Verdict
These two convertibles serve very different Malaysian buyers. At RM999,888, the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL costs RM681,000 more than the RM318,888 MINI Convertible, but brings 375 hp and 480 Nm against 204 hp and 300 Nm, cutting the 0-100 km/h run from 6.9 to 4.9 seconds. Its 70-litre tank, 240-litre boot and 2,700-mm wheelbase also suit longer trips better. The MINI is 826 mm shorter, front-wheel drive and far easier to place in town. Pick the AMG SL for serious pace and grand-tourer space; the MINI for the open-top experience without a seven-figure outlay.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL if you want 375 hp, 480 Nm, rear-wheel drive and a 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time for long-distance convertible use.
Pick the MINI Convertible if you want a much smaller 3,879-mm convertible with 204 hp performance at RM681,000 less.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL RM999,888; MINI Convertible RM318,888.
- Power and torque: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 375 hp/480 Nm; MINI Convertible 204 hp/300 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h and top speed: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 4.9 seconds/275 km/h; MINI Convertible 6.9 seconds/237 km/h.
- Length and wheelbase: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 4,705 mm/2,700 mm; MINI Convertible 3,879 mm/2,495 mm.
- Fuel tank and boot: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 70 litres/240 litres; MINI Convertible 44 litres/215 litres.
- Driveline and transmission: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL rear-wheel drive with 9 gears; MINI Convertible front-wheel drive with 7 gears.
AMG SL
- 375 hp and 480 Nm, with 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds.
- 70-litre fuel tank and 240-litre boot.
- Powered memory front seats, 17-speaker Burmester audio and steering-assisted adaptive cruise control.
- Costs RM681,000 more than the MINI Convertible.
- At 4,705 mm long and 1,915 mm wide, it is substantially larger than the MINI.
- ISOFIX is only on the front passenger seat; the MINI also has outer rear-seat ISOFIX.
Convertible
- RM681,000 cheaper to buy.
- 826 mm shorter and 171 mm narrower than the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL.
- ISOFIX on the front passenger and both outer rear seats, plus four auto-up/down windows.
- 204 hp and 300 Nm trail the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL's 375 hp and 480 Nm.
- Its 6.9-second 0-100 km/h time is 2.0 seconds slower.
- 44-litre tank and 215-litre boot are smaller than the AMG SL's 70 litres and 240 litres.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM999,888 | RM318,888✓ |
| Body type | Convertible | Convertible |
| Segment | Grand Tourer | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM376✓ | RM379 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing with Mild Hybrid Assistance | 16 valve, DOHC, variable intake and exhaust cam timing, variable intake valve lift, twin-scroll turbo |
| Capacity | 1,991 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 375 hp✓ | 204 hp |
| Torque | 480 Nm✓ | 300 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 13 hp | — |
| Battery Capacity | 1 kWh | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | AMG Speedshift MCT 9G | 7-speed Steptronic Transmission |
| Gears | 9 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Daimler | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.9 seconds✓ | 6.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 275 km/h✓ | 237 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,705 mm | 3,879 mm |
| Width | 1,915 mm | 1,744 mm |
| Height | 1,359 mm | 1,431 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | 2,495 mm |
| Weight | 1,810 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | 44 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 240 litres✓ | 215 litres |
| Front Tyre | 275/35R21 | 215/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 305/30R21 | 215/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | United Kingdom (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-Link | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 21" AMG 10-Twin-Spoke Forged Alloys | 18" Night Flash Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" AMG 10-Twin-Spoke Forged Alloys | 18" Night Flash Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | Sports Suspension | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Front Passenger Seat | Available on Front Passenger and Outer Two Rear Seat |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Both Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Digital Light LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Dynamic Light Design and Sequential Indicators | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 50:50 Split-folding | 50:50 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 17-Speaker Burmester Sound System | 9.4" OLED Display with MINI OS, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Harman Kardon Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Driver Side Auto Up & Down | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Flip Switch |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Pop-out Door Handles | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go | Active Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years✓ | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | Repair Inclusive extendable up to 5 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used AMG SL & Convertible for sale
AMG SL vs Convertible FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL or MINI Convertible better?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG SL is better for outright performance, with 375 hp, 480 Nm and a 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time. The MINI Convertible is the more sensible choice for buyers prioritising a smaller footprint and a RM681,000 lower purchase price.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG SL costs RM681,000 more than the MINI Convertible.
Which convertible is easier to use in town?
The MINI Convertible is easier to place in town: it is 3,879 mm long and 1,744 mm wide, versus 4,705 mm and 1,915 mm for the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL. It also has six front parking sensors to the Mercedes' four.
