Discussion
Well what is there to say about these?
Does anyone here have one, and how does it compare versus the 3.2M Z4 coupe (which I have driven and thought was great) if you have driven both.
The last few cars I have had were BMW (not M's) and I fancy a change from the brand.
I have driven a SLK200K and liked the way it drove but obviously it's very slow, which was my main negative point with it.
Completely different car but I had a passenger ride in a C63 estate yesterday (the car is new and owner taking it steady due to running in) and was like a cheshire cat. The noise was fan bloody tastic.
I see on the SLK forums most are US based (fuel prices make it less of an issue but I see 30mpg is possible, not that I am looking for gas mileage lol) and I hope to hear comments from UK owners.
Does the car attract the wrong attention and negative comments from other road users?
Is it suited to the UK roads or is tramlining an issue? It is often wet here, so how is it in the rain wrt the back end?
I am used to RWD but only with 200-250hp / lbft. My position is that I am about to commit and px my Z3 3.0i in for an SLK55.
On the very slim chance that anyone in the Newbury (iirc) area has just p/x'd their 05 plate 55 and is reading this post, it is your old car that I am looking to buy, from a dealer in the north part of the UK westcountry.
Thanking you in advance for any information.
Does anyone here have one, and how does it compare versus the 3.2M Z4 coupe (which I have driven and thought was great) if you have driven both.
The last few cars I have had were BMW (not M's) and I fancy a change from the brand.
I have driven a SLK200K and liked the way it drove but obviously it's very slow, which was my main negative point with it.
Completely different car but I had a passenger ride in a C63 estate yesterday (the car is new and owner taking it steady due to running in) and was like a cheshire cat. The noise was fan bloody tastic.
I see on the SLK forums most are US based (fuel prices make it less of an issue but I see 30mpg is possible, not that I am looking for gas mileage lol) and I hope to hear comments from UK owners.
Does the car attract the wrong attention and negative comments from other road users?
Is it suited to the UK roads or is tramlining an issue? It is often wet here, so how is it in the rain wrt the back end?
I am used to RWD but only with 200-250hp / lbft. My position is that I am about to commit and px my Z3 3.0i in for an SLK55.
On the very slim chance that anyone in the Newbury (iirc) area has just p/x'd their 05 plate 55 and is reading this post, it is your old car that I am looking to buy, from a dealer in the north part of the UK westcountry.
Thanking you in advance for any information.
Awesome cars to be fair... One of my favourites to drive out of the range, if not 'the'!
The styling of the AMG kit makes it look as hard as nails, IMO... SLK's looked a little feminine before but the 171 AMG looks phenomenal & is definitely a head turner although I don't know what attention your looking for.
Performance wise well obviously it's very quick. About 350-60 bhp IIRC & does 0-60 in little under 5 secs. Has the V8 growl and sounds nothing short of amazing. They handle very well, don't seem overly twitchy!
With regards to aquaplaning and the rear stepping out, ESP is generally quite good in most scenarios, however if your stupid the normal thing will happen as with any other car...
I think 30mpg is a slightly optimistic... I would of thought around about 20mpg maybe more the case. The yanks roads are completely different to ours & a different style of straight line higher speed driving is utilized. As opposed to here where most the time it's 30mph and stuck in traffic...!
Don't seem to be to unreliable either, I only ever see them for servicing, tyres (they are expensive to!!) & the occasional vario roof fault.
The styling of the AMG kit makes it look as hard as nails, IMO... SLK's looked a little feminine before but the 171 AMG looks phenomenal & is definitely a head turner although I don't know what attention your looking for.
Performance wise well obviously it's very quick. About 350-60 bhp IIRC & does 0-60 in little under 5 secs. Has the V8 growl and sounds nothing short of amazing. They handle very well, don't seem overly twitchy!
With regards to aquaplaning and the rear stepping out, ESP is generally quite good in most scenarios, however if your stupid the normal thing will happen as with any other car...
I think 30mpg is a slightly optimistic... I would of thought around about 20mpg maybe more the case. The yanks roads are completely different to ours & a different style of straight line higher speed driving is utilized. As opposed to here where most the time it's 30mph and stuck in traffic...!
Don't seem to be to unreliable either, I only ever see them for servicing, tyres (they are expensive to!!) & the occasional vario roof fault.
I would say just do it. I have one and it has replaced some previous exotica Fezza, porsche, lotus etc etc.I was so unsure that I hired one then i bought and now 12 months on i cant imagine what could replace it, in other words its a grower. The torque puts it in a different league imo. I owned a Z3m which I liked but I just couldnt get on with the z4m vert a real less than sum of parts machine, just not in the same league.
Traction is a problem so tyres are critical, I have found goodyear assymetric to be the best at sorting it and its a trully massive difference (forget continentals) PS2,s run them close. I then fitted an lsd which is the iceing but not essential. Handles sweet and balanced but in a GT kind of way and rides well compared to other sport cars and as such its my daily drive. Fuel is 22 ave and 27 at 85/90 mph in germany of course. Everyone comments on how far it exceeds their preconceptions about the car in all respects and these are guys that know their wheels. Mercs best kept secret for sure. Later cars post approx 2007 have downgraded brakes unless they have the 030 pack then the rides rather hard.
If you want a track machine then buy something else though, I dont anymore.
Traction is a problem so tyres are critical, I have found goodyear assymetric to be the best at sorting it and its a trully massive difference (forget continentals) PS2,s run them close. I then fitted an lsd which is the iceing but not essential. Handles sweet and balanced but in a GT kind of way and rides well compared to other sport cars and as such its my daily drive. Fuel is 22 ave and 27 at 85/90 mph in germany of course. Everyone comments on how far it exceeds their preconceptions about the car in all respects and these are guys that know their wheels. Mercs best kept secret for sure. Later cars post approx 2007 have downgraded brakes unless they have the 030 pack then the rides rather hard.
If you want a track machine then buy something else though, I dont anymore.
I fully agree with Kilarney's comments, an LSD is rather nice to have,mine was upto 70%, but can be very hard on rear tyres, mine lasted between 3500-5500
miles, (Pirelli Zero MO's)did a few Megahoons, never had any problems with the car, my dealer was-is excellent, Bilsteins fitted all-round, Pagid RS14
on front brakes, you cannot kill these pads, even downhill.
marvellous souvenirs,I just changed the car because I have to drive steep places in winter :-((
Enjoy this rather special car, My salesman just told me the last models have some very positive suspension-changes and a much quicker
turn-in :-))
Regards,
Rainer-Switzerland
miles, (Pirelli Zero MO's)did a few Megahoons, never had any problems with the car, my dealer was-is excellent, Bilsteins fitted all-round, Pagid RS14
on front brakes, you cannot kill these pads, even downhill.
marvellous souvenirs,I just changed the car because I have to drive steep places in winter :-((
Enjoy this rather special car, My salesman just told me the last models have some very positive suspension-changes and a much quicker
turn-in :-))
Regards,
Rainer-Switzerland
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