SLK55 AMG

[Dieselbob]

Hi, My 1st post here, I am thinking of buying a SLK55 AMG, what are peoples views, I think the r171 is a nicer looking thing than the current r172, my budget will stretch to the latter, are they any better.
Thanks in anticipation.

[rubystone]

172 has cheaper VED, more modern interior but I'm told an x pipe cannot be fitted to enhance the noise. I like my 171; I think the car looks more 'pumped up' than the 172.

[CaptainRAVE]

There is a good thread on SLK world (http://www.slkworld.com/slk-r172-general-discussion/318377-buying-advice-55-a.html) where we wrote up some indepth feedback on the R172 having owned the R171. The R172 is a league above in terms of usable performance. Looks wise are subjective, but I prefer the rear of the R172 and the front of the R171. I haven't looked back with my purchase. SL63 or GTS next.

Oh, and you can have an xpipe and cat/resonator removed, I did - the noise is much better than the R171 too. http://www.slkworld.com/2827657-post134.html

Main points:
Loads of electronic gadgets.
Panoramic roof.
More usable power.
Rev matching.
Paddles that actually work.
Snappy gearbox.
Neat pops on up and down shifts.
Economical in comfort.
Agressive in sport.
Modern cockpit.
More comfortable.
Less air in cabin with top down.
Traction control comes on much less readily giving you decent slip.
Being able to switch traction control off.
Stunning with the lighting package at night when it all lights up.

Edited by CaptainRAVE on Wednesday 20th September 11:16

[Classy6]

I own a 171 55, 172 was never in contention personally as I don't think they look anywhere near as a good as the 171. Also lots of 172's about these days and the 55 AMG doesn't look to dissimilar to a 250cdi with an AMG pack on it.

171 is Quick, reliable, bullet proof engine and a real head tuner. Just driven 800 miles around Cornwall and Devon and it returned 27mpg, with a boot mounted roof rack attached (Revo Rack) and it never missed a beat. The gearbox is silky smooth when driving, however as others mentioned the paddles are a bit wafty and slow, personally find paddles a gimic in general so not really an issue for me, they're not that much better on later models as it's still an autobox.

They suffer some common issues but most easily & cheaply sorted. Can be had for good money and hopefully they won't depreciate too much more now. I specifically purchased a 2005 so it was in the lower tax band and had the bigger 6 pot caliper brakes along with easy entry/exit system.

Personally think there are better cars available for 172 AMG money, where the 171 seems good value. 5.0 XKR's and C63's would be more appealing for 172 money IMO. Had a look at both and both phenomenal motors but ultimately couldn't justify an extra 10k and got a 171.

Edited by Classy6 on Friday 22 September 18:56

Edited by Classy6 on Saturday 23 September 14:40

[Mr M]

I have an 171 but I don't think you'd regret buying either. I've also been to the Devon\Dorset in mine and you get out the other end feeling as relaxed as you did when got in it, plus you have all the grunt if you need it. It's a lovely thing and a nice place to sit. I was getting up to 34mpg on long motorway stretches such as the M3.
Just a thought, if you do get an older 171, might be worth getting the crankshaft position sensor replaced. Mine went in August. It just goes when the engine gets up to temperature and trouble is, the engine just stops and all the dash lights come on so you're on your own with no brake assistance or power steering. I was on the A1 baldock at the time, luckily slowing down to a queue by the garages, but it's not a nice situation to be in.

Edited by Mr M on Saturday 23 September 11:48

[SIMON67]

I've just bought my 171 55 (yesterday). All I can say is "Wow!" It goes, stops, handles and sounds amazing. It's taking some time to get used to an auto box; I'd be in a manual if they made one. I'd recommend driving a few but be prepared to just say "Yes, I'll have it"

[Mr M]

Congrats on your purchase :-) Like any new car it'll take a while to get used to. Be nice to see some pics when you have them. Try the manual mode on the gear box if you like to change up\down yourself.

Edited by Mr M on Saturday 14th October 11:27

[rubystone]

SIMON67 said:

I've just bought my 171 55 (yesterday). All I can say is "Wow!" It goes, stops, handles and sounds amazing. It's taking some time to get used to an auto box; I'd be in a manual if they made one. I'd recommend driving a few but be prepared to just say "Yes, I'll have it"

Paddles or the buttons?

[CaptainRAVE]

SIMON67 said:

I've just bought my 171 55 (yesterday). All I can say is "Wow!" It goes, stops, handles and sounds amazing. It's taking some time to get used to an auto box; I'd be in a manual if they made one. I'd recommend driving a few but be prepared to just say "Yes, I'll have it"

I hope you looked out for some of the expensive niggles. Floating discs being the most expensive and main reason people sell these. Fun car though

[rubystone]

CaptainRAVE said:

I hope you looked out for some of the expensive niggles. Floating discs being the most expensive and main reason people sell these. Fun car though

Option on later cars....like mine....

[Classy6]

CaptainRAVE said:

I hope you looked out for some of the expensive niggles. Floating discs being the most expensive and main reason people sell these. Fun car though

There are a few cheaper alternatives available now, even more so if you're willing to see a machine shop to alter the later one piece AMG discs.

[ZX10R NIN]

CaptainRAVE said:

I hope you looked out for some of the expensive niggles. Floating discs being the most expensive and main reason people sell these. Fun car though

You can buy non floating discs now that brake just as well as the floating items so that's not a big expense, OP I'd go for the 171 it's a great car the worst service will be the one that involves a spark plug change (all 16 of them) but even that isn't that bad.

[DamnKraut]

Another vote for the R171 as it is 80% the car the R172 is and is easily 40 to 50% cheaper. Also wouldn’t like all the electronic crap of the R172 in a car that is basically a V8 engined toy.

[buzzer]

Classy6 said:

CaptainRAVE said:

I hope you looked out for some of the expensive niggles. Floating discs being the most expensive and main reason people sell these. Fun car though

There are a few cheaper alternatives available now, even more so if you're willing to see a machine shop to alter the later one piece AMG discs.

There are details on my blog of whats needed to fit the discs off an ML 500 to save the cost of the floating discs.

https://jtccc.wordpress.com/our-cars/mercedes-slk/

[SIMON67]

rubystone said:

Paddles or the buttons?

Buttons!

[SIMON67]

CaptainRAVE said:

I hope you looked out for some of the expensive niggles. Floating discs being the most expensive and main reason people sell these. Fun car though

There's a lip on the floating disks but no judder and they stop unbelievably well. Has just had a service ant MB main dealer and I would have expected them to have commented on disks if they needed replacing??

[SIMON67]

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/152403960@N05/37790571261/in/dateposted-public/" title="2017-10-14 10.01.31"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4459/37790571261_51d98ef982_k.jpg" width="2048" height="1595" alt="2017-10-14 10.01.31"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Here she is!

[Luke.]

SIMON67 said:

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/152403960@N05/37790571261/in/dateposted-public/" title="2017-10-14 10.01.31"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4459/37790571261_51d98ef982_k.jpg" width="2048" height="1595" alt="2017-10-14 10.01.31"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Here she is!

Looks great.

[Mr M]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/152403960@N05/377905...

Seemed to link a bit better.

Edited by Mr M on Thursday 19th October 17:09

Edited by Mr M on Thursday 19th October 17:10

[rubystone]

Took mine to EMP in St Albans today for x pipe...I’d heartily recommend it...no boom at all, just a more throaty sound throughout the rev range