Yellow R1

Err, while your quality logic is sound, the Mustang performance comparo to the SLK is not. The vert Shelby GT500 weighs in at 4,040 lbs....an absolute PIG. The Coupe clocked a 12.5 sec quarter, the vert being 200 lbs heavier, will lag this a bit (likely 12.7 - 12.8 territory). Stock SLK55's run a 12.7 sec quarter. Its pretty much a toss up, not anything close to "blowing the Merc's doors off" (the Vert GT may even get nipped through the 1/4 by the 55 - its that close).

The Ford GT, while enjoying the same basic powerplant to the GT500, is in a different performance league alltogether.....its not even close (in ANY catergory other than MPG ). I think you know these points - I'm just pointing out your new SLK55 will be a bit more sprite than you may think.

See ya,
-Matt

Falco

Careful there! You seem to be drawing a parallel between Brabus and Rolex...understand that Rolex has done an awesome job of marketing but the perceived quality etc is jsut that, perceived. The marketing campaign and bling of GOLD and PLATINUM and DIAMONDS blurs the consumer into thinking they are buying quality and exclusivity(hardly!!!)...is this what you want to compare Brabus to???

G55K

Great post. I have a Rolex and a Breitling. However, when I want to know the time I wear my Timex (Ironman edition).

Beleriand

Well said about Rolex. I remember when I got my first Rolex. It was about 15 years ago. My wife bought it for me and it suprised me so much. It was a blue faced gold and stainless steel Submariner. I still think it is a beautiful watch - I still have it and it remains one of the great memories of my life. However, I also own a Breguet Grande Complication with Tourbillion - a watch that only a few people on the planet have the luck to own. While the Rolex may mean more to me emotionally, it isn't even in a class with the Breguet. Rolex watches are really nice - don't get me wrong - but they only begin to scratch the surface of the fine watch world. I equate them to a C230 MB - entry level but a thrill to own when you first buy it.

But then again . . .

Ted Baldwin

...........what is interesting is that brabus builds very nice cars. However, the people supporting brabus on this thread have not done a very good job. Their argument is simply that brabus is better because it costs more. It is not hard to see why with this audience that line of argument is not working. Many people on this forum know a lot about cars and have the disposable income to indulge in their hobbies. Many do not choose Brabus because Brabus is routinely not the fastest, frequently not the ones with the most HP, and often not the most visually appealing or the best quality. If you compare the EV12 to the the E55 K3 or K4, then the EV12 will wins. But comparing a Kleemann supercharged SLK55 to a brabus SLK55 with B55 kit is not even close. Those that prefer brabus are perfectly entitled to their preference but to come on an automobile enthusiats' forum and say Brabus is best because it costs more takes away the "e" from the word enthusiast. It becomes like two kids on the play ground. One kid looses a game and yells "my daddy is richer than your daddy."

Ted

SundayDriver

You're right about the Mustang sacrificing much of its potential to heft, Matt, and I hope you're right about the SLK55. Despite having spent the first 20 years of my life some 12 miles from Untertürkheim (I passed the Mercedes plant by train every weekday just to get to work), I've never been a big fan of MB cars. Yes, there was the SL190 and the SL300, made entirely out of unobtainium for most Germans in the fifties, but the rest of the line was aimed at aristocrats and cab drivers. It was BMW who offered the first V8.

The SLK55 changed that image for me. The smallest Mercedes roadster of the bunch, with a hand-built, bellowing V8 - what's not to love! At 3,420 lbs., the SLK55 is no lightweight either, especially compared to the Z06 Corvette at a mere 3,130 (or my Cobra, at around 2,200). But from all I've read, it seems a fitting replacement for the Sunbeam Tiger I owned back in the sixties. And, getting back on topic (sort of), there is that 3-pointed star that's been burned into my memory. I couldn't afford it then, I can now. That's worth a few extra dollars.

Yellow R1

Your "unobtainium" comment had me laughing (it paints a vision of a material so exotic & expensive that no mere mortal could ever come into its possession ). Seriously, I agree with your points & felt the same way with MB (this is our first MB). They just didn't make anything that excited me enough to buy one. I really do think you will like your SLK. For us, it was built better than the C6 yet has the same performance as the 6 spd Coupe. The cost is within about $5k when compared with a C6 vert, and the SLK55s are more scarce. It will be a heavier, but better built, safer, quicker Tiger, maybe just not as "tossable" & will lack a manual (but your have your 289 for that ). I hope you enjoy it when you buy it in 6 months - I favor it a bit over my RX-7 as a daily driver.

-Matt

JamE55

B55 vs 55K S8 coming soon....!!
Beleriand

JBRhee

I posted this in the other post about the B55, but any chance we could see this in person?

Paul Le Corre

To those who think that the 6,1 Kit is just a bore out kit, just visit the Brabus plant and then you'll see how they do.

Why do you think the technician who "handcrafted" the engine sign it like the technician at affalterbach do?

JamE55

That would depend on when Beleriand decides to go for it. Time, location, date etc... Just need to pick a good location.

G55K

I assume it comes with new pistons, rods, and crank. Possibly some head work also. It's not rocket science.

Beleriand

OK - Here we go again . . .

Ted, with all due respect, you are the pot calling the kettle black here. You have come on this forum and said that BRABUS is not as good simply because it is too expensive - with absolutely nothing else to say about it except "you don't know who you are talking to." Man, if that doesn't exemplify your very own criticism what does? I am very sorry to say, and once again with all due respect, it is YOU that has not egaged in a very effective defense of your position. In fact, you have engaged in absolutely NO meaningful debate on the issue. I beleive you probably have some interesting and informational things to say that could help us all. But you have not demonstrated any ability to disseminate them here. I would love to hear your real world experiences and how you own modified cars perform.

Now, in my own defense . . .

First of all, I came into this forum to give my REAL-WORLD experience with BRABUS. I posted pictures of my car, I gave a detailed rundown of the work they performed, and I voiced my opinion - as shared by the vast majority of folks here - that I really like what they have done. I never said "BRABUS is the best because they are the most expensive." That would be ludicrous. I based my opinion on the fact that I have spent the last 2 weeks of my life totally immersed in the process of having BRABUS modify nearly every aspect of my SLK. That is a hell of a lot more than just a bald statement saying they are the best because they are the most pricey.

In fact, I never remember saying that BRABUS was the best. If I am wrong, please correct me. But I believe that I only said that I had a good experience there and that others should check it out first-hand and make their own judgments.

Second, I NEVER said a B55 kit - which I admitted was a very low level modification (consisting of new "hot" camshafts, valve springs, and a change to the cumbustion ration only netting a 40 hp increase) - could compare with a Kleemann supercharger. You are just making that up. I never said BRABUS was better than any other tuner. I even said - qute plainly - that I have no opinion on any other tuner because I have no first-hand experience with their finished product. I was VERY careful to limit my comments and opinions on how BRABUS did with MY own car, based on personal experience. I stated some facts about Kleemann - e.g., that they use bolt-on parts, primarily focus on superchargers for large hp gains and that supercharging will stress the engine a bit more than leaving the engine naturally aspirated. These are hardly contrversial comments.

Finally, the proof is in the pudding. My car looks great. The BRABUS "trinkets" - as you called them - are fun and look awesome. As you can see from my BRABUS B55 thread, everyone agrees with me. When I drive it I enjoy myself. It is definitely faster than before, has a deeper more agressive exhaust note and is a unique version of our beloved SLK. I love it. Others can hate it. I was just relaying my personal experience - for what it is worth. I am not saying my car is any better than anyone else's or that it will go faster than a Kleemann modified SLK. I really don't give a ****. The car is great for me - not because it cost the most - but because it looks, drives and makes me feel awesome.

Once again, I am not looking to **** you off. But your above post is simply inaccurate It kind of takes the "i" out of intelligent.

Take care.

lennyr

Seems like an analogy might be Brabus :: Kleeman as Rolex ::Jaeger LeCoutre.

Beleriand

Guys, I would love to get together. They problem is, starting next week, I will be in Delaware for a trial that could last from a couple of weeks to a couple of months. I will be making sporadic trips back to the OC during that time but right now my schedule is dominated by this trial. When my schedulte becomes firm, we can set something up.

Sorry. Duty calls.

JamE55

No problem. Just let me know when you have sometime and hopefully we can set it up.

Paul Le Corre

Starting from this, building an engine is not rocket science. But strangely, Brabus is the Only tuner who still offer a wide range of displacement kit (with Vaeth on a smaller scale), when others are going supercharger and non-inner modifications.

JBRhee

Let us all know, please!

Beleriand,

Win the trial, make more money, and do more incredible things to your car to stop this pointless debate.

Maybe you should just buy another SLK 55 and do the Kleeman SC so no one can say anything.

You can have one B55 and one 55K S8.

JamE55

Stay tuned! It'll be broadcasted on Top Gear!

LETO

if you had that B55 down in delaware, i would definitely drive down to check it out.

Shinigami

Guys, guys, guys... let's just chill up a bit here and agree to disagree

I think any "reputable" tuner for an MB is the way to go, and both Brabus and Kleemann are such reputable tuners.

zaint10

I think you guys just need to chill off a little bit too. Both Kleemann and Brabus are very reputable Mercedes Tuning companies. I don't think its worth spoiling each other's mood over unconclusionable arguments. It's just a matter of preferences and conviniences. I have had several first hand experiences with Brabus tuned Merc on SL, E and S class, they are amazingly efficient and exciting. Although I have not had any experience with Kleemann engine tuning (YET), I have been purchasing many acessories from Kleemann and all I can say is that they are of high qualities and standards too. With very knowledgable stuffs and sales. Though some of Kleemann distributors might not well live up to its standard, but it also doesn' totally define Kleemann tuning capabilities and qualities.

Well, initially.... I didnt want to engage in this arguments because I could not see how my contribution of experiences would be of any help.....
I doubt this one does too. But, I just hope you guys stop arguing and stepping on each other heads....over something like this....I doubt it would end very nicely...Just my 2 cents worth....

Beleriand

I totally agree Shinigami.

I also totally agree with Zaint10. The only thing that got under my skin is when Ted puts words in my mouth. I never said "BRABUS is king." Also, I don't think it was cool of Ted to try and rain on my parade the day I get my car back. I mean, let me enjoy it for a couple of days before we start ripping apart the miniscule problems. I would be the first to engage in such criticism - but not the day I get the car back.

But you are both right. I would be absolutely THRILLED to have a Kleemann modified SLK. I bet it is totally awesome. Like I said, I used to have a neighbor who just moved away who had a Kleemann modified SL55 - I could hear that car coming from 6 blocks away. I was INCREDIBLY impressed. Also, the pics of Carlsson mods on this site from Adam look INCREDIBLE. They are all great. I live very close to BRABUS NA so I chose to go there.

CASE CLOSED!

PS. Where the hell is Xaveon on all of this . . he started this mess by asking for advice then he abandoned the post. I hope he got what he was looking for - and a whole lot more!

Also, Zaint10, I saw you have HRE wheels - absolutely awesome man - I love 'em.

JamE55

Brabus + Kleemann = You can't go wrong with either!

Ted Baldwin

............its all good. I did not mean to rain on your parade. This thread was started on the 3/15/06. My intial response was two days later on 3/17/06 and I said:
............did not intend for the above to rain on your parade and I appologise that it did.

Ted