SLS Sold.....GT Incoming

[Palmball]

Well, my second stint at SLS ownership is shortly going to come to an end It's probably a little sooner than even I expected (but probably no surprise to anyone else given my form!) but the stars have aligned meaning this time, the situation is very different.

When I was considering the SLS six months ago it was always a toss up between waiting for a GT or buying an SLS. In the end, I've actually managed to fund a good chunk of the GT because I bought the SLS. A quick search clearly shows that SLS values are starting to rise considerably and theres a shortage of cars for sale, which sell very quickly. For me, it appears that buying the best spec'd SLS possible (mine has every option possible fitted) and then having a few carefully chosen upgrades at AMG has made it a suitably special example thats now worth a reasonable premium compared to six months ago.

As is typical for me, my car is like brand new - indeed, any parts of the leather interior which showed any signs of wear or 'shine' have been replaced by AMG (some parts at their cost too!). It's fair to say that the dealer I've ordered the GT from really wanted this SLS but they've also been very reasonable both with price and timescales - despite agreeing the price now, they're letting me keep the car until after Christmas as they feel they probably won't sell it beforehand, so I've got a few weeks left to enjoy it


The GT.....having seen a couple of these on the roads around Affalterbach, it looks utterly fabulous in person and much better than in pictures. It has a similar wonderful stance as the SLS....very wide, low and with smooth lines. The interior in particular is a real step up from the SLS in terms of design and switchgear quality. I also suspect (and this is validated by some very strong early reviews) that it's going to be a better car to drive - I guess thats to be expected given it sits on largely the same underpinnings but benefits from years of further development and technology. I'm also encouraged that some reports suggest the new 4.0 sounds better than the 6.2....having heard a GT start up a few weeks ago, I'm not sure I concur with this but it's also definitely not an obvious backwards step which is a great achievement from AMG.

Saying all this, I know it will also never be as special as the SLS - for a variety of reasons such as the doors, 6.2 engine, market positioning. However, the car is my daily drive and whilst the SLS makes a fine daily supercar, it's going to get to the point where I'll be afraid to add miles onto it for fear of not being able to realise any return I could make with lower miles. Now on just short of 20k, it's still low enough not to be a problem, but it's not far off the tipping point...I suspect there won't be any 30k+ mile SLS's for sale and this is where it would be by summer.

It's silly really, as I should just enjoy the car but now feels the right time to take advantage of it's appreciated value before I ruin it with more miles, still in the knowledge that I've enjoyed it for 6 months and 7k of very enjoyable miles and it's replacement is almost certain to be a more 'suitable' daily car, whilst probably being the better steer. I'm sure when SLS's are selling for £200k+ in a few years I will look back and regret this...but the reality is, I'm not the kind of person to lock it up and not use it to facilitate that kind of pricing



Now the fun bit....which GT? Well, it obviously needs to be GT-S (can't have the slow one eh ) and the key options I think I'll be choosing are as follows:

Premium Package - if only to get the upgraded Burmester audio system, but it has a host of other bits that, really, should be standard.

Dynamic Plus Package - this gives the fancy engine and transmission mounts and more focused suspension set-up.

Carbon Brakes - total overkill for the road, but both my SLS and previous M6 had them and they feel great (I honestly don't get why they have such a bad reputation) and, the best bit, you get absolutely no brake dust.

AMG Performance Seat - I've sat in a GT with this seat option and it's outstanding. I just can't risk ordering it with the normal seat and always wishing otherwise.

Exclusive Leather - to get the two tone seats and dash and alcantara headlining, but undecided on whether to go white/black or tan/black as in the pictures.

Colour wise, looking at the footage from the early press reports it just has to be red. I think the red I like is the metallic Hyacinth Red, assuming thats what's shown in the pictures below (I don't think these are the standard non-metallic Fire Opal?).


Now for the long wait - I'm apparently 4th on the list at my dealer but I have no idea when I'll be invited to spec the car, or when likely delivery is. Hoping for April/May.


A reminder of what's going, and some of the interior upgrades which do make it stand out (inc. the Black Series/Final Edition dash):

And what's incoming:

 

[Vazza]

Saw your post on PH the other day....still think you're mad getting rid of the SLS but I can see you've obviously thought long and hard about it.

The car looks good in hyacinth red but if I were to chose (in my dreams!) it'd be the white/black interior all day long.

I'm more interested in what you're going to be driving in the meantime once the SLS is handed over (surely not the other half's ML63)?

 

[kinaero]

Regardless, both cars are stunning! I'd take the saddle brown interior all day long.

 

[ChrisA]

Not messing about!
Enjoy

 

[developer]

So we didn't manage to persuade you otherwise at TRAX Andrew .

Joking apart, tying up an SLS for posterity would be a big financial commitment and that GT - S looks great.

From what I've read so far the new V8 is a peach.

You'll have it in time for next year's TRAX too

 

[Simon_M]

Ha Ha, predictable but very pleased for you - health to enjoy.

The pics of the GT you have posted up are the Edition1 with the rear wing aren't they? Is that the model you are ordering?

Looking forward to the write ups....

S

 

[Vacationboy]

hm

Suspect that GT is going to be worth 50k in 2-3 years, while the SLS will still be worth 100-150k +...


still YM

 

[Doodle]

Suspect that GT is going to be worth 50k in 2-3 years, while the SLS will still be worth 100-150k +...

But only if you don't use it, which as the OP mentioned seems a little pointless.

 

[DSB SL AMG]

Great write up Andrew, I also think your mad getting rid of what must surely be one of the best spec'd SLS in the UK/ Europe...you are best placed to give comparative reviews on both models when you finally get the GT, will look forward to it

 

[Vacationboy]

But only if you don't use it, which as the OP mentioned seems a little pointless.

It will still be worth alot more, even without mothballing it.

 

[AGordCL]

I have someone just down the road from me who also uses her SLS as a daily car...

Looking at your profile, you say you have an ML63 as well, isn't that more of a daily car?

Congrats on the AMG GT though, they look and sound superb and will still be a star of the show at car shows etc.

 

[rsk21]

Good work Palmball

I agree with others that the SLS has investment potential but the GT is going to be a cracker.

MB are working very hard to protect values and demand. I have also put a deposit down and whilst the dealer was very relaxed with me it's clear that MB have given strong guidelines as to how dealers should qualify customers to avoid speculators and flippers.

 

[Palmball]

Saw your post on PH the other day....still think you're mad getting rid of the SLS but I can see you've obviously thought long and hard about it.

The car looks good in hyacinth red but if I were to chose (in my dreams!) it'd be the white/black interior all day long.

I'm more interested in what you're going to be driving in the meantime once the SLS is handed over (surely not the other half's ML63)?

It's been a really hard decision and had I not made a reasonable return on the SLS then I probably wouldn't have done it - well, at least not yet. I'd have kept the SLS a while longer.

I actually use the other half's ML63 a lot in the week - most of my work miles are done in that and she uses the SLS for her much shorter commute. I'm hoping the dealer lend me something for a while - and A45 AMG would be nice Whatever it is, if it's decent I'll drive it and if not, she will drive it

So we didn't manage to persuade you otherwise at TRAX Andrew .

Joking apart, tying up an SLS for posterity would be a big financial commitment and that GT - S looks great.

From what I've read so far the new V8 is a peach.

You'll have it in time for next year's TRAX too

Ha...everything we discussed still rings true but not all is lost because I am at least still benefiting from some appreciation. But the next owner will probably benefit more than I ever would from this point on as I suspect they will likely use it less.

Ha Ha, predictable but very pleased for you - health to enjoy.

The pics of the GT you have posted up are the Edition1 with the rear wing aren't they? Is that the model you are ordering?

Looking forward to the write ups....

S

Thanks and yes, the pics are the Edition 1 and I honestly can't make my mind up on it - I like the front and side aero add-ons and carbon roof but not so much the big wing.

I'd also have to see if I have the opportunity to order one because they're going to be offered to some of the early depositors on a first come first served basis until sold out. Depends how far down the queue I am!

Suspect that GT is going to be worth 50k in 2-3 years, while the SLS will still be worth 100-150k +...


still YM

Very true, although I doubt GT's be quite as low as £50k so quickly - I predict more like R8 residuals which means decent enough. But admittedly nothing like the SLS where a used example like mine will always outperform a brand new higher volume alternative - I suspect if I continue to add miles to mine it's value will remain static or depreciate marginally.

I also suspect the GT will be the far superior car to use, so for my requirements it's a price worth paying.

Great write up Andrew, I also think your mad getting rid of what must surely be one of the best spec'd SLS in the UK/ Europe.

Can't deny that....but it's precisely the amazing spec that has helped make it stand out.

Looking at your profile, you say you have an ML63 as well, isn't that more of a daily car?

We do, but it's officially the other half's car. We only have the two between us (who needs more for two people?) so both are used as daily's.

Good work Palmball

I agree with others that the SLS has investment potential but the GT is going to be a cracker.

MB are working very hard to protect values and demand. I have also put a deposit down and whilst the dealer was very relaxed with me it's clear that MB have given strong guidelines as to how dealers should qualify customers to avoid speculators and flippers.

Yes they're definitely 'qualifying' given they're demanding a fairly chunky deposit compared to the cost of the car - £5k deposit just to get on the list then another £5k to get a build slot! Not sure how this will stop speculators though as they'll just pay the deposit.

 

[Palmball]

I also can't decide which red is which - on the pictures above, I think one of them (the last one showing the rear) is Hyacinth but the other two are Fire Opal?

 

[C36fan]

I also can't decide which red is which - on the pictures above, I think one of them (the last one showing the rear) is Hyacinth but the other two are Fire Opal?

Andrew I think you are bloody mad in swapping the amg's best to a not so good one ...but hats off to you to give it a go!

Sent from my iPhone using MBClub UK

 

[Palmball]

Andrew I think you are bloody mad in swapping the amg's best to a not so good one ...but hats off to you to give it a go!

Sent from my iPhone using MBClub UK

Thanks

But....why is the GT the 'not so good one'? The initial reports suggest it's superior to the SLS in every way which is somewhat expected given it's based on the same chassis but with considerably more development and technology.

Looks are subjective so everyones opinion will differ, but I'm expecting that objectively, the GT cannot be anything but 'better' than the SLS.

Obviously the SLS has some special features that will always make it that bit more special, which combined with the relatively limited production run will always make it more valuable, but we can't really confuse specialness and how valuable it is with what is the better car.

 

[C36fan]

Thanks But....why is the GT the 'not so good one'? The initial reports suggest it's superior to the SLS in every way which is somewhat expected given it's based on the same chassis but with considerably more development and technology. Looks are subjective so everyones opinion will differ, but I'm expecting that objectively, the GT cannot be anything but 'better' than the SLS. Obviously the SLS has some special features that will always make it that bit more special, which combined with the relatively limited production run will always make it more valuable, but we can't really confuse how specialness and how valuable it is with what is the better car.

the 6.2 n/a man !! It will be missed !

 

[Palmball]

the 6.2 n/a man !! It will be missed !

Ah yes, that I can't deny.

But....I have heard the new 4.0 biturbo and it does sound good Louder than the 5.5 biturbo in our ML too.

Interestingly, some of the reports even dare suggest it sounds better than the 6.2 .....mmm, not sure about that, but it is good. It also revs to 7.2k, which is exactly the same as the N/A 6.2 and some reports suggest there is value in revving it out - quite impressive for a turbo engine.

I suspect it won't have quite the razor sharp throttle response though

 

[The _Don]

I suspect it won't have quite the razor sharp throttle response though

That much we know already - :0)

And it’s a characterful motor – the volume is high, the urge is instant and the over-run crackles get louder the harder you try. It doesn’t quite have the same response as the last M156 normally aspirated AMG V8, but it counters by offering brutal mid-range and, dare I say it, an even better noise. As an exercise in attempting to replicate a high performance atmospheric engine with something blown, I think this is the best I’ve seen. BMW’s V8 (M5/X5M) and straight six (M3/M4) are great efforts, but this matches sheer performance and surprising response with real character.

Chris harris

Ps Congrats on your new purchase Andrew.

 

[C36fan]

Ah yes, that I can't deny. But....I have heard the new 4.0 biturbo and it does sound good Louder than the 5.5 biturbo in our ML too. Interestingly, some of the reports even dare suggest it sounds better than the 6.2 .....mmm, not sure about that, but it is good. It also revs to 7.2k, which is exactly the same as the N/A 6.2 and some reports suggest there is value in revving it out - quite impressive for a turbo engine. I suspect it won't have quite the razor sharp throttle response though

Really hope you enjoy it Andrew ,as I said hats off to you !