RE: Driven: Mercedes SLK
Discussion
39.8mpg! How can the same sized and format engine producing roughly the same power in a 350z only a muster 24mpg on paper?
Have engines improved that much! ....Really! or have manufacturers just got better at fudging these results by making a gear or two perfect for the economy tests?
Have engines improved that much! ....Really! or have manufacturers just got better at fudging these results by making a gear or two perfect for the economy tests?
Dan 87 said:
39.8mpg! How can the same sized and format engine producing roughly the same power in a 350z only a muster 24mpg on paper?
Have engines improved that much! ....Really! or have manufacturers just got better at fudging these results by making a gear or two perfect for the economy tests?
Yes to both Have engines improved that much! ....Really! or have manufacturers just got better at fudging these results by making a gear or two perfect for the economy tests?
Firstly, automatics get to choose the best gear for any given speed, whereas the EU dictate gears used for manuals cars, not in terms of ratio but in terms of gear numbers, which is not ideal - but obviously favours autos like this SLK.
Secondly, yes, engines have got better, but to be honest Merc have only just caught up with BMW, who have producing these bhp/mpg figures for a while now, and the difference does extend to the real world. The old N52 straight six in my Z4 Coupé would return 43mpg at a steady 65mph, and mid 30s on a more normal run, and that's despite having 265bhp, a healthy wadge of torque and a low ratio back axle that raised the revs considerably. The contempary SLK350 of the time was in the mid 20s for mpg for normal driving and produced very similar power and torque. It's such a shame that the range topping Z4s now use a turbocharged engine that's worse on emissions, in order to retain the performance in a heavier car.
DanS said:
god that's ugly!
Thank goodness for that ..... at least there's someone else out there with taste and a sense of style.The proportions are all wrong. Too nose heavy, too short, too squat .... just not attractive in any way.
If I walked past one in the street I doubt I'd give it a second glance.
A Boxster looks ten times better ..... which is REALLY worrying!
I WISH said:
Thank goodness for that ..... at least there's someone else out there with taste and a sense of style.
The proportions are all wrong. Too nose heavy, too short, too squat .... just not attractive in any way.
If I walked past one in the street I doubt I'd give it a second glance.
A Boxster looks ten times better ..... which is REALLY worrying!
There has always been a "battle" between Merc-lovers and BMW-lovers. The proportions are all wrong. Too nose heavy, too short, too squat .... just not attractive in any way.
If I walked past one in the street I doubt I'd give it a second glance.
A Boxster looks ten times better ..... which is REALLY worrying!
With time I notice that the Mercs are just for those who want to show they have money, while BMWs are for those who like motorcars and driving!
geoffracing said:
There has always been a "battle" between Merc-lovers and BMW-lovers.
With time I notice that the Mercs are just for those who want to show they have money, while BMWs are for those who like motorcars and driving!
you might be right to a degree. But a mercedes is usually a less sporting (but more comfortable) drive than a BMW. Both really nice cars but i would plump for the Boxster for keen driving, Merc for cruising and BMW to pull shallow women!! LOLWith time I notice that the Mercs are just for those who want to show they have money, while BMWs are for those who like motorcars and driving!
I agree the z4 is far better looking than the new SLK. I also think the old SLK is better looking than the new one!
I was debating between the old SLK and a z4 in December. The SLK lost out as wanted a manual and was told by the dealer that manual SLK300's were virtually unheard of. Not sure what effect that would have on residuals (which were more painful on an SLK to start with.)
At the time I liked the look of the old SLK with an AMG / Sports bodykit, but general opinion did seem to be that they were for girls, whereas the z4 doesn't have that reputation. Not sure why? Having driven both the z4 had a clear driving edge in my opinion, even with 19" rims! Neither has the ability of my old s2000 on a twisty road and I still prefer a rag top for the better bootspace and a quick top drop at the traffic lights.
Edit: Just saw Anything Fast's post - I will let the Mrs Jester know
I was debating between the old SLK and a z4 in December. The SLK lost out as wanted a manual and was told by the dealer that manual SLK300's were virtually unheard of. Not sure what effect that would have on residuals (which were more painful on an SLK to start with.)
At the time I liked the look of the old SLK with an AMG / Sports bodykit, but general opinion did seem to be that they were for girls, whereas the z4 doesn't have that reputation. Not sure why? Having driven both the z4 had a clear driving edge in my opinion, even with 19" rims! Neither has the ability of my old s2000 on a twisty road and I still prefer a rag top for the better bootspace and a quick top drop at the traffic lights.
Edit: Just saw Anything Fast's post - I will let the Mrs Jester know
Edited by Court Jester on Thursday 17th March 17:16
anything fast said:
you might be right to a degree. But a mercedes is usually a less sporting (but more comfortable) drive than a BMW. Both really nice cars but i would plump for the Boxster for keen driving, Merc for cruising and BMW to pull shallow women!! LOL
That's a pleasant answer! Anyway they are all German. Somehow one feels safer in a German car. Sort of tank-feeling is it?! Rather on the heavy side but so reassuring.My other car being a Cobra replica, comfort is far from being important for me!
I don't usually like the looks of Porsches, sorry; but sure they must be fantastic to drive, although I've been told so often that they are not all that easy; you have to be a pilot!
rottie102 said:
Brink said:
It looks like an unbalanced cut and shut job from the side.
No.
So true - the whole wipers forward part belongs to another car...No.
Perhaps made in two distinct factories, and when assembled... had to be accepted because selling is primordial!
geoffracing said:
rottie102 said:
Brink said:
It looks like an unbalanced cut and shut job from the side.
No.
So true - the whole wipers forward part belongs to another car...No.
Perhaps made in two distinct factories, and when assembled... had to be accepted because selling is primordial!
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff