SLK/R171: Did I make a mistake? Z4 for SLK
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 55
Likes: 1
From: Miami, Florida USA
Did I make a mistake? Z4 for SLK
My lease was up on my BMW Z4 (is my wife's car) and she insisted on an SLK as a replacement, so I leased a new SLK 350. I have both for 45 days and am able to compare. The BMW Z4 (3.0 225HP) feels lighter and faster than the SLK 350 ( 3.5 268HP).
The SLK feels heavier, the engine sounds stressed when punched, The Z4 feels like a sports car.
I have the SLK for 39 months, it looks pretty and it has the Mercedes name, which is important to my wife, even if it does not drive and handle like a BMW.
The SLK feels heavier, the engine sounds stressed when punched, The Z4 feels like a sports car.
I have the SLK for 39 months, it looks pretty and it has the Mercedes name, which is important to my wife, even if it does not drive and handle like a BMW.
Last edited by casper; Apr 16, 2006 at 08:12 AM.
Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: North UK
SLK55 AMG, BMW X5 3.0d Sport
Just be grateful you didn't get the 280, that you were considering.
I drove a 3.0 Z4 before purchasing a 350 and preferred the Mercedes, I subsequently bought one and only had it for a few months before moving on to the 55. Shame you took it on a 39 month contract.........
I drove a 3.0 Z4 before purchasing a 350 and preferred the Mercedes, I subsequently bought one and only had it for a few months before moving on to the 55. Shame you took it on a 39 month contract.........
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
From: New Castle, PA
2006 Lexus 400h, 2006 MB SLK 280
Nothing wrong with the slk 280! If you want a real sports car, buy a used Maserati. BMW Z4 and Mercedes SLK are looker cars, not sports cars (might put an exception for the AMG) . Only reason why I bought a SLK 280 is due to the fact you will not be doing 180-200 on the highway...well, you shouldn't be :P Saved me around 30k 
Anyway, enjoy the car!
P.S. Test a drive the 05 Maserati coupe with the F1 transmission. It is very hard to want to get in a Z4 or SLK
Anyway, enjoy the car!
P.S. Test a drive the 05 Maserati coupe with the F1 transmission. It is very hard to want to get in a Z4 or SLK
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 1
2005 C320wz
Originally Posted by thesaintjim
Nothing wrong with the slk 280! If you want a real sports car, buy a used Maserati. BMW Z4 and Mercedes SLK are looker cars, not sports cars (might put an exception for the AMG) . Only reason why I bought a SLK 280 is due to the fact you will not be doing 180-200 on the highway...well, you shouldn't be :P Saved me around 30k
Anyway, enjoy the car!
P.S. Test a drive the 05 Maserati coupe with the F1 transmission. It is very hard to want to get in a Z4 or SLK
Anyway, enjoy the car!
P.S. Test a drive the 05 Maserati coupe with the F1 transmission. It is very hard to want to get in a Z4 or SLK
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 0
From: Colorado, USA
MBZ SLK
Originally Posted by thesaintjim
Nothing wrong with the slk 280! If you want a real sports car, buy a used Maserati. BMW Z4 and Mercedes SLK are looker cars, not sports cars (might put an exception for the AMG) . Only reason why I bought a SLK 280 is due to the fact you will not be doing 180-200 on the highway...well, you shouldn't be :P Saved me around 30k
Anyway, enjoy the car!
P.S. Test a drive the 05 Maserati coupe with the F1 transmission. It is very hard to want to get in a Z4 or SLK
Anyway, enjoy the car!
P.S. Test a drive the 05 Maserati coupe with the F1 transmission. It is very hard to want to get in a Z4 or SLK
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 0
From: Colorado, USA
MBZ SLK
Originally Posted by ruykava
well, the Z4 is MARGINALLY faster (0-60mph in 5.4 vs 5.6)
but hey, wife happy = right choice!
but hey, wife happy = right choice!
performance figures here.
http://www.mbusa.com/microsite/slk/index.jsp
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Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 173
Likes: 4
From: Berkeley, CA
2006 SLK350
Originally Posted by casper
My lease was up on my BMW Z4 (is my wife's car) and she insisted on an SLK as a replacement, so I leased a new SLK 350. I have both for 45 days and am able to compare. The BMW Z4 (3.0 225HP) feels lighter and faster than the SLK 350 ( 3.5 268HP).
The SLK feels heavier, the engine sounds stressed when punched, The Z4 feels like a sports car.
The SLK feels heavier, the engine sounds stressed when punched, The Z4 feels like a sports car.
On the other hand if you want to be able to fling the car around and have the raw road feel, the Elise is probably better value for money.
I chose the SLK because I got the optimal mix for me of luxury, sport, open-air and feel.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,158
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From: asdfasdf
One with 4 wheels
Originally Posted by Ynot
The Ferrari and Porsche handles better than the SLK too, you can't compare a Maserati to a SLK and or Z4, that's just silly. I have not driven a Z4, but from looks along it's not even close. Z4's are everywhere and just another car on the road. The SLK turns heads, if I post each compliment I get a day, I'll be close to 10,000 (post) already. Even Z4 owners stare at my car as if it's a pot of gold. If you really care about handling and not looks, save yourself some money and get the S2000, I've driven that and boy does that thing handle.
Maser's have GOD AWFUL gearboxes. They're not the same ones used in Ferrari's.
Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: ivyland,pa
slk 350
Originally Posted by TA-9FF
I have to completely agree with Ynot on this....if you want sports cars.....you have to stick with Porsche or Ferrari. However, to stay within the SLK and Z4 price.....the Boxster S probably wins overall.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Tampa Bay
I find the 280 to be just fine, nothing at all wrong with it. If I want to go fast, I can get on my bike and not even an SLK 55 will come close to catching me. I dont need that speed in a car.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
From: New Castle, PA
2006 Lexus 400h, 2006 MB SLK 280
Originally Posted by Ynot
The Ferrari and Porsche handles better than the SLK too, you can't compare a Maserati to a SLK and or Z4, that's just silly. I have not driven a Z4, but from looks along it's not even close. Z4's are everywhere and just another car on the road. The SLK turns heads, if I post each compliment I get a day, I'll be close to 10,000 (post) already. Even Z4 owners stare at my car as if it's a pot of gold. If you really care about handling and not looks, save yourself some money and get the S2000, I've driven that and boy does that thing handle.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
From: New Castle, PA
2006 Lexus 400h, 2006 MB SLK 280
Originally Posted by TA-9FF
I have to completely agree with Ynot on this....if you want sports cars.....you have to stick with Porsche or Ferrari. However, to stay within the SLK and Z4 price.....the Boxster S probably wins overall.
Maser's have GOD AWFUL gearboxes. They're not the same ones used in Ferrari's.
Maser's have GOD AWFUL gearboxes. They're not the same ones used in Ferrari's.
Honestly, when I drove the maser, it felt fine for me. I have never driven a ferrari to compare. I just love that F1
