FishtailnZ

Hey Roy! Want to hear something crazy - I do live right on the doorstep so to speak, and I've never been to watch even a single event! Unfortunately my work schedule is crazy at the best of times, but even more so during summmer/early fall. Being able to take a week or so off in Sept to follow it around just has never been in the cards.

Other than that, life on the Rock is as it's always been - different!


As SLK55R said, most are ordered in black or silver - dealers are stuck in a rut there I guess. There are two other '55 in my area, one black and one silver *L*.

alroumi

They get them in silver and black so that they sell quicker, in the other hand white, some shades of blue and brighter colours are harder to sell to consumers.

porschetobenz

I just spoke to a different dealership...again, only black and silver. he said MB ships mostly that to the states. that caspian blue, while a beautiful color, is not sent much at all because dealers do not want to be stuck with them. same with the SLK 350, and even worse the 2008s are all automatic. no
2007's in the U.S. with caspian blue. can't get foreign models either due to emissions...so, i'd have to order anything new from the factory. this guy told me he believes SLK 63's will be coming m.y. 2009 but not positive. why buy an SLK 55 new from the factory that won't get here till maybe january when an SLK 63 may become available in sept 08?...hmmm, maybe a used SLK 350 until then. i don't think they can even find a 2007 manual. geez.

SLK55R

I"ll see if I can call around for you regarding a slk55 caspian blue.


buy this instead of a slk350.
Designo Graphite SLK55 05
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merce...spagenameZWDVW

OR

(new) gorgeous white with 030 '08
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merce...spagenameZWDVW

porschetobenz

thanks...but what do you think of the 350 strategy to trade it in in m.y. 09 for the slk 63? why buy a 55 now when a 63 will/might be available in less than a year?

SLK55R

would be to buy a used 05 or 06 ... for the same price as a new 08 350. then trade it in later. The depreciation has already been sucked up by the first owner so its less loss for you anyways. At the same time you get an AMG to play with while you wait for the next version!

Unless your stuck on only driving a new car I think this is a better strategy.

Who knows if a 63 motor is going to be shoehorned into the R171. My guess it it won't show its face until R172. Honestly they need to put new FI 63 motors in the Eclass etc otherwise the SLK63 is going to be faster than anything but a V12. That whole detuning bs is silly. I would be willing to bet an arm and a leg that the "detuning" can be reversed quite easily.

porschetobenz

Buy an 05 or 06. iinteresting thought. is that the kompressor model? ...but that's a smart idea.... same body/engine/suspension/etc.?

SLK55R

no SLK55 comes with a kompressor unless you modify it.

Same body, same engine, same suspension, better brakes!

Fast55

Actually, a used SLK55 will be quite a bit less than a comparably equipped 2008 SLK350. I'm looking at taking 47K for my loaded '05 with 3K in suspension, 4K in wheels/tires, and a 100K CPO warranty. Sucks, but that's the market.

porschetobenz

SLK 55:
"no SLK55 comes with a kompressor unless you modify it.

Same body, same engine, same suspension, better brakes! "
--------------------
Thanks SLK...I was referring to the model that says Kompressor on the side. i never liked that car. the roof is squared off...i'm not well versed but that isn't an SLK 55 i guess?

so 2005=2006=2007 and same body as 2008? hmmm. that's comforting to know.

What is a CPO warranty? an transferable extended warranty by MB?

Fast55

All correct. 2005 and later are all the same essentially. The R170 is the previous body style and had the FI six cylinder (SLK32). The CPO warranty is by MB and is transferable as long as it's bought from a private party. If I trade in the car for anything, the warranty is gone and must be "re-purchased" from the dealer (bend over).

Shinigami

Don't listen too much to what dealers say, they are usually just as, if not more clueless then the people ranting about cars on forums.

I've had some dealers even tell me outright lies, just to bag an order or sale.

So far, an SLK63 is just a rumor, not definitive. A sales person telling you otherwise hasn't got his facts right. I've known things about cars (which haven't even been released) that the sales people were not aware of. By keeping your ears and eyes open, you can learn a thing or two about cars by scouring magazines, the internet and the like.

Shinigami

The old model SLK (R170) ceased production in the February/March period of 2004 (so it was a MY04 model) with the supercharged V6 being the AMG model back then.

The new SLK (R171) went on sale in April of 2004 (if I recall correctly) with the supercharged 1.8 liter model in Europe. In summer, the 3.5 liter V6 came out, and then in October, the V8 AMG was released (often referred to as MY05 because the new model years are branded during the last quarter of each year)

Caspian Blue is a rare color indeed, especially for AMG's, which are almost always made silver (the original 'famous' Mercedes color due to historical reasons) or black (because it's a popular gangsta color ). If you can't wait 3-4 months, then it's really up to you.

Did you get a chance to drive an AMG yet?

porschetobenz

Found a 2005 SLK 55 AMG convertible from MB dealer. 14K miles. Excellent condition. CARFAX certified with balance of factory warranty...Black/Black Napa leather. Bi-xenon light package. 6 CD changer.AMG sport suspension. High performance braking system. Many other things that are probably standard....asking $47,900. Sounds reasonable? probably could negotiate a lower price....

Shinigami

Give the full lowdown of options so that it'll be easier to evaluate the price.

AMG's already come with sportier springs (it's only the 030 package which adds stiffer springs).

porschetobenz

6 disc CD, Lighting package BIxenon headlights and washer, Heated seats, wind deflector, sport steering wheel, 18" alloy wheels,A/c, cruise control, passenger, driver and side airbags, power seats, rear window defroster, power door locks, power steering, antilock brakes, power mirrors/windows....that's about it. anything else special you would expect/like to see?

Fast55

Nav, air scarf??

porschetobenz

no nav. no air scarf but no biggie i'm in hot s. florida....

SLK55R

is a must for me ... it must get cold in florida once in a while too!

Personally I think airscarf is one of the coolest new features for a convertible.

Plus I really like the designo one I pointed out up top.

porschetobenz

no, not really. maybe for a month or 2....so, what do you think of the price? $47,900 for it? probably can megotiate....

Fast55

Well,
The one I have for sale has both those options plus 7K+ in other extras AND the CPO warranty, so I would say you have room to bargain.

porschetobenz

well it still has the remainder of the original warranty...$40,000 a fair offer?

SLK55R

car first then the designo ... the designo is at 43k atm.

I think at 47 you definitely have some room to negotiate. SLK's without airscarf are harder to sell in my opinion.

porschetobenz

car first then the designo ... the designo is at 43k atm.

I think at 47 you definitely have some room to negotiate. SLK's without airscarf are harder to sell in my opinion.

thanks for that tidbit about the airscarf. driving the 911 for the last seven years without an airscarf, i wouldn't have known this "insider information". well, i'll have to think now. i'm gonna want to resell it for a 2009 SLK 63!