Unique Mercedes-AMG One goes to auction: only 185 km on the odometer, first service bill over $44,000
Spending a six-figure sum on a hypercar is one thing. But seeing a five-figure service bill after just 185 km is quite another story. That is exactly the situation surrounding a very green Mercedes-AMG One heading to auction this month.
Long road to series production
The Mercedes-AMG One had an extraordinarily long development period as the manufacturer sought to adapt a Formula 1 powertrain for a road car. When the car was finally ready, it did not disappoint, setting a new lap record for production cars at the Nürburgring. Production ended in late 2023, with just 275 units built. One of them, in a unique color, is now up for sale.
$44,100 service bill
Auction house RM Sotheby’s will hold the sale at the end of this month. The car’s odometer shows just 185 km. Such minimal mileage usually negates the need for a service visit. Yet the owner still took it to a dealer, and earlier this year Mercedes-AMG performed Service A and extended the warranty until February 2028.
The bill he received is noteworthy in its own right. €37,610, or roughly $44,100 at current exchange rates. That means each kilometer traveled cost $383. The itemized bill helps explain how a routine ‘Service A’ on a hypercar reaches such amounts. Eighty hours of labor at €395 ($463) per hour amounts to €31,600 ($37,050) before even installing a single part.
The parts list appears modest compared to the labor charge, but is worth reading. An air filter costs €1,872.54 ($2,195). A transmission oil filter costs €2,300 ($2,696). Even a drain plug set them back €150 ($176). Engine oil seems relatively cheap at €555.80 ($652) for ten units. Whatever Mercedes-AMG had to do to maintain the health of its Formula 1-derived powertrain, it was neither quick nor cheap.
About that green color
Among all the AMG One units produced, this one may be the brightest. Painted in a vivid green known as Reingrün, it is the kind of color you expect to see on a Lamborghini, not a Mercedes. No other AMG One has this color, which was a €27,500 ($32,200) option — more than the cost of a base Camry in America ($29,300). While undoubtedly a lot for mere mortals, it is relatively affordable compared to prices for some bespoke paint jobs on such valuable cars.
Carbon fiber outside and inside
Contrasting with the green paint is exposed matte carbon fiber on the front splitter, side skirts, rear diffuser, roof air intake, and shark fin. The hybrid hypercar was also equipped with magnesium wheels painted matte black and gloss black brake calipers.
As for the interior, it is upholstered in high-quality Magma Grey Nappa leather with green contrast stitching matching the exterior. Much of the cockpit features exposed carbon fiber parts, though there are some comfort elements, including a Sonus Faber audio system.
All accessories that came with the AMG One are included in the sale, including special Sennheiser headphones, a tool kit with attachments for installing racing seat belts, and a center wheel lock key. The set even includes screws for mounting the license plate.
The AMG One combines a 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 engine borrowed from Mercedes’ Formula 1 program with four electric motors, delivering a total of 1,049 horsepower. The car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.9 seconds, to 200 km/h in 7.0 seconds, with a top speed of 352 km/h.
Mercedes spent years adapting Formula 1 technology for road use, but one owner ordered it like a ‘radioactive Lamborghini.’ Strangely enough, it worked.
This case vividly demonstrates that hypercar ownership is not just about the purchase price, but also the cost of upkeep. Even with minimal mileage, Formula 1 technology requires expensive and skilled maintenance. A $44,100 bill for the first service may seem shocking, but for a car worth millions, this seems to be part of the game. The unique green color makes this example even more special among the already rare 275 cars, which will undoubtedly affect its auction value.