Mercedes SL63 AMG: Spotted

Perhaps not the prettiest SL ever, but there's a lot to recommend an R231 AMG at just over £40k

So it would seem that the sun has taken its hat off in the UK already. Dreams of summer drop tops and endless days spent roof down must be postponed yet again. But when that proper fortnight of summer turns up, by gum are we going to be prepared...

However, what if you want a convertible for more than just the five days of summer? It might just be worth trying a Mercedes SL. And don't scoff, either. For a while now the SL has aimed to be all cars to all people: part roadster, part luxury car, part AMG hot rod, part GT. It's typically done this with varying degrees of success, but the R231 generation - the car you see here, introduced in 2012 - did a damn convincing job.

The two key contributors to its appeal were a new chassis (that saved more than 100kg) and the switch back to forced induction for the AMG flagship. While it was nice to have the 6.2-litre V8 in the SL for a period, using the twin-turbo 5.5-litre - which, of course, delivered a torrent more torque - suited the '63 AMG more. Combine it with the substantial saving in kerbweight and performance was back in the downright naughty category, as it had been when the supercharged R230 SL55 arrived in 2001.

When this generation of SL63 was first reviewed on PH, the praise was unequivocal: "a compelling package" was how Chris Harris summed it up, describing it as "fundamentally more talented" than the old one, "startlingly fast" and with a "superb" gearbox. So there.

But while the way the R231 drove may have felt unfamiliar to those with old SL experience, the way it has subsequently depreciated is recognisable from many big, fast Mercs. Just half a dozen years ago this black SL63 would have cost £112,000 without a single option on it - let's call it £120k with the extras described in the ad. Now it's for sale at £42,950 with 60,000 miles; certainly more catastrophic falls will have happened, but that's still not far off just a third of its new price.

While some may covet a more adventurous specification - and will note the lack of a Performance Pack - there's a lot to admire about this particular '63. The last owner was just the second and purchased it as an Approved Used Mercedes, it's only ever been serviced at Benz dealers and, well, it looks pristine.

As such a complete package with really broad appeal, it can be tricky to pitch a rival against the SL. You'll get an M6 with fewer miles for similar money, but this video will explain how the SL is better. A 911 won't feel anywhere near as luxurious, even if you can now get into drop-top 991s for less than £60k. And yes, of course an SLS is a sharper, more exciting Mercedes convertible, but good luck getting into one of those for less than £130k...

So yes, there's a heck of a lot to be said for a used SL63. Of course it won't be affordable to run, though neither will any of its contemporaries. And, no, it probably won't be remembered as one of Merc's most beautiful designs, but then you're not that shallow - are you?

SPECIFICATION - MERCEDES SL63 AMG

Engine: 5,461cc, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: 7-speed auto, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 537@5,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 590@2.000rpm
MPG: 28.5
CO2: 231g/km
First registered: 2012
Recorded mileage: 64,000
Price new: £112,000 (without options)
Yours for: £42,950