SLK 55 AMG competitors
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 560
Likes: 0
C43, SLK32, CLK63 Black Series
Originally Posted by SLK55_AMG
which cars can be compared to slk 55 ?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,687
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, CA
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.
Super Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
From: UK
987S
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
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
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 0
From: Orlando
CLS55
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.
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.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,687
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, CA
Originally Posted by dinko
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.
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.
Don't waste your money on a chip for a N/A engine. Save your money and supercharge that sucker.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 0
From: Orlando
CLS55
Originally Posted by Sleestack
Don't waste your money on a chip for a N/A engine. Save your money and supercharge that sucker.
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,703
Likes: 5
From: Arizona
SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar
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.
Super Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
From: UK
987S
Originally Posted by SLK55_AMG
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....
CSL has the same HP but not even a bit close of torque...
someone corrects me if iam wrong....
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?
Last edited by SLK55AMG; Jul 18, 2004 at 07:33 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 0
From: MB - World
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
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
Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: Euroland
SL500
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.
Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA / Berlin, Germany
2005 MB SLK 55 AMG
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 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
Last edited by dosers; Aug 2, 2004 at 06:07 PM.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: middle georgia
2004 slk32
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 22
From: Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Porcelain Bus
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."
Last edited by Dr Chill; Aug 2, 2004 at 06:42 PM.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 802
Likes: 1
From: No specific place
SLK55 AMG
Super Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
From: UK
987S
Originally Posted by SLK55_AMG
i'll try to post Top Gear review of the new Corvette! i'll try to find the link
http://www.racingflix.com/getvideo.asp?v=811
