on such a heavy car? Incidentally I can't relate to your description of the 65 as harsh loud and overly responsive (ok I know you are comparing). I find the CL to be exactly the opposite as far as the first 2 are concerned and to be as responsive as you want it to be. It's quite happy pottering silently around town, albeit at the expense of burning a shed load of long dead T Rex's, but will tear off at some rate when required. Do you reckon that the CL and the S are that much different? Ask because I'm tempted on the S version as well.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

I agree. There simply isn’t a better looking wheel for this chassis. Unfortunately, in such a nose heavy car every bump, hump or pothole is a severe punishment to the front suspension.

In both, 600 and this 65 wheels were far from round after covering only 30-40k miles. I wanted a period looking wheel that was strong, light and didn’t look too aftermarket.

The Carlssons are period, weigh only about 8kg each and with 5% more side wall the ride is smooth as it should be. 19” is what 221 S65 came with as standard. I simply went back to what worked.

See Alex, this is why I love following your “mod” threads - you don’t care for what others do, you do what’s best for whichever car it is you’re modding and in this case if dropping an inch from the rim size makes it ride better (thrown in with the wheels being forged) then that’s what you’ve done.

What is the colour of the paintwork called?

 

[Alex]

Amazed at the weight of the Carlssons. Do you not anticipate any problems with cracking on such a heavy car? Incidentally I can't relate to your description of the 65 as harsh loud and overly responsive (ok I know you are comparing). I find the CL to be exactly the opposite as far as the first 2 are concerned and to be as responsive as you want it to be. It's quite happy pottering silently around town, albeit at the expense of burning a shed load of long dead T Rex's, but will tear off at some rate when required. Do you reckon that the CL and the S are that much different? Ask because I'm tempted on the S version as well.

The wheels are rated for this chassis according to Carlsson. They are made by APP Tech in Italy - the company behind many OEM and motorsport forged wheels. HRE in America use APP's foging billets to make their own monoblock wheels. On the whole, forged wheels tend to buckle not so much crack. And with extra cushion they should be okay. My gripe with 20's is down to that low profile "thud" you get when you roll over road imperfections. I do accept that this is quite possibly the result of (unintentional) comparison from driving two almost identical cars back to back. Had I not had a 600 before, I would agree with your assessment 100%.

Re my first thoughts. I've since "soft reset" the ECU and can confirm that the car is very compliant and can be driven sensibly, just as 600 did. It's no longer "overly" responsive. I still can't say the same about the exhaust. The 65 has this bark on cold start, something the 600 doesn't. The 65 is not bad when pottering around but it's not "600 silent" if it makes sense. I much prefer the silent assassin nature of the latter but I'm weird like that.

Can't compare the 216 v. 221 I'm afraid but in my 215 days CL used to be the "sportier" version of the S-Class. Firmer suspension, lighter body, more nimble as a result. I'd drive the two and see what your thoughts are. Please do share them on here if you end up making the move.

 

[Alex]

See Alex, this is why I love following your “mod” threads - you don’t care for what others do, you do what’s best for whichever car it is you’re modding and in this case if dropping an inch from the rim size makes it ride better (thrown in with the wheels being forged) then that’s what you’ve done.

What is the colour of the paintwork called?

Thanks Lee. The 221 is officially the hardest in my books to find a good, matching aftermarket wheel for. I've had lots of helpful input on this matter from others and I'm glad I stayed sensible. The reward of smoother ride is fantastic.

The paintwork is called 036 Designo Varicolor IV. A mix of grey, plum, silver under different angles.

 

[oldguy57]

Thanks for that. Agreed that there is a bark on cold start, but largely fairly silent otherwise. Disappointing for the yoofs demanding that we "rev" it, expecting a Pagini resonance. Still contemplating the next addition to the little collection, have to see if an S will fit the bill!

 

[Alex]

So while the E class is taking a back seat waiting for a new exhaust to be made by yours truly, the S65 stepped up the game and went down the runway a few times.

Apart from the light wheels the car is completely standard and wasn’t going to set any records but I was just interested in that - standard performance with untempered ECU (@C36fan).

The car’s got AMG Driver’s Pack specced by the first owner with the speed limit set to 300km/h which I didn’t anticipate we were going to hit anyway, so after bumping the air in tyres to 44psi all round and loading the fridge full with water, she was good to go.

The runs were pretty uneventful with 180 feeling no different than 80. Brakes did a fantastic job and never faded despite repeated runs back to back. Feeling satisfied and victorious (in our own category) we went home.

Good time with some regulars from the forum and mad VMax enthusiasts. This was my first time at the new runway which I liked better than the old one. Not sure they are the same length though.

Pics in the next post.

 

[Alex]

 

[C36fan]

shame it only hit 180 very slow compared to my stock cls63s lol.