Mercedes SLK 55 AMG (R172) | Spotted
Just a few years from its demise, the last of the baby Benz bruisers is more alluring than ever
The sports car, having once been a status symbol without equal, is having a tough time of it at the moment. They simply aren't as fashionable as they once were, and the ripple effect can be seen everywhere. News of the Nissan Z Proto not coming to Europe is merely the latest in the long line of disappointments. Rumours abound that the Audi TT will be replaced with something four-door and electric, the Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ duo have undersold (though are being replaced), the Alpine hasn't flown off forecourts and there isn't going to be another Mercedes SLC.
Now, granted, there were probably not droves of people mourning the demise of Mercedes' smallest drop-top. It frequently lost out in comparisons to its German rivals and never quite captured the style of the original in subsequent updates. Nevertheless its departure only reduces variety in the Mercedes range; it might seem like there's a new model introduced every other day, but there aren't many which aren't SUVs, saloons or A-Classes. At least the SLK/SLC brightened up the showrooms a bit.
It also implied a bit of imagination and ambition; none more than the SLK 55 AMG. Because here was a car typically offered with 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrols and diesels, suddenly equipped with a 5.5-litre V8. Not only that, but a V8 larger than the previous time AMG had convinced Mercedes-Benz the idea was a reasoned one. The car before this one, the R171 SLK55 AMG, used the 5,439cc M113 V8, enough for 360hp in the standard car or 400hp in the Black Series.
For the R172 '55, AMG employed an even larger (5,461cc), even more powerful (421hp), M152 V8, essentially the same engine found in the contemporary '63 models but shorn of its twin-turbos. It was a mighty engine, bestowing upon the innocent SLK a wild, muscle-car edge, and the experience chiefly became about the car's attempts to contain it. The claimed 33.6mpg surely says more about the NEDC test than any great parsimony on the V8's part.
Of course the engine made the SLK memorable, and that attribute is becoming ever more desirable in cars - especially when nice '55s like this one are available for £25k. A 2013 car, it's notable for having the AMG Performance Package (meaning a limited-slip diff) and speed limiter raise that it's hard to imagine many customers taking up. The paint scheme won't be to all tastes, though again it ensures that this is not simply another blend-in SLK.
Of course at this point it's probably worth pointing out that a Boxster will be a sharper steer for similar money, the V6 SLC43 that followed will be just as quick and the early Jaguar F-Types are only getting cheaper. But even with that knowledge, it's easy to see the charm of a V8 SLK. Specifically because it's a V8 SLK. Imperfect, yet endearing. And sometimes that's enough.
SPECIFICATION | MERCEDES SLK55 AMG
Engine: 5,461cc, V8
Transmission: 7-speed AMG Speedshift Plus automatic, rear-wheel drive, limited-slip diff
Power (hp): 422@6,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 398@4,500rpm
MPG: 33.6 (NEDC)
CO2: 195g/km (NEDC)
First registered: 2013
Recorded mileage: 39,000
Price new: £54,965 (before options)
Yours for: £24,995
Is this from an era where Mercs were relatively free of bork?
Its not all doom and gloom on the sports car front, Porsche have shoehorned the 4.0 flat 6 into the Boxster/ Cayman GTS. Proving for some cars, downsizing isn't the best option.
The 718 will no doubt go electric. But as the batteries get lighter and with better density I'm sure there will be some entertainment coming.
When I first met her she had the previous generation SLK55, which she drove with hand controls
It was replaced by an XKR and then an Aston V8 Vantage, all with hand controls
Apparantly she used to go on track days and embarrassed quite a few of the predominantly male able-bodied drivers
A friend of mine went with her a couple of times and said the way she drove the SLK was hilarious.
I remember her saying that the time it was her favourite car, big enough to get her wheelchair in but small enough to be fun on B roads, and fast enough to embarrass all manner of cars (and young guns in hot hatches)
Had mine since new (it's a 2015 model) and still get a buzz every time I drive it.
Treat it as a hotrod rather than a car to go chasing apexes and you get the point. It has quite a pointy front end which is nice and reassuring but the chassis is slow to respond which does hamper progress.
Masses of straight line ooomph, noticeably quicker than my misses' 981 S, and good brakes help.
It's better built, more comfortable and has more toys than the Porsche and has cost very little to run. Will admit the tiny (8K to date) mileage probably has something to do with that!! The cylinder deactivation does mean 33mpg+ on a steady run is easily achievable.
But it's all about the engine. Terrible gearbox compared with the modern stuff. It's all about the engine. The rev-matching downshift and pop and bang upshifts in S mode are addictive.
To me it seems like a car > the sum of its parts. Probably a keeper now tbh.
The noise as it barks into life in the garage never gets old.
When I first met her she had the previous generation SLK55, which she drove with hand controls
It was replaced by an XKR and then an Aston V8 Vantage, all with hand controls
Apparantly she used to go on track days and embarrassed quite a few of the predominantly male able-bodied drivers
A friend of mine went with her a couple of times and said the way she drove the SLK was hilarious.
I remember her saying that the time it was her favourite car, big enough to get her wheelchair in but small enough to be fun on B roads, and fast enough to embarrass all manner of cars (and young guns in hot hatches)
My concerns are the gearbox not being up to ZF standards (something this article didn't touch on). I know the old SLK55 had the very old 7 speed MB 'box that wasn't much snuff, but is this one significantly improved.
Also, sadly, these seem only to be available in white, silver, or black. Even a red one would be tasty, but so, so rare.
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