Although the Mercedes SLR McLaren cost almost twice as much as the Mercedes CLK DTM AMG when they were launched, the Mercedes CLK DTM AMG sells for a higher price at auctions than the Mercedes SLR McLaren.
Photo: Bonhams
Mercedes has developed a supersport model to celebrate its 2003 DTM championship victory. The Mercedes CLK DTM AMG was produced in 100 examples in the coupe version and 80 units in the roadster version. It was equipped with the M113 5.5-litre supercharged engine with a mechanical supercharger that delivered 582 PS and 800 Nm. The coupe version cost 236,060 euro and the convertible 277,820 euro.
A version derived from the M113 engine called the M155 was used in the Mercedes SLR McLaren. It had the same displacement of 5.4 liters and used the same mechanical supercharger. The M155 version developed 626 PS and 780 Nm in the Mercedes SLR McLaren. Launched in September 2003, the Mercedes SLR McLaren had a price of 452,000 euro.
Mercedes intended to produce 500 units per year for seven years, 3,500 in total, but could only find 2,157 customers.
Although the price of the SLR McLaren was almost double, nowadays, at auctions, the Mercedes CLK DTM AMG sells for higher prices. At a Bonhams online auction in Brussels taking place between 5 and 16 December, a Mercedes CLK DTM AMG Cabrio is being offered at an estimated price of between 600,000 and 800,000 euro , and a Mercedes SLR McLaren at an estimated price of between 550,000 and 750,000 euro.
The Cabriolet was produced in 2006 and delivered to a customer in Germany on February 14, 2006. Subsequently, it was exported to South Korea and apparently had only two owners. The current seller bought the car in Germany on January 28, 2016. There are documentations for three inspections performed on February 25, 2016 (19,471 km), September 28, 2017 (20,403 km), and April 29, 2021 (21,575 km). The last service was carried out on March 15, 2023 when the car had 21,632 km on board and has not been driven since.
The Mercedes SLR McLaren offered for sale at the same auction is a special series 722 Edition. The number 722 commemorates Stirling Moss’s victory in the 1955 Mille Miglia at the wheel of a Mercedes 300 SLR with the starting number 722.
Finished in Silver Arrow livery with a red leather interior, this car was first registered on April 19, 2007 and was purchased by the current vendor in March 2015 from Mercedes-Benz Hannover at 18,700 kilometers. The car currently has 20,525 km on board, so a mileage number close to that of the CLK DTM AMG Cabrio.
The car suffered a small accident during an overhaul, and therefore, the front end was repainted. There is documentation of five inspections carried out at the SLR Centre of Excellence, Mercedes-Benz Brooklands.
