SLS Depreciation
Discussion
cho said:
Interesting to hear you got your TCU upgrade at Lincoln because I bought mine from them and they never offered or suggested doing it on mine!
Hi cho, did you ask for the upgrade? I rang them and explains about the upgrade, they checked on the system and booked me in no problem. Give them another go, mention me Paul Panay and it may jog their memory. When done I noticed a def urgency to the gear change seemed to bring the car alive ( not that it was ever dead) especially in Sport modePaul
cho said:
Interesting to hear you got your TCU upgrade at Lincoln because I bought mine from them and they never offered or suggested doing it on mine!
Hi cho, did you ask for the upgrade? I rang them and explains about the upgrade, they checked on the system and booked me in no problem. Give them another go, mention me Paul Panay and it may jog their memory. When done I noticed a def urgency to the gear change seemed to bring the car alive ( not that it was ever dead) especially in Sport modePaul
cho said:
Interesting to hear you got your TCU upgrade at Lincoln because I bought mine from them and they never offered or suggested doing it on mine!
Hi cho, did you ask for the upgrade? I rang them and explains about the upgrade, they checked on the system and booked me in no problem. Give them another go, mention me Paul Panay and it may jog their memory. When done I noticed a def urgency to the gear change seemed to bring the car alive ( not that it was ever dead) especially in Sport modePaul
thepanays said:
Hi cho, did you ask for the upgrade? I rang them and explains about the upgrade, they checked on the system and booked me in no problem. Give them another go, mention me Paul Panay and it may jog their memory. When done I noticed a def urgency to the gear change seemed to bring the car alive ( not that it was ever dead) especially in Sport mode
Paul
Whoops Paul
thepanays said:
Hi cho, did you ask for the upgrade? I rang them and explains about the upgrade, they checked on the system and booked me in no problem. Give them another go, mention me Paul Panay and it may jog their memory. When done I noticed a def urgency to the gear change seemed to bring the car alive ( not that it was ever dead) especially in Sport mode
Paul
Whoops Paul
Well, I went to pick up my SLS from AMG on Friday (I'll do a separate thread on all the 'upgrades' when I have time) and they showed me round the new AMG GT 
AMG seem adamant that the GT is not a replacement for the SLS and consider it as 'something totally different, higher volume and less exclusive'. I was advised that if you own an SLS now then not to sell it - they anticipate some cheap 'damaged' ones coming on the market over the next couple of years (as cars inevitably get crashed) and then owners will hold onto their cars for longer and, with only 12k cars sold worldwide (and very very few, relatively, in Europe), supply will dry up and prices will increase.
You can see it happening now - theres never been fewer for sale, especially coupe's. Looking at PH right now and excluding all the adverts for plates, modifications and cars that have sold (they were sold when I bought mine 2 months ago!), theres TWO coupe's for sale. Sellers are pricing even the very early 2010/11 cars at well above £100k - Tom Hartley's recent 2010 example was up at £110k, and knowing them they won't have discounted it much. Even that really basic MB Milton Keynes car appears to have sold - they probably didn't need to reduce the price but that appears to be the policy of the large dealer groups when a car reaches x days in stock.
AMG seem adamant that the GT is not a replacement for the SLS and consider it as 'something totally different, higher volume and less exclusive'. I was advised that if you own an SLS now then not to sell it - they anticipate some cheap 'damaged' ones coming on the market over the next couple of years (as cars inevitably get crashed) and then owners will hold onto their cars for longer and, with only 12k cars sold worldwide (and very very few, relatively, in Europe), supply will dry up and prices will increase.
You can see it happening now - theres never been fewer for sale, especially coupe's. Looking at PH right now and excluding all the adverts for plates, modifications and cars that have sold (they were sold when I bought mine 2 months ago!), theres TWO coupe's for sale. Sellers are pricing even the very early 2010/11 cars at well above £100k - Tom Hartley's recent 2010 example was up at £110k, and knowing them they won't have discounted it much. Even that really basic MB Milton Keynes car appears to have sold - they probably didn't need to reduce the price but that appears to be the policy of the large dealer groups when a car reaches x days in stock.
Edited by Palmball on Sunday 28th September 22:19
Glad to hear you have yours back. Sounds like just the trip itself was well worth it. Saw a walk around video of the GT and even though it looks nice from some angles, it doesn't seem to gel properly. Wouldn't say no to one though.
Well after the advice you have been given by AMG, looks like I have lots of time to contemplate work/upgrades on mine seeing that I will be keeping it much longer now!
Well after the advice you have been given by AMG, looks like I have lots of time to contemplate work/upgrades on mine seeing that I will be keeping it much longer now!
thepanays said:
Andrew, glad to hear that you and your SLS arrived back home safe and sound. Will you be going to the Qourn meet on the first Tues. in Oct? If you are I will come along in mine, would love to see the upgrades you have done
Paul
Paul - it's next tuesday 7th, right? If so, I intend to be there - any idea what time it starts? (You'd think I know living two miles away!)Paul
vpr said:
12k units is more than O would have thought.
I wonder ow many came to the UK and or built RHD?
These cars becoming collectable is a pain for me because it means I have to wrap it in cotton wool to preserve it.....I could do without another garage queen
I'm not sure on UK numbers - I will try and find out. However, I suspect they will be minimal...I estimate in the low hundreds. To add context, if you want to buy an SLS coupe right now, theres 4 for sale (two that I previously didn't see on auto trader). And who knows if those four exist because I found it hard enough to buy one when there were supposedly 10+ for sale.I wonder ow many came to the UK and or built RHD?
These cars becoming collectable is a pain for me because it means I have to wrap it in cotton wool to preserve it.....I could do without another garage queen
Anyway, try not to wrap it in cotton wool too much and just enjoy it. They'll still be desirable with a few miles on the clock if you look after it properly.
AMG didn't actually finish my car in the few weeks they had it - the replacement seat leather still hadn't arrived from their supplier (9 weeks after I ordered it). Strictly speaking, they have to allow 12 weeks! I was fed up of waiting so went and collected it and I'll be taking it back to get the seat done in three weeks, which they'll do whilst I wait. Sure, thats another 1400 miles which I may regret one day but right now, I just want to enjoy it.
I tell you what chaps, the car is f*cking phenomenal out on the continent - if you have one of these, get a decent Euro road trip under your belt if you have the chance. Accelerating through the ind of higher speeds you cannot do over here, being able to properly rev it out in 4th and 5th and enjoying listening to the upshift cracks and downshift blips time after time is something to savour and very addictive.
So I recently had the gearbox software upgrade done under warranty at MB Derby (MB were very good about this as the car is now out of warranty) and to be honest I don't quite know what to make of it.
I asked them to perform the exact same software upgrades as Palmball's car, which they know well.
Before the upgrade I wasn't using manual because it was so slow and always used sport+ which used to result in some nice pops and crackles on the over-run.
Post upgrade, it has made a huge improvement to the speed of manual changes, but I'm not getting any of the 'hilarious down-change throttle blips' or exhaust cracks when changing up that others are experiencing. If anything, the upgrade has resulted in less pops and bangs than I was getting before. Pretty disappointed.
My current thoughts regarding the depreciation topic are;
1) The sls, especially the coupe, will go the way of the Ford GT and start to appreciate.
2) It's now very hard to find one for sale as supply has dried up and demand has increased due to people beginning to realise what a good car they are.
3) If one does come up for sale, some are being bought straight away unseen over the phone.
4) When you hear stories of dealers offering more than what you bought the car for, this is always a good sign.
5) The sls was made in limited numbers.
6) It's roots can be traced back to the iconic 300SL
7) The sls has racing pedigree - it's a very successful GT3 race car and is recognisable around the world as the current F1 safety car.
8) The sls was the first AMG clean-sheet design and isn't a production car that's just been hotted-up wearing new clothes.
9) It's been made extensively from aluminium so shouldn't rust in the long-term.
For us fortunate to own one, I think that if cherished and looked after, the sls will turn into a good long-term ownership proposition and gradually appreciate.
I asked them to perform the exact same software upgrades as Palmball's car, which they know well.
Before the upgrade I wasn't using manual because it was so slow and always used sport+ which used to result in some nice pops and crackles on the over-run.
Post upgrade, it has made a huge improvement to the speed of manual changes, but I'm not getting any of the 'hilarious down-change throttle blips' or exhaust cracks when changing up that others are experiencing. If anything, the upgrade has resulted in less pops and bangs than I was getting before. Pretty disappointed.
My current thoughts regarding the depreciation topic are;
1) The sls, especially the coupe, will go the way of the Ford GT and start to appreciate.
2) It's now very hard to find one for sale as supply has dried up and demand has increased due to people beginning to realise what a good car they are.
3) If one does come up for sale, some are being bought straight away unseen over the phone.
4) When you hear stories of dealers offering more than what you bought the car for, this is always a good sign.
5) The sls was made in limited numbers.
6) It's roots can be traced back to the iconic 300SL
7) The sls has racing pedigree - it's a very successful GT3 race car and is recognisable around the world as the current F1 safety car.
8) The sls was the first AMG clean-sheet design and isn't a production car that's just been hotted-up wearing new clothes.
9) It's been made extensively from aluminium so shouldn't rust in the long-term.
For us fortunate to own one, I think that if cherished and looked after, the sls will turn into a good long-term ownership proposition and gradually appreciate.
That's disappointing to hear ballistic, however the upgrade I had no detrimental impact on any pops, banging or burbles on the overrun. Only last night I was enjoying some outrageous exhaust 'cracks'.
Is it possible that you expectations were that it'd be a lot louder but as it's probably no different it seems like it's got worse?
As I said in my other thread, my car has just been fitted with a new transmission so it has the latest GT-spec hardware and software (although I doubt the hardware is any different, the point being it'll be the latest development whatever that may be). And honestly, the transmission might be a bit quieter (less whiney, although there is still some whine) but it doesn't drive any differently or make the exhaust behave any differently to the way it was after I had the update at MB. This should be good news for all you SLS owners wanting improved transmissions as I reckon the UK dealers can update it just as successfully as AMG themselves.
Is it possible that you expectations were that it'd be a lot louder but as it's probably no different it seems like it's got worse?
As I said in my other thread, my car has just been fitted with a new transmission so it has the latest GT-spec hardware and software (although I doubt the hardware is any different, the point being it'll be the latest development whatever that may be). And honestly, the transmission might be a bit quieter (less whiney, although there is still some whine) but it doesn't drive any differently or make the exhaust behave any differently to the way it was after I had the update at MB. This should be good news for all you SLS owners wanting improved transmissions as I reckon the UK dealers can update it just as successfully as AMG themselves.
It's nice to buy a brand new car and be able to sell it for more than you paid for it sixteen months earlier. Have had several dealers asking if I will sell my car in the last few weeks so the demand and pricing does seem to be moving upwards. Hopefully the roadsters will keep going up in the same way as the gullwings, they are far more rare and in my view, the better car.
Hi i dont know if there are any other threads specific to SLS but enjoyed reading through this one.
Tend to agree with all points here.
1. Battery died on mine overnight. MB breakdown offered to come and jump start me with another local company as Apparently the 24 hour mercedes benz recovery service i have finishes at 9.00pm. I refused their offer and went to my local dealer to get a battery. The battery recomended for an SLS is a lot less power than other Mercs so i bought a higher power one at £40 less money.??
2. Gearbox change is slow in manual i agree but it does not bother me too much. Sport+ is really good.
3. There is a typical whine coming from the drive area near the gearbox. But it is more pronounced when the car is cold. Much better when it has warmed up. Had similar noise in all my 911s so just thought it was normal in a high powered car.
4. Couple of weeks ago the dealer i bought it from offered me £5k more than i paid.I have owned it just over 5 months now.
5. The last owner sold it on because he had a Lamborghini Hurican on order.
6. I have owned 911s for over 12 years now and came out of a 997 turbo into the SLS.
7. I looked at Gallardos, 430s R8 and Aston Martin before i made my decision. I definately made the right decision.
8. I live in Cumbria and i am just getting a major service finished off tomorow. It has taken 4 weeks and 2 visits as they had to order parts.Plus they have never sold or serviced an SLS before. I dont know where else to go other than driving somewhere for a few hours?
9. Any other fellow owners live up North by chance. Just joined the MB owners club as well.
10. Went to Le Mans this year just after i bought it. Round trip 1600 miles with average 21 MPG. Pleased i only do it once a year ha-ha.
11. My wife thought it was a good choice being silver. It would not stand out as much as my metalic orange Porsche. It doesnt until you hear it or see the doors open ha-ha.
Stunning buy love it to bits.
Tend to agree with all points here.
1. Battery died on mine overnight. MB breakdown offered to come and jump start me with another local company as Apparently the 24 hour mercedes benz recovery service i have finishes at 9.00pm. I refused their offer and went to my local dealer to get a battery. The battery recomended for an SLS is a lot less power than other Mercs so i bought a higher power one at £40 less money.??
2. Gearbox change is slow in manual i agree but it does not bother me too much. Sport+ is really good.
3. There is a typical whine coming from the drive area near the gearbox. But it is more pronounced when the car is cold. Much better when it has warmed up. Had similar noise in all my 911s so just thought it was normal in a high powered car.
4. Couple of weeks ago the dealer i bought it from offered me £5k more than i paid.I have owned it just over 5 months now.
5. The last owner sold it on because he had a Lamborghini Hurican on order.
6. I have owned 911s for over 12 years now and came out of a 997 turbo into the SLS.
7. I looked at Gallardos, 430s R8 and Aston Martin before i made my decision. I definately made the right decision.
8. I live in Cumbria and i am just getting a major service finished off tomorow. It has taken 4 weeks and 2 visits as they had to order parts.Plus they have never sold or serviced an SLS before. I dont know where else to go other than driving somewhere for a few hours?
9. Any other fellow owners live up North by chance. Just joined the MB owners club as well.
10. Went to Le Mans this year just after i bought it. Round trip 1600 miles with average 21 MPG. Pleased i only do it once a year ha-ha.
11. My wife thought it was a good choice being silver. It would not stand out as much as my metalic orange Porsche. It doesnt until you hear it or see the doors open ha-ha.
Stunning buy love it to bits.
Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff