Verdict
These convertibles sit worlds apart in Malaysia. At RM999,888, the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL costs RM681,000 more, but brings 375 hp and 480 Nm, rear-wheel drive and a 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time against the MINI Convertible’s 204 hp, 300 Nm, front-wheel drive and 6.9 seconds. The MINI is 826 mm shorter, so it is the far easier fit where space is tight, yet the SL has a 240-litre boot, 25 litres more than the MINI. Choose the AMG SL for pace and long-distance equipment; choose the MINI for a much smaller financial commitment and compact dimensions.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL if you want 375 hp, 480 Nm, rear-wheel drive and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.
Pick the MINI Convertible if you want a 3,879-mm-long convertible at a fraction of the AMG SL’s price.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL RM999,888; MINI Convertible RM318,888.
- Performance: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 375 hp, 480 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds; MINI Convertible 204 hp, 300 Nm and 6.9 seconds.
- Dimensions: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL is 4,705 mm long and 1,915 mm wide; MINI Convertible is 3,879 mm long and 1,744 mm wide.
- Driveline and gears: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL has rear-wheel drive and a nine-speed dual-clutch; MINI Convertible has front-wheel drive and a seven-speed…
- Boot and fuel tank: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL has 240 litres and 70 litres; MINI Convertible has 215 litres and 44 litres.
- Front-seat adjustment: Mercedes-Benz AMG SL has powered front seats with memory; MINI Convertible has manual front-seat adjustment.
AMG SL
- 375 hp and 480 Nm, with 4.9-second 0-100 km/h acceleration
- Rear-wheel drive, nine-speed transmission and 275 km/h top speed
- Powered memory front seats, 17-speaker Burmester audio and 360-degree camera
- RM681,000 more expensive
- 826 mm longer and 171 mm wider
- ISOFIX only on the front passenger seat versus front passenger and both outer rear seats
Convertible
- RM318,888 entry price
- 826 mm shorter and 171 mm narrower
- ISOFIX on the front passenger seat and both outer rear seats
- 204 hp and 300 Nm trail the AMG SL’s 375 hp and 480 Nm
- 6.9-second 0-100 km/h time is 2.0 seconds slower
- Manual front seats and warning-only lane keeping versus powered memory seats and steering correction
| 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 | — |
| 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 and equipment, with 375 hp, 480 Nm and a 4.9-second sprint. The MINI Convertible is the better choice when compact size and purchase cost matter more than pace.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG SL costs RM681,000 more than the MINI Convertible: RM999,888 versus RM318,888.
Which convertible is easier to park?
The MINI Convertible is easier to place in tight spaces on dimensions alone. It is 3,879 mm long and 1,744 mm wide, compared with 4,705 mm and 1,915 mm for the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL; both have 360-degree cameras and auto parking.