latest slk55...
Discussion
So, in all the reviews it gets a panning. I drove it on friday, roof down, etc, etc.
I dont get it. f
k me its rapid for a start. Very very much thug in a sharp suit job. Secondly it rides just fine. Everybody whinging about it being stiff? No worse than my Sagaris and I dont remember folks whinging about that.
So why the downer on this thing then? Im struggling to see a weakness in it.
I dont get it. f
k me its rapid for a start. Very very much thug in a sharp suit job. Secondly it rides just fine. Everybody whinging about it being stiff? No worse than my Sagaris and I dont remember folks whinging about that.So why the downer on this thing then? Im struggling to see a weakness in it.
My wife has had one for about 3 months now, having prviously had an r230 Sl. It is a brilliant car, very quick, sounds fantastic and is economical, surprisingly, and it is driven in a spirited fashion. The ride is firmer than the r230 but is in no way harsh and we live out in the sticks where the roads are very poor. A good test drive had us absolutely hooked and we have not once regretted the change. Hope this helps.
get 1 for an extended test drive. See below for my impressions:
SLK55 R172 - test drive report
I got an overnight loaner (non Performance Pack) from Mercedes Tonbridge (MBUK demo car) and did around 350 miles in it.
In my mind, this was the ideal replacement for my CLS55.
Initially, I was utterly seduced, and was sure I was going to order one.
By the next day, I had decided it was not for me. I had started off wanting one badly.
The engine is wonderful; sonorous, powerful, free revving and responsive. It sounds like a true naturally aspirated V8, rorty, honest and clear. Utter delight.
The gearbox much less so. It thunks on high speed/rev changes, and is reluctant to downshift at times. It felt dull witted to me when driving spiritedly. Not a patch on the MCT gearbox. Even when operating normally, speed of gear change is last century. I think the gearbox is the single weakest dynamic point of the car.
Handling is fine on smooth and even roads. However, once the road becomes bumpy and/or uneven, the chassis really struggles; it skips, jumps and is nervous and skittish when crossing diagonal lateral cracks on the road. The lack of composure and damping finesse is very obvious on badly maintained A and B roads. It feels distinctly hot rod in a way. A sports car, definitely not.
On corners driven enthusiastically, there is no feel from the steering wheel. The only real indicator of what the car is doing is body lean and suspension crashing into bumps and undulations.
It does not feel properly and exhaustively developed like other AMG cars I have owned (CLK55 and CLS55) and driven (SLS, SL55 and C63 coupe). For me, the SLK55 is an AMG only as far as the engine is concerned. It is terribly compromised, and does not deliver on AMG's traditional values.
At the end of the day, the short wheelbase and the huge weight on the front axle cannot cope with the dynamic demands place on them when driving to take advantage of the amazing engine.
It's like a person with a perfect body but a face that's best hidden with a brown paper bag.
Apologies to SLK55 owners, I don't mean to offend.
The above are my impressions and verdict on an SLK55 based on my requirements and my driving history.
SLK55 R172 - test drive report
I got an overnight loaner (non Performance Pack) from Mercedes Tonbridge (MBUK demo car) and did around 350 miles in it.
In my mind, this was the ideal replacement for my CLS55.
Initially, I was utterly seduced, and was sure I was going to order one.
By the next day, I had decided it was not for me. I had started off wanting one badly.
The engine is wonderful; sonorous, powerful, free revving and responsive. It sounds like a true naturally aspirated V8, rorty, honest and clear. Utter delight.
The gearbox much less so. It thunks on high speed/rev changes, and is reluctant to downshift at times. It felt dull witted to me when driving spiritedly. Not a patch on the MCT gearbox. Even when operating normally, speed of gear change is last century. I think the gearbox is the single weakest dynamic point of the car.
Handling is fine on smooth and even roads. However, once the road becomes bumpy and/or uneven, the chassis really struggles; it skips, jumps and is nervous and skittish when crossing diagonal lateral cracks on the road. The lack of composure and damping finesse is very obvious on badly maintained A and B roads. It feels distinctly hot rod in a way. A sports car, definitely not.
On corners driven enthusiastically, there is no feel from the steering wheel. The only real indicator of what the car is doing is body lean and suspension crashing into bumps and undulations.
It does not feel properly and exhaustively developed like other AMG cars I have owned (CLK55 and CLS55) and driven (SLS, SL55 and C63 coupe). For me, the SLK55 is an AMG only as far as the engine is concerned. It is terribly compromised, and does not deliver on AMG's traditional values.
At the end of the day, the short wheelbase and the huge weight on the front axle cannot cope with the dynamic demands place on them when driving to take advantage of the amazing engine.
It's like a person with a perfect body but a face that's best hidden with a brown paper bag.
Apologies to SLK55 owners, I don't mean to offend.
The above are my impressions and verdict on an SLK55 based on my requirements and my driving history.
Interesting review and no offence taken on our part, thats for sure!
Have to say that I dont recognise the car from the above review, but reviews are subjective and opinions differ, as do expectations - thats what makes a forum such as this such a great place.
The only way to decide is to take the extended drive as suggested, then you can make your own mind up if the car is for you.
Have to say that I dont recognise the car from the above review, but reviews are subjective and opinions differ, as do expectations - thats what makes a forum such as this such a great place.
The only way to decide is to take the extended drive as suggested, then you can make your own mind up if the car is for you.
I did an AMG Track Day and drove several AMGs, including the SLK 55. In spite of its compact size I found the SLK 55 quite a handful - the short wheelbase did not help and you really felt the weight in the front of the car. In tighter bends with heavy braking at entry it felt decidedly unhappy if you got off the brakes and on to the power too quickly, particularly if the car was not well positioned in the corner (which of course is my fault, not the car).In faster corners the steering did not feel all that well sorted, with the weight in the front of the car dictating direction rather than steering input.
I can't comment on ride quality given I was on a billiard table smooth track.
I don't recall the gearbox being that much of an issue but I might well of been distracted by the at times mildly disconcerting handling. The gear changes were certainly not as brutal as the more powerful C63s in Sport+ setting.
Overall I would definitely agree with earlier posts that the SLK 55 is a cruiser and not an all out sports car so it all boils down to personal preference and expectations
I can't comment on ride quality given I was on a billiard table smooth track.
I don't recall the gearbox being that much of an issue but I might well of been distracted by the at times mildly disconcerting handling. The gear changes were certainly not as brutal as the more powerful C63s in Sport+ setting.
Overall I would definitely agree with earlier posts that the SLK 55 is a cruiser and not an all out sports car so it all boils down to personal preference and expectations
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