SLK55_AMG

Can we compare the SL55 with SLK55?

rroberts

dinko

The power to weight ratio is very close, and yes, I think that is possible to compare. But top-end, the SL55 will eat the SLK55.

SLK55AMG

In a straight line..... but I'm sure the SLK would own the SL on a twisty road!

ajoe

The wife insists on an auto transmission and power top convertible. I believe the new c6 vert fully loaded will be priced just under the slk55. She favors the slk because of the hardtop convertible roof (security), but she fears it won't be "sporty" enough. She currently drives a c5 convertible and has only three complaints. No heated seats, no power top, and tire noise on extended highway trips. The c6 will have heated seats and power top so the big question is tire noise and the fact that a first year vette that's 85% new is an invitation to a disaster party. We tried the 911 porsche and the stick was fun, but the tiptronic was a big disappointment. The build quality was also questionable. The current plan is to get a slk350 with sport suspension and 7g transmission and use it as a testbed. If she likes it we'll go ahead and purchase a 06 slk 55, if not it will be an 06 c6.

dosers

Wow, you thought the 911 build quality was questionable ? Compared to a current model Vette ?!?! Wow... What was the problem with the Porsche ? I have had nothing but good experiences (nothing is ever perfect of course) while I had my share of issues with the Vette (Convertible).

The 350 is quite nice to drive. I haven't driven the SLK55 but frankly I think there's nothing to worry about here in terms of sportyness. The C6 is a good bang for the buck, but in the end, it's a Chevy... I would just testdrive the 05 AMG55 (the rumour that the 06 has the new 32v engine is as of yet complete conjecture) as well as the Vette. The 7g in the AMG is different than the one in the 350, same for the suspension (even with sport), brakes etc, so I wouldn't compare the 350 to the C6. Apart from styling, the C6 would probably appear a better deal, especially now that it's not so huge anymore.
Of course, just MHO :-)

Best,
Dan

SLK55_AMG

think of the Viper too, maybe consedering that too.

ajoe

Wife currently has the c5 vert. Another complaint she has is the amount of attention the car gets. We also had a 98 viper gts and used to get convoys of cars behind us, each in turn moving up to take a look. Great car, lots of fun (scary) but couldn't use it because it stuck out like a sore thumb. Had the porsche's but didn't have enough power for my taste though I loved the handling feel. The slk 55 should be stealthy enough (in black) so that it won't draw undo attention. I drive an 04 E55 and I've had a ball with it. Who pays attention to a "family sedan". This is what we hope the slk 55 brings to our party. The sl55 is out of my budget.

SLK55_AMG

get the SLK 55 , even the a salesman told me , if he had the choice of SL500 or SLK 55 AMG, he will get the AMG, then I asked if SLK 55 or SL 55 , he started thinking , for a while then said, SL 55 AMG....

dosers

Honestly, the SLK55 is a much, much tighter ride than the 2004 SL500. On the Mercedes Test track the SL500 was swimming compared to the SLK, which was really tight. All relative, I mean, the SL500 is no 911, but if I wanted a sportier car, the SLK55 wins without a doubt. If you want luxury, the SL500 is of course king.

SLK55_AMG

I haven't seen any single SLK R171 in boston, haven't it launched there?

dosers

Nope, like posted before, the first US spec cars were 'imported' the end of July, the first Dealer demos are to come the last week of August, the release dates are Sept. 1st for the 350 and November 4th for the 55; though actual dates depend on production date (and PO in netstar) of course.

Cheers
dan

ImGettinA55

Is it worth it for me to trade in my 03 BMW M3 convertible for the SLK 55? Will I enjoy the SLK55 that much more??

SLK55_AMG

the slk will be more powerful for sure... i dont think you will regret buying it... M3 is great, but i always preffered the coupe... maybe more rigid chasis and the coupe is faster... i have a video clip of the slk 32 vs evo 7 , and the slk32 have destroyed the evo,,, so what will the 55 do?

SLK55_AMG

why most safety cars are AMG's?

SLK55AMG

ImGettinA55..... is your M3 a manual or SMG?..... if the SMG yes you'll like the SLK55 but if you like a manual you may want to stick with the stick! The SLK55 will be faster than the M3 but not massively quicker.

SLK55_AMG the 55 won't be much quicker than the SLK32..... the old car actually has a better power to weight ratio than the 55 but the 55 has a quicker gearbox and better torque so it should be marginaly quicker in a straight line. However the 55 should waste the 32 on track with its sharper handling!

SLK55_AMG

you are right, about the smg and the slk55 gearbox, when i drove the c55 in manual mode , i felt as if i was driving an smg car... but in auto mode m3 gearshifting can be really jerky...

SLK55_AMG

did you like the audi TT?

SLK55AMG

One of the worst cars I have ever driven...... great as a fashion statement but lacking in on road performance and driver involvement. The 225 and 250BHP versions are quick in a straight line but don't do corners very well.

SLK55_AMG

have you seen when the STIG drove the TT? jeremy said it was like a clown car when he asked the stig how it felt like driving it...

SLK55AMG

Yes...... it still makes me laugh when a TT driver has a go thinking that he is driving something special (rather than a golf in a jelly mold suit)...... I've yet to find a TT that can keep up with the S2000 in a straight line (although one day I'll get blown away by a chipped TT!) and round a good twisty road its just not funny how badly a TT will do! The best TT I even had an encounter with was modded to 280BHP (giving it the same power/weight ratio as a standard S2000) with semi racing tyres on track last year..... he was as quick in the straights upto 120mph but still much slower in the corners and once I got passed him he couldn't stay with me.

P.S. Sorry to any TT drivers out there and before you say anything about wet weather..... yep a TT would waste an S2000 in the wet but I take it easy in the rain anyway!

SLK55_AMG

Can this be a competitor? in stock form? R-34 was nearly 400 hp .... stock form 280 hp, totally it didnt felt comfortable.... i love winning races with full comfort (First class) LOL

-[ill]-m3

cmon guys, we all know that if we put the slk55 and the bmw m3 on a track, the m3 will destroy that little girly car. it might have a ****load of raw power but it is not a race car.

SLK55_AMG

i like the girly car thing it reminded me of something

mmm it isnt a race car , it can be beaten by M3 nice science fiction

you seem very educated i wonder why the SLK 55 is the official formula 1 safety car , duh duh duh LOL

UStifosi

That's assuming the M3 engine hasn't spun all of it's rod bearings yet.

How BMW manages to sell $50k cars with engines that grenade amazes me.

Say all you want about the reliability of M-B the last few years at least they don't have the engine blowup fiasco that BMW faces. What an *** mess.