3rdtoy

we picked my wife's SLK 350 )(firesmist red/tan) up friday in Portalnd OR and drove to San Diego CA, here are a few of my comments after a 2 day 1100 mile ride with my wife;
1. Overall very nice car,
2. fit and finaish excellent
3. seats, my wife loved them, they hurt the small of my back in 30 mintues, I had to roll up a towel for support (she is 5" I am 6'1") I had a lot of issues getting comforable with the seats, if the car was going to be mine, I could not own it due to the discomfort I experienced.
4. stereo system, (we have the upgraded syetm) CD excellent, radio reception, poor,
5. handleing, very good
6. power, fair, I expected much better, (7 speed auto)
7. MPG, 24.2
8. Avg speed 69.2 MPH
9. roof operation, I wish the display in the dash would announce when the roof is completed up or down, not just in process.
10 ride in the rain, very good.

Overall, my wife loves the car, I think for $59k+ it is over priced, but it is what she wanted, (we have every option except for the nav system)

We had the wheels chromed and installed the chrome part for the center bar in the grill before we left. (don't know how to upload pixtures)

GearHead

Many congrats and thanks for sharing your experience.

My wife is not as accomodating. She is doing major push back on getting the SLK .... a series of excuses i.e. too small, not practical ... blah blah blah

So, at this time, I can only sit and admire other's experiences

Thanks again

DiamondNoir2K5

Your wife is 5 inches tall?

mick1

wow. avg speed of 69.2 mph !

mleskovar

Would you please expand on the "power fair" comment? How did it miss your expectation? The 4 valve 350 has great power specs and MB usually underestimates (honest?) their performance. Your "ride in the rain" is worth a laugh since it's only rains about 10 times a year on that stretch of highway

docrings

You got the same SLK35o that we ordered in September and we are picking up in 2 weeks in Atlanta: Red with tan interior, 7Spd auto.

Also getting the sport suspension, clear rear windscreen, NAV

Wife gets the SLK, I get the new C6 Corvette: red with tan, 6speed, Z51 sport suspension.

Should be a garage full of fun!

Julien321

Please, Please post some pictures of the chromed AMG 5 spoke wheels (and other pictures). How much was this and who did it? Upload to a photo server like ImageEvent and use the syntax without spaces: [ img ] h t t p : //xxx.com [ /img ]

Julien321

docrings,

Which dealer are working with. I also have a Mars Red/Beige due in about 2 weeks. Did you get the AMG package? If so are cars will be twins and maybe they will on the same ship and truck.

Now that is a garage to get excited about.

3rdtoy

What I mean by "power fair", is compared to the other cars we own, a custom corvette 1998 with a 6 speed that costs me with many engine mods just under $55K and pulls 405 rear wheel HP, and also a 2003 E500 sport, that we added a few "tweaks to", a 2003 chevy cavalier with a blower, (everyone needs an airport car) I thought given the weight and rated power the car would feel quicker.

I know the SLK will pick up power as the engine breaks in,

BTW, anyone who is thinking about ordering the "premuim package" with wood wheel and wood inserts on the dash, it is a great option really changes the inside of the car.

docrings

RBM of Atlanta... got it for cheaper than here in Pensacola... enough to make it worth the drive.

docrings

My wife ordered the premium wood package, too, but no AMG. Got in the car for a hair under 50K and no junk fees/processing charges/etc.

We should start a "Families with an SLK and a Vette" club...


Of course, not much beats the power in the vehicle in my signature pic...

3rdtoy

http://imageevent.com/3rdtoy/slk350

Julien321

Looks fantastic 3rdtoy. I almost got Firemist and was my 2ed choice. The chromed AMG wheels look really nice. Did the dealer chrome them and how much was it?

Duo-Art

3rdToy,

Your car looks fantastic. The chrome wheels really make it look elegant.

Mel

Ormond2004

Ira,
The car looks very nice. I hope you and your wife get lots of enjoyment from it. Use it in good health!

docrings

That color looks very maroon in the photo, not at all like the brochure... does the car color brighten up under sunlight?

The fluorescent fixtures really don't show off the red, I suppose...

NICE!

Julien321

I was leaning towards Firemist but when I saw one in person (outside) it did not look sportily (red) enough for me. The pictures are a very good representation and it is very much on the maroon side. It is a very classy and rich looking color plus the metal flake stands out more than most colors.

amiras

The only comment that I've is that the in-dash screen shows "Roof Open" and "Roof Closed" when the operation is complete. I didn't see it the first time but then I figured out.
Congrats and enjoy it ! (well, actually you wife will do it)

3rdtoy

The dealer arranged for a local shop to exchange the wheels for chrome ones, they cost me $1,500, I thought it was high, but allowed us to get the car 'complete' and not have to worry about having a local shop play with the car. The dealer and local shop also warranty the chrome for 3 years, I have them do three cars for me without any chrome problems, which is more than I can say for the wheels on my vette.
The firemist red is almost like the mag red on a C5 vette, I like it more then the Mars red, it had a nice dept and glow, I think the wheels and wood wheel really set it off. I wanted her to have the Siris radio but the dealer wanted $1,295 to switch units and I said no at that price.

Duo-Art

3rdtoy,

After looking at you photos again, I think the $1,500 was well spent.

Mel

RcLab1

what is the difference?

is the Mars Red look more Red than the other....

seems like the Fire Mist is Maroon in color....?

let me know
thanks

Julien321

Mars Red is traditional bright red non metallic
Firemist is deep red (maroon) with metal flake

GearHead

Hi 3rdtoy

Many congrats and what a great looking car.

I was thinking of going for the Beige interior and on the brochure, it didn't appear to be such light color. Based upon your pictures, your interior is very light. Is it due to the lighting or it is that the Beige interior is of that light color.

I have Stone interior for my W211 and my kid (and MB service technician) consistently dirties the interior whenever they get into the car.

Can you please provide your thoughts of the interior color?

Thanks again for sharing

3rdtoy

Frankly, I was surprised how light the seats are, I was expecting it to be darker, it look snice, but I do worry about it getting dirty, I also discovered that the top of the dash while black, is not a smooth black like my other cars, it has an unusall texture to it, I have no idea how to clean it except maybe a damp wash cloth.

big_willy

Car looks great,

I also got the chrome front grill. The chromed rims are nice but somehow I feel that 17" is a bit small for this car.

I'm looking into a set of 19" chromes - been eyeing the Brabus Monoblock VI.