JoeShark

Now that the 2005 model year is winding down/finished, does anybody know how many 2005 SLK 55's were produced worldwide? And of that number, does anybody know how many were for the US?

As I've posted before, I'm shocked on how little allocation my two local MB dealers got. I know that the number they are allocated is based on their historical sales. However, I live in a pretty large city with two somewhat large MB dealers and since December of last year when the first 55's were arriving, they will have delivered a total of 5 or 6 2005 SLK 55's (including mine). That works out to be about one car per dealer every 2 to 3 months. That just seems like such a small number of cars for a price that is not out of this world (we're not talking about $400k+ SLR's).

Don't get me wrong. I like the fact that the SLK 55's will be pretty rare, I'm just suprised that the production was so limited. Being new to MB and AMG's in particular, is this pretty normal (compared to SL55's, E55's, etc.), or was there some production issues?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

JS

rb136

Around Oct. of last year, Motor Trend (I think) indicated that 1000 2005 SLK55's would be allocated to North America. I have a hard time believing that, I would even doubt 1000 worldwide but what do I know ???

98indypacer

A local dealer told me that they were only allocating 500 SLK 55 AMG's to the US for 2005. It would be interesting to find out the real number.

JoeShark

Thanks, I do remember hearing that 1000 cars would be produced in MY 2005 for North America. I'd be very suprised if they met this number.

JS

Lov2xlr8

i might be possible. last year there were 12,000 AMG's sent to the U.S. and 20,000 total worldwide.

NeilC123

The problem is of course the balance between the exclusivity of AMG and the demand. The fact is how many actually want the SLK AMG 55 - after all the petrol performance is typical for an AMG i.e. bad and hence a great many prefer getting the 350 and AMG styling it. Plus MB do want to keep them exclusive. Don't get me wrong i think the SLK 55 is a nice car - but i'm not sure i would actually buy it and i doubt it is for many people and also when we appproach SLK 55 prices you become into SL territory and that opens a whole different can of worms...

Lov2xlr8

i agree with what you said about demand, but in no way are you in SL territory. the SLK55 starts at $59,XXX and the SL500 starts at about $85,000 and its almost 1.4 seconds slower to 60mph. the SL55 is almost twice the price of a SLK55. a guy that likes the 350 but wants or can aford more power will get a SLK55, but in no way will a guy say " you know what the SLK55 is only $20k more so maybe ill get the SL500 with less power for $45k more or the SL55 with a little more power but for ONLY $75K more.

NeilC123

Ok I forgot that in the US u don't get the SL350 as we do here in the Uk But in any even a second hand SL500 does depreciate quite a lot - i have seen many in the same price range as the SLK 55.

Lov2xlr8

yea, but you cant compare the SLK55 too the SL350 or SL500. the SLK55's performance is much better then the 350 or 500. and if they dont want too much performance they will get the SLK350.

rb136

I agree. I had a street ZL1 Corvette in the late 60's and nothing I've driven since could scare me when accelerating at 100. The SLK 350 is a very nice automobile but the 55 promises to end my long cold spell. My production date was 6-1 and the dealer says the ship docks in Fla. on the 23. He says 3-4 days to Houston. Currently breathing in short breaths. It's an 06. Does anyone know what the first day of production was for the 06's?

NeilC123

You get scared when accellerating at 100??

Yellow R1

You might be as well with a 400 Hp V8 screaming at you in a car with 35 yr old technology with weaker brakes, suspension, bias ply 70 series tires, poor drag coefficient, no noise dampening materials or catalytic converter, and a poor front/rear weight distribution. It all adds up to a rather hair-raising experience, I'd imagine.

-Matt

Florp

Hey, let's see if you're even still DRIVING when you're 100 years old, let alone racing sports ca-- er, wait... what?

rb136

You kids........For those of you age challenged, a mildly warmed over ZL1 could turn high 11's with "street" tires and barely into 3rd gear out of only 4. And yes, they were scary accelerating full out at 100. But I was young and stupid then so it didn't make any difference.

Yellow R1

Hmm, the biggest baddest (L88 engined) 427 Vette produced about 520+ Hp = approx 415 Hp in today's SAE Net HP = 354 RWHP. That is dead on with a C6 Z06 in terms of power production. There are published road tests pitting the L88 vs the 427 side oiler Cobra, on slicks nonetheless. The L88 pulled, on average mid 12 sec quarters trapping about 110 mph. The Cobra had the same times, but with traps averaging 105 mph.
These Vettes were not pulling high elevens, especially on street tires (they couldn't do it with slicks either). Here is a link to one of the pages from the article I referenced on the RX-7 Forum http://www.rx7club.com/showthread.ph...&highlight=l88

See ya,
-Matt

rb136

The ZL1 was an aluminum block version of the L88 with a hotter cam and bigger carb. The factory sponsored cars, there were two of them, would turn in the high 10's. My engine was a transplant from the GM parts bin and would in fact turn in the high 11's on BF Goodrich T/A's. H70's if I remember correctly. This car was very difficult to drive on the street as it wouldn't idle below about 1100. But then like I said, I didn't know any better at the time. It was around this time I discovered autocrossing and began to shy away from brute force.

Yellow R1

I am not sure how your car was pulling high elevens on street tires (ie non slicks) unless your "transplant" was putting out significantly more power than an original L88 427 & was successful getting the power to the ground. This would be a difficult task indeed considering even the L88's (with less HP than your car?) which had slicks, a professional driver, and made multiple passes, could pull mid 12s (with traction being the major issue)?

In any case, it sounds like you had a pretty fast Vette that you were able to mod & wrench with. Curious though why your Vette was difficult to drive on the street (with an idle at 1100 rpm)? I drive my RX-7 nearly every day & it idles at 1,000 rpm & is a mid 11 sec car? Did your Vette get hot (ie no A/C to cool down engine/exhaust heat getting into the cabin, or?). I'm just curious, thanks.

See ya,
-Matt

rb136

The car was originally the mid 65 with the 425 horse L78. In 1970, out with the L78 and in with the ZL1. I cammed it with the .060 lift number that Jim Hall used in some of his Chapparells (sp. ? -5). Headers, a 950 cfm. marine 3 barrel Holley and 12.5:1 forged TRW's. Backed up with a Muncie M22. Also lightened to 3010 pounds. Ran an aluminum flywheel which made street starts extremely problamatic. Best time was 11.92 / 123.40 at ****enson, Texas on a cool spring night. Held the record there for AA Sports Cars for 4 years although I was illeagal. Never was any competition in the class to challenge so I got away with it.
BTW, like your choice of rides. I also have a G35. Black 05 coupe w/ 6 speed. Actually my wife's car. Went and signed the papers today on the SLK 55. They wanted my trade in, 03 Mini Cooper S. Gave me a loaner until next week when the 55 arrives.

rb136

Interesting, big brother won't let me spell ****enson. How about D1ckenson.

Yellow R1

Ahh, you modded your Vette pretty significantly . That is a pretty fast trap. That Vette was indeed very fast! :v

I'm glad you are getting your SLK55. We've had ours for 2 months & the wife REALLY like it (its really for her). Its odd, that car gets soooo many looks & compliments by people. I guess they are pretty new/rare & people like the design. Its going in the shop tomorrow for 4 new speakers because my MB Dealer had the underside of the bumper repainted (1 of the techs parked it over a curb & scraped it ). When at a local paint shop that the dealer uses, they must have cranked up the stereo because 4 of the rear speakers were blown out when I got the car back.

In any case, maybe you got the upgraded 11 spr stereo? I gotta tell you, it is absolutely AMAZING & worth every penny for the upgrade. Its like being in a nightclub...the car just rocks & has perfect acoustics. Maybe you can let us know your color & options? Ours has all options except the phone (I said WTF, ya live once & I hang on to my cars for like 15 yrs).

See ya,
-Matt

rb136

Obsidian Black over Black interior. Got the lighting package, entertainment package w/ nav, premium package and air scarf. I changed my mind on the color twice before they locked it in. Originally wanted the Firemist but saw a Caspian Blue SLK 55 at the Houston Auto Show. Looked pretty hot under inside lighting. They also had a SL in Firemist and the blue looked better (not true in the sun I found out later). A couple of months later I saw the Caspian in sunlight. Oops, Changed to Obsidian. I like black cars so I stuck with that. After they locked the order in, I saw the Firemist in the sun. Nice.

Yellow R1

Ahh, you got it (entertainment w/Nav)! Excellent!! You will soon experience the serious stereo system my friend. Its amazing (smokes even my Alpine system in my RX-7 which sounds pretty crisp, clean, & full).

Pls tell us how you like it when it arrives.

See yaaaaaa!
-Matt

northbenz

No one ever really answered the question about production numbers.

JoeShark

northbenz,

Thanks for checking in and maybe this thread might get back to my original question. I think that MB puts out some official data on production numbers some time after the end of a model years run so perhaps that will be the answer.

I've still got to believe the numbers will be low. When I was picking up my SLK 55 this last week, my dealer said it was only the second or third one they have delivered. The next car they have is scheduled for deliver sometime in September and than after that, they hope to have a build slot in late September for a November/December delivery. That would put 4 cars TOTAL from 12/2004 to 12/2005 to come from my dealership.

JS

Yellow R1

Long ago, MB advised Road & Track (maybe it was Car & Driver?) that 1,000 SLK55s would be made/yr. I have read nothing else since then that contradicts the original article I read approx 2 yrs ago.