A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Powerful, aggressive and streamlined, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is a precision-crafted supercar. It was offered originally as a coupe, but this year saw the addition of a roadster body style.

Key Features

From the 7-speed dual clutch to the almost 600 hp produced by the car’s engine, there are plenty of features to delight anyone with a need for speed. However, the SLS AMG isn’t light on electronics, either. The coupe’s gullwing doors never fail to draw attention, while the carbon-fiber accents throughout the cockpit put just the right finishing touch on the interior design.

Changes for 2012

Mercedes introduced the new roadster model in 2012. The coupe saw only a handful of changes, though, including a now-standard blind spot monitoring system, as well as some optional equipment. It also gained a new adaptive suspension and a new interior color (piano black).

What We Like

What’s not to love about the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG? It’s a thing of beauty and incredible engineering. The power and performance are stunning and the cockpit cradles the driver and passenger in both luxury and comfort. The soft-top roadster version is even better, particularly if you want to let the top down and feel the wind while you blaze down the road.

What Concerns Us

There are a couple of things that could be just a little better about the SLS AMG. The price is one. While it’s under $200,000, that still doesn’t constitute a bargain. The gullwing doors also make it a little hard to get in and out of the car without some exertion (and the doors are heavy, too, which can make them harder to operate than you might first think).

Available Models

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG was offered in two models – the standard coupe and a convertible roadster. Both shared the same engine and transmission combination – a 6.2-liter V8 engine producing 563 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy for the car is 14/20 mpg, which isn’t a high point, but if you’re shelling out for this supercar, chances are good that you’re not too worried about how much you’re paying at the pump.

Major Recalls

No recalls have been listed for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.

Common Issues

Fuel consumption is one of the primary concerns cited by drivers, and many find that the starting is a little too quick for their liking.

mercedes benz sls amg 2012 interior


Next Step

Schedule Pre-purchase Car Inspection

The most popular service booked by readers of this article is Pre-purchase Car Inspection. YourMechanic’s technicians bring the dealership to you by performing this job at your home or office 7-days a week between 7AM-9PM. We currently cover over 2,000 cities and have 100k+ 5-star reviews... LEARN MORE

SEE PRICING & SCHEDULING

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Recent Pre-purchase Car Inspection reviews

Excellent Rating

(5,493)

Rating Summary
5,137
193
39
38
86
5,137
193
39
38
86

Jermaine

25 years of experience
382 reviews
Jermaine
25 years of experience
Dodge Durango V6-3.6L - Pre-purchase Car Inspection - Silver Spring, Maryland
Awesome mechanic! Very reliable !! Awesome personality! Explained everything and now I feel less stressed.
Hyundai Ioniq - Pre-purchase Car Inspection - Chevy Chase, Maryland
Jermaine was very friendly, efficient and professional. He kindly explained to me those things that did not score well in the service report, so that it didn't come as a surprise, and I would know what to do about it.

Caz

18 years of experience
146 reviews
Caz
18 years of experience
Mercedes-Benz GLA250 L4-2.0L Turbo - Pre-purchase Car Inspection - Woodstock, Georgia
Caz was extremely knowledgeable, personable and provided excellent service. He was on time for the appointment and answered and explained everything I asked concerning my vehicle. I will definitely use the company again and I would love to have Caz as my mechanic! Excellent!
Mercedes-Benz S550 - Pre-purchase Car Inspection - Mableton, Georgia
Caz Arrived on time much earlier than scheduled. He was very professional in inspecting the car and made excellent recommendations.

Brian

19 years of experience
138 reviews
Brian
19 years of experience
Lexus RX350 V6-3.5L - Pre-purchase Car Inspection - McDonough, Georgia
Brian was very informational and knowledgeable about the Inspection. He throughly inform me what issues on vehicle. Great Mechanic !!!
Ford Transit-350 HD - Pre-purchase Car Inspection - McDonough, Georgia
Great service. Honest , respectful and truly cares about making sure you get the best options possible at an affordable price. Finding a mechanic you can trust is rare. I highly recommend Brain.

Jay

24 years of experience
262 reviews
Jay
24 years of experience
Honda CR-V L4-2.4L - Pre-purchase Car Inspection - Glendale Heights, Illinois
Jay did a great job! Excellent at taking time to explain things about your car. And provided sound recommendation on repair. Courteous and responsive. I would definitely recommend Jay!
BMW 535i xDrive - Pre-purchase Car Inspection - Des Plaines, Illinois
Excellent ! Jay is very detail oriented and forward thinking. I would highly recommend him to anyone.

Need Help With Your Car?

Our certified mobile mechanics make house calls in over 2,000 U.S. cities. Fast, free online quotes for your car repair.

GET A QUOTE

Related articles

How to Buy Good Quality Brake Shoes
Most Most cars on the road today have a disc brake system, at least on the front end. Cars used to utilize drum brakes on both front and rear, and some cars today still have a drum system in the...
How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Car Title in Oregon
It's It's hard to keep track of all our important pieces of information and ID. Your car title is one of those items you may have lost track of over the years, and suddenly now that you're ready to transfer...
How to Buy a Classic Pontiac
Whether you want to buy a classic Pontiac for yourself or as a gift, here are some tips on buying one for a great value.

Related questions

How do I know if the brakes need to be replaced?
Your car has self-adjusting, four-wheel disc brakes. That offers better stopping power, but you need to know the signs that the pads are beginning to wear out. While some squeaking is normal with all disc brakes, yours are equipped with...
Car starts, but doesn't shift into gear, and power steering not working.
Sometimes with newer vehicles, replacing the battery can cause issues. Some systems may need to be reset, or relearned in order to function properly. It's not that you did anything wrong necessarily, but I would suggest you ask for help...
Fan sounds like it is hitting something.
Hi there. It sounds like maybe you have a bearing worn out on a pulley or the fan bearing may be worn out. This will definitely cause the pulley or fan to sound like if it hitting another component on...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (855) 347-2779 · hi@yourmechanic.com