SL-Class (R232) Discussion on the 2022 R232

SL/R232: Why is the SL ~$10,000.00 more than the new AMG GT?

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Old Nov 13, 2024 | 12:13 AM
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Why is the SL ~$10,000.00 more than the new AMG GT?

The soft top? Thought the GT was supposed to be a step above
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Old Nov 13, 2024 | 01:41 AM
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The convertibles are generally always more expensive than the coupes. Convertibles are even more niche than coupes, so they sell in fewer numbers, and the costs such as homologation, development etc. gets spread over a smaller sales volume, which increases the per unit price. If you sell fewer units of a product, you have to charge more for each unit to cover all the costs. Homologation etc. costs the same whether you sell 100 or 200 units. The convertibles generally also require additional design considerations to make up for the lack of a fixed roof. In a coupe, sedan etc. the roof adds a lot of rigidity to the chassis. W/o that there is additional bracing required to get similar stiffness.

Last edited by superswiss; Nov 13, 2024 at 01:43 AM.
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Old Nov 13, 2024 | 08:11 PM
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Originally Posted by RJC
The soft top? Thought the GT was supposed to be a step above
I had an AMG GTS ( a hard top) for a few years and then got an AMG GTC (soft top) and thought it to be a big step above. Then I got an AMG SL63 (soft top) and it is in my estimation a big step above the GTC. Of course, all of these are personal estimations and others will have different opinions.
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Old Nov 14, 2024 | 08:48 PM
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Originally Posted by California John
I had an AMG GTS ( a hard top) for a few years and then got an AMG GTC (soft top) and thought it to be a big step above. Then I got an AMG SL63 (soft top) and it is in my estimation a big step above the GTC. Of course, all of these are personal estimations and others will have different opinions.
Have you driven the new GT and if so, how does the suspension/ride compliance differ to you. I've only driven the GT 55/63 but not the SL yet as I'm a bit smitten with the new GT's looks, but like a softer ride. Also is the susp the same in the 55/63 in both guises for the SL and GT themselves? To clarify I do realize the SL's susp is different than the GT's.
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Old Nov 14, 2024 | 08:51 PM
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Originally Posted by superswiss
The convertibles are generally always more expensive than the coupes. Convertibles are even more niche than coupes, so they sell in fewer numbers, and the costs such as homologation, development etc. gets spread over a smaller sales volume, which increases the per unit price. If you sell fewer units of a product, you have to charge more for each unit to cover all the costs. Homologation etc. costs the same whether you sell 100 or 200 units. The convertibles generally also require additional design considerations to make up for the lack of a fixed roof. In a coupe, sedan etc. the roof adds a lot of rigidity to the chassis. W/o that there is additional bracing required to get similar stiffness.
Yes, I obviously realize this, that why i mentioned the soft top, but my point was the GT is supposed to be more of the halo/flagship of MB coupe/roadster types and even more a niche vehicle than the more common SL, so why is it still 10k cheaper, soft top or not?

Last edited by RJC; Nov 14, 2024 at 09:49 PM.
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Old Nov 14, 2024 | 11:17 PM
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Originally Posted by RJC
Yes, I obviously realize this, that why i mentioned the soft top, but my point was the GT is supposed to be more of the halo/flagship of MB coupe/roadster types and even more a niche vehicle than the more common SL, so why is it still 10k cheaper, soft top or not?
The GT is less of a niche car. That's my point. Convertibles are very low volume sellers in many parts of the world. Unless you live in Florida or California, convertibles aren't that much of a thing. It's either too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter. The Brits also strangely love their convertibles, even though it mostly rains up there, but I guess they want to take as much advantage of the few sunny days as possible.

Last edited by superswiss; Nov 14, 2024 at 11:23 PM.
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Old Nov 15, 2024 | 12:02 AM
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Originally Posted by superswiss
The GT is less of a niche car. That's my point. Convertibles are very low volume sellers in many parts of the world. Unless you live in Florida or California, convertibles aren't that much of a thing. It's either too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter. The Brits also strangely love their convertibles, even though it mostly rains up there, but I guess they want to take as much advantage of the few sunny days as possible.
you think mb sells more gt’s than sl’s? Interesting
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Old Nov 15, 2024 | 12:11 AM
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Originally Posted by RJC
you think mb sells more gt’s than sl’s? Interesting
Yes, convertibles historically have had much fewer allocations. It'll take the GT a bit of time since it just went on sale for the overall numbers to favor the GT, but convertibles have always sold in way fewer numbers. That market is just not very big.

Last edited by superswiss; Nov 15, 2024 at 12:12 AM.
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Old Nov 15, 2024 | 02:10 PM
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Originally Posted by RJC
Have you driven the new GT and if so, how does the suspension/ride compliance differ to you. I've only driven the GT 55/63 but not the SL yet as I'm a bit smitten with the new GT's looks, but like a softer ride. Also is the susp the same in the 55/63 in both guises for the SL and GT themselves? To clarify I do realize the SL's susp is different than the GT's.
Sorry. I haven't driven the new GTs. Good luck!!!
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Old Nov 15, 2024 | 07:55 PM
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Originally Posted by superswiss
Yes, convertibles historically have had much fewer allocations. It'll take the GT a bit of time since it just went on sale for the overall numbers to favor the GT, but convertibles have always sold in way fewer numbers. That market is just not very big.
I hear ya but I think the SL will always outsell the GT as the Gt's audience is far narrower
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