OP: Regarding the W/S switch, you have the 722.6 electronically controlled 5-speed automatic -- which means that in "W" mode you start in second gear, and in "S" mode you start in first gear. If it's working properly, that is. No visual indication aside from the position of the switch. "W" is kinda fun to experiment with (I think of W acceleration as akin to an elevator lifting off from the ground floor), but "S" is the first-gear start that most drivers would prefer. You should notice a pretty profound difference in acceleration.
In terms of leaving stripes simply by flooring it, however, even "S" doesn't give you a lot of immediate torque off the line in the SL500. I imagine you'd have to do a brake-stand to achieve your desired result. As you've noticed, the engine comes into its own at higher RPM. My experience is that the SL600 is the one that'll smoke 'em from a standstill, or try to (I see a lot more of the ASR light now than I did in the 500).
It's interesting that the 560SL leaves rubber that easily. Never driven one. I'm guessing the SOHC M117 is more of a traditional V8 in that it flourishes at low RPM and tapers off toward the top.
In terms of leaving stripes simply by flooring it, however, even "S" doesn't give you a lot of immediate torque off the line in the SL500. I imagine you'd have to do a brake-stand to achieve your desired result. As you've noticed, the engine comes into its own at higher RPM. My experience is that the SL600 is the one that'll smoke 'em from a standstill, or try to (I see a lot more of the ASR light now than I did in the 500).
It's interesting that the 560SL leaves rubber that easily. Never driven one. I'm guessing the SOHC M117 is more of a traditional V8 in that it flourishes at low RPM and tapers off toward the top.
