2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 Black Series

The auction hammer fell at $405,000 for this 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 Black Series: Room to Run!

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series is one of the most outrageous and rare cars Mercedes has built in the post-war period. Given the move towards electric drive, it is unlikely that Mercedes will build anything like it again. Its a bi-turbo V12 with huge flares and menancing presence. Only 350 were made worldwide with only 175 coming to the United States. The car debuted in the midst of the largest financial crisis since the Great Depression. From 2010 until about 2015 the car faced a steep depreciation curve. From 2015 to last year, these cars traded in a range between $185,000 and $220,000. This recent BaT auction result changes the game and brings the SL Black Series into a new (and deserved) league that is closing in on $500,000.

Our subject car was purchased new by the current owner’s late husband from Mercedes-Benz of Portland, Oregon and is finished in Iridium Silver over black leather. Power comes from a twin-turbocharged 6.0L V12 paired with a paddle-shifted five-speed automatic transmission and a limited-slip differential, and additional features include widened Black Series carbon-fiber bodywork, a fixed carbon-fiber roof, a COMAND infotainment system, and factory forged alloy wheels. This SL65 Black Series has 11k miles and is being offered by the seller on behalf of the current owner with a car cover, a Vehicle Master Inquiry, trickle charger, manufacturer’s literature, a clean Carfax report, and a clean Oregon title.

It was only a matter of time before the SL65 moved well above its $304,000 MSRP. This is a landmark transaction because it puts eyeballs on this rare and special car. Expect to see many more SL65 Black Series come to market. These cars are really fun to drive and many of them have been driven. There are several very low mileage examples out there and it will be interesting to see how the market will treat a true investment grade example. Within the next 18 months investment grade SL Black Series will punch above $500,000.