SLK55 AMG Opinions
Discussion
I love mine. I took a gamble on ordering it before the R171 had even gone on sale in the UK after seeing a 350 in Vienna, and I've never regretted it. By the time you add all the 'must have' options it adds about 10% to the price though. DMS Automotive quote £1K for removing the 155 mph limiter and changing the fuel mapping to produce 399 bhp but I haven't got round to it yet.
Car & Driver magazine in the US recorded 4.3 seconds for 0-60 and a standing quarter of 12.7 seconds so it's not lacking in performance. The limiting factor is traction off the line. The rear tyres are only 245s which is relatively narrow. Owners have got into the low 12s with stickier rubber. Comparing the power delivery to a supercharged engine is missing the point. Most of the magazines are making the same criticism of the new naturally aspirated E63 which doesn't feel as dramatic as the E55 it replaces, yet is actually quicker.
Sold mine after 7 months ownership as I felt it lacked in the power dept, mine had every option fitted bar the illuminated door cills and yes it was a nice car but I have always had fast cars and this wasn"t one of them unfortunatly. Now drive a Noble M400... you just have got to try one, fastest car point to point I have experienced to date.
Tony.
Tony.
I've owned and driven some fast stuff in the past, and its a strange one this........ 
I've had the 55 for 23K miles and ....
- it is fast as the figures show it, and i've done it at SP
- It doesnt feel fast, and my theory is im used to it, and that damm gearbox ...
- Its a fine all weather everyday car..
Question, and a serious one... I never considered a Noble as a 16K mile a year everyday car.. has this changed ?
J
I've had the 55 for 23K miles and ....
- it is fast as the figures show it, and i've done it at SP
- It doesnt feel fast, and my theory is im used to it, and that damm gearbox ...
- Its a fine all weather everyday car..
Question, and a serious one... I never considered a Noble as a 16K mile a year everyday car.. has this changed ?
J
Edited by scoobysnack on Monday 26th February 21:58
Hello,
I am driving an SLK55 for around 2,5 years now,in rain, snow, sun etc. it is still fun to drive :-))
Re: traction: I fitted a LSD plus a more efficient suspension, and black Pagids front brake pads.
We took the car to one Minihoon (next to follow) and two Megahoons, no problems at all,
and it is not sooo thirsty like my previous SLK32.
But I agree that the gearbox is missing some "charm", especially when changing down, but if you are sensitive, you can give a blip before the lower gear engages quite smoothly.
PS Might take it to the Goodwood FoS in June and tour the UK before :-))
Have a nice day
Rainer
I am driving an SLK55 for around 2,5 years now,in rain, snow, sun etc. it is still fun to drive :-))
Re: traction: I fitted a LSD plus a more efficient suspension, and black Pagids front brake pads.
We took the car to one Minihoon (next to follow) and two Megahoons, no problems at all,
and it is not sooo thirsty like my previous SLK32.
But I agree that the gearbox is missing some "charm", especially when changing down, but if you are sensitive, you can give a blip before the lower gear engages quite smoothly.
PS Might take it to the Goodwood FoS in June and tour the UK before :-))
Have a nice day
Rainer
scoobysnack said:
I've owned and driven some fast stuff in the past, and its a strange one this........
I've had the 55 for 23K miles and ....
- it is fast as the figures show it, and i've done it at SP
- It doesnt feel fast, and my theory is im used to it, and that damm gearbox ...
- Its a fine all weather everyday car..
Question, and a serious one... I never considered a Noble as a 16K mile a year everyday car.. has this changed ?
J
J, I think the noble is as easy an everyday car as any other car I have driven, I find it comfortable and it makes the slk feel like a 3 wheeler in the power dept, I also think the M400 is an amazing looking car in every way over the slk.
Go and have a go in one, you will be bitten I assure you!
Tony.
I've had the 55 for 23K miles and ....
- it is fast as the figures show it, and i've done it at SP
- It doesnt feel fast, and my theory is im used to it, and that damm gearbox ...
- Its a fine all weather everyday car..
Question, and a serious one... I never considered a Noble as a 16K mile a year everyday car.. has this changed ?
J
J, I think the noble is as easy an everyday car as any other car I have driven, I find it comfortable and it makes the slk feel like a 3 wheeler in the power dept, I also think the M400 is an amazing looking car in every way over the slk.
Go and have a go in one, you will be bitten I assure you!
Tony.
Edited by scoobysnack on Monday 26th February 21:58
I always liked M400s and Nobles in general until a colleague bought a 6 month old one last summer. On the first track day the engine lost all oil pressure and self-destructed. It was off the road for months and would have cost £8K to fix, but at least it was under warranty. However, the SLK manages to be comfortable, well equipped and quick and is more my cup of tea for a daily driver. Not too many cars that fit that description also have a folding steel roof and can be a coupe or a convertible depending on your mood. That's why I moved on from TVRs via a clinical but dull 911 in between.
Very correct statement :-)The 55 as an ALL-ROUNDER, not as a track-car or similar for me is unbeatable plus I enjoy
a perfect service from the dealer, which is rather an exception looking at some of the
comments here.
...and the rumble of the V8 when hot is like in a concert hall ;-)
Rainer-Switzerland
Hi,
I switched to an SLK55 after ten years of TVR (two Griff 500s , a Tamora and a T350T Red Rose).
The standard SLK55 can feel somehow `slow witted´.
I think the main difference is that it is not as `in yer face´ as say a TVR.
This is down partly to the automatic gearbox IMO which is great for everyday driving but a little too detached when you want to go for it.
The engine is strong though and does sound pretty good at full throttle.
It is also a safe and reliable excellent all rounder (not a TVR strength)
My solution was to change the suspension/add a supercharger/sportier exhaust from Carlsson.
These mods transforms the car in terms of handling and power(480bhp 480lbft)when you want to push on without destroying the day to day useabilty.
Almost a German TVR
After many good times and a few horrible moments in TVRs the Carlsson SLK55 is the right successor- (I am getting on a bit at 42!)
I switched to an SLK55 after ten years of TVR (two Griff 500s , a Tamora and a T350T Red Rose).
The standard SLK55 can feel somehow `slow witted´.
I think the main difference is that it is not as `in yer face´ as say a TVR.
This is down partly to the automatic gearbox IMO which is great for everyday driving but a little too detached when you want to go for it.
The engine is strong though and does sound pretty good at full throttle.
It is also a safe and reliable excellent all rounder (not a TVR strength)
My solution was to change the suspension/add a supercharger/sportier exhaust from Carlsson.
These mods transforms the car in terms of handling and power(480bhp 480lbft)when you want to push on without destroying the day to day useabilty.
Almost a German TVR
After many good times and a few horrible moments in TVRs the Carlsson SLK55 is the right successor- (I am getting on a bit at 42!)
Why not look at second hand SL55s? With a £50k budget, there are some lovely low mileage examples available, and they are a better drive than the SLK. I use the tiptronic gear lever as often as possible to get a feel for the real power delivery which feels a bit blunted by the auto box. A trip to DMS is definitely on the cards, as well as some exhaust modification by JP exhausts in Macclesfield. As another ex-TVR man, I find the SL55 a bit too quiet for a massive V8, but it is a quite superb all-rounder, and looks gorgeous!
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