papashango

Just looking to get some opinions and thoughts on something that has been on my mind. I have an issue where I can't stick to one car for too long. Had a 350Z and got rid of it in 2 years after spending tons modding it, had a 2010 C350 and got rid of that in a year and now have a 2011 C63 that I've had for about 14 months.

Now I regularly check my local dealers MB inventory and they have a 2013 SLK 350 in stock at a decent price that I am contemplating but I am not sure since it's not AMG and is not going to be as much fun. They also have a 2010 E63AMG with similar km's to my current C63 but I rather not go for an older car.

Anyway, so my theoretical question is would you trade your C63 for a SLK? I just don't want to end up regretting doing it even though they seem like fun little hardtop convertible vehicles. Of course other option is to just wait around for a newer C63 to come around and try to make a deal with that. I have tons of time left on my financing still so I assume I would losing money regardless when I try to trade in and get something else. I would go other cars (non MB) but I think if I stick with MB I would get the best deal and all the loyalty perks.

I obviously don't need to change cars, mine is coming close to 50K km's and it just seems like a lot on a car like this and I don't want to start spending an arm and a leg maintaining it even though it still has 1 year manufacture warranty and 2 years CPO. Obviously fiscally it doesn't make sense doing this, but just looking for opinions on what some of you guys think.

Thanks

bhamg

I can't help it. Every time I see a guy in an SLK I think, "what's a guy doing in that girlie car." Meaning no disrespect...

papashango

Haha...the thought has actually crossed my mind as well and I never liked them until the current generation which sort of looks more 'manly' if you can call it that.

CPD SLK

Some people might think the SLK is a girl's car, but it doesn't come with a tampon in the first aid kit like the G35s used to haha. I had a LKS5 and it was fun as hell. Light and quick and handles great! I had cutouts on that car too and it sounded great. The car had great build quality and I miss it (It was a 2006). Great car...I just needed a sedan.

chrisridebike8

451 freakin hp or 300...? Drive it and you decide. I know it would be an easy decision for me. I would keep it. And I wouldn't get the E as it could have headbolt issues. Also, 50,000 isn't very many miles at all. It's barely broken in!

ddcha

No SLK. You will get sick of that one in less than a year.

Honestly, I have a similar issue with not sticking with one car for too long. I get that itch almost every year it seems. I've found that I tend to have more satisfaction with an "iconic car" than with the newest and fastest. I loved my 08 subaru STI hatch. Didn't mod all at once. Did little things as birthday gifts to myself. Owned it almost 4 years and still miss it. I really enjoy my C63, but I think I was a more satisfied owner of the subaru (weird right?) I recently thought about trading my C63 for a Wrangler (another iconic car). Couldn't pull the trigger though because I'm spoiled

Autosport7

Theoretical or hypothetical...? Just busting ***** Papa!
Gotta be honest with ya here. There is no way in hell I am trading a C63 for a SLK. Just me though!


I understand maybe wanting to get back into that 350Z feel, as I used to own one (loved that car), but this is not the way to do it. I think the only cars I would be trading mine for at this point if I were going for a 2 seater, is the Gen V Viper, or a ZR1 Vette. Other than that the Porsche GT3 and the GTR are also great options. Only problem with all 4 of those cars is the price tag! Hence I don't own any of them.... yet! Give me a few years.


IF you want to stick with MB then stick to AMG and shoot for the SL63 AMG or SL65 AMG

g-f

SLK? Nope, I would not do that... I suspect not many here would.

The new Z06 on the other hand, yep. Without a doubt.

jmueller

Not a chance.

pamiboy

You seem to have so much spare cash on hand to be able to change luxury cars at will. What do you do for a living....? Wall Street broker / Lawyer.....????
Anyway not a bad situation to be in.

Autosport7

If bored with the C63 and have cash on hand you want to burn, put a blower on it!

abcut973

Looks like that car is in Louisiana based on the plates but never saw it .
As for your question OP I wouldn't trade my C63 for a SLK either even for 55AMG!
You want 2 seater performing like a porsche at the price point of a C63? Get a GTR!
GL with your search.

balthaser

No! Not SLK.

That car looks look something got its *** chopped off and the SLK is the remain.

dubzAMG

I would keep the C, as Autosport said if your bored with it strap a blower on it! I could never go from a C63 to a SLK 350.

papashango

Yea I didn't think I would get much support for the SLK switch. They seem to be fun little cars but I feel now that I am used to the 481HP the smaller engine will bore me way quicker than anything else. And financially speaking, it makes absolutely no sense of doing it either as I've only had this car for barely over a year. Just feels as if though that now it's around 50,000 KM's and as they get higher there might be various issues that start popping up so kind of trying to avoid that. Or perhaps just using that as an excuse to justify switching vehicles again.

Saw a 2013 coupe c63 at the local dealer listed for close to $70K. I wouldn't go for it at that price but I've always loved the coupe c63's so ended up contacting the guy there just to get an idea. He said there is wiggle room but of course no concrete info. I asked him to get me some trade in numbers. The only way it would even be possible is if I get something reasonably more for my current car than what I owe for it cause I don't really intend to throw any/too much extra cash on top. My monthly payments are perfect right now and I wouldn't want to do much higher.

I doubt it's going to work out but at least at that point I can tell myself to calm down and be happy with what I have and wait for a few years before switching like a normal person. lol

abcut973

I think it is going to be a trade off between your trade in value and selling price. The salesman might be offering you a great trade in value but on the other hand no room for negotiation on his asking price or vice versa. Never we will have the best of both worlds simply because dealerships have to make a living.
Did you check the actual value of your car to have a idea? I would recommend you to go to the closest carmax and get an appraisal. That will give some leverage or baseline for your trade. As well it will give you an idea if you are upside down with your current loan.
Just don't be fooled by salesmen BS. GL

dogbreath1

I've got a 13 C63 and an 09 SLK55. Completely different rides. The 55 doesn't have the same throttle response, but it's no slouch either. And there is nothing like being able to go topless. If you go with the SLK make sure that it is well optioned, the air scarf is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

papashango

Thanks all. For the trade I will definitely be doing my research prior to jumping the gun on it. No doubt about that. So if they offer me a good trade in value of my current car and give a decent deal on the 2013 coupe, I might find it quite tempting. Otherwise I might decide to stick with my current car for another two years when it's closer to my financing being up and then contemplate the same thing. Plus, there is always an option for selling it privately for almost always more than what a dealer may offer. If I really wanted to I guess I could buy my current car outright from the dealer and get the coupe as well but then I would be losing out on the awesome financing rates they are offering and with MB loyalty discounts they are even better. It's like being offered free money and I am obviously not going to say not to that lol.

Kriston

Features and looks may get dated. Power never does.


Keep that in mind when looking at other cars.

-Marlin-

@Autosport7
That first SL you posted is insane. Absolutely gorgeous.

I would not trade my C63 for an SLK. I would trade it for a lightly used Silver GTR. I saw one today with an exhaust, black rims, and dropped. It was dirty and looked bad ****. Or get a wide body kit for your C63 and slap some 305s on the rear with long tube headers, tune, and rims. Make it your dream car.

Wobble64

I also drive both: C63 507 and SLK 55 (albeit an 08 with torque converter). Regarding sportiness, no comparison at all. I leave the SLK for my wife now. Strange, but I am not even tempted anymore on a gorgeous convertible-perfect day.


However, de gustibus non est discutandum!

PanzerLehr

I would not mind having the SLK for a fun summer ride but if I had to decide between the two I would stay in my C63. If you are getting bored just give in to some light modding to keep yourself interested. Otherwise I would just save for an SLS

OtherCarIsAJet

I'm fortunate to have a pair of them. I mostly drive a '11 C63 and my wife drives a '13 SLK55. Both are great cars but are very different. The C63 invokes a mischievous ear to ear grin while the SLK55 is more primm and proper. Don't get me wrong, the SLK55 has lots of guts but it's not quite an axe murderer with headlights...thanx J. Clarkson for the best car moniker ever.

I wouldn't wanna choose one over the other but if I had to, I'd definitely download the SLK55 and keep the C63.

BTW, first post...been lurking for a couple of years. Thanx to all out there who are a lot smarter than me and are willing to share good gouge on the C63.

Sorry for thread creep...back to lurking.

zibby43

Thank you for the thread creep - beautiful stable! Post more often man!

That SLK55 is stunning/mean in Mars Red.