which cars can be compared to slk 55 ?

 

i'd sa the lotus elise but honestly the SLK55 is in a class of its own. There arn't many cars that are like it. Bmw doens't have an M version of te Z4 so really the slk stands alone.

 

I think the closest would be the C5 (350 hp) or C6 (400 hp) Corvette, both with V8s but not very refined. Also, no hardtop.

 

I'm not into convertibles, but the thought of a Kleemann SCed SLK55 with some additional tuning is really making me want to indulge, despite the fact that I would never put the top down. I would widen the rear tires with some custom fender work, but imagine a 550+ hp SLK55.... now that would truly be in a class of its own.

 

The SLK55 doesn't really have any direct competitors if you want a fast roadster with a convertible hardtop....... the closest in style and price is the Lexus SC430...... however unless MB mess things up with the SLK55 it will easily outclass the Lexus which is too heavy and set up as a cruiser rather than a sports car.

The SLK55 has a few competitors in its price range:

996 Carrera 2 = common and £10k more expensive!
Noble M12 GTO3 = would eat the SLK for breakfast but not very practical
TVR Tuscan S = if it didn't break down all the time it would be my second choice after the Noble
TVR T350C = again quicker than the Merc but not convertible
TVR Tamora = once again quicker and a convertible but has TVR reliability
BMW M3 = almost as quick and more practical

In fact its a damn shame my company car guys won't let me have a Noble or TVR but I'm happy they will allow me to have the SLK55! :p

 

I think SLK 55 AMG is even lighter than the M3 CSL , am i wrong?

CSL has the same HP but not even a bit close of torque...

someone corrects me if iam wrong....

 

It's in a class of its own. Hands down.

The M3 will not be able to keep up, in the US we don't have any TVR's (unless you are Travolta)..

Do you guys think it can take on a 360 spider from the line? Even with the chip I described below..?

I can't wait to get mine.. after 2 or 3 months of driving, I will be putting in a Powerchip that will raise the specs to 387 hp and 402 tq... not much, but good enough to shave off some .3 or so times off the 0-62.

 

from 360 to 387? dinko ??????? wake up dudeeeeeeeee

i'll keep mine bone stock stock stockyyyyyyy :v

 

Don't waste your money on a chip for a N/A engine. Save your money and supercharge that sucker.

 

If i can get a kind of supercharger that will raise the specs to what the SL55 has... then this thing will be suicidal.

But I only live once, why not :p j/k

I dont plan to get too much out of the car, but lets wait and see until I get a feel for it, and see if it really needs a SC.

 

I don't think it has any direct competitors. Everything that I have read says it is brilliant. I just wish they put the SL55 powerplant in it.

 

The SLK55 weighs 1560kg...... a standard M3 weighs 1570kg BUT an M3 CSL is only 1385kg!

The SLK shouldn't have much trouble with a normal M3 but the CSL would easily win eg. it set one of the fastest times round the Nurburgring...... an M3 can do an 8min 22 sec lap while the CSL did 7min 50 sec. As a comparison the BMW M Coupe (on paper very close in performance to the SLK55) did 8min 22sec, a Ferrari 360 8min 9sec, SL55 8min 12sec, 996 Carrera 8min 17sec. (all times taken from www.track-challenge.com)

so if the SLK55 can do low 8 minutes times on the Nurburgring it will be in very good company.

Dinko...... could it beat a Ferrari 360 off the line...... the 360 has a 25% power to weight advantage over the SLK so unless the 360 is a manual and the driver isn't that good the SLK probably won't win and if I had to bet I'd put my money on the 360. From a roll the SLK would have more of a chance with its greater torque (200ft/lb MORE than the 360!) but again probably only if the 360 driver wasn't ready for you!

Follow up: I've just checked some more statistics..... the 0-1000m time for the 360 is 22.9 seconds, AMG say the SLK55 does the same dash in 23.8 seconds so theres only a second in it!..... not bad for half the price. Does anyone know the 0-1000m times for the old SLK32 AMG?

 

i'll check for you the 0-1000m for the slk32!

 

It's in a class of its own like others have said

if you want to look for competitors, look some other roadsters with hardtop and a V8, should be able to narrow it down a bit then

If they do make a M car for the Z4, then would be its closest rival but the Z4 is soft top and it aint got the looks :p

 

I would think the Slk55 would be a lot easier to mod than the slk32. I really like the sound of a V8. that is going to be a nice car.

 

Its biggest competitor from my perspective (SLK55 already on order) is from the new 911 Carrera. Different car, but price is worryingly close. Which would you rather have? The 911 is in many ways a better buy. The only thing stopping me changing is the promise of SL55 noise/appeal.

 

What are the 0-60 times of a Corvette C5 & C6?

 

I had pre-ordered a new 911 (997) S before deciding to go with the SLK55; I have been buying Porsche for years, but I simply felt it was time for a change. Yeah, the regular 997 is fairly close to the SLK55, but you'll end up paying more for options, if you want to deck it out, than on the Mercedes. And the 997 S added almost 10 Grand to the deal right off the bat so that in the end the 997 is quite a bit more; and no convertible until April in Germany (probably not until late Summer in the US).
I think Porsche would argue that their car handles better; and they probably would be right. Porsche has traditionally not been the torque / HP king, but rather concentrated on handling. The 99 I have handles very well, and even a boxster, while having many downside, handles better than many current Mercedes. I think the SLK55 is a better deal overall (especially compared to the new S) and, not having driven the 55 version, the 350 handles really well indeed.
ANyway, just my 2 cents.

Cheers,
Dan

 

I used to own an '01 C5 corvette and I can honestly say it handled much better around curves than the slk32. From what I've read, the handling has been dogged by the press in the old slk's. The newer SLKs should be much better in that regards.

 

tuned s2000??? obviously not a DIRECT comparison, but similar body style

 

Red,

I think you will need to get a new SLK55. With your propensity to mod, it could be a fun toy! Has it made your short list after your lease ends?

Schiznick

 

The C6 Vette is claimed by Chevy to do 0-60 in 4.2 sec with the 400 hp/400 lb-ft torque base engine. It was just reviewed by Autoweek. The car to have IMO is the C6 Z06 which will debut in Detroit in Jan 05. It is rumored to have 500+ hp, over 500 lb-ft torque from an aluminum big block 427 and a curb weight around 3000 lbs. and close to a 50/50 weight distribution. It will come with big brakes, 19" rims, and will be easily trackable from the factory. For under $55,000, it will truly be "king of the hill."

 

i'll try to post Top Gear review of the new Corvette! i'll try to find the link

 

this is the link : http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru...threadid=19379

 

Its here if you need it:

http://www.racingflix.com/getvideo.asp?v=811