SL/R232: Is the AMG SL success story?
I also find them a more difficult sell, but for different reasons that I stated earlier and to be fair, the R231 SL63 was an incredibly hard sell as well and that during the whole lifecycle of the model, not just the beginning.
Those cars could be had for 20% off anytime and used cars prices used to be worst…
Which was difficult to understand. I loved those SL’s but the 63 stood out for its lousy 7speed MCT transmission which was never updated to the much better performing 9 speed MCT at facelift time.
I think time will tell during the summer time once more properly spec’d 23 models are showing up, discounts off MSRP (which are available now) and MB contemplating to bring the smaller model here.




I know for a fact that R232 SLs which have been sitting for a while are sometimes being discounted to move. It takes a savvy buyer to negotiate a discount in this environment, but it’s possible. Dealers eventually tire of watching cars collect dust in the showroom for 30+ days let alone 60+ days.
I just bought a German luxury convertible for 4.66% under MSRP without trying very hard.




I think the 7 speed feels good when in faster modes (S+/Race) but if you start driving a 9 speed MCT and the Getrag DCT you'll appreciate how well they are mated to the AMG engine. Unfortunately I can't tell how the 9 speed would be with the M157 engine but with the 4 liter engine it is an excellent package.
In regards to the 911, this is unfortunately a tired comparison. Same as comparative resale values. Porsche fine tuned the 911 market and calibrated supply and demand for a very long time. They have done an outstanding job and are being rewarded for it.
I know for a fact that R232 SLs which have been sitting for a while are sometimes being discounted to move. It takes a savvy buyer to negotiate a discount in this environment, but it’s possible. Dealers eventually tire of watching cars collect dust in the showroom for 30+ days let alone 60+ days.
I just bought a German luxury convertible for 4.66% under MSRP without trying very hard.
What did you buy?




I know for a fact that R232 SLs which have been sitting for a while are sometimes being discounted to move. It takes a savvy buyer to negotiate a discount in this environment, but it’s possible. Dealers eventually tire of watching cars collect dust in the showroom for 30+ days let alone 60+ days.
I just bought a German luxury convertible for 4.66% under MSRP without trying very hard.




The Best of Mercedes & AMG




I think the 7 speed feels good when in faster modes (S+/Race) but if you start driving a 9 speed MCT and the Getrag DCT you'll appreciate how well they are mated to the AMG engine. Unfortunately I can't tell how the 9 speed would be with the M157 engine but with the 4 liter engine it is an excellent package.
In regards to the 911, this is unfortunately a tired comparison. Same as comparative resale values. Porsche fine tuned the 911 market and calibrated supply and demand for a very long time. They have done an outstanding job and are being rewarded for it.
My experience is the 7-speed MCT more or less behaves like the 9 speed with 2 fewer gears and slightly less responsiveness in general. The 7-speed MCT shifts as fast as my 2022 Porsche PDK between gears. What the 7- and 9-speed MCT transmissions do that no Porsche PDK does (can’t speak for any GT cars PDK) is shift down multiple gears with a single long hold of the downshift lever.
The 9-speed MCT in my facelift 2019 C63S coupe was a bit clunky. Yes, it was. Coming to a stop was usually a clunk-fest with accompanied shuttering. Also the clutch seemed to slip a small bit when driving off. These may be connected to the tuning involved for the C63S.
The 9-speed MCT is better than the 7-speed. But I don’t think the 7-speed is lousy, and I don’t think there is a night and day difference between the two.
Last edited by 348SStb; Mar 5, 2023 at 03:53 PM.




Look at every car you like in cold weather states on cars.com, etc. Doing that towards the end of the month can help. Smaller dealers outside large networks are ideal. Not every dealer can move $200k cars...
Send each one same message. You like the car and are reading to pull the trigger if they meet your (not outlandish) discount. Let's say, 10% off. You can transact right away but do not mention how you'll pay. Cash is unattractive given the profit-sharing model with MB for financing/leasing.
They loose the service revenue but they will be wiling to move the car to drop the flooring costs.
Send it to maybe 15 dealers or so for sufficient feedback. Some will not respond, some will tell to to take a hike and pound sand and others will counter. Then just focus on the ones that are closest to your discount request... Dealers will come back to you if they have no leads.




My experience is the 7-speed MCT more or less behaves like the 9 speed with 2 fewer gears and slightly less responsiveness in general. The 7-speed MCT shifts as fast as my 2022 Porsche PDK between gears. What the 7- and 9-speed MCT transmissions do that no Porsche PDK does (can’t speak for any GT cars PDK) is shift down multiple gears with a single long hold of the downshift lever.
The 9-speed MCT in my facelift 2019 C63S coupe was a bit clunky. Yes, it was. Coming to a stop was usually a clunk-fest with accompanied shuttering. Also the clutch seemed to slip a small bit when driving off. These may be connected to the tuning involved for the C63S.
The 9-speed MCT is better than the 7-speed. But I don’t think the 7-speed is lousy, and I don’t think there is a night and day difference between the two.
The GT models have the 7DCL750 DCT from Getrag, same as the Ferrari 458 Italia although the gearing is a bit different. 2nd gen. Ford GT uses the same gearing as the AMG's.
Look at every car you like in cold weather states on cars.com, etc. Doing that towards the end of the month can help. Smaller dealers outside large networks are ideal. Not every dealer can move $200k cars...
Send each one same message. You like the car and are reading to pull the trigger if they meet your (not outlandish) discount. Let's say, 10% off. You can transact right away but do not mention how you'll pay. Cash is unattractive given the profit-sharing model with MB for financing/leasing.
They loose the service revenue but they will be wiling to move the car to drop the flooring costs.
Send it to maybe 15 dealers or so for sufficient feedback. Some will not respond, some will tell to to take a hike and pound sand and others will counter. Then just focus on the ones that are closest to your discount request... Dealers will come back to you if they have no leads.
The GT models have the 7DCL750 DCT from Getrag, same as the Ferrari 458 Italia although the gearing is a bit different. 2nd gen. Ford GT uses the same gearing as the AMG's.




Do you really think disaster is the appropriate word? Did you own a 7-speed MCT and hate it? I my SL63 with 7-speed MCT is far from a disaster. It suits the car very well. There are zero issues with it. It’s just not quite as responsive as the 9-speed. And it doesn’t behave like a conventional automatic, which I accept and do not use as a factor when evaluating it. The single clutch automated transmissions pioneered by Ferrari (F1) were criticized mostly by people who didn’t know how to drive a manual. The MCT is not a conventional automatic transmission.
I do agree with you on this — the 8-speed ZF would be better. I think it’s better than everything out there. I don’t understand why Mercedes invests its time, energy, and money making its own transmissions.
Last edited by 348SStb; Mar 5, 2023 at 06:49 PM.
Do you really think disaster is the appropriate word? Did you own a 7-speed MCT and hate it? I my SL63 with 7-speed MCT is far from a disaster. It suits the car very well. There are zero issues with it. It’s just not quite as responsive as the 9-speed. And it doesn’t behave like a conventional automatic, which I accept and do not use as a factor when evaluating it. The single clutch automated transmissions pioneered by Ferrari (F1) were criticized mostly by people who didn’t know how to drive a manual. The MCT is not a conventional automatic transmission.
I do agree with you on this — the 8-speed ZF would be better. I think it’s better than everything out there. I don’t understand why Mercedes invests its time, energy, and money making its own transmissions
.
Last edited by RJC; Mar 5, 2023 at 07:23 PM.




Do you really think disaster is the appropriate word? Did you own a 7-speed MCT and hate it? I my SL63 with 7-speed MCT is far from a disaster. It suits the car very well. There are zero issues with it. It’s just not quite as responsive as the 9-speed. And it doesn’t behave like a conventional automatic, which I accept and do not use as a factor when evaluating it. The single clutch automated transmissions pioneered by Ferrari (F1) were criticized mostly by people who didn’t know how to drive a manual. The MCT is not a conventional automatic transmission.
I do agree with you on this — the 8-speed ZF would be better. I think it’s better than everything out there. I don’t understand why Mercedes invests its time, energy, and money making its own transmissions.

The SL63 would have been better suited with a different transmission, given the audience. The MCT was the biggest complaint on the R231 63. The SL 65 on the other hand had an old-school slush box and was well liked by its owners. Of course, that car had bigger issues dynamically...
The AMG GT models were very successful as a coupe, less so as the roaster. Not enough of an audience. The new AMG SL will find its audience IMO for all the reasons I have mentioned previously.
Last edited by Wolfman; Mar 5, 2023 at 07:35 PM.
With respect to the MCT as in the S63 Coupes - I was given one to try for an extended overnight test drive, it was new and just PDI’d and wasn’t a good experience at all. I have two friends that bought them even after me telling them not to, both kept them for a very short time due to the trans and the trans only. Too bad the 63 S coupe is an otherwise lovely sport GT.
Last edited by RJC; Mar 5, 2023 at 08:23 PM.
With respect to the MCT as in the S63 Coupes - I was given one to try for an extended overnight test drive, it was new and just PDI’d and wasn’t a good experience at all. I have two friends that bought them even after me telling them not to, both kept them for a very short time due to the trans and the trans only. Too bad the 63 S coupe is an otherwise lovely sport GT.
I’m happy to hear the 9G in your new 63 is operating well…good to know.





The SL63 would have been better suited with a different transmission, given the audience. The MCT was the biggest complaint on the R231 63. The SL 65 on the other hand had an old-school slush box and was well liked by its owners. Of course, that car had bigger issues dynamically...
The AMG GT models were very successful as a coupe, less so as the roaster. Not enough of an audience. The new AMG SL will find its audience IMO for all the reasons I have mentioned previously.
With respect to the MCT as in the S63 Coupes - I was given one to try for an extended overnight test drive, it was new and just PDI’d and wasn’t a good experience at all. I have two friends that bought them even after me telling them not to, both kept them for a very short time due to the trans and the trans only. Too bad the 63 S coupe is an otherwise lovely sport GT.



