urpow

Hello,

I was considering investing in a SLK32 AMG. However, I have recently heard that MB is coming out with a SLKII in 2004. Hence, I am not sure if I should get the 04 SLKII AMG or get a 03 SLKI AMG. I also don't know about the "reliability" of the release date of the SLKII.

What do you guys think? Should I wait for the SLKII, or get a 03 SLKI AMG?

Thanks in advance.

Accord

Personally, I would go for the current SLK32 AMG. The wait for the new one is atleast a year away. The current SLK32 AMG looks HOT, I have seen a few pictures of the new SLK, and let me tell you, it's not exactly the prettiest thing you've seen. I'll try and find some pictures of the new one for you.

Accord

Check out this link: http://mbspy.bacosys.be/r171.htm






Nobody knows if this is the final design or not.

(Btw, i'm moving this post to the SLK forum.)

benggolf

Current SLK model has been produced since 1997 and most problems and issues have been resolved.

The new SLK (R171) will certainly have its share of problems that plague the usual first model year production run. Also, you may not like what you see when it comes out.

The current SLK will likely be a classic (some may consider it already one) and in my opinion a better buy. SLK32 AMG is the best sport car "bang for your bucks".

Good luck with your decision.

Brian_R170

You might get less confusion if you use the chassis codes instead of SLKI and SLKII. The current SLK is the R170 chassis. The upcoming SLK will be the R171.

Here are some points to consider:

1. I think most people agree that the R171 "spy" pictures are ugly. Of course, all of those pictures are fakes and I seriously doubt that the R171 will look that bad, but it may still have some of the same design cues.

2. There's no way to tell about the reliability of the R171. All of the recent first model years for M-B have been plagued with quality and reliability problems (1998 CLK, 1998 ML, 2000 S-class, and C-class) some even stretched into the second model year. The R170 actually wasn't that bad, but it also had less technology built into it than any other M-B model.

3. The R171 SLK AMG may or may not come soon after the launch of the R171 SLK. AMG is trying to have vehicles ready for production at the same time as the regular model launch, but that hasn't happened yet. Previously, it was at least one year between the chassis launch and the launch of the AMG series production vehicle for that chassis. In the most recent cases (SL55 and CLK55) that will be reduced to about 6 months.

4. There is no agreement about when the R171 be available. Nothing so far points to a launch in 2003, which means it will not be a 2004 model. More likely, it will launch in 2004 as a 2005 model. That means the earliest you can expect to see an R171 SLK AMG in the USA is mid- to late-2004.

5. The rumored engine for the R171 SLK AMG is a supercharged 3.0L V6, possibly with GDI (gasoline direct injection) with about 375hp.

6. You might be able to negotiate a good price on an R170, but you also have to remember that when ther R171 comes out, the resale of the R170s could be hurt.

TOMU23

SLK I is the better choice

Brian_R170

New info at TheCarConnection.com says:

- The R171 will debut at the 2004 Geneva Auto Salon (late February 2004). That should mean that the R171 will show up in the USA no earlier than May 2004, and the AMG version could be 6 months later.

- The R171 will have the SLR/F1 inspired nose.

- The R171 will have a longer wheelbase (more interior room and better ride) and wider (more interior room and better handling) and based on the W203 C-class platform, which means it will get rack-and-pinion steering (better steering feedback) and strut front suspension.

- The engine in the R171 AMG SLK will be the same 3.2L Supercharged V6 with 350hp. In my opinion, that's a bad thing since the R171 will almost certainly be heavier than the R170.

So, going by the current rumors, the R171 SLK AMG could be slower and uglier, but is should steer better, handle better, and ride better.

They also say the R171 SLK320 will have a 3.2L V6 with 258hp.

benggolf

Life is too short to be waiting for new and better models. If you are ready to buy, I strongly suggest you pull the trigger NOW!

You won't regret it. It is the best SLK and I guarantee you, your jaw will hurt from grinning.