andy99

I have a 'yet to be specified' R171 on order with a UK MB main dealer. I placed a deposit on it on the basis that it was there Number 1 delivery slot. They can hardly tell me anything about it, including:

When I should be able to specify my car
What the UK list prices are
When I should expect delivery more specifically than 'the summer'

Can anybody help me out?

My thoughts are that the German Euro prices seem to be E 43,484 for the base model SLK350.
MB German price list in Euros
At an exchange rate of 1.48 thats £29,381. That seems to be an awful lot less than the £32,370 quoted for the Old R170 320 SLK. Are we being ripped off in the UK yet again?

I might be in Hamburg at the end of March, can anyone suggest any MB dealer local to the Radisson SAS Hotel, Marseiller Strasse 2, D-20355 Hamburg, so I can arrange a test drive?
Many thanks in advance.
Andy

NastyAluQuadra

Andy,

Don't forget to add all the bits that will be UK standard. Use the existing SLK320 as a guide to see whats likely to be standard. We're talking dimming mirrors, alarm, elec seats etc. and then add around 3000+ EUR for RHD.

By my figures (when it was 1.43/GBP) a well specc'd SLK350 from GE to UK spec with RHD would probably cost more in GE than in UK - but this is pure speculation at the moment. The cross over point used to be around 1.55/GBP. The rip off is mainly to do with the RHD charge, but as a factory charge there ain't much you can do about this (i.e. same wherever you buy - unless anyone knows better).

You'll need to spec it at least a month or so in advance of delivery.

Anthony100

I have ordered my SLK171 350 from a dealer yesterday here in the UK.
The cost was 34,270. Once i had loaded it up, the cost rocketed to
just over £41k.
costs included 600 metallic paint
900 leather
1950 command centre
1200 AMG alloys
200 speed sensitive steering
500 harmon kardon speaker upgrade
310 airscarf
90 remote roof operation
710 xenon headlights

I just hope its worth it........

andy99

Thats a 7% increase over the current 320 SLK. And against the cheaper (but slightly less well spec'd..???) German model they are taking the ****.
At £38000 for a minimum resellable spec 350, I am sorley tempted to cancel my order.
Very dissapointed.

NastyAluQuadra

Andy,

I'm not sure it is cheaper in GE. A LHD model is cheaper, but other than that the GE car is pretty expensive too.

It does seem rather steep, but then again it is something of a quantum leap from the old model (which was never even offered with COMAND for instance, and if you're brutally honest is now a bit of a shed).

Starting to worry that my UK SLK55 is going to be rather expensive - I was banking on it being well under GBP50k including toys.

Anthony - I wouldn't bother with Airscarf, speed sensitiive steering, remote roof or the karmon hardons. I have the remote roof on my SL and never use it - its so overtly show-offy its too embarassing to use. Fairly sure Airscarf will prove as pointless as the fan/massaging seats and the standard audio won't be 500quid worse than the upgrade. AMG yes and do not be without the new COMAND. Wack in a phone instead - the integration is great - you'll be pleased you did. The Xenons are so expensive I'd bin them too. The speed sensitive steering did weight up nicely on my old CLK500 around 100mph+ (in Germany), but in the UK I'd save your dosh.


Are the UK prices out now then?

NastyAluQuadra

By my figures the following has happened

Basic GE SLK350 is 5.1% more than outgoing model SLK320
Basic UK SLK350 is 5.8% more than outgoing model SLK320 going by your figures - are they official?

Basic GE SLK55 is 10.1% more than outgoing SLK32AMG. And it doesn't come with any toys from the factory and Milton Keynes will are likely to spec UK ones highly.

Oh dear. Doesn't look good. UK 55 is going to be way over 50k at this rate unless they discount it a bit. This will put me off frankly as the depreciation is likely to be too fierce at this level. You may as well have a new 911 and be done. A shame.

NastyAluQuadra

Does the 34k include the 7sp Auto box? You're not buying manual are you?

SL Boy

I have no intention of making a decision on which model until I have driven the car. I definitely dont want an early production car and risk being plagued with problems like those on the early R230 SLs.

NastyAluQuadra

SL Boy

Are you thinking SLK350 vs SLK55 too?

The SLK350 is so quick it looks tempting, but the SLK55 does look 10 times better and is likely to be much more fun to dirve.

SL Boy

Yes I agree the SLK 55 will likely be more fun than the 350 but higher cost, greater depreciation but probably not as much fun as my SL55 which I intend to keep. On the other hand if its more fun than the SL....

Mustard

Arhh, forgive me for being so thick , but if you are saving £,3000 over the old model, how on earth are you being ripped off?

If its £38,000, then thats a lot of of money for such an ugly car...

NastyAluQuadra

Mustard,

What he means is that the Germans are paying 29k, but UK punters have to cough up (34k it seems) for a seemingly identical SLK350 in RHD.

This is partly due to the RHD cost and the higher spec of UK models - the remaining difference isa rip off (and the size of the RHD surcharge is a cheeky rip off in any case)

I'm still weighing up whether importing is worth it. As the rate is hovering around 1.5 at the moment it looks more tempting.

slytoksy

You guys shouldn't complain about prices, over here a stock SLK350 costs 64,500euros(roughly £43,800) and the SLK55 AMG costs 98,950euros(£67,000) crazy tax system over here!

NastyAluQuadra

True, but your cars have the same ex-factory price (even with your higher specs ex factory) and you don't get hammered for RHD. In some cases your cars are actually cheaper ex-factory to compensate for your tax situation. I know Belgium is 21% TVA, what is it in Holland?

Anthony100

I think it is overpriced too, but dont forget this is the Uk and there is way too much money floating around. I expect to either sell my place in the Q or drive it for 6 months and get my money back.

Nasty, I like my toys!! and regarding the speed sens.steering, I frequently do over 130 every weekend down the A127 to see my girl . (audi TT 225 coupe)
The integrated phone is unfortunately only available with some very outdated phones!!

My most contreversial choice though, is to not to of taken the 7speed as the option. At nearly 2 grand more, I did not see the point. I want a sports car not a cruiser!

Anthony100

p.s. self dimming mirror is an option!!

NastyAluQuadra

Just got my SLK price list from the dealer.

A fully spec'd SLK55 is 54,947GBP.

This is a bit over the top to say the least.

Even a minimal spec with COMAND, PTS and phone prep is 53k.

Having to think hard about cancelling my order here. Its just so expensive that I fear it'll suffer dodgy residuals.

andy99

Well Im glad to see that my original post has caused some discussion

I will wait with baited breath to see what my dealer sends me in the next couple of days.

If it is as seems, I am not prepared to pay that sort of premium for a 350. I am also now tempted to get my £500 back and make do with my 1998 SLK ouit of principle of not being stiched up.

Any one SERIOUSLY interested in a 350 option that is NUMBER 1 (One) one the dleivery list at a midlands dealer, email me.

NastyAluQuadra

Its interesting that they won't be cheaper abroad until the importers start getting discounts for bulk buying.

Comparing a GE price SLK with 3400EUR RHD charge (which I'm guessing is about right unless anyone knows better), and at a rate of 1.46, the car would cost 34,204GBP inc UK options. And that doesn't include del charges etc. , so its actually more expensive abroad at that rate.

I'm in two minds. The 350 ain't that bad value; I'd still take one over a Z4. The 55AMG though at £55k; hmmmm. Thats too near a new 997 for comfort, although it does have a sky high "want one" factor.

Anthony100

Those of you still unsure, check out this latest road test....

http://www.channel4.com/4car/road-te...4-/slk04-.html

not bad at all......

Anthony100

p.s. says I was right to order the manual.....

NastyAluQuadra

Hmmm. Re Auto/Manual. Depends on what sort of risk you want to take with your residuals.

You might be right, it might not matter. Ask around though - non auto mercs are just one of those "no go areas". The last SLK320 got good reviews for the manual box too (which later seem to have been retracted) - just the opinion of a fickle journalist at the end of the day, so be careful.

(I don't want to sound negative - I like the idea of a manual merc sports car - I just would NEVER buy one until they have proven residuals). A mate with manual SLK320 struggled to flog it (and this was a Y reg just after they came out).

ianx, mancheste

n/t

SLK55_AMG