SLK/R171: 280 with AMG Package or 350 without it?
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From: Miami, Florida USA
280 with AMG Package or 350 without it?
I am picking up my SLK next week and still have some doubts, an SLK 280 with AMG, Comfort and Heating Package or an SLK 350 with Comfort and Premium? Both are similar price, the amg provides looks and nicer wheels (standard wheels on 280 are poor) vs the 350, wheels are OK, no spoilers, but a better engine.
Which one would you choose if the cost the same?
Which one would you choose if the cost the same?
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From: Seattle, WA
2005 SLK350, Mars Red - Tan Interiors
One seems like fluff. The other substance. I'm sorry, I know there are a lot of posters on this site who seem to think that the AMG package makes a monumental difference in looks, but I still have trouble telling them apart unless they are parked right next to each other. Front end is a little beefier looking on the AMG (which in turn prevents you from having the cornering lights available with premium lighting package), but other than that, it's a minor trim difference on the lower side panel
Check out the resale value on Edmonds.com. The AMG package (as opposed the the all out SLK55-AMG), is not even an option you can specify when finding a resale or trade-in number. So other than the alloy wheels, you can kiss the $4,000 goodbye. You'll never get more than a couple of hundred dollars more on resale or trade in, and that's just for the wheels.
But the 350SLK is listed as a completely separate model from the 280SLK, so it's resale value difference is figured in as a percentage of the base model's original cost difference. You'll end up getting about 2/3 to 1/2 of it back in three to five years when you sell or trade in. Plus, you'll have the thrill of driving a more powerful car (although you will also pay more for gas.)
So make your own choice, but you better really be in love with the fluff to choose the 280 with AMG versus the 350 without, in my opinion.
Check out the resale value on Edmonds.com. The AMG package (as opposed the the all out SLK55-AMG), is not even an option you can specify when finding a resale or trade-in number. So other than the alloy wheels, you can kiss the $4,000 goodbye. You'll never get more than a couple of hundred dollars more on resale or trade in, and that's just for the wheels.
But the 350SLK is listed as a completely separate model from the 280SLK, so it's resale value difference is figured in as a percentage of the base model's original cost difference. You'll end up getting about 2/3 to 1/2 of it back in three to five years when you sell or trade in. Plus, you'll have the thrill of driving a more powerful car (although you will also pay more for gas.)
So make your own choice, but you better really be in love with the fluff to choose the 280 with AMG versus the 350 without, in my opinion.
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From: Miami, Florida USA
Maverick: I agree with your opinion on the AMG package. At first I looked into a 280, drove it and found the engine with sufficient power, but could never get used to the 16" wheels, they make the car look bad. So in order to fix that I could buy aftermarket wheels (18") or a 280 with the AMG.
Aftermarket wheels would cost me aprox $2800 (something half decent with tires), about the same as the AMG would cost me since I am leasing. But then I realized the 350 has same wheel/tire size as the AMG package, and the wheels are OK, so for the same $4000 I could upgrade to a 350 and don't have to deal with aftermarket wheels.
So I have a 2006 SLK 350 Diamond Silver/Black with Automatic, Comfort, Premium and CD changer that I can pick up next week, the only thing that still worries me is wheter I should hold on and find one with the entertainment package. (sample picture)
In your opinion, is the entertainment a must have? I do not need NAV, I can play MP3 CD's on the CD Changer, but how is the sound on the standard audio system?
Aftermarket wheels would cost me aprox $2800 (something half decent with tires), about the same as the AMG would cost me since I am leasing. But then I realized the 350 has same wheel/tire size as the AMG package, and the wheels are OK, so for the same $4000 I could upgrade to a 350 and don't have to deal with aftermarket wheels.
So I have a 2006 SLK 350 Diamond Silver/Black with Automatic, Comfort, Premium and CD changer that I can pick up next week, the only thing that still worries me is wheter I should hold on and find one with the entertainment package. (sample picture)
In your opinion, is the entertainment a must have? I do not need NAV, I can play MP3 CD's on the CD Changer, but how is the sound on the standard audio system?
Last edited by casper; Mar 17, 2006 at 04:52 PM.
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From: Boston
definately take the 350.. once you start driving you would want the engine.. personally... most importantly you are gettin a car to drive.. and if they are the same price.. 350 is better.. and for wheels..you can always just pick up another set of wheels later..hrm or amg..either way..its still better then the wheel you get in the amg package.. and body kits and stuff isnt that hard to add on either esp you are in maimi..and there is always kleemann.. but hey..how do you change to a bigger engine if you change your mind later??
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From: Colorado, USA
MBZ SLK
Get a slightly used 2005 SLK350 w/ AMG pkg it's the same price as a brand new 280 w/ AMG pkg. You can have your cake and eat it too. 
You must need a new prescription or you're kidding yourself if you can't tell the difference between an AMG pkg and non AMG kitted car. They look a world apart, yes it's all fluff but so is getting a ferrari when you can get a corvette with the same performance. I love the performance on the 350 but the AMG kit pretty much seal the deal for me. Looks is extremely important to me, if not I would have purchased a boxster or a Z4. The SLK looks so much better kitted. $4000 is alot of money but depends on how you look at it. You get better looking wheels, stiffer suspension, lower aggressive look, and the AMG kit. Body kits alone w/o paint and installation can run over $6K, so $4K is a bargain. IMO. I've attached some pics for comparison, nevermind, what comparison. 
*** AMG:
AMG kitted:
You must need a new prescription or you're kidding yourself if you can't tell the difference between an AMG pkg and non AMG kitted car. They look a world apart, yes it's all fluff but so is getting a ferrari when you can get a corvette with the same performance. I love the performance on the 350 but the AMG kit pretty much seal the deal for me. Looks is extremely important to me, if not I would have purchased a boxster or a Z4. The SLK looks so much better kitted. $4000 is alot of money but depends on how you look at it. You get better looking wheels, stiffer suspension, lower aggressive look, and the AMG kit. Body kits alone w/o paint and installation can run over $6K, so $4K is a bargain. IMO. I've attached some pics for comparison, nevermind, what comparison. *** AMG:
AMG kitted:
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From: Sydney, Australia
W203 slightly modified
The way I look at it is that neither the 280 or 350 are 55's. So what you want is options and looks. Anyone that thinks 350 is infinitely more powerful than a 280 doesnt own a 55.
You should get the package that makes you feel very happy with your purchase. Ploughing more money into an engine, when it isnt superior, seems like dead money if you dont get a thrill out of owning it.
I know plenty of guys in Australia with 200 series engines with fully optioned interiors and bodies. The speed limit is 40mph and in a traffic jam the SLR will run at the same speed as the Smart car.
You should get the package that makes you feel very happy with your purchase. Ploughing more money into an engine, when it isnt superior, seems like dead money if you dont get a thrill out of owning it.
I know plenty of guys in Australia with 200 series engines with fully optioned interiors and bodies. The speed limit is 40mph and in a traffic jam the SLR will run at the same speed as the Smart car.
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Originally Posted by jing
definately take the 350.. once you start driving you would want the engine.. personally... most importantly you are gettin a car to drive.. and if they are the same price.. 350 is better.. and for wheels..you can always just pick up another set of wheels later..hrm or amg..either way..its still better then the wheel you get in the amg package.. and body kits and stuff isnt that hard to add on either esp you are in maimi..and there is always kleemann.. but hey..how do you change to a bigger engine if you change your mind later??
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From: Skokie, Illinois
This is just my opinion but I like the looks of the SLK without the AMG kit better than with it. I think the flat 5 spoke AMG wheels are the worst looking of all of the SLK wheels that I have seen. They have no style. They are just 5 flat slabs of aluminum with no contuor or uniqueness.
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From: Hong Kong
C219 CLS 500(sold), R171 SLK 350(sold), W210 E320 (sold), W204 C280, W221 S500
the sad thing is that we're all greedy...always wanting more and more...i have a slk350 now...before i got this car i thought wow 268 hp that's A LOT of horsies!~ but after a while when i started to see everyone having a 55 i'm like screw that i must have myself one of those now...simply stated you can never be satisfied with power...it's like catching up with technology can you keep up with all the new computers and digicams that are coming out? no you cannot...you're either satisfied with what you have now or you want more and for me i want the most out of my stuff so i'm going for the slk55
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From: Virginia USA
SLK55///AMG The MONSTER on the block
I personally like the AMG package and think it's a bargain. I like the front, back, wheels, everything but the piece in front of the rear wheels. I would prefer the wheels to be 18". I have the same wheels in 18", spent $2975 for wheels and tires. Again, $4000 is a good price for the AMG option. I could live with the 17" wheels with the package. Regarding the 5 spoke AMG wheels. I agree, they could be more stylish. Based on your two options, I'd go with the SLK 280 with AMG. But first, I try to find a SLK 350 with AMG, even consider a used SLK 350 with the right options. Better yet, order the vehicle you want with the options you want.
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From: sunny calif
2006 280 SLK AMG sports package black/black
i just went through the same thought process on March 10,2006 I desided on the 280SLK with the AMG package plus rear spoiler since it was a lease the 280 had enough power for me but I could'nt let go of the look the AMG package gives to the Car the wheels were also a factor also the special lease offer for the month of March on the 280slk Black on Black nothing but complements not to many out there with this look cost 46.300. with a payment of $550 a month 39 months only other option was 6 disc CD changer MSRP 49,555 drive both but the AMG look will set you apart, 
after market is nothing like factory installed just a thought
after market is nothing like factory installed just a thought
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From: Berkeley, CA
2006 SLK350
Good choice
Originally Posted by casper
Slk 350
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AlabasterWhiteSL ObsidianBlackML
I'd go with a 350 if you find one with the AMG pkg thats great if not you can always purchase an aftermarket one. What it comes down to is that you're paying for a stronger engine that out performs the SLK280 and has better chance of holding its value due to having the new 3.5L V6
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From: Miami, Florida USA
Originally Posted by shimmyone
i just went through the same thought process on March 10,2006 I desided on the 280SLK with the AMG package plus rear spoiler since it was a lease the 280 had enough power for me but I could'nt let go of the look the AMG package gives to the Car the wheels were also a factor also the special lease offer for the month of March on the 280slk Black on Black nothing but complements not to many out there with this look cost 46.300. with a payment of $550 a month 39 months only other option was 6 disc CD changer MSRP 49,555 drive both but the AMG look will set you apart, after market is nothing like factory installed just a thought
after market is nothing like factory installed just a thought
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I'd go 350 if they were the same price, but that's because I like the higher performance. I often wish I'd gone for the 55, but price-wise I felt that was too much at the time. Now, of course, it would cost me even more to upgrade.
But it's nearly impossible to use the abilities of the 350 legally in the US, and I have no doubt that if I had a 55 I'd be on the wrong side of the law 24/7. If what you want is a car that looks good and performs well enough for a rational person, the 280 is probably just fine.
As always, it comes down to you.
But it's nearly impossible to use the abilities of the 350 legally in the US, and I have no doubt that if I had a 55 I'd be on the wrong side of the law 24/7. If what you want is a car that looks good and performs well enough for a rational person, the 280 is probably just fine.
As always, it comes down to you.
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Originally Posted by RonJeffries
But it's nearly impossible to use the abilities of the 350 legally in the US, and I have no doubt that if I had a 55 I'd be on the wrong side of the law 24/7. If what you want is a car that looks good and performs well enough for a rational person, the 280 is probably just fine.
As always, it comes down to you.
As always, it comes down to you.
I can't say I agree with your statement about using the 350 to the max legally, just because you cant hit 155mph doesnt mean you're not using it's "abilities". Everytime you're at a street light or going down an on ramp or anything like that, the control and stability the car shows is all about using the car to its max just the top speed factor is taken out. Same thing goes with the 55s you'd deff feel and use the car to its abilities when you put your foot down to pass someone or do anything that shows its performance side. just a little something to think about
Last edited by blazinginder; Mar 21, 2006 at 08:21 AM.
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From: Lausanne, Switzerland
SLK 55 AMG
After a while, you will want that extra performance, so going with a 350 immediately is the better choice IMO.
Then you can look around on eBay for better rims (might be able to get equivalent, or better looking ones for a thousand bucks). Finally, if you really want the front bumper with an AMG look, you can buy it separately, get it painted and installed for a lot less.
However, for an even cheaper amount, you can update the standard front bumper look with little bits on the bottom corners that look quite nice as well, and won't cost all that much.
Then you can look around on eBay for better rims (might be able to get equivalent, or better looking ones for a thousand bucks). Finally, if you really want the front bumper with an AMG look, you can buy it separately, get it painted and installed for a lot less.
However, for an even cheaper amount, you can update the standard front bumper look with little bits on the bottom corners that look quite nice as well, and won't cost all that much.
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From: sunny calif
2006 280 SLK AMG sports package black/black
Factory installed
Remember your still dumping more money into the car 350 SLK by the time you add it alll up and your body kit fallls off after 3 years and the paint is'nt quite right there is nothing like factory installed if your ok with the power of the 280 go with it and the AMG package
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From: Colorado, USA
MBZ SLK
Originally Posted by shimmyone
your body kit fallls off after 3 years and the paint is'nt quite right there is nothing like factory installed
Go with the census, get a 350 if you are going to lease, why bother getting upgrades to the car if you are not planning to own it. 350 will give you the performance that you want.
Otherwise finance a slightly used one with everything you want at the same price.
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From: SF Bay Area, California, USA
2005 SLK350 - 2006 ML350
Originally Posted by Duo-Art
This is just my opinion but I like the looks of the SLK without the AMG kit better than with it. I think the flat 5 spoke AMG wheels are the worst looking of all of the SLK wheels that I have seen. They have no style. They are just 5 flat slabs of aluminum with no contuor or uniqueness.
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From: North UK
SLK55 AMG, BMW X5 3.0d Sport
So what did you go with in the end ?
Might be too late now, but I'd take the 350. I much prefer the look of the car without the bodykit. I just wish I could have had the option of having my SLK55 without the kit as standard. That would be a wolf in sheeps clothing !!
Might be too late now, but I'd take the 350. I much prefer the look of the car without the bodykit. I just wish I could have had the option of having my SLK55 without the kit as standard. That would be a wolf in sheeps clothing !!
