slk 55 amg depreciation/running costs

[funbobby]

started taking a look at these recently but wondered what depreciation is like on a 55/56 model? always thoyght of amg's have a steep depreciation curve or some models better than others? also what are peoples experiances of running costs etc?

[gareth.e]

its pretty rape! I had a tutor with one a few years ago who wouldnt stop bhing about it costing a fortune..

servicing and depreciation are pretty bad..

[Rawwr]

gareth.e said:

its pretty rape!

It's what?

Anyway, I looked at SLK55s a few months ago and they seem like a reasonable buy when they've got a few years on them but like most AMG Mercs they will bleed money from new.

[funbobby]

from what i can gather mb servicing costs are roughly what i would expect but parts are very pricey. always think of huge depreciation but seen these now for 20-25 k which seems pretty good but if its worth half that again in a couple of years would def put me off.

[funbobby]

i understand the brakes are a big issue on these what sort of life span do they have on normal use?

[mcflurry]

Don't forget the joys and delights of Merc main dealers - never met a more fantastic bunch

[funbobby]

im hearing different things about mb dealers are there good independents or would that have a knock on effect on resale?

[mcflurry]

funbobby said:

im hearing different things about mb dealers are there good independents or would that have a knock on effect on resale?

Depends on the age of the car, and the costs of an indy..

[funbobby]

would be 05/06

[ritch7]

I looked into these quite alot at the end of last year.

Problem is always the same MB servicing costs etc

And its a 5.5 V8 but yet it only generates 360bhp?

The more and more i read the more i gatherd they werent highly rated at all. And all people kept saying is how girly the slk looks especailly the back. For near enough same money maybe a bit more get an RS4 Vert. Proper 420bhp V8 AWD

[Ari]

The RS4 cabrio is too heavy. Great car, but no sportscar.

The SLK 55AMG is rated from what I've read.

Also Clarkson bought one with his own money, and whatever you think of the guy he gets to drive a lot of cars, and can (and does) buy whatever he likes.

[RedWhiteMonkey]

Ari said:

Also Clarkson bought one with his own money, and whatever you think of the guy he gets to drive a lot of cars, and can (and does) buy whatever he likes.

I thought Clarkson had a CL not an SLK? He looks a bit big for an SLK.

[Luke.]

RedWhiteMonkey said:

I thought Clarkson had a CL not an SLK? He looks a bit big for an SLK.

SL then SLK.

[nobodyknows]

RedWhiteMonkey said:

I thought Clarkson had a CL not an SLK? He looks a bit big for an SLK.

He had an SLK for a while.

[funbobby]

have an audi in the household so dont want to go there, soft top big v8 noise ticking few boxes for me but unsure of running costs as it is more of a toy and one that i dont want to break the bank with .

[Ari]

General consensus seems to be that a good SLK350 will give you 90% of what the AMG SLK will for about half the price and much lower running costs.

Doesn't have that noise though...

[RedWhiteMonkey]

In the end as with most of these types of questions only the OP can answer their own question. Only they know what mileage they do, whether they can afford the frequent trips to the petrol station, etc.

I've looked at AMG's in the past and often thought of getting one, purely for the noise and general presence but (sadly) my head eventually tells me I can't afford the inevitable running costs.

[funbobby]

having spoke to a indy mb place today seems there are no horror stories on these but servicing will be expensive so make sure its been done, had speed 6 tvr before which was not exactly cheap plus servicing on these seem less frequent dependent on mileage.

[Dog Star]

mcflurry said:

Depends on the age of the car, and the costs of an indy..

Once the car is over 4 years old some (eg, MB Leeds) drop their servicing charges significantly and seem to be prepared to negotiate.

I've got an 8 year old SL500 and I've had several dreadful experiences with indies (all different ones) and I won't use one again.

[Baryonyx]

Ari said:

Also Clarkson bought one with his own money, and whatever you think of the guy he gets to drive a lot of cars, and can (and does) buy whatever he likes.

And he used to have an Escort Cosworth (and still makes enquiries about ones that he sees for sale), so he obviously has good taste. People often forget the sensible Clarkson of the 90's, before the BBC asked him to give proceedings a dash of comedy.