BMW Z4 M Roadster OR SLK 55 AMG
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BMW Z4 M Roadster OR SLK 55 AMG
I know this is a MErc forum but want to get some unbiased opinions on the handling / performance capabilities between Z4 M and the SLK 55 AMG
I am not worried about comfort but looking more for driving pleasure
I know SLk only comes in AUTO
I ruled out the Porsche Boster S, dont like the look of it . I like how the Z4 M and SLK 55 look ( more so SLK 55 becoz of hardtop )
Any advice/opinions will be appreciated
I am not worried about comfort but looking more for driving pleasure
I know SLk only comes in AUTO
I ruled out the Porsche Boster S, dont like the look of it . I like how the Z4 M and SLK 55 look ( more so SLK 55 becoz of hardtop )
Any advice/opinions will be appreciated
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If you are looking for a car that will spend 90% of its time driving on highways, with an occasional canyon romp, the slk 55 is the better choice. It is faster down low and has a much more composed ride quality.
If you find yourself craving a true sports car ride, and will spend some time hurling your car around the track, there is no question the z4m is the better choice for this. driving an automatic at 9/10 or 10/10ths is like kissing your sister, and the brakes and steering on the z4m are a lot better than the slk. I believe it's 300 lbs lighter as well, which makes a huge difference in hard cornering.
In the looks department, I think the slk55 wins hands down, and it has a much better interior.
If you find yourself craving a true sports car ride, and will spend some time hurling your car around the track, there is no question the z4m is the better choice for this. driving an automatic at 9/10 or 10/10ths is like kissing your sister, and the brakes and steering on the z4m are a lot better than the slk. I believe it's 300 lbs lighter as well, which makes a huge difference in hard cornering.
In the looks department, I think the slk55 wins hands down, and it has a much better interior.
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Los Angeles
SLK 55 AMG
Once again,,, another thread about MB SLK 55 AMG vs BMW Z4 M.
BMW Z4 M sucks,,, it is slower...not as nice of a design as the SLK 55 AMG... it a soft top...and if you get the hard top version...it can't be a covertible... the interior is dual...and it is not a hand built engine like the AMG... come on if you want raw power and style,,, AMG knows there shît.
Bob Smith BMW (the Best BMW dealership cause they sell the most) can't even sell the new BMW Z4s. One of the sales rep told me they sent a few back (where?, I dunno, hopefully the junk yard)
And think about it....NOBODY EVEN CARES ABOUT BMW Z4 M. Car Magazines don't even compare the two cars with each other. And everytime there is a war about MB and BMW...it is the SLK 55 AMG vs the BMW M3,,,and that is a better car than the Z4 M. BMW people know that the Z4 M is nothing compared to the SLK 55 AMG,,,so they go with their next best thing,,,M3,,,which always loses.... come on man
Do you want to drive or do you want to be a driver? SLK 55 AMG!!!
BMW Z4 M sucks,,, it is slower...not as nice of a design as the SLK 55 AMG... it a soft top...and if you get the hard top version...it can't be a covertible... the interior is dual...and it is not a hand built engine like the AMG... come on if you want raw power and style,,, AMG knows there shît.
Bob Smith BMW (the Best BMW dealership cause they sell the most) can't even sell the new BMW Z4s. One of the sales rep told me they sent a few back (where?, I dunno, hopefully the junk yard)
And think about it....NOBODY EVEN CARES ABOUT BMW Z4 M. Car Magazines don't even compare the two cars with each other. And everytime there is a war about MB and BMW...it is the SLK 55 AMG vs the BMW M3,,,and that is a better car than the Z4 M. BMW people know that the Z4 M is nothing compared to the SLK 55 AMG,,,so they go with their next best thing,,,M3,,,which always loses.... come on man
Do you want to drive or do you want to be a driver? SLK 55 AMG!!!
Last edited by Deuce; Oct 14, 2006 at 05:30 PM.
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From: Chicago
Cee Fiddy Five
Maybe when driven by someone who can't shift (me lol!) the Z4M is slower...otherwise, it is on par with the SLK. Plus that motor has won many awards...it's the M3 motor shoved into the Z4. Who cares if it isn't hand built?
Honestly, I would choose the SLK55 only for the hardtop goodness. IF the Z4 M had a power hard top, and still weighed about the same, I would choose that instead.
Honestly, I would choose the SLK55 only for the hardtop goodness. IF the Z4 M had a power hard top, and still weighed about the same, I would choose that instead.
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Bay Area
'10 Porsche Turbo PDK, 500e, GL450
I hate these threads
It really comes down to what you like ... just go test drive and buy what you liked better.
I think its so funny that BMW fans are always saying ... the handling is so much better. The reality is that most of us don't track these cars often and you can't really tell any handling difference. Most people that really care about that stuff modify thier cars anyways.
Now if I had to make a purchase today, would I look at the MZ4? Yes.
I think I would still easily pick the SLK55 though for the following reasons :
The power difference is significant
Hard Top
Better exterior looks (personal opinion)
Airscarf (you have to experience this to understand why I think this is a must now on every convertible)
V8 (I love the sound of the SLK55)
The only negatives I can see for the SLK55 are :
7 speed tranny (if your a manual freak, I love stick shifts but I really hate them during traffic)
price difference(SLK55 is going to be significantly more expensive)
My suggestion for you is to go test a 030 SLK55. The handling will be better than a normal SLK55 and might make a difference for you.
I think its so funny that BMW fans are always saying ... the handling is so much better. The reality is that most of us don't track these cars often and you can't really tell any handling difference. Most people that really care about that stuff modify thier cars anyways.
Now if I had to make a purchase today, would I look at the MZ4? Yes.
I think I would still easily pick the SLK55 though for the following reasons :
The power difference is significant
Hard Top
Better exterior looks (personal opinion)
Airscarf (you have to experience this to understand why I think this is a must now on every convertible)
V8 (I love the sound of the SLK55)
The only negatives I can see for the SLK55 are :
7 speed tranny (if your a manual freak, I love stick shifts but I really hate them during traffic)
price difference(SLK55 is going to be significantly more expensive)
My suggestion for you is to go test a 030 SLK55. The handling will be better than a normal SLK55 and might make a difference for you.
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 27
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From: San Francisco
Black 07 SLK55 Performance Package & Black 06 Lexus GS430
SLK55R,
I think you said it best... SLK is hands down much sexier than the z4m, my 030 SLK handle just fine... cut corners like a knife
I think you said it best... SLK is hands down much sexier than the z4m, my 030 SLK handle just fine... cut corners like a knife
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From: OC, SoCal
08 S65, 06 M3 CS(stick), 02 BMW X5 4.6iS, 07 R1 Raven, 08 F-450 4x4, 08 CooperS JCW
it's all about the 'box
Simple - want a manual conv- get the Z4M
If you want an auto, it's hard to beat the little SLK.
Having said that, overall, i think i prefer the 55. Styling on the Z3M breadvan was nicer than the new bangleized ones.
If you want an auto, it's hard to beat the little SLK.
Having said that, overall, i think i prefer the 55. Styling on the Z3M breadvan was nicer than the new bangleized ones.
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From: Lausanne, Switzerland
SLK 55 AMG
BUT, I know they've sorted that out and the newest cars to use the engine are proving rock solid.
Anyway, the Z4 M is quite a different car from an SLK 55 AMG. I own the SLK and I've driven the Z4 M, and it really is a question of taste. IMO, the SLK is better in every aspect except a few things.
1) Weight. The SLK with the stiff body and solid roof and heavy hydraulics to move it around, is a burden. With a few hundred lb's off, this car would be really quite special. When taking turns in both cars, the Z4 feels a bit easier to live with.
2) Price. Over here at least, the SLK will cost 10-15% more... Not a factor for all, but still worth a mention.
3) Gearbox. I really do like the automatic in the SLK, it does the trick for me and it's a very EASY car to live with due to this. But this is the SLK's biggest downfall, since many, MANY people will instantly dismiss the car due to it.
As such, the Z4 is a perfectly good alternative to the SLK if you absolutely must have a relatively well performing sporty car with a manual gearbox.
As far as looks go, well, that's purely objective.
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: central pennsylvania
12 CLS550, 09 CLS550, 04Cooper,10 Cooper S
2) Price. Over here at least, the SLK will cost 10-15% more... Not a factor for all, but still worth a mention.
The SLK55's looks match or superceed it's cost, the z4M is hardly justifiable in appearce unless you really want it......there is no other way to describe the z4's than they look and feel cheap (i used to have one before the slk55)
The SLK55's looks match or superceed it's cost, the z4M is hardly justifiable in appearce unless you really want it......there is no other way to describe the z4's than they look and feel cheap (i used to have one before the slk55)
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Silicon Valley, CA
'93 RX-7, SLK55
I just sucked the paint of one of those Saturday night when coming home from dinner with the wife. The guy comes up & starts pacing me...I speed up a little to shake him...he creeps up again. I slow down...he slows down. He sits next to me at like 6 million RPM...waiting. OK, time to uncork the Bismark
.
I decided to floor it at ~ 65mph. The SLK loses traction then settles down @ ~ 80 mph (no blinking "!"). I hit about 110 mph & that guy just got blasted. He was like 5 cars back.
I slowed back down to 70 mph & he apparently had enough & tucked in behind me & stayed there. I gave him a thumbs up & exited....guess he just wanted to run to have some fun - nothing wrong with that. It was pretty fun - only my 2nd "race" with the SLK in 1.5 yrs of ownership.
-Matt
. I decided to floor it at ~ 65mph. The SLK loses traction then settles down @ ~ 80 mph (no blinking "!"). I hit about 110 mph & that guy just got blasted. He was like 5 cars back.
I slowed back down to 70 mph & he apparently had enough & tucked in behind me & stayed there. I gave him a thumbs up & exited....guess he just wanted to run to have some fun - nothing wrong with that. It was pretty fun - only my 2nd "race" with the SLK in 1.5 yrs of ownership.
-Matt
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 560
Likes: 0
It really comes down to what you like ... just go test drive and buy what you liked better.
I think its so funny that BMW fans are always saying ... the handling is so much better. The reality is that most of us don't track these cars often and you can't really tell any handling difference. Most people that really care about that stuff modify thier cars anyways.
Now if I had to make a purchase today, would I look at the MZ4? Yes.
I think I would still easily pick the SLK55 though for the following reasons :
The power difference is significant
Hard Top
Better exterior looks (personal opinion)
Airscarf (you have to experience this to understand why I think this is a must now on every convertible)
V8 (I love the sound of the SLK55)
The only negatives I can see for the SLK55 are :
7 speed tranny (if your a manual freak, I love stick shifts but I really hate them during traffic)
price difference(SLK55 is going to be significantly more expensive)
My suggestion for you is to go test a 030 SLK55. The handling will be better than a normal SLK55 and might make a difference for you.
I think its so funny that BMW fans are always saying ... the handling is so much better. The reality is that most of us don't track these cars often and you can't really tell any handling difference. Most people that really care about that stuff modify thier cars anyways.
Now if I had to make a purchase today, would I look at the MZ4? Yes.
I think I would still easily pick the SLK55 though for the following reasons :
The power difference is significant
Hard Top
Better exterior looks (personal opinion)
Airscarf (you have to experience this to understand why I think this is a must now on every convertible)
V8 (I love the sound of the SLK55)
The only negatives I can see for the SLK55 are :
7 speed tranny (if your a manual freak, I love stick shifts but I really hate them during traffic)
price difference(SLK55 is going to be significantly more expensive)
My suggestion for you is to go test a 030 SLK55. The handling will be better than a normal SLK55 and might make a difference for you.
You've made some excellent points here:
1. The slk55 wins EVERY beauty contest between the 2 cars
2. The airscarf and removable hardtop are two features the Z4m can't match, and should.
3. v8 torque in a great 7 speed manu-matic vs. I6 with manny. The slk wins every stoplight race.
4. Interiors a landslide win for the slk 55
I still wish it had a manual transmission option, but in so many ways it is clearly the better car.
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 761
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From: Lausanne, Switzerland
SLK 55 AMG
I just sucked the paint of one of those Saturday night when coming home from dinner with the wife. The guy comes up & starts pacing me...I speed up a little to shake him...he creeps up again. I slow down...he slows down. He sits next to me at like 6 million RPM...waiting. OK, time to uncork the Bismark .
I decided to floor it at ~ 65mph. The SLK loses traction then settles down @ ~ 80 mph (no blinking "!"). I hit about 110 mph & that guy just got blasted. He was like 5 cars back.
I slowed back down to 70 mph & he apparently had enough & tucked in behind me & stayed there. I gave him a thumbs up & exited....guess he just wanted to run to have some fun - nothing wrong with that. It was pretty fun - only my 2nd "race" with the SLK in 1.5 yrs of ownership.
-Matt
. I decided to floor it at ~ 65mph. The SLK loses traction then settles down @ ~ 80 mph (no blinking "!"). I hit about 110 mph & that guy just got blasted. He was like 5 cars back.
I slowed back down to 70 mph & he apparently had enough & tucked in behind me & stayed there. I gave him a thumbs up & exited....guess he just wanted to run to have some fun - nothing wrong with that. It was pretty fun - only my 2nd "race" with the SLK in 1.5 yrs of ownership.
-Matt
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 981
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From: SF Bay Area
'04 c230 SS, '06 RR supercharge sport, '06 z4 M Roadster
So, inquiring minds want to know...what car did you end up getting?
Here's another pic of my car from a e46fanatics meet:
Here's another pic of my car from a e46fanatics meet:
Last edited by hybrid_girl; Mar 19, 2007 at 08:33 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 981
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From: SF Bay Area
'04 c230 SS, '06 RR supercharge sport, '06 z4 M Roadster
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 497
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From: Canada
Looking for a new toy.
He's already posted about it
https://mbworld.org/forums/slk55-r171/185378-slk55-amg-1500-mile-impressions.html
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 772
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From: Bay Area/ NY
07 SLK55, 08 R32
Don’t get me wrong the MZ4 is a cool car I was looking at them also I had to trade in two cars to be able to purchase the SLK55 
but it was well worth it!!! …Another reason I decided to stray away from the BMW is the dealership would never give me the time of day. Every time I would walk in I would stand there in the show room for a good solid 20 minutes no one would help me, even when I would ask they would take their time getting to me. They weren’t really interested in you unless you were buying an M6.
but it was well worth it!!! …Another reason I decided to stray away from the BMW is the dealership would never give me the time of day. Every time I would walk in I would stand there in the show room for a good solid 20 minutes no one would help me, even when I would ask they would take their time getting to me. They weren’t really interested in you unless you were buying an M6.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 463
Likes: 145
From: Toronto, Canada
2023 GLE63S - Edition 55
I have never been able to forgive BMW for ruining an absolutely stunning car ! My 99 MZ3 got just as much if not more attention than my SLK55. She was very tail happy, but that made her even more fun to drive !
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 348
Likes: 1
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 463
Likes: 145
From: Toronto, Canada
2023 GLE63S - Edition 55
It was soooooo much fun to drive. I always laughed at the reviews that always characterized its handling as unpredictable and tail happy. I always called that "FUN". You had to possess some driving skills not to get killed in that car ! Until I got my 55, it was my absolute favorite car, the 55 is just slightly more fun mostly because of the 120HP advantage ....
