Showpiece of the Week: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT
This low-mileage SLS reminds us just how special AMG's first ground-up model was
It can be easy to forget that the Mercedes-Benz SLS was AMG's first in-house model. The car was launched as the division's flagship and a spiritual successor to the 300 SL of the 1950s and '60s. As such, it was imbued with a rich blend of heritage and high performance hardware, a lengthy bonnet and gull-wing doors bestowing it with the image of Mercedes' most iconic sports car, while a 6.2-litre V8 ensured modern supercar performance.
The resulting SLS was a very good car and it remains so by today's standards too. Yet with so many on the market soon after the model launch in 2010, residual values tumbled. So much so that people assumed the two-door AMG was sub-par compared to its rivals. But it wasn't. In fact, the SLS was such an effective all-rounder that despite its far more exotic status, the car's usability often encouraged comparison with the Porsche 911. The SLS could trundle along on atmospheric eight-cylinder torque or be sent charging towards the horizon with that deep-throated rumble we all know and love.
Eventually, the market began to recognise the car's wide-ranging talents and prices crept up again. Sub-£100k used SLSs went from being the norm to hen's teeth and now prices for some models are so high you have to wonder if they've peaked. Over the SLS's four-year production life, there were several variants using both coupe and convertible bodies. The range started with the standard car, gained a GT version and then the Black Series, before a run-out model was made. There was also the SLS Electric Drive, an all-electric version that even today stands as the clearest signal for a future AMG EV. But fewer than 100 examples of that were produced.
The Black Series is the car to send most shivers down spines thanks to its enhanced focus, but the standard SLS had no trouble in getting pulses racing. Its M159 V8 was good for 571hp and 479lb ft of torque, it could hit 62mph in 3.7sec and run on to a top speed of 197mph. These figures ranked it towards the sharp end of supercardom, but a decent sized boot and comfortable interior left it leagues ahead in terms of usability. Its only real downfall came with its enormous thirst for fuel. But many found that easy to forgive thanks to the noise and speed it enabled.
With that in mind, when the SLS GT came in 2012 with even more grunt, it's not surprising that it was met with such praise. Power was raised to 591hp, making it a tenth quicker to 62mph and, more significantly, giving the already intoxicating motor extra enthusiasm for revs. Today's turbocharged AMG engines may offer greater performance, but none can match the personality of the SLS GT's naturally aspirated heart. The other improvements to the SLS GT, including a slightly quicker seven-speed DCT and a few small design details, were somewhat overshadowed by this boost.
Of the 35 SLS AMGs listed on the PH classifieds, just one is of GT specification. It also happens to be one of the best-kept examples on sale, with 17,000 miles on the clock and a seemingly immaculate condition both inside and out. It's painted in Searing Brown, which looks almost pearlescent in some lights, and has a smart Artico black leather-trimmed cabin. Ok, so the SLS interior does appear rather dated - just look at that black and white instrument cluster display - but think of it this way: with more buttons and fewer touchscreens, there's less to go wrong. Plus, well, it still looks tidy, don't you think?
Not that any of that really matters, because even at a rather high-end £260,000, this SLS GT's winning trait remains the big ol' German V8 under its snout, and the joy that brings to the car's occupants. The well-heeled buyer of this car will have bagged themselves a prime example of AMG engineering expertise. One that will forever be the first pure AMG model to come out of Affalterbach.
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If you accept that all such cars are basically a bit daft, then surely something that is completely daft has to be the ideal. I guess this is why I love this but find the current GT impressive but in no way desirable.
Oddly I have to say both are almost (to my eye) better looking as convertibles - but Gull Wing doors - I mean you just need Gull Wing doors!
The seats were the only ones I've ever sat in that actually made my back hurt meaning longer journeys were really not fun; I remember doing a London to Nottingham trip and genuinely having to have a corrective massage as I ached so much. I also never got used of the lack of view due to the super thick B-pillar and the gullwing doors, whilst not powered to help keep the centre of gravity low, were a pain - on more than one occasion I pulled a lat muscle reaching up too quickly to try and close them! In addition, it made for difficult parking as sometimes you weren't able to open them if someone parked too close to you in say, a supermarket car-park.
Futhermore, although there's a decent sized boot you can't really use it as the exhaust manifolds are placed directly underneath meaning if you went shopping the car would literally cook whatever was put in there. The nose is hella long meaning that sometimes it would be a real wing and a prayer coming out of junctions although that was mitigated somewhat by the fact people would almost always let you out (although, notably, never 911 drivers?).
All in all, it was a hoot to own while I had it (that engine is still one of the all-time greats) but I wasn't sorry to see it go...
Then I saw this "£260,000"
And I thought, so why buy this, surely you can get the real deal for that price.......
But sadly I was wrong - they're getting close to 2 million
So, I don't think I could buy this SLS - knowing it's the poor man's version of the real thing......
And I'm about £245,000 short - DAMMMIT.
Anyone want to buy a 4 bed house in Oxfordshire?
The seats were the only ones I've ever sat in that actually made my back hurt meaning longer journeys were really not fun; I remember doing a London to Nottingham trip and genuinely having to have a corrective massage as I ached so much. I also never got used of the lack of view due to the super thick B-pillar and the gullwing doors, whilst not powered to help keep the centre of gravity low, were a pain - on more than one occasion I pulled a lat muscle reaching up too quickly to try and close them! In addition, it made for difficult parking as sometimes you weren't able to open them if someone parked too close to you in say, a supermarket car-park.
Futhermore, although there's a decent sized boot you can't really use it as the exhaust manifolds are placed directly underneath meaning if you went shopping the car would literally cook whatever was put in there. The nose is hella long meaning that sometimes it would be a real wing and a prayer coming out of junctions although that was mitigated somewhat by the fact people would almost always let you out (although, notably, never 911 drivers?).
All in all, it was a hoot to own while I had it (that engine is still one of the all-time greats) but I wasn't sorry to see it go...
I was looking forward to getting into one when they got down to £60k or so. Oops.
I cannot imagine why anyone would buy the Roadster though - the whole point is the gullwing doors!
£260k for a braaan one? I thought the crazy days were over....
I was looking forward to getting into one when they got down to £60k or so. Oops.
I cannot imagine why anyone would buy the Roadster though - the whole point is the gullwing doors!
£260k for a braaan one? I thought the crazy days were over....
My advice, after losing lots of money on these sorts of things, and having a small racing career is buy whatever to go shopping in and limit that purchase to a couple of grand.
Then, for something to bring a smile on your face, spend a tenth of this and buy something with slicks and a cage.
Lovely looking motor, but these things lose their appeal as soon as the first payment goes out. The sensible people buy these new, park it in their garage and then sell in 10 years.
As I've learnt, these things aren't for buying new and selling in 2 to 3 years - no way. José.
My advice, after losing lots of money on these sorts of things, and having a small racing career is buy whatever to go shopping in and limit that purchase to a couple of grand.
Then, for something to bring a smile on your face, spend a tenth of this and buy something with slicks and a cage.
Lovely looking motor, but these things lose their appeal as soon as the first payment goes out. The sensible people buy these new, park it in their garage and then sell in 10 years.
As I've learnt, these things aren't for buying new and selling in 2 to 3 years - no way. José.
Thanks for your advice but I don't need it and I don't agree with anything you've said, at all:-
Firstly, I don't generally want to own more than one car at once.
Secondly, I don't want a 'beater' car that's worth a couple of grand; I like nice cars and that's all there is to it.
Finally, the appeal of the SLS did not go once I'd made the first payment; for me the sense of achievement that comes with having worked my way up from nothing to be able to afford a car at this level means the experience never, ever, gets old - regardless of whether or not I liked it.
And 'sensible people'? To me, that sounds like people who don't like using the car for what it was intended for, namely to be driven. Like I said, I had a hoot with my SLS but having lived with other cars on this level there are more comfortable choices out there.
I agree, there is no right way and we all have out motives for buying something like this.
Back in the day I bought a Brabus K8 and it fell short in many areas and I lost a stack (as you would) but at the time I felt that I deserved it and had earned it.
Good for you for buying one, though looking at the way prices of these will go, you probably should've kept it, no?
I agree, there is no right way and we all have out motives for buying something like this.
Back in the day I bought a Brabus K8 and it fell short in many areas and I lost a stack (as you would) but at the time I felt that I deserved it and had earned it.
Good for you for buying one, though looking at the way prices of these will go, you probably should've kept it, no?
I'm not regretful of buying and selling it and, like you, losing money on something like this (which fortunately for me, wasn't too catastrophic); at the end of the day I don't think these cars are generally bought as anything other than what I call 'passion purchases', that is to say there's not much serious rationale behind them other than "I want it" and we are fortunate enough to be in the position to do so. I'd never have kept it as I tend to be of the 'I like what's new' camp so onwards and upwards...
I must say though I don't have same comfort issues as Sidesauce quite the opposite I find the seats super comfortable and at 5'11 no headroom issues, that said i completely agree with the boot heat issue its big enough but it does get very warm inside i recall going away and upon arrival at hotel having 2 bags of very warm clothes!
Fuel is just one of things you accept in this category 15-18mpg isn't that bad.
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