2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster: Brake Feel Second Opinion
March 5, 2013
Ed might not have a problem with the brake pedal action in our long-term 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster, but I do.
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster: Fuel Economy Update for February
March 4, 2013
During February, we finally put some real road under the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster's tires, 3,760 miles worth. Most of that came from EIC Oldham's snowy rip to South Dakota (roughly 3,200 miles), and in the past four weeks, the big Benz averaged 16.2 mpg, up almost 3 mpg from its January average. No doubt, a steady diet of Great Plains highways helped nudge that number upwards.
With its mix of road trip and local domestic duties, the SLS returned both its best and worst fills this month, as well as its best range. The roadster's on-board fuel economy meter also proved remarkably accurate. Four times, it was either dead-on or within a few tenths of our calculations.
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG: Rear Wing Mechanicals
March 1, 2013
Disappointment isn't a word I'd use when describing our long-term SLS AMG. At least not in an overall sense. But that rear wing leaves just the slightest to be desired.
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster: What is This, Part 2?
February 28, 2013
I popped the trunk on our long-term 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster and found this little spring-loaded cap. Do you know what it is? After flipping the cover open, I thought it might be some sort of data-transmission port, but I was wrong. Click through to find out.
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster: What is This?
February 27, 2013
Can you identify this part of our 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster? Is it worn, fragile, or ready to shatter?
Click through to see if it's ready to "brake."
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG: Stuck Center Bin
February 25, 2013
That center armrest pictured above slides back to reveal some cupholders. Well, at least it's supposed to.
I was nearing the Edmunds HQ on my drive into the office and I went to fetch my parking card and sunglasses case from the bin. But that sliding armrest was having none of it. I pressed the button on the side to release the catch, but the darned thing wouldn't slide. Not even a little bit.
I tried pushing both buttons at the same time (on the driver and passenger side). Nothing.
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG: Showing Seat Wear
February 22, 2013
In my last SLS AMG post, I noted how it's not terribly easy to squeeze between the steering wheel and the aggressive seat bolsters. The photo above is proof. With only about 16,000 miles on the clock, that bolster is taking a beating.
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS: Snow Tires Mounted
February 20, 2013
We reported the arrival of Pirelli winter tires for our 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS. Before any road trip can begin, the tires have to be installed. So we went up the road to our local tire shop to do so.
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster: To Mount Rushmore and Back
February 20, 2013
I've decided to drive our 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster from our Santa Monica, California office to Mount Rushmore in southwest South Dakota. And back of course.
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG: Entry and Egress
February 19, 2013
I'm pretty much average when it comes to build in terms of height and weight (5'10" and around 165 lbs.). Despite this, I have a tough time getting in and out of our long-term SLS AMG Roadster.
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG: Trunk Escape Button
February 18, 2013
Most cars, regardless of how expensive or exclusive, use some sort of glow-in-the-dark flimsy plastic handle for the internal trunk release. Not our long-term SLS AMG. Nope. It's got some fancy green button that pulses on and off.
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster: Winter Tires Have Arrived
February 15, 2013
Our winter tires have arrived and our 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster is one step closer to Mount Rushmore.
Yes, Mount Rushmore. Yes, the one in South Dakota. Don't ask me why.
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG: Exhaust Note
February 15, 2013
A good exhaust note thrills me. Prior to the SLS showing up, the Boss 302 Mustang (red key, of course) and my sportbike (Yamaha R1 with carbon fiber Yoshimura pipes, arrgh, argh, argh) were my favorites.
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster: Carbon Brakes Feel Just Fine
February 13, 2013
Carbon ceramic brake rotors might seem like a great idea on an ultra-high performance car like the SLS. They look cool, resist fade and are lighter than cast iron rotors.
Problem is, they often feel terrible on the street. Can't blame them, really, as they're really designed for high speed driving, not going to the grocery store.
2012 Mercedes Benz SLS AMG Roadster vs 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT
February 12, 2013
A few weeks ago, we track tested our 563-Horsepower 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster and, surprise, it was fast.
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster: Winter Tires
February 12, 2013
I'm aching to road trip this car. And I will. But driving it around the warmth of the southwest just doesn't feel adventurous enough. I'm aching to take this drop-top supercar out of its element. Out of its natural environment. Out of sunny southern California.
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster: One Reason AMG Cars Are Special
February 11, 2012
This is the mark of a true AMG model. It's the engine plaque that is "signed" by the man responsible for building it. Since every AMG engine is hand built by one person, it's a legitimate register of who secured every nut and bolt on the engine.
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster: Too Small Cupholder
February 8, 2013
So I'm into juice bars. Not very surprising for an Angeleno, I know, but seems like it can be a problem when driving our 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster. Simply for the fact that a medium size juice doesn't fit all that well in the car's cupholder thanks to that protruding piece of center console in front of the cupholder. When I wedge the cup into the holder, that piece pushes the lid off.
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster: Track Test
February 7, 2013
We track-tested our 563-Horsepower 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster. Spoiler alert: It's fast.
Mike Magrath, Features Editor @ 14,424 miles
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster: Bang & Olufsen Illuminated Tweeters
February 6, 2013
Our long-term 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster is an expensive car. At least you have something to show for it.
Behold LED-illuminated tweeters. I kid you not.
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster: Seat Adjustment for Short People
February 5, 2013
I'm 5'6" and I'm just barely tall enough to drive our 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster. Its power seat adjustment only allows me to slide it forward to the point where I have to stretch a bit to push the brake pedal down all the way. Fortunately, I can adjust the lumbar to push me forward just a bit, too, and then it's fine.
But, it makes me wonder how rich people shorter than 5'4" deal with the SLS's limited seat adjustment.
Caroline Pardilla, Deputy Managing Editor
