Back to catalog

Mercedes-Benz

SLS AMG

C197 / R197· 2010-2014 coupe

Top issues

6 known problems

medium

Early-car fuel injector and intake manifold faults

Early cars; mostly covered in warranty period

medium

DCT software and shift quality

Any

medium

Camshaft adjuster wear (M159, shared M156 design)

Around 60,000 miles (about 100,000km) in a UK guide (unverified)

All 6 problems ↓ Inspection checklist →

Recalls

1 on record

PRA 2018/16775 2019-06-26

Defect: Takata beta driver's airbag inflator: with age, heat and humidity can degrade the propellant, so the inflator housing may rupture if the airbag deploys. The recall was published 15 May 2018 and extended to SLS vehicles on 26 June 2019.

Hazard: Metal fragments could be projected towards occupants, risking serious injury or death.

Remedy: Free replacement of the driver's airbag inflator by a Mercedes-Benz dealer; VIN look-up at recall.mercedes-benz.com.au.

Affected: 121 SLS vehicles, MY2011-2014

Official notice: www.productsafety.gov.au · details checked 2026-11-09

Check a specific car by VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

At this odometer

See which of this car's known problems are due at that mileage, which should already have been dealt with, and what's coming up.

Before and after

Before: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (spiritual)

After: Mercedes-AMG GT (C190)

Price (AUD)

$400k-$700k (unverified)

Body styles

Coupe (gullwing), Roadster

Drivetrain

RWD

Origin

Germany

Built in

Germany

Overview

AMG's first ground-up car: aluminium spaceframe, front-mid mounted 6.2L M159 V8 (a dry-sump derivative of the M156), a rear-mounted 7-speed dual-clutch transaxle and gullwing doors. Australian sales: the coupe from mid-2010 at about $464,000; the Roadster (conventional doors) from early 2012 at $487,500. Mercedes-Benz Australia's own Takata recall lists about 121 SLS in the country, so it is a very rare car. The SLS AMG GT update (435kW) was NOT sold in Australia: Mercedes-Benz Australia said it was holding out for a more powerful car, which became the Black Series. The Black Series (separate, more powerful, sold out) is not covered here. The M159 is mostly robust; the problems are early-car teething issues, DCT software, and the sheer cost of anything that breaks. Pricing is rare-car, collector territory, so condition and history matter more than km.

Engines & variants

6.2L M159 V8 (SLS AMG coupe / roadster)

Engine

Naturally aspirated dry-sump AMG V8, front-mid mounted

Engine code

M159

Config

V8 NA

Displacement

6208cc

Power

420kW @ 6800rpm

Torque

650Nm @ 4750rpm

Drivetrain

RWD

0–100

3.8s (coupe); 3.9s quoted for roadster in one review (unverified)

Economy

13.3 L/100km combined

Transmission

7AT (AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT, rear transaxle)

Pros

Genuine 420kW NA V8 with great sound
Gullwing coupe is an event car; roadster adds open-air V8
Aluminium spaceframe, strong chassis
Rare in Australia (about 121 cars in the Takata recall list)

Cons

Very high running costs and parts pricing
DCT low-speed behaviour and paddle response need software to be current
Door alignment and roadster roof sealing can be fiddly
Low-profile 30/35 tyres: rims are easy to damage

Known problems

medium

Early-car fuel injector and intake manifold faults

Australian guide reports early cars had fuel-injector issues and cracked manifolds that Mercedes-AMG says were rectified under warranty.

Fix: Check history for these repairs; get a specialist inspection.

Early cars; mostly covered in warranty period

medium

DCT software and shift quality

Slow paddle response was improved by a transmission software update; UK guides also report occasional lurching on upshifts while slowing, or the box rejecting a downshift. A UK guide says a software flash often cures occasional gremlins and that clutch position sensors can be reset to extend clutch life.

Fix: Confirm the latest AMG software is installed; test at low speed and in manual mode.

Any

medium

Camshaft adjuster wear (M159, shared M156 design)

Owner-reported/UK guide: camshaft adjuster wear is the main engine wear item on the M159 otherwise rated as robust. M156 camshaft/lifter wear is documented; the M159 shares the basic design.

Fix: Listen for a cold-start rattle; repair is adjuster/solenoid replacement.

Around 60,000 miles (about 100,000km) in a UK guide (unverified)

low

Dry-sump oil level check

The oil is in a remote tank; checking it on a cold or recently parked engine gives a wrong reading and can lead to overfilling.

Fix: Check only warm and per the owner's manual procedure.

Any

low

Roadster roof sealing and water ingress; door alignment

UK guide: some Roadster roofs have sealing issues and water can enter getting in or out in rain; gullwing doors are difficult to align, so check gaps. Cars left with the hood folded can show creasing or fading.

Fix: Inspect seals and door gaps; fix before it affects the hinge/latch.

Any

low

Electrical and trim gremlins on early cars

Australian guide: dash displays, sound system and power windows were affected on early cars; any problems should have been fixed by now.

Fix: Operate every function.

Early cars

Something wrong in this guide? Tell us →

More like this

Best Used Coupes & Sports Cars → All types and budgets →