SLK 55 AMG.....do prices come down in winter?

[Smokey32]

jmn said:

Any reason why the newer model from 2012 onwards seems to be approaching the same second hand value as the older version?

Erm it isn't from what I can see?

[DamnKraut]

fizz47 said:

If it would not be too much bother that would be great...

I have searched in Google but not finding anything definitive .... Just more general information


Changes inside include a new instrument cluster and three-spoke steering wheel design. Merc’s latest telematics system has been shoehorned in, letting owners use Bluetooth and operate their iPod remotely through the usual stereo.



Does pre-facelift not have Bluetooth at all or was it an option?

Alright, here goes:
http://www.mbslk.de/modules.php?name=News&file...

All German but I'll translate. Only looking at what should be relevant to the SLK55, not the lower tier models.

Prior to the April 2008 big facelift there were small changes throughout 2006. These include:
1) Neue, pflegeleichtere Interieur-Oberfläche (ab 09.01.2006)
-> New easier to clean interior materials - guess that means the dashboard primarily - from 9 Jan 2006

2) Ab Juni 2006 neuer Zündschlüssel mit Chrom-Applikationen analog S- und SL-Klasse (Serie)
-> From June 2006 there were chrome applications on the keys same as with the S and SL class keys... now that's a huge step ahead

3) Die Schalttasten werden durch Schaltpaddles ersetzt
-> Rocker switches on the steering wheel replaced by flappy paddles, doesn't say when that was - probably the biggest improvement. There are solutions however to get paddles also for a pre 2006 car.

4) AMG Performance Package was introduced in 2006 (doesn't say when exactly), so if you are looking for that you may want to disregard any pre 2006 cars.

I understand that the intro of the PP did not result in the standard front breaks getting downgraded to 4 piston instead of 6. That only happened in the 2008 facelift.

Further, 2006 saw five colours being replaced by similar ones.

Hope that helps.

Also make sure you check out slkworld.com for an excellent English speaking forum solely dedicated to the SLK.

Edited by DamnKraut on Friday 2nd September 20:29

[DamnKraut]

MattyB_ said:

IIRC facelift included:

Updated body panels
Minor interior changes
Newer audio system +NAV including Bluetooth (on both Audio 20 (aka non-COMAND)) and the COMAND
Nicer 030 steering wheel
Smaller 4-pot brakes now standard, 6-pot optional.

The pre-facelift did have Bluetooth, but I think it only worked on a very select few handsets, and only for calls (not audio). If your car was pre-wired with the phone kit (under the armrest) for £120 you can buy a "puck" which gives a greater support for phones and allows audio.

Here's the full list of changes in the 2008 facelift of the SLK 55:
http://www.mbslk.de/modules.php?name=News&file...

Translating a bit:
1) Front brakes 4 piston (345x30 mm) instead of 6 piston (340 mm)
2) New front bumper
3) Black painted plastic in the front light housings
4) Multispoke wheels painted in darker silver as compared to pre facelift
5) Optional new twin spoke diamond cut wheels
6) Autobox shifts are quicker by about 10%
7) New three spoke steering wheel
8) In manual mode, the center display in the instrument cluster now shows chosen gear, gear change suggestion, engine oil temp, battery voltage, race timer (whatever that is)
9) New colour combos
10) Optional flat bottom AMG performance steering wheel
11) Auto blipping on downshifts
12) Changed steering rack setup resulting in increased agility

As mentioned the interior changes are minor: the buttons left and right of the hazards button are black instead of silver on the pre facelift.
That's in line with the new entertainment systems, switching from generation NTG 1 to NTG 2.5

In my opinion the entertainment systems are a huge jump ahead on the facelift, see here for details:
http://www.mercupgrades.com/comand+++all+about+the...

[DamnKraut]

MattyB_ said:

The pre-facelift did have Bluetooth, but I think it only worked on a very select few handsets, and only for calls (not audio). If your car was pre-wired with the phone kit (under the armrest) for £120 you can buy a "puck" which gives a greater support for phones and allows audio.

Yes, pre-facelift audio systems could have Bluetooth but as you said only in limited cases.
These were the systems:
1) Audio 20
2) Audio 50 APS
3) Comand

Harman Kardon Logic7 was only available for (2) and (3). Same is the case for Bluetooth which only worked when there was a phone kit.
Bluetooth in both pre facelift and facelift models only works for connecting a phone, audio streaming is not possible.

@OP:
The whole audio system landscape in the SLK is quite messy regarding an upgrade to today's standard. In my opinion go for the highest system (i.e. Comand NTG 2.5 in facelift, Comand NTG 1 in pre facelift), see that everything works and live with it being ancient. The audio system in that car sits under the bonnet

[fizz47]

DamnKraut said:

Yes, pre-facelift audio systems could have Bluetooth but as you said only in limited cases.
These were the systems:
1) Audio 20
2) Audio 50 APS
3) Comand

Harman Kardon Logic7 was only available for (2) and (3). Same is the case for Bluetooth which only worked when there was a phone kit.
Bluetooth in both pre facelift and facelift models only works for connecting a phone, audio streaming is not possible.

@OP:
The whole audio system landscape in the SLK is quite messy regarding an upgrade to today's standard. In my opinion go for the highest system (i.e. Comand NTG 2.5 in facelift, Comand NTG 1 in pre facelift), see that everything works and live with it being ancient. The audio system in that car sits under the bonnet

Thanks for the info - that's great


I'm out of the country from later today till October.... Hopefully when I'm back a few more will be on the market.


Fortunately I'm not in a huge rush to purchase as have another car to use for the time being

[fizz47]

DamnKraut said:

Yes, pre-facelift audio systems could have Bluetooth but as you said only in limited cases.
These were the systems:
1) Audio 20
2) Audio 50 APS
3) Comand

Harman Kardon Logic7 was only available for (2) and (3). Same is the case for Bluetooth which only worked when there was a phone kit.
Bluetooth in both pre facelift and facelift models only works for connecting a phone, audio streaming is not possible.

@OP:
The whole audio system landscape in the SLK is quite messy regarding an upgrade to today's standard. In my opinion go for the highest system (i.e. Comand NTG 2.5 in facelift, Comand NTG 1 in pre facelift), see that everything works and live with it being ancient. The audio system in that car sits under the bonnet

Thanks for the info - that's great


I'm out of the country from later today till October.... Hopefully when I'm back a few more will be on the market.


Fortunately I'm not in a huge rush to purchase as have another car to use for the time being

[a1butch]

Has anybody viewed the blue 55 at Snippersgate? I see they have added another 07 plate too.

[slk 32]

a1butch said:

Has anybody viewed the blue 55 at Snippersgate? I see they have added another 07 plate too.

I've noticed in the past some of their 55s have hung around for quite a while. I'm not sure whether this is due to quality or pricing of their vehicles or just the fact that the market is quite small for 5-10 year old large engined petrol convertibles

[a1butch]

Has anybody viewed the blue 55 at Snippersgate? I see they have added another 07 plate too.

[DamnKraut]

fizz47 said:

Thanks for the info - that's great


I'm out of the country from later today till October.... Hopefully when I'm back a few more will be on the market.


Fortunately I'm not in a huge rush to purchase as have another car to use for the time being

OP, if you don't mind the ubiquitous silver exterior, I've just seen a 55 offered in an owner's forum. Beats the dealer offers easily in price and quality

[fizz47]

DamnKraut said:

OP, if you don't mind the ubiquitous silver exterior, I've just seen a 55 offered in an owner's forum. Beats the dealer offers easily in price and quality

I think I'm resigned to the fact that I am most likely going to have to purchase a silver car considering what is available for sale

That would be great if you could send me details of the car

[DamnKraut]

fizz47 said:

I think I'm resigned to the fact that I am most likely going to have to purchase a silver car considering what is available for sale

That would be great if you could send me details of the car

Sent you an email via the PH mail function.

[fizz47]

I notice some cars have the digital LCD display climate control and some have analogue circular controls.


I assume this was a cost option? Apart from the different buttons / layout is there anything else that was part of the LCD climate control option?

[rgv250ads]

Yep was an option, basically the LCD version is the better one and allows fully automatic climate control. there is an actual MBenz name for it, i believe THERMOTRONIC.

Edited by rgv250ads on Tuesday 4th October 17:18

[niva441]

On the C class the main advantage of the uprated climate control was it had a sunlight sensor.

[urquattroGus]

I've got my eyes on Sl63's once they get to about 30K. 35K seems to get an nice early one at the moment.

The Sl55 looks better, but I think the 63 might be the better car.