SLS gearbox software upgrade?

[rblvjenkins]

Hi
I've just bought my first Mercedes, a 2011 SLS. I believe there is an AMG gearbox software upgrade available, but my local dealer in Swansea has no knowledge of one.
Anyone know? Is there by any chance a thread on this? I tried searching without success.
Thanks in advance.

 

[simon1966]

Nice entry into Mercedes and welcome to the forum.

It would probably be worth you having a chat with Paul at Eurocharged. I'm not sure what they offer for the SLS but I'm sure they can help. Eurocharged Performance- Contact Us

 

[Dr-Nab]

Hi there, nice choice for a first benz!

This post might be of interest...

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/1667456-post108.html

Looks as if you'll have to take the car to the AMG Performance Studio to get the GT gearbox update fitted by AMG, probably why your dealer don't have a clue on it.

 

[The _Don]

Hi congrats and welcome.

The official mb transmission upgrade can only be carried out at amg hq germany, cost approx £1500.

 

[rblvjenkins]

Thanks so much to you all for info you've shared above! Just posted this in new members section!

Wow - what a fantastic forum! Thanks so much for the info - in just an hour or so I've found out that I need to go direct to AMG in a Germany for gearbox software upgrade, and that Eurocharged look good for upgrades in general.

I've also had separately a response from Germany from what looks like an "official" AMG lounge site. I had to give them my VIN number to confirm the car is genuine!

The only reason for upgrading the software is that I know the box is not performing at its best in M mode. Other settings CS, S, S+ are fine, and in fact make the car feel much more like it is a regular torque converter automatic, which is great for around town. However, in M it's a lot slower than it could and should be, and also a bit "random" in that it doesn't necessarily change when you ask it too. This is purely a software issue as exactly the same box works brilliantly in other cars, and in fact reviews of the SLS GT praise the fabulous new transmission that it has, when in reality it is exactly the same transmission but better programmed!

As requested, here's a further photo - I'll post some more when I get a chance to upload them to a hosting site. Thanks again.

 

[rblvjenkins]

Car booked in at Affalterbach end Feb!

 

[C240Sport97]

are you driving there?

I suspect they can do it while you wait

 

[BillyCR]

What's the advantage of the update? and why the £1500 charge? I would expect it to be free it its just a firmware update, have you tried Eurocharged to see what they can offer?

 

[Simon_M]

Is everyone on Eurocharged commission on this site or something?

Welcome by the way, lovely car!

 

[The _Don]

What's the advantage of the update? and why the £1500 charge? I would expect it to be free it its just a firmware update, have you tried Eurocharged to see what they can offer?

Only AMG offer this upgrade, it quickens the gearchanges to sls gt spec.

 

[rblvjenkins]

Correct - upgrade is to GT spec. Interesting question as to why AMG charge £1500. You can look at this from any number of viewpoints, from seeing it as a rip off to being amazed that they even offer such an upgrade on a nearly 3 year old car. Also, just because it's "only a firmware upgrade" and therefore should be free in my mind doesn't stack up. I appreciate that it may well be a question of just flashing some software, but the IP in the software has huge value. I'm in the camp of £1500 being very good value. I've tuned and raced cars for many years, and had a Stage 5 GTR before the SLS with 700bhp. Whereas you get free upgrades with Ecutek and such like, the initial software always has a cost...

 

[BillyCR]

Correct - upgrade is to GT spec. Interesting question as to why AMG charge £1500. You can look at this from any number of viewpoints, from seeing it as a rip off to being amazed that they even offer such an upgrade on a nearly 3 year old car. Also, just because it's "only a firmware upgrade" and therefore should be free in my mind doesn't stack up. I appreciate that it may well be a question of just flashing some software, but the IP in the software has huge value. I'm in the camp of £1500 being very good value. I've tuned and raced cars for many years, and had a Stage 5 GTR before the SLS with 700bhp. Whereas you get free upgrades with Ecutek and such like, the initial software always has a cost...

I understand exactly what you are saying, but ecutek working on a Nissan, is not the same as AMG with Mercedes, for example if you get your car flashed, and pay the £1500, then some months later you go in and it tells Mercedes we have an Ecu and TCU update, then they proceed to overwrite your £1500 TCU map, the Mercedes system as far as I am aware can be updated per car, ie your car is flagged for an update, So I cant see why they just don't apply your update and log it against your car, without you having to go anywhere else than a Local Mercedes main dealer.

The next time it visits Mercedes, and then subsequent future visits if they revise then again you will get an update.

In regard to the original cost of any map, AMG would had absorbed this as part of any R&D, So if Mercedes /AMG have developed a better gearbox map for your car, and its an identical gearbox etc, then I can see no reason for a £1500 fee, if they have to remove the TCU or provide other changes then that's fair enough. So don't take this the wrong way, its just my opinion I am not saying I am correct and you are wrong.

 

[Simon_M]

I thought they just swapped out the TCU?

 

[BillyCR]

I thought they just swapped out the TCU?

Cant see why, when Mercedes should be able to access and program via the ODB port and update the firmware, now aftermarket TCU tunes that's another matter they normally have to remove and bench tune, due to being unable to access via ODB, but again I could be wrong

 

[BillyCR]

Okay found this on another forum from a guy that actually had the upgrade, now the £1500 + Vat makes sense, see below

The main one being....the new GT gearbox software I've checked and double checked with AMG that I'm definitely getting the proper GT spec gearbox because, on other forums, other owners (admittedly US based) have been told categorically that they cannot have GT software on their non-GT SLS. The only dealer supplied 'upgrade' available is a new software update which is apparently much better, but still no GT. However, it seems that only the Performance Studio in Affalterbach can do the GT software as they change the gearbox ECU (TCU?), code it to the car and effectively change the 'factory spec' of the car. I guess time will tell.

full post
http://www.pistonheads.com/GASSING/topic.asp?h=0&t=1276775&d=0&nmt

 

[simon1966]

Is everyone on Eurocharged commission on this site or something?

Welcome by the way, lovely car!

No - just my experience with EC is I have received very good advice and service, so I have no hesitation in recommending

 

[BillyCR]

Is everyone on Eurocharged commission on this site or something?

Welcome by the way, lovely car!

I don't know many other companies that offer a TCU upgrade, every forum member can post recommendations because the same name appears, does not mean anyone is on a commission. If you have alternative recommendations please recommend away

 

[Alps]

They should change the spec on the cars datacard to note it has had the upgrade, there will be a code added, this will make sure no future dealership updates overwrite it.

if I had an SLS , I would go with the AMG GT TCU update rather than a aftermarket tuners variant.

 

[rblvjenkins]

Thanks for the info, BillyCR - seems I'm getting a good deal! I had full confirmation from AMG today of workshop slot, and they advised it takes 4 hours to do the work, so clearly more than a software flash. They also confirmed upgrade is to GT spec. I'll post more info once its been completed.

 

[BillyCR]

Thanks for the info, BillyCR - seems I'm getting a good deal! I had full confirmation from AMG today of workshop slot, and they advised it takes 4 hours to do the work, so clearly more than a software flash. They also confirmed upgrade is to GT spec. I'll post more info once its been completed.

Yep no problem, when I 1st read it I though this cant be right £1500 for a firmware update, but now knowing the full facts, its really seems a blinding deal
new TCU, fully fitted and coded, and vehicle updated, now makes me wonder what they can offer other AMG drivers.... http://www.mercedes-amg.com/performance_studio.php

Good luck with the mod and enjoy the drive home, great car by the way.