slk 55 amg or 987s for weekend car?
Discussion
assume the two cars cost the same (in lhd germany they do).
What is the most fun to own as a weekend car, very occasionally trackday (once / twice a year)?
Does any porsche driver have any experience of this particular car?
I do not want to look at z4m' s.... depreciation will hit hard and image not great.
What is the most fun to own as a weekend car, very occasionally trackday (once / twice a year)?
Does any porsche driver have any experience of this particular car?
I do not want to look at z4m' s.... depreciation will hit hard and image not great.
saw one in the carpark the other day with 4 pipes and this big v8 noise, i was quite impressed at first glance. I must admit not the most refined choice after my previous cars... but... worth asking if anyone driven them... EVO said to much electronic gizmos, but people who own them seem to adore them...
so 987s or slk55 ??
so 987s or slk55 ??
I was considering these two cars.
Tried the SLK first. Could only get a demo drive in a SLK350. Not bad, but a fair amount of scuttle shake and didn't like the hundreds of plasticy buttons thrown at the facia. The metal roof is also a minus for me as it takes 25-30 seconds to deploy.
Was out in the Boxster the next day and the decision was instant. No scuttle shake, suspension, brakes, steering miles ahead, properly weighted controls, much better in the twisties.
The Boxster was also fantastic round the track (PASM) - no flex whatsoever, being held back by those pesky 911's
I've no doubt the SLK55 would be a hoot with that big V8, but would show up the limitations of the chassis even further. If you were doing lots of town, motorway work or drag starts then the SLK would be great, but I live in Scotland, so handling is most important to me.
Tried the SLK first. Could only get a demo drive in a SLK350. Not bad, but a fair amount of scuttle shake and didn't like the hundreds of plasticy buttons thrown at the facia. The metal roof is also a minus for me as it takes 25-30 seconds to deploy.
Was out in the Boxster the next day and the decision was instant. No scuttle shake, suspension, brakes, steering miles ahead, properly weighted controls, much better in the twisties.
The Boxster was also fantastic round the track (PASM) - no flex whatsoever, being held back by those pesky 911's
I've no doubt the SLK55 would be a hoot with that big V8, but would show up the limitations of the chassis even further. If you were doing lots of town, motorway work or drag starts then the SLK would be great, but I live in Scotland, so handling is most important to me.
I've considered the SLK350 and the 987S (test driven both too, for about an hour each), and though the SLK does sound and look superb, the 987S got my vote.
Most important was that the aural experience of the 987S (before the new 3.4 engine) was very impressive: Melodious note on start up, through the gears, and a taut feel/response throughout, especially on corners. Loved it. Downside is the soft top, especially in London where you are, and the ambient noise with the hood up. If the 987S had the tin roof, and Merc's 4-year UK warranty with the 30-year Mobilolife warranty, I'd have bought it there and then. But it doesn't! Experiences reported on this forum delayed my signature, but I still want one and will likely get it if I can get over owning a weekend car that cost so much with such a short manufacturer's warranty (if it is still two years, this is not enough - someone correct me if wrong). And I cannot yet abide with the principle of the OPC warranty.....
The SLKs do have an impressive roof design (and I love the other technology). The 350 engine was enough for me. As a cruiser with superb straight line speed, and enough cornering ability for my limited driving, it was quite enough. Merc's ESP-BAS system is very good (dunno about PASM). For London driving, the improved 7G is likely necessary. Boot space is limited (987S wins hands down) but the SLK seemed smaller and easier to park, and whizzed through tight spots in London easily. As a current Merc owner, I was used to the softer ride, but the 987S was what I needed as a weekend/fun car offering what I was missing from my current car.
Both were like go-carts, both attracted lots of (mainly positive) looks. Consider where you'll park/keep yours. Neighbours with Porkers always had more unwanted attention than those of us with Mercs. But that shouldn't put you off (it doesn't me)....
If you're mainly planning to cruise on London's roads, then not sure that the 987S is for you. If you're going for hoons outside London and onto the Continent, then I think the 987S is the better bet, gorgeous SLK55 AMG engine or not.
Drive each for a good hour at least, on different road surfaces. If you can, take the same route - one you know well - with each car. They are very different IMO, and thus positioned at differing owners and driving styles.
I think depreciation is better with the SLK (if that's really important, check this carefully. Dunno which would be a better track day car.
Please let us know how you got on.
Most important was that the aural experience of the 987S (before the new 3.4 engine) was very impressive: Melodious note on start up, through the gears, and a taut feel/response throughout, especially on corners. Loved it. Downside is the soft top, especially in London where you are, and the ambient noise with the hood up. If the 987S had the tin roof, and Merc's 4-year UK warranty with the 30-year Mobilolife warranty, I'd have bought it there and then. But it doesn't! Experiences reported on this forum delayed my signature, but I still want one and will likely get it if I can get over owning a weekend car that cost so much with such a short manufacturer's warranty (if it is still two years, this is not enough - someone correct me if wrong). And I cannot yet abide with the principle of the OPC warranty.....
The SLKs do have an impressive roof design (and I love the other technology). The 350 engine was enough for me. As a cruiser with superb straight line speed, and enough cornering ability for my limited driving, it was quite enough. Merc's ESP-BAS system is very good (dunno about PASM). For London driving, the improved 7G is likely necessary. Boot space is limited (987S wins hands down) but the SLK seemed smaller and easier to park, and whizzed through tight spots in London easily. As a current Merc owner, I was used to the softer ride, but the 987S was what I needed as a weekend/fun car offering what I was missing from my current car.
Both were like go-carts, both attracted lots of (mainly positive) looks. Consider where you'll park/keep yours. Neighbours with Porkers always had more unwanted attention than those of us with Mercs. But that shouldn't put you off (it doesn't me)....
If you're mainly planning to cruise on London's roads, then not sure that the 987S is for you. If you're going for hoons outside London and onto the Continent, then I think the 987S is the better bet, gorgeous SLK55 AMG engine or not.
Drive each for a good hour at least, on different road surfaces. If you can, take the same route - one you know well - with each car. They are very different IMO, and thus positioned at differing owners and driving styles.
I think depreciation is better with the SLK (if that's really important, check this carefully. Dunno which would be a better track day car.
Please let us know how you got on.
Edited by bcnrml on Friday 3rd November 15:40
Edited by bcnrml on Friday 3rd November 15:41
drove the 987s and the cayman s back to back 6 months ago.
I went to the dealership driving my 986s.
I thought my car was a great drive, but the 2 new cars took the whole experience to another level of precision (if not outright power).
Strangely i thought the 987s was the best drive and offered more mechanical experience than the cayman s which felt more remote and so clinical that it lacked a bit of fun. The cayman also felt it could handle a lot more power making it slightly frustrating.
Did not get a chance to drive the Merc. On the looks alone, quiet compact, it is aggressive, attractive. I am sure it will be an instant hit in terms of mechanical pleasures but will lack the intimacy of driving you get in a porsche and further more in a boxster.
I looked at many options since i sold my car 3 months ago including 964rs, gt3s.... but given that i will do 2 trackdays a years and use the car at the weekend to pottle around, i thought finally both would be too harsh.
On the 987s, i was curiously convinced by the drive and not the looks / image....
if anyone has more infos on the slk 55 amg pls post.
I went to the dealership driving my 986s.
I thought my car was a great drive, but the 2 new cars took the whole experience to another level of precision (if not outright power).
Strangely i thought the 987s was the best drive and offered more mechanical experience than the cayman s which felt more remote and so clinical that it lacked a bit of fun. The cayman also felt it could handle a lot more power making it slightly frustrating.
Did not get a chance to drive the Merc. On the looks alone, quiet compact, it is aggressive, attractive. I am sure it will be an instant hit in terms of mechanical pleasures but will lack the intimacy of driving you get in a porsche and further more in a boxster.
I looked at many options since i sold my car 3 months ago including 964rs, gt3s.... but given that i will do 2 trackdays a years and use the car at the weekend to pottle around, i thought finally both would be too harsh.
On the 987s, i was curiously convinced by the drive and not the looks / image....
if anyone has more infos on the slk 55 amg pls post.
Hi Charles, did not buy the skl 55, and it is quite likely that i will go for the 987 s now actually.
As mentionned above the drive of the 987 s bought me. I was really very impressed even coming out from a 986 s.
Which is quite annoying because i like better the idea to own something with a bit more sould like a 911.
But i drove many of them including 996 c4s (too big), 993 c2s (too old, and far less tactile than modern porsches), 964rs (like it a lot, but see below), gt3 (mk2' s a bit too expensive for me just yet).
The girlfriend was not really influencing... she just mind about shapes and colors... and obviously think it is ridiculous to spend so much money on a car (you should see what she spends on shoes!).
I loved the idea of a 964 rs, but 1/ it was difficult to find a decent car 2/ it was a real compromise in terms of comfort practicality 3/ i think they are overpriced at the moment.
So i looked at gt3' s but realised that getting a good car would mean spending over £50k which was a bit ott given my current situation (weekend use only, little time for trackdays).
I looked at them for the last 18 months and even a guy who raced 964rs in the early 1990' s and now tracks gt3' s advised me to steer clear of them at their current price level...
I think i will get a black 987 s in manual with all the toys including pasm, pcm, bose etc...
If i find a right 964 rs at the right price, i might be tempted.
As mentionned above the drive of the 987 s bought me. I was really very impressed even coming out from a 986 s.
Which is quite annoying because i like better the idea to own something with a bit more sould like a 911.
But i drove many of them including 996 c4s (too big), 993 c2s (too old, and far less tactile than modern porsches), 964rs (like it a lot, but see below), gt3 (mk2' s a bit too expensive for me just yet).
The girlfriend was not really influencing... she just mind about shapes and colors... and obviously think it is ridiculous to spend so much money on a car (you should see what she spends on shoes!).
I loved the idea of a 964 rs, but 1/ it was difficult to find a decent car 2/ it was a real compromise in terms of comfort practicality 3/ i think they are overpriced at the moment.
So i looked at gt3' s but realised that getting a good car would mean spending over £50k which was a bit ott given my current situation (weekend use only, little time for trackdays).
I looked at them for the last 18 months and even a guy who raced 964rs in the early 1990' s and now tracks gt3' s advised me to steer clear of them at their current price level...
I think i will get a black 987 s in manual with all the toys including pasm, pcm, bose etc...
If i find a right 964 rs at the right price, i might be tempted.
My wife says "life is not a rehearsal". If you want a 964RS, 968CS or GT3 then go ahead!
Married a good one. ;O) She is good at golf too!
If you buy a 964RS it will be cheaper today than in 2 years time!
I see there is a black RHD one advertised on here.
If you buy a 987 then you will loose money big time.
Charles
Married a good one. ;O) She is good at golf too!
If you buy a 964RS it will be cheaper today than in 2 years time!
I see there is a black RHD one advertised on here.
If you buy a 987 then you will loose money big time.
Charles
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