Took the plunge a month ago.

Comfort: Comapared to my previous Box-s, the Slk55 seats are so much better and they hold U nice in corners. Air scarf is very soothing. Ride quality is smilar but the benz feels more solid

Handling: I had the Box-S, the car known for handling. On public streets Around corners, exit ramps, street bends the Box-s and SLk55 are very very close. Both cars turn in very well, Boxster turn is is aided by no engine in front but Slks front grip is equally good . Both cars move well around the middle of the corners and SLk55 can catapult while exiting the corner due to its enormous torque. Sometimes in the Box S , due to light front end , the car becomes nervous and feels less gripppy in the front when trying to make a fast corner. Mid corner bumps though are better handled by the boxster S than the SLk55

I was skeptcial about SLk55's handling compared to Boxster S but it is a tie

Power: No comparison

Steering feel: Boxster has a tighter steering feel but at my skill level I cant say one is better than the other

Engine Note: The grolw of the V8 is awesome while accelerating but is very low when cruising , same for the Boxster ( the flat 6 screams but is quiet when cruising but the box-s/caymans S have more engine noise all the time in the cabin )

Brakes: Box S breaks were great, SLK squeaked during break in but now they stopped squealing and they are very effective in curbing the speed

Front engine Vs mid engine: Mid engine cars like Box S have a very good feel on a curvy raod since the car pivots from the middle but the smaller size of the Slk at the back helps in chucking it in corners and aroung winding roads


Boxster Auto vs AMG auto: The boxster is only 5 speed but the downshifts on the Boxster are slightly better ( rev matching done by the tiptronic )

Roof: OMG, the soft top even when new squeaked and creaked ( felt there was a rat in the roof ), where as the hard top on the SLK is solid, quieter and no squeaks /rattles

Options: Sirius, airscarf and power tilt/telescope are something U cant get in the Box S from factory


IMHO with my driving skills, the SLKK 55 handles as well as a boxster and is much more powerful and comfortable


I also used to have an M3 smg before and the SLk55 is much more fun around corners , my m3 used to lean much more in corners than the SLK55

 

So I see you finally got the SLK then.

Happy to hear you're enjoying it! May it bring you many years of troublefree enjoyment

 

I will be ordering the 08 sometime this month and your comments strengthen my decision. Thanks.

BTW, any pics of your new toy? What color?

 

Thanks Shingami and yes the car is a blast to drive and very very comfy compared to my previous cars ( M3 and Boxster S )

Tabasco,

I have a black on Black SLk55.

Must have options are Air scarf

I love Sirius, Digital climate control ( just press auto and everything is taken care of ), airscarf and memory seats )

 

Congrats, after the Pm's and questions you finally got a SLK!

I am very happy for you.

 

Glad to hear you're enjoying the car! Like alroumi said, it was nice to chat with you on the phone to answer your questions - hope you get lots of nice spring weather to enjoy it even more!

 

heh, seems like he called and chatted with quite a few of us, me included

Well, good to know we helped him make the "right" decision, eh

 

Yep, U all haelped me in picking a great car. Thanks again. One thing I will say 10 or 20 minute test drives do not reveal the tru nature of a car

 

SMJC, thanks for your Boxer/SLK impressions. It took me 4 years of reading comparisons in mags and forums and plenty test drives before I got my SLK. Yours will help many of the undecided.

Good luck and enjoy!