Piston Slap: Crazy 'bout a Bi-Turbo Black Series

TTAC commentator doctorv8 writes:

My beloved 2005 CL65 AMG (http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/mercedes-cl65-amg/) is about to meet its maker after the lease ends next month. As a soon-to-be-displaced torque junkie coming off a 36-month fix, I must have another AMG-tuned twin turbo V12. Because that’s how I roll: completely high on big-block turbo boost and grinning like an idiot. Never thought MB could outdo themselves after they introduced the 604 HP twin turbo V12 in 2005, but with the new SL65 AMG Black Series, they have seemingly done exactly that.

As much as I have tried to resist that muscular flared carbon fiber intense bodywork that conceals the most powerful engine ever installed by those nutjobs at AMG….after seeing an especially stunning one locally, it has become difficult to justify waiting for prices to drop.

But obviously there are concerns about an expenditure this large, so I wanted your opinion . . .

1. Crippling depreciation paired with an insane price tag: with so few (175) built for the USA, will it drop as hard as other AMG cars? I plan on keeping mine for a long time.

2. The upcoming Gullwing/SLS supercar: how will it affect the SL65 Black Series’ value? It isn’t supposed to have the V12.

3. Do you know if there’ll be a 2010 SL65 Black Series?

4. Have you heard if the V12 BiTurbo will remain in the Mercedes lineup, or is this the end of an era? I wonder if Euro carbon footprints and US CAFE regs will kill it . . . though BMW does have a new Direct Injection/TT-equipped 12 pack coming out soon . . . .

TTAC’s Guru of All Things Amazing, Jay Shoemaker, writes:

Unfortunately I lost my close contact at AMG, so everything I say is speculation. But, since you mentioned it, you can have my 2006 S65 for $55K.

1. Depreciation will always be an issue for AMG cars, particularly these days. I think this will be a very bad investment. Wait a year, they will cost $200K on the resale market.

2. The new Gullwing will change everything, wait for it. It will be lighter and faster than the Black Series and less expensive and probably better looking.

3. I don’t believe there will be a 2010 Black Series SL.

4. I heard a rumor that Mercedes would phase out all its V12’ss. But then BMW goes and announces a V12 for their 7 series, so I doubt Mercedes will cede this ground.

Sajeev adds:

Here’s the problem: Jay’s applying a well-needed amount of rational thinking to what is an unbelievably irrational purchase. This doctorv8 guy is my brother, I don’t know if he can resist pulling the trigger on the last (last?) of the monster-thrust Mercedes. But time is on his side, so let the depreciation curve begin!

[Send your queries to mehta@ttac.com]