Anyone running an SLK350AMG
Discussion
Hi folks,
Well not something I thought I'd ever see myself doing - but it's time to trade the boxster and well I'm quite liking the look of and the numbers around a SLK350AMG, either lightly used or maybe even brand new (with the finance deals Merc are doing at the mo). This is as an alternative to a 4 years old 997 targa (would be my fourth 9x7 car), or a new Boxster (unknown quantity but expensive). Not going to BMW as I've had problems in the past with the dealers (and the cars), dont like audi's or Nissan Z cars - so working from a limited set of choices (targa/proper ragtop sub £45K)
Does anyone have one of these? How good a car are they both in terms of being a GT style car, and in terms of reliability and running costs? Keeping my Octavia for daily duties so looking at about 10K a year on this for weekends and fun.
Oh and are the MPG claims for extra urban really sustainable (50MPG for a 3.5V6 petrol!!!)
Thanks,
Simes.
Well not something I thought I'd ever see myself doing - but it's time to trade the boxster and well I'm quite liking the look of and the numbers around a SLK350AMG, either lightly used or maybe even brand new (with the finance deals Merc are doing at the mo). This is as an alternative to a 4 years old 997 targa (would be my fourth 9x7 car), or a new Boxster (unknown quantity but expensive). Not going to BMW as I've had problems in the past with the dealers (and the cars), dont like audi's or Nissan Z cars - so working from a limited set of choices (targa/proper ragtop sub £45K)
Does anyone have one of these? How good a car are they both in terms of being a GT style car, and in terms of reliability and running costs? Keeping my Octavia for daily duties so looking at about 10K a year on this for weekends and fun.
Oh and are the MPG claims for extra urban really sustainable (50MPG for a 3.5V6 petrol!!!)
Thanks,
Simes.
Thanks guys,
popped in to see them today have some stonking deals on - especially 2 year (20pcm cheaper than 3 for some reason) There are a few cars in the network still with the "free" AMG125 pack - effectively getting you the COMMAND NAV system for nothing, compared with the normal AMG pack.
had a quick drive - doing some numbers - checking it will go in the garage, very tempted... subject to a proper trip out to cofirm my first impressions.
It's nowhere near as "sporty" as my boxster seems a much better GT car which is more what I'm looking for this time around. Less mechanical grip than the box but therefore more fun at lower speeds ;-)
The engine has a lovely note and pulls really well - the weak part of the package is the gearbox - reminds me in several ways of the gearbox in my old smart roadster... PDK is much better.
Seats are really comfortable and the car is very well laid out inside, looks much nicer than the current boxster - not sure how it will compare with the new one in the flesh. Has some silly options - the magic sky roof is of course stupidly expensive and the NAV is pricey, and having to pat £50 for a cupholder smells a little of urine...
Buying and running costs are definately cheaper than the current boxster and much more so than the boxster S - which is it's true competitor the new cars are apparently a big step forwards - but also a further ste up in price.
How they have managed the C02 figures to get it into band H is great, and the insurance quotes I've had are cheaper than the boxster as well.
So far I'm thinking of:
airscarf
heated seats
mirror pack
dynamic handling
intelligent lights
AMG Sport edition 125
not too bothered about anything else..
Colour wise - Like the silver/bengal red, fire opal/sand or grey/grey, dont usually like white cars but it looks quite nice in white.
May have to compromise on colour slightly if I want to save the 2K on the 125 anniversary pack as they are only on cars in dealers today..
But overall if you want a softer roadster than the boxster and want to save a little money it's worth considering.
popped in to see them today have some stonking deals on - especially 2 year (20pcm cheaper than 3 for some reason) There are a few cars in the network still with the "free" AMG125 pack - effectively getting you the COMMAND NAV system for nothing, compared with the normal AMG pack.
had a quick drive - doing some numbers - checking it will go in the garage, very tempted... subject to a proper trip out to cofirm my first impressions.
It's nowhere near as "sporty" as my boxster seems a much better GT car which is more what I'm looking for this time around. Less mechanical grip than the box but therefore more fun at lower speeds ;-)
The engine has a lovely note and pulls really well - the weak part of the package is the gearbox - reminds me in several ways of the gearbox in my old smart roadster... PDK is much better.
Seats are really comfortable and the car is very well laid out inside, looks much nicer than the current boxster - not sure how it will compare with the new one in the flesh. Has some silly options - the magic sky roof is of course stupidly expensive and the NAV is pricey, and having to pat £50 for a cupholder smells a little of urine...
Buying and running costs are definately cheaper than the current boxster and much more so than the boxster S - which is it's true competitor the new cars are apparently a big step forwards - but also a further ste up in price.
How they have managed the C02 figures to get it into band H is great, and the insurance quotes I've had are cheaper than the boxster as well.
So far I'm thinking of:
airscarf
heated seats
mirror pack
dynamic handling
intelligent lights
AMG Sport edition 125
not too bothered about anything else..
Colour wise - Like the silver/bengal red, fire opal/sand or grey/grey, dont usually like white cars but it looks quite nice in white.
May have to compromise on colour slightly if I want to save the 2K on the 125 anniversary pack as they are only on cars in dealers today..
But overall if you want a softer roadster than the boxster and want to save a little money it's worth considering.
I'm not sure what you mean by your third 9x7 car - have you owned 997's before?
The 997 targa would be a different league of car to the boxter and the SLK - comparable if anything to the SL500 - a car at double the price.
I would never put an SLK350 in a vs. against a 997, as they are totally different cars in every way. And I dare say that in every way I can think of (other than fuel economy) the 997 would win hands down!
The 997 targa would be a different league of car to the boxter and the SLK - comparable if anything to the SL500 - a car at double the price.
I would never put an SLK350 in a vs. against a 997, as they are totally different cars in every way. And I dare say that in every way I can think of (other than fuel economy) the 997 would win hands down!
vinnie,
In the past 6 years I've had 3 porsches - a cayman, a 911c2s and the boxster. Fundamentally I think I've had enough of the 987/997 cockpit. The targa4 is nice enough but when the deals available on it for a 4-5 year old car are 30% more expensive than the same priced new SLK350 with a much higher spec and better residuals, you have to think.
To finish the financial double whammy - porsche obviously dont want my business as their trade in (2 dealers) was 15% less than the next lowest offer I've had..
The SLK down the same roads as the boxster rides better and at 7/10ths with dynamic handing on the SLk it handles as well. Sure the boxster will go naturally way beyond this point, but I'm obviously getting old and am thinking ride is much more important than handling. As for the new boxsters I'm concerned that it comes as standard on an inch bigger wheels than before - something that isnt going to help the ride... Oh and the new car is nearly 20% more than my current car on an equivalent spec basis...
I'm still pondering.
Simes.
In the past 6 years I've had 3 porsches - a cayman, a 911c2s and the boxster. Fundamentally I think I've had enough of the 987/997 cockpit. The targa4 is nice enough but when the deals available on it for a 4-5 year old car are 30% more expensive than the same priced new SLK350 with a much higher spec and better residuals, you have to think.
To finish the financial double whammy - porsche obviously dont want my business as their trade in (2 dealers) was 15% less than the next lowest offer I've had..
The SLK down the same roads as the boxster rides better and at 7/10ths with dynamic handing on the SLk it handles as well. Sure the boxster will go naturally way beyond this point, but I'm obviously getting old and am thinking ride is much more important than handling. As for the new boxsters I'm concerned that it comes as standard on an inch bigger wheels than before - something that isnt going to help the ride... Oh and the new car is nearly 20% more than my current car on an equivalent spec basis...
I'm still pondering.
Simes.
51mes said:
vinnie,
In the past 6 years I've had 3 porsches - a cayman, a 911c2s and the boxster. Fundamentally I think I've had enough of the 987/997 cockpit. The targa4 is nice enough but when the deals available on it for a 4-5 year old car are 30% more expensive than the same priced new SLK350 with a much higher spec and better residuals, you have to think.
I'm afraid I can't comment on the SLK vs Boxster as I haven't driven either of the latest models.In the past 6 years I've had 3 porsches - a cayman, a 911c2s and the boxster. Fundamentally I think I've had enough of the 987/997 cockpit. The targa4 is nice enough but when the deals available on it for a 4-5 year old car are 30% more expensive than the same priced new SLK350 with a much higher spec and better residuals, you have to think.
Yes I agree the interior in the 997 is quite plain, but it's purposeful and well laid out, and looks nice. I've never got into my car and thought it looks bad (unlike a 996).
And would you really say that the residuals are better on a new SLK than a 5 year old 911? My initial thoughts would be quite the opposite, but I may be wrong!
Why the targa by the way, not keen on the cab?
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