911???....Merc` interfering!!!!!
Discussion
Been thinking about a 996/997 as an enjoyable road car (not going to track it). But, having observed the comments on this board for some time it seems that residuals are not what they used to be and Porsche as a company are perhaps not what they might be in terms of customer care/satisfaction.
I`m not ruling the 911 out, BUT, a friend of mine is going to be selling his Merc SL55 AMG. March 2003, less than 10,000 miles and absolutely immaculate. Black with black interior and a genuine car. Therefore, I feel, a safe private buy at what might be a good price. Would appreciate informed comment.
I`m not ruling the 911 out, BUT, a friend of mine is going to be selling his Merc SL55 AMG. March 2003, less than 10,000 miles and absolutely immaculate. Black with black interior and a genuine car. Therefore, I feel, a safe private buy at what might be a good price. Would appreciate informed comment.
I wouldn't have siad Merc would be any better TBH. I would have thought servicing and consumable cost would also be higher on the SL. For instance I had a new clutch fitted for £600(ish) granted this was at an independant but even so...... Porsche independants are numerous, finding one who will touch something as specialised as an AMG SL will prove tough.
I have found the OPC's easy enough to deal with when getting warranty work done
The SL is nice but a different car to the 911.
I have found the OPC's easy enough to deal with when getting warranty work done
The SL is nice but a different car to the 911.
I have owned two AMG mercs.An SL65 and a CL55. They are amazing cars but I don't own them anymore. I do however currently own two 911's.
The Porsche is a far more involving drivers car and brilliant all rounder whereas the Mercs are very comfortable high speed cruisers.
I have owned a lot of very nice cars but the 911 is still, in my opinion, the finest sports car in the world.
The Porsche is a far more involving drivers car and brilliant all rounder whereas the Mercs are very comfortable high speed cruisers.
I have owned a lot of very nice cars but the 911 is still, in my opinion, the finest sports car in the world.
Get a test drive in the Merc and a 996/997 to see what you like more in terms of driving experience. They are veeeery different. The SL 55 has serious power and decent sound but lacks the tactility, feeback and involvement of the Carrera's
In terms of reliability, Merc had serious problems in the past but as always, it comes down to the individual car. If your mate did not encounter any problems then you might well be on the safe side. But if you think that Porsche are bitchy in terms of warranty claims than have fun with Mercedes then...
In terms of reliability, Merc had serious problems in the past but as always, it comes down to the individual car. If your mate did not encounter any problems then you might well be on the safe side. But if you think that Porsche are bitchy in terms of warranty claims than have fun with Mercedes then...
the sl55 is a lovely, if perhaps now a little dated car.
However, if you do buy please pray every night that it does not breakdown as the MB dealer service is terrible.
About 5 years ago, MB made the decision to ditch all of its existing dealers. Whilst like any brand with an independantly owned network, quality will be patchy, what MB did was replace some very good dealers with a network of complete muppets.
It was always said that Ford as a volume manufacturer was good but badly let down by its dealers, which still appears to be be case if my local is anything to go by, but MB has taken this to a whole new level.
A friend of mine runs a diesel A170. It broke down before new year and was towed to the garage. She had been stuck in the dark, on her own waiting for recovery. She now spends every day ringing the dealer just to try and establish when the car might be ready.
She has been given about 10 different reasons for the breakdown, and even one service bod said that the valves were being replaced!! 10 days later she still doesnt even know if the car has actually been looked at. The car is less than a year old.
Whilst this is a very particular example of shoddy service, I know of many more examples all along the same lines. Try to get people to believe you are investing in a prestige brand, when the reality is, such a thing can never exist when car dealers are supplying the service.
However, if you do buy please pray every night that it does not breakdown as the MB dealer service is terrible.
About 5 years ago, MB made the decision to ditch all of its existing dealers. Whilst like any brand with an independantly owned network, quality will be patchy, what MB did was replace some very good dealers with a network of complete muppets.
It was always said that Ford as a volume manufacturer was good but badly let down by its dealers, which still appears to be be case if my local is anything to go by, but MB has taken this to a whole new level.
A friend of mine runs a diesel A170. It broke down before new year and was towed to the garage. She had been stuck in the dark, on her own waiting for recovery. She now spends every day ringing the dealer just to try and establish when the car might be ready.
She has been given about 10 different reasons for the breakdown, and even one service bod said that the valves were being replaced!! 10 days later she still doesnt even know if the car has actually been looked at. The car is less than a year old.
Whilst this is a very particular example of shoddy service, I know of many more examples all along the same lines. Try to get people to believe you are investing in a prestige brand, when the reality is, such a thing can never exist when car dealers are supplying the service.
runs off to comit hari-kari at the realisation that i am agreeing with the sunshine band
andy tims said:
I too have heard from colleagues who have had problematic Mercs & piss poor service from the dealers - but hey that happens with Porches too.
However, the Dale Winton factor just cannot be ignored
However, the Dale Winton factor just cannot be ignored
agreed.
if you buy buy an SL55 from a franchised dealer, you get 10 free half hour vouchers to redeem at your local TanStand
pikey said:
Are you asking a similar question on the Merc side?
Can't help but think you'll get only Porsche-biased answers on this one.
Mind you, if you wanted such answers, that might work well for you!
Yep, but Merc forum not very active. Anyway, the "Dale Winton" factor troubles me......................GREATLY!!! Can't help but think you'll get only Porsche-biased answers on this one.
Mind you, if you wanted such answers, that might work well for you!
Atom said:
I have owned two AMG mercs.An SL65 and a CL55. They are amazing cars but I don't own them anymore. I do however currently own two 911's.
The Porsche is a far more involving drivers car and brilliant all rounder whereas the Mercs are very comfortable high speed cruisers.
I have owned a lot of very nice cars but the 911 is still, in my opinion, the finest sports car in the world.
The Porsche is a far more involving drivers car and brilliant all rounder whereas the Mercs are very comfortable high speed cruisers.
I have owned a lot of very nice cars but the 911 is still, in my opinion, the finest sports car in the world.
My business partner had one - above about sums it up.
They are VERY fast, VERY big, VERY thirsty, FANTASTIC cruisers, but not sports cars in the way 911's are...depends what you are after.
It does look gay but personally I think the 996 with no bodykit looks very gay also
<flamesuitoneventhoughyouknowImright>
964RS said:
Atom said:
I have owned two AMG mercs.An SL65 and a CL55. They are amazing cars but I don't own them anymore. I do however currently own two 911's.
The Porsche is a far more involving drivers car and brilliant all rounder whereas the Mercs are very comfortable high speed cruisers.
I have owned a lot of very nice cars but the 911 is still, in my opinion, the finest sports car in the world.
The Porsche is a far more involving drivers car and brilliant all rounder whereas the Mercs are very comfortable high speed cruisers.
I have owned a lot of very nice cars but the 911 is still, in my opinion, the finest sports car in the world.
My business partner had one - above about sums it up.
They are VERY fast, VERY big, VERY thirsty, FANTASTIC cruisers, but not sports cars in the way 911's are...depends what you are after.
It does look gay but personally I think the 996 with no bodykit looks very gay also
<flamesuitoneventhoughyouknowImright>
Let's open a debate now: How can a 996 without look gay? It's the body kit on regular (i.e. non GT) 996's that looks gay...
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