HI,

This is my first posting although i have read the other postings with some interest over the last few months. However I thought i would ask you people of your thoughts. I drive approximately 28,000 miles a year for work (including parking in some unattended car parks) and I wondered what car do you lot think is best? I currently drive an old style slk 230 although i have only had it a year but because it has a tracker in it and it isn't that amazingly flashy I dont' mind where i keep it that much, but i wondered:

1. For travelling that sort of mileage is an slk more practical than an sl? Or do people have no problem using an SL as an everyday car? If so what sort of engine is best on either for everyday use for a lot of mileage?
2. Is AMG more of a toy for people to play rather than a practical everyday for work thing?

I have to say I have mixed feelings about the new design of the SLK as when i first glanced at it it looked very similar to a Hyundai (they have a model which has a sort of nose at a bonnet) but it seems that styling is the way that Mercedes are going but what i am also worried about is whether Mercedes' reliability is getting suspect?

When the time comes i.e. 2 years time I hope to therefore sell my present slk and will be looking for a 2 seater roadster and I have to say from reading all the postings I am still very undecided as to which car I really fancy, what engine size and what styling. I would therefore be very interested in people's views.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks :o)

 

I owned a 03 SL55 for about a year and a half and a 03 SL500 for all of... three days lol

SL55 is a fun, fun car to ride. The engine noise... I still have dreams about it. My mom used to drive it while I was away for school, and she didn't like the loud noise. It does get loud, but I didnt mind.

Luckily, I had absolutely no major problems with my SL55. One of the lamps died out on me but that was fixed in 15mins at the dealership.

I bought the SLK350 w/ AMG kit over winter break, the only reason being that i heard good reviews about the manual tranny, and the fact that almost the exact config i wanted was in the showroom.

The SLK350 is a quick car, and definitely feels more agile than the SL55. Of course, it is slower than the SL55, but it just feels really quick, and the manual tranny is very crisp. If you are interested in the SL500... it just seemed really sluggish to me - a 300hp engine is just not enough for such a heavy car

The interior feels cheap (compared to the SL.. but it is 1/2 the price), but is definitely a step up from the R170s (drove the SLK230 as a loaner when my SL500 was in the shop). The smudges on the interior is pretty irritating though.

For some reason, the SLK AMG suspension feels a lot stiffer than the SL55... maybe it's just me. I think the SL55 was actually a more comfortable drive for everyday driving compared to the SLK w/ AMG package.

I used to drive the SL everyday, but I was only able to drive it during vacations. The biggest gripe with the SLK is the lack of trunk space. I don't think even a small golf bag will be able to fit. In the SL55, I could fit two small golf bags. of course, i never drove 28k miles a year lol but the amg engines are suppose to have a long lifespan like normal mb engines, and you could always opt to get the 7yr warranty

To me, the SLK feels more like a toy than the SL does. but the SLK is a really fun car to drive! I dont think you can go wrong with either one...

just listen to the SL55... it's an unforgettable sound.

 

HI,

Thanks for your thoughts. I presume therefore you suggest that the slk 350 is the better for everyday use. Have you tried the slk 55 AMG? What are your thoughts of that as an everyday car?

Thanks

Neil

 

NeilC123,

Please add your location to your profile. Where you live has a lot to do with the advice that people give you on a broad range of topics.