NeilC123

Hi,

I was just curious i wanted to ask people - if they had the choice between the SLK 55 AMG or the SL 55 AMG - which would they choose and why?

Thanks

WIldcat465

This is not a fair comparison. The SL is almost twice as much money, interior finish on the SL is at least twice as nice, is more comfortable, and looks better. The SLK is a nice car, but it feels and looks like a girlie toy when compared to an SL500/55/600.

If I had a daughter, I would buy her one.

StephenK

Well put!

Stockinv

[QUOTE=WIldcat465]This is not a fair comparison. The SL is almost twice as much money, interior finish on the SL is at least twice as nice, is more comfortable, and looks better. The SLK is a nice car, but it feels and looks like a girlie toy when compared to an SL500/55/600.

That's right, Arnold.

zzoorrkk

SLK definately girly compared to a SL.

speedAsylum

I'm not sure how many of you have driven the SLK55, but it's not girlie at all. NeilC123, I think if you drive the SLK55, you'll be very surprised. It's smaller than the SL, which I like, and sounds and handles fantastic. I own an '05 SL, but drove the SLK55 and was really, really impressed. If you test drive it, drive it hard, to see how good it handles. And the SLK55 is definitely a good deal compared to the competition, such as a new 911 Carrera S.

trin

From your question it's easy to see that it is NOT a SL55 you have in your garage. If you compare the SL500 with the SLK55 I can see where you are coming from but to compare the SL55 with the SLK55 is stupid and makes absolutely no sense at all. There is way too much difference in size, price, handling, luxury and pure power for that matter.

Try testdrive both the SL55 and the SLK55 and I bet you'll agree with me!

speedAsylum

I have a 65 in my garage. And I've driven an SL55, but have not driven an SL500. Has anyone that's posted to this thread driven an SLK55?
https://mbworld.org/forums/slk55-r171/108457-thrashing-new-slk55-homestead-speedway.html

vraa

I have. It's insanely sick.

WIldcat465

I've owned an SL500 and have a 600. I've driven the SLK55. It doesn't drive girlie, it just looks that way. My wife wanted one, but could not reach the pedals (She's 4'9"), so we bought an SL and never looked back. It's quick, but it's not all about going fast--its how well you go. Any SL is better than any SLK. I like the SLK, but you don't get the sense that you've "arrived" when driving one.

Kubazzz

i would take SL55 AMG. Far better car.

trin

I've driven the SLK55 and own a SL55 and I would NEVER considder the SLK over the SL......

lorinserbenz

We drove a SLK350 this weekend (girlfriend wants a 129 body Sl) and it felt cheap on the inside, but it should its half the price of an Sl.
SLK is very feminine IMHO.....

monty

looks of a car is very personel, but read a few comments in the past about its feminine looks. mine u initial I thought the Sl without the ANG body kit it looks feminie, I like it the way it is now.

with regards to SLK 55 or SL 55 - I am not a great driver, will never track these cars, and way too many speedtraps where I live (government revenue generating exercise), so will only use possibly 5% of car true ability. will not get either

also cannot afford the SL55.....which is a big point hahahahaha!

NeilC123

I hear where you are coming from Monty...on reflection I am wondering whether such cars are actually worth it esp with the increased speed cameras here in the UK and the increased thefts and mad people on the road causing more and more accidents - totally taking the joy out of driving. I am almost just tempted to save half the cash and go for the bog standard model as my everyday car and save up for a nice aston martin as my weekend car.

Neil

tiggerfink

I like them both. Each one has a purpose. But the interior still sucks in the SLK350.

WIldcat465

My car will never see the track and will lead a simple life plodding to my wife's nail salon and too the mall; however, to me, the SL is enjoyed best when performing simple errands. Driving it turns mundane tasks into special events. I once observed my wife driving up thru Del Mar in the 600. The content look on her face made the SL's price of admission worth every penny. She'd never experience that in the SLK, it's just a different car with a different experience.

Shinigami

The SLK55 Feminine? I could understand that of the older (R170) model, but the new SLK is definitely NOT feminine, not with the agressive front spoiler and air ducts on the side. When comparing the phallic nose of the SLK to the slender shapes of the SL, I would say it's the SL which is more Feminine of the two.

Anyway, I like the shapes of both cars. They're quite different, but I think I actually prefer the SLK shape about 1% more then that of the SL. But only 1 small percent

The interior of the SL of course has more leather and looks more streamlined, but then again, it is also a much larger car and has more space in the cabin. But is it twice as good? umm, nahh, I'd say only 50% better then the SLK interior.

Also, the SL55 has more power, but once again, the SLK55 is about 450kilos lighter (dry weight), so those 360ponies are able to proper the car at just about the same speeds (according to some, as low as 4.2 seconds for a 0-60 sprint). That's not something to sneer at.

Finally, the SLK55 is cheaper, in fact, half as cheap as the SL55!

If you can afford the SL, go for the SL. In my humble opinion, it is a 50% improvement over the SLK for a price which is twice as high, but it is still an improvement But if you cannot afford the SL, an SLK should be just fine (and a lot cheaper).

I've driven both cars, I own an SLK55, and I love it a lot. I really admire the SL and consider it a better car in some aspects, but currently, my mindset places me behind the wheel of the SLK. For the price of the brand new SLK, I could have gotten a second hand SL, so the price is not really an issue, but when I hit 30, I might start to look into the SL. But at my current age, I'm more into the smaller, lighter MB roadster. Personally, I think one should get what they feel fits them best. i.e. fits their character, their personality. And at the moment, I'm much more partial to the SLK's, S2000's, Miata's and Z4's then the grander tourers such as the SL, Z8, Maserati CC's, and so on...

Don't diss the SLK, it's still a faaaabulous drive, and compared to the SL, handles and pushes just as well

NeilC123

When choosing between these cars most people seem to have gone for the SL for males. I hope Mercedes are listening before they decide to do the facelift to make the SL look like the SLR...will that make the SL too girly and make the SLK look too much like the SL...interesting times...

LovinMercedes

Now here is a man with class.

BiTurboBenz

Women love the SLK, whether it wears the ///AMG badge or not. Is it unfair, yes. SLK55 is a great car but I can't get past how small & "cute" it is. If you have the money get the SL55, if you only have 60-70K to spend look elsewhere.

tiggerfink

I had a SLK350 on order, until I saw the nose in person and the pipe fitting interior. The interior looks like the new racing car theme like on the mini, and Z. I was so disappointed.

milllx

are you really saying the slr looks girlie i don't think so at ALL. that thing is a monster. i am a girl...but i also like aggressive cars. i can see what people mean when they say a car is girlie, vs. a car is manly...but the slr and girlie do NOT go in the same sentence IMHO.

WIldcat465

Women swoon over the SL. Let's face it, the SL is a big baller's car and every woman loves big ba. . .err. . .let me restate: Most women want to be with a stable, financially secure and fun man. The SL is the icon for that life.

LovinMercedes

I am not sure I'd hang around any woman that judged a man by his car. Seems to me that is a sign of a shallow person.