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I’m considering getting an R232 SL 63 AMG, but as I’ve been researching the market, I’ve noticed the depreciation on these cars is incredibly steep. I understand that luxury and sports cars typically depreciate faster, but this seems unusually high.
For instance, brand-new 2024 SL 63 models are listed as high as $250k, with an MSRP around $210k. However, I’ve come across 2022 models with only 5-6k miles priced around $110k—without even negotiating!
This massive depreciation has me wondering if there’s something about the car that I’m missing. When I watch videos and read reviews, the car seems phenomenal.
Does it really make sense to buy a 2022 model with 5k miles for $110k, or is there something about these cars that’s driving the prices down so drastically?
Maybe this has been discussed here before, so apologies if I’ve missed it. I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences with the R232 SL 63 AMG!
I’m considering getting an R232 SL 63 AMG, but as I’ve been researching the market, I’ve noticed the depreciation on these cars is incredibly steep. I understand that luxury and sports cars typically depreciate faster, but this seems unusually high.
For instance, brand-new 2024 SL 63 models are listed as high as $250k, with an MSRP around $210k. However, I’ve come across 2022 models with only 5-6k miles priced around $110k—without even negotiating!
This massive depreciation has me wondering if there’s something about the car that I’m missing. When I watch videos and read reviews, the car seems phenomenal.
Does it really make sense to buy a 2022 model with 5k miles for $110k, or is there something about these cars that’s driving the prices down so drastically?
Maybe this has been discussed here before, so apologies if I’ve missed it. I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences with the R232 SL 63 AMG!
Thanks in advance!
The main problem and cause to the depreciation for the R232 SL so far is because of a very delayed launch, they launched the 2022 model year if I recalled correctly near the end of 2022 and shortly after 2023 model year was released, that also pissed owners. Not to mention absurd dealership markups (ADM).
Then there were some quality issues, dealerships were giving very heavy incentives, then there was a conquest program which further accelerated the depreciation. Why buy used when you can buy new for very close to the used price is the mindset people had that also led to the depreciation.
I never buy new purely because of the first year depreciation, no matter which brand. I recently bought a SL55 2023 with 2500 on the clock. It is effectively new, immaculate condition, still has manufacturer warranty, yet cost £75,000 less than a new one. What’s not to like?
As said above, the SL was plagued with issues to the point where MB apologized and MBUSA gave everybody a $4000 voucher for all the troubles, but for many it was too little too late. There were a number of recent recalls that supposedly address the various issues. Haven't really heard of whether it did or not. While the SL initially had lots of dealer markup, they can now be had with double digit discounts. Not sure who still dares to slap an ADM on them. Convertibles are also very very niche. Even more niche than coupes, so the market is kinda small for these cars. The previous SL didn't sell well, either, and a lot of folks have issues with the current SL being only an AMG. There are plenty of former SL owners that just find it too harsh. It's a very different car from what the SL used to be. All these low mileage cars are probably mostly from owners who got fed up with all the issues and traded it in, or former SL owners who didn't realize that an AMG is quite a bit different from a cushy Mercedes-Benz.
Last edited by superswiss; Nov 30, 2024 at 03:53 AM.
I totally agree that the SL has become a very different car compared to previous generations. I owned a 2014 SL 63, and I loved every minute of it. I also knew people who owned non-AMG versions, and they enjoyed them just as much—mostly because of the smoother, less aggressive driving experience, which appealed to a different audience.
My only concern with the R232 SL, particularly the 2022 models, is the recalls and technical issues I’ve come across in some reviews here. I’m guessing these might be first-year production issues, and I’d assume they’ve been addressed in the later model years.
Does anyone have insights or personal experiences with this? Have the issues been resolved in the 2023 or 2024 versions? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Purchased a 2022 SL55 Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) with 2600 miles in July 2023. For several months I had numerous issues with battery that are well documented in this forum, however, through dealer a few visits and onair software updates, those issues were resolved going on a year now. I do keep my key fobs in a faraday box and no longer need the trickle charger that was provided by MB. The only time I get a battery charge warning now is when the dealer has it in the shop unlocked for a few hours with the key in the console. I have only one nagging occasional warning upon startup that my driver's seat back is not locked, however, it goes away shortly after I begin driving. I have put another 2500 miles on the car and have been thrilled with its performance. I have the $4000 voucher offer pending with the plan to put toward another year of warranty. Plan on keeping for at least another 4 or 5 years so not focused on depreciation but would recommend a CPO.
Great insight—thank you! I’ll definitely make sure to look out for CPOs, and it’s a fantastic idea to use the voucher as an extended warranty.
I just have a quick question: Does the $4,000 voucher automatically come with the car? If I end up purchasing one, will I receive the voucher as well?
The voucher is tied to the recalls. Once the car is brought in for the recalls, the owner gets the voucher. So if the car you are buying hasn't had the recalls done, then you should be getting the voucher once you bring it in. However, if the car was already sorted out before you bought it, then the voucher offer is probably void. Dealerships technically have to perform all the recalls before they can sell the car by law, so I'm guessing the voucher will no longer be on the table for people who are buying them now with the recalls already taken care of.
The $4000 voucher applied ONLY to 2022 and 2023 SL 55 and 63’s. $2000 for SL43. All recalls had to be completed by November 1 of this year but voucher could be used up to December 2025.
...I’ve noticed the depreciation on these cars is incredibly steep.
Originally Posted by patron_82
This massive depreciation has me wondering if there’s something about the car that I’m missing.
SL is an impractical once-in-a-while car for most people who buy it. Bear in mind, not many people buy these cars. There is effectively no market for them.
MB is a low quality purveyor of expensive garbage. Sad and true, read this site thoroughly with eyes wide open. MB creates phenomenal car ideas, and executes them poorly. The cars are nearly unmaintainable at moderate to high mileage. Depreciation reflects this. For illustrative purposes, consider the opposite scenario, the Honda CR-V.
My first new SL was a 1986 560SL( I still have it, with 277 total miles). The R107 sold 237K units, about 13K per year. There was a waiting list!!!! I bought a 600SL.......another waiting list.(averaged 17K/yr)
The R232 roll out was a disaster in myriad ways including delayed deliveries, poor reliability and questionable design.
I place the blame solely on MB. Poor decisions from the very start and an aloof attitude toward clients. Perhaps build/design a car with previous client input. Maybe MB can hire some senior Jaguar management??
2025 BMW Z4 M40i (Manual); 2025 Lexus NXH Luxury; 2021 Porsche Macan S; 2023 Audi Q5
Real world data:
Purchased new SL55 for MSRP of $158,600 in 2/23. 2022 Model Year. Naturally, it was a week or two before the $10K conquest cash offer was announced (I was coming out of a '22 Carrera S Cabriolet.)
Traded car in 11/24 (although only 21 months old, it was 3 model years) with 10,300 miles; received $85,000 in trade. HIgher end used cars are tanking. That's not limited to MB.
Per model year, that's 15.66% per year. High, but not off the charts, and as a trade that was a wholesale value. AMGs are not known for value retention and I went into it with my eyes open. No idea what the retail value of the car was.
Furthermore, to those who have advocated previous client input, the SL line has sold poorly for years. MB was clearly looking for a new target audience. I think the design of the R232 was good (obviously personal opinion) but I can't argue that the execution was, and the market has not been kind. All I can say was that my car was pretty much flawless after the first day of ownership.
Purchased new SL55 for MSRP of $158,600 in 2/23. 2022 Model Year. Naturally, it was a week or two before the $10K conquest cash offer was announced (I was coming out of a '22 Carrera S Cabriolet.)
Traded car in 11/24 (although only 21 months old, it was 3 model years) with 10,300 miles; received $85,000 in trade. HIgher end used cars are tanking. That's not limited to MB.
Per model year, that's 15.66% per year. High, but not off the charts, and as a trade that was a wholesale value. AMGs are not known for value retention and I went into it with my eyes open. No idea what the retail value of the car was.
Furthermore, to those who have advocated previous client input, the SL line has sold poorly for years. MB was clearly looking for a new target audience. I think the design of the R232 was good (obviously personal opinion) but I can't argue that the execution was, and the market has not been kind. All I can say was that my car was pretty much flawless after the first day of ownership.
I couldn’t read drgek’s comment and not reply. My experience has been almost identical. I identify with his comments so much, I decided not to remain as a lurker in the thread, and become a participant to drgek’s comments because he has said what I was thinking, and said it well, and got there 1st. Kind of like a hallmark card.
I suppose I could have just left a like, but that seemed lazy to an extent.
Can't speak to the 2022, I picked up a 2023 and after the recalls, it has been flawless; as for the depreciation, it is eye-watering, but who cares? I'm not selling, so it doesn't matter . . . yet Good luck, KH
Yeah, can't really fault MB for trying to redefine the SL in search of people who actually buy it. Those who moan about it are kinda like the people who moan about the lack of wagons in the USA. When it comes down to putting their money where their mouth is, everybody and their mother rather buys an SUV/Crossover. As said, the previous SL sold poorly, so the alternative would have been to discontinue it. Not that sales are stellar for the new SL, but sharing the platform with the GT at least lets MB spread the cost.
Last edited by superswiss; Dec 1, 2024 at 07:40 PM.
SL is an impractical once-in-a-while car for most people who buy it. Bear in mind, not many people buy these cars. There is effectively no market for them.
MB is a low quality purveyor of expensive garbage. Sad and true, read this site thoroughly with eyes wide open. MB creates phenomenal car ideas, and executes them poorly. The cars are nearly unmaintainable at moderate to high mileage. Depreciation reflects this. For illustrative purposes, consider the opposite scenario, the Honda CR-V.
Caveat emptor in extremis.
Good Lord your post are empty rhetoric and nonsense…
The SL is a car as you said, a car most people won’t buy and has a limited market. Part of that is due to the price and being impractical. The reason they depreciate is because when new there isn’t a market for them. So why would there be a market for them used? You had 1 MB and cry all the time about quality. Of course this forum is full of people with issues… that is every car forum and literally the purpose of a forum. To help people with issues. All car forums are like this. There are plenty of people driving high mileage MB’s and have no issues keeping them going. The fact that you compare a SL to a CRV shows you are clueless….
I've been a MB fan since high school. My first SL was in 1986, that car represented class, reliability and superior engineering. The aforementioned qualities created demand and admiration. Regretfully, those days are long gone. Reliability, as evidenced by several consumer surveys ( JDP and CU to name two), are abysmal. We can thank Stellantis, otherwise MB would be dead last.
Another post made the comparison with Honda. Although I have several MBs (I think owning 1 bad MB is sufficient to comment) , my daily driver is a Honda with 286K trouble free miles, even an original clutch!. Hondas are well known for being well engineered and incredibly reliable. I think it's a relevant comparison. Why can't MB be more like Honda??? I'll put on my Nomex.
I’m considering getting an R232 SL 63 AMG, but as I’ve been researching the market, I’ve noticed the depreciation on these cars is incredibly steep. I understand that luxury and sports cars typically depreciate faster, but this seems unusually high.
For instance, brand-new 2024 SL 63 models are listed as high as $250k, with an MSRP around $210k. However, I’ve come across 2022 models with only 5-6k miles priced around $110k—without even negotiating!
This massive depreciation has me wondering if there’s something about the car that I’m missing. When I watch videos and read reviews, the car seems phenomenal.
Does it really make sense to buy a 2022 model with 5k miles for $110k, or is there something about these cars that’s driving the prices down so drastically?
Maybe this has been discussed here before, so apologies if I’ve missed it. I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences with the R232 SL 63 AMG!
Thanks in advance!
If this is what you're referencing, anyone even contemplating paying an ADM for one of these is insane and dealers still having them proves their greed and willful disconnect from what the overall market is these days.
A '24 is now a leftover model now that '25s are being produced and arriving.
For the avg '24 63's $210k msrp I would be looking at nothing less than $25-35k+ off msrp...fyi there is already $15k in 63 trunk money which is on top of expected deep dealer discounts. These vehicles are not selling well/as planned and those stuck on floorplan more than 90days+ need to be moved...period.
If this is what you're referencing, anyone even contemplating paying an ADM for one of these is insane and dealers still having them proves their greed and willful disconnect from what the overall market is these days.
A '24 is now a leftover model now that '25s are being produced and arriving.
For the avg '24 63's $210k msrp I would be looking at nothing less than $25-35k+ off msrp...fyi there is already $15k in 63 trunk money which is on top of expected deep dealer discounts. These vehicles are not selling well/as planned and those stuck on floorplan more than 90days+ need to be moved...period.
Good Lord your post are empty rhetoric and nonsense…
The SL is a car as you said, a car most people won’t buy and has a limited market. Part of that is due to the price and being impractical. The reason they depreciate is because when new there isn’t a market for them. So why would there be a market for them used? You had 1 MB and cry all the time about quality. Of course this forum is full of people with issues… that is every car forum and literally the purpose of a forum. To help people with issues. All car forums are like this. There are plenty of people driving high mileage MB’s and have no issues keeping them going. The fact that you compare a SL to a CRV shows you are clueless….
Not really. LC500 convertibles hold their value like a ****.
The reason MBs depreciate so badly is because of reliability issues.
Unfortunately, AMG's in general have had very poor resale
Make sense because AMG tends to be driven hard and there is usually more expensive tech like e-turbo on the S 63 E Performance other upgrades like beefier brakes, suspensions, then there is the "AMG tax" and "AMG insurance premium". AMGs are generally sold for more than the same tier Mercedes-Benz and they have a higher profit margin.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
I’ve had 8 SL’s, since 1973, 6 of which were brand new. They were all lovely cars, but the overall high point, in my opinion, was the R231–when properly optioned. Virtually zero reliability issues, still the old school, luxurious interiors and the truly fabulous, retractable hardtop. The cars were relatively affordable and offered up amazingly comfortable & luxurious, top down driving. So, it didn’t sell well. If MB had kept what was good with the R231 and improved what wasn’t they could have had a world class “halo” car. Instead, they decided to palm off the design to AMG. They tried to build a 911 and, in my opinion, failed miserably.
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Good luck, KH
