SLK 55 AMG

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Discussion

Fidgits

Original Poster:

17,202 posts

230 months

Wednesday 14th January 2009
quotequote all
okay, I'm contemplating a SLK 55 AMG...

I was wondering how good these cars actually are? obviously fast and torquey, but do they handle okay? Whats the 7G auto box like? the tiptronic slow to react?

And, as silly as it might be asking on a 5.5 litre V8 - what is the real world economy like? It'd be mainly motorway stuff, but its quoted at 32MPG for extra urban, which isnt bad so i'd be happy if i could get that.


Also, any faults or flaws, things to look out for? the 55 plates are now out of warranty so any worries i should consider?

The Milfman

1,107 posts

190 months

Thursday 15th January 2009
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No help to you bud but am interested similarly, so have posted to get it back to the top. biggrin

Couldn't find a huge amount of info through searching either?!

Any help anyone?!

rob928gt

35 posts

198 months

Thursday 15th January 2009
quotequote all
Changed my other half's SLK 350 for a new SLK 55 AMG about 15 months ago, it's an amazing car, superb V8 engine, very quick with excellant handling, great 7 speed box very well suited to the car, it "adapts" to your driving and blips when changing down. She gets about 30mpg on a combination of motorway and town, I get nearer 20mpg because I "enjoy" the car! The only problem in 15 months / 7K miles has been the gearbox, lost it's gears, car was recovered to MB dealer and fixed without fuss, apparantly a common problem

Fidgits

Original Poster:

17,202 posts

230 months

Thursday 15th January 2009
quotequote all
rob928gt said:
Changed my other half's SLK 350 for a new SLK 55 AMG about 15 months ago, it's an amazing car, superb V8 engine, very quick with excellant handling, great 7 speed box very well suited to the car, it "adapts" to your driving and blips when changing down. She gets about 30mpg on a combination of motorway and town, I get nearer 20mpg because I "enjoy" the car! The only problem in 15 months / 7K miles has been the gearbox, lost it's gears, car was recovered to MB dealer and fixed without fuss, apparantly a common problem
Thanks Rob... thats quite encoraging!

TonyF

2,300 posts

277 months

Thursday 15th January 2009
quotequote all
Had one from new on a 55 plate and as said the gearbox was a problem, to many gears I think.
Great car all round really but I changed up to an SL55 AMG and would suggest that if your budgets allow, its a no brainer, the SL is in a different league everywhere imo.
Fuel consumption is around the 22-24 mpg average but the smiles are worth every single penny and they are a very good price at the moment.
I suggest you try one before settling on the SLK, I bet you won"t go back !!

Good luck
Tony.

jerrytlr

418 posts

214 months

Thursday 15th January 2009
quotequote all
rob928gt said:
Changed my other half's SLK 350 for a new SLK 55 AMG about 15 months ago, it's an amazing car, superb V8 engine, very quick with excellant handling, great 7 speed box very well suited to the car, it "adapts" to your driving and blips when changing down. She gets about 30mpg on a combination of motorway and town, I get nearer 20mpg because I "enjoy" the car! The only problem in 15 months / 7K miles has been the gearbox, lost it's gears, car was recovered to MB dealer and fixed without fuss, apparantly a common problem
I thought the older (55 plate) AMG cars had the 5-speed gearbox, as the 7-speed wasn't up to the job (yet)? This is certainly true of the 2005 CLS 55 AMG I am contemplating - are you sure it is the 7-speed box that has given the problems??

Reason for asking is I am weighing up the warranty vs no warranty option - if a gearbox is likely to let go (the car has done 50K miles) then I'd better get the warranty, but it is v expensive!!

On a more general note - anybody got any experience of the CLS 55 AMG? Any other potential reliability hazards I should be looking out for??? Car is one owner with FMBSH.


Cheers

Jerry


rob928gt

35 posts

198 months

Friday 16th January 2009
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My late 2007 SLK 55 AMG definitely has the 7 speed box, as did my previous late 2005 SLK 350. However, my 2005 C55 AMG had the same engine as the SLK 55 AMG, but a 5 speed box, I changed the C55 AMG last year for a C63 AMG, very different (!) engine but again the same 7 speed box, not sure if the box is "strengthened" in the AMG cars?. Rob

Fidgits

Original Poster:

17,202 posts

230 months

Sunday 18th January 2009
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took one out for a spin yesterday, acceleration was epic, and relentless...

noise was nice..

gearbox wasnt as bad as expected.

wasnt sure about the steering though, it kept changing weighting mid way through corners which is unsetlling.

RainerM

827 posts

232 months

Monday 19th January 2009
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Hallo
We still have fond memories of our SLK55 being driven for 4 years, taking part in various Megahoons and driving it around Europe and most
of the Swiss passes :-) Great little car. Mine was fitted with Bilsteins all around, limited slip diff (up to 60%),Pagid RS14 pads.
No problems, except an engine change at 20,000 miles (replaced at no cost) due a cheap bit within a piston, and towards the end with ca.
96000km the tension regulator had to be replaced. Otherwise nothing except servicing :-))
(the SLK32 had no probs at all for 2 years)
Main thing is having a serious service dept. at the dealer.

Have lots of fun and enjoy the beautiful sound :-)

Rainer-Switzerland

Fidgits

Original Poster:

17,202 posts

230 months

Monday 19th January 2009
quotequote all
can anyone tell me how the phone system works, the guy i went to see hadnt a clue if it was bluetooth or what?

also, i was surprised there is no cupholders, i mean, this is a merc after all... are there definatley none?

rob928gt

35 posts

198 months

Monday 19th January 2009
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If the car has the factory option "telephone pre-wiring", you will find a connection in the centre glove box. You then need to buy from Mercedes either a Bluetooth adaptor that simply snaps into it, or a cradle from the extensive Mercedes accessory list to suit your particular phone which will snap into it. I purchased a Bluetooth adaptor (NOT cheap) when I bought the car and it works brilliantly! Rob