E92 M3 Comp

[Jaw]

Anyone have any seat time in an slk55?


I'm currently buying a new business / daily driver, only real restriction is that it needs to be 2011 or newer and enjoyable, Economical < fun.

I'd imagine after mostly being in a Porsche and z4m over the last couple of years, the SLK would feel a bit lardy, but would make a good cruiser?

Not reading much bad about them other than the slow roof which will be a pain after the Z being the last convertible. The motor sounds immense and good pace, cockpit looks great too,

current alternatives are

An E92 M3 (competition pack),
A Quattreporte,
a mustang (bottom of the pile, not sure I could live with a few qualms in the interior, the fact that they are everywhere, would be new so modding would be a no go for a while)
A C63 (found a nice example MY13)
and the outside choices a Q7 v12 TDI and range rover sport

I know all very different, sports car vs coupe vs saloon. If anyone's had a lot of time in and out of any of the above too would appreciate any feedback

 

[Ducklakeview]

Q7 v12 tdi is a monster! The torque wave is unreal. Its actually like being on a roller-coaster, so much so that my now 18 year old daughter used to get physically sick in it when she was younger!

Friend has a 16 plate c63 AMG and I've wrung it's neck a few times, not the best handling thing, but ferocious in a straight line. He's had it almost a year now and is still scared of it as it's bitten back a few times..

Mike

 

[buzyg]

From your list. Quattreporte has to be the choice.

 

[Ducklakeview]

From your list. Quatraporte has to be the choice.

Much as I love the looks etc, parts prices make bmw stuff look like it's for free...

Mike

 

[Jaw]

Q7 v12 tdi is a monster! The torque wave is unreal. Its actually like being on a roller-coaster, so much so that my now 18 year old daughter used to get physically sick in it when she was younger!

Friend has a 16 plate c63 AMG and I've wrung it's neck a few times, not the best handling thing, but ferocious in a straight line. He's had it almost a year now and is still scared of it as it's bitten back a few times..

Mike

Ha, I Can only imagine it would be a torque monster, have a test drive lined up next week in one I saw one keeping pace with a C63 on a cruise a month ago or so, mind boggling! How is it to live with day to day?

I kind of like the ferocity and care needed for the C63, adds a bit of a sense of occasion which I'd imagine (hope?) is replicated in the SLK55. Preference would have been an e60 M5 / M6 but they're just slightly too old for what I need (Although an M5 is possibly on the cards if all doesnt go to plan)

From your list. Quattreporte has to be the choice.

ha that was my initial thought, but I legit can't decide if I'm just saying that because it's a maserati and I'm being a brand whore haha Not sure if I'd actually 'enjoy' it anymore than the others? Test driving one this week so will hopefully know if I fall for it instantly, supposed to husstle very well for a two tonne car, less sure about the box being replaced with the autobox (option from 2009 model onwrds I think?) so will have to try both really


Repairs and service did spring to mind, but a good service on the others is likely to cost almost as much with australia prices on parts here (last paid $900 for a 2004 CLK key from the stealers) Occasionally will be driving other cars too so mileage shouldnt be too high so unless they break frequently I (famous last words) shouldn't be toooo much worse off

 

[Paulwirral]

I was looking at buying one 18 months ago , they are a bit of a thug of a car , quite old fashioned but in a good way . Buy the later 172 model as it's a much better car all round than the earlier better looking car .
I ended up with a brand new slc amg 43 , that everyone tells me is a crap car , but 367bhp , 9 speed box that doesn't auto change up in manual mode , factory lsd and fully disabled traction control when I want it does me fine , not to mention an absolute bargain compared to anything similar , It's just Mercedes are useless when it comes to dealer back up , I've got a 3 series also and BMW are 100% better .

 

[tomscott]

I have looked at these more than once, always really liked them.

The thing that put me off is they are expensive to run and service. With a good indy this will be avoided but the era of Merc and reliability with cost of parts... A friend of my dad has had one from new and its sounds glorious but man hes spent some money on that thing.

Its a 200mph car tho which is a bit of fun trivia to tell people.

 

[buzyg]

From your list. Quatraporte has to be the choice.

Much as I love the looks etc, parts prices make bmw stuff look like it's for free...

Mike

Agree in general with that. Though when I was buying the Zed. I looked long and hard at the Maza Spider & a new exhaust was cheaper than for the MR. Unfortunately the closest service I could find, at that time, was 101 miles away. . Any way glad I bought the Zed.

 

[Ducklakeview]

Ha, I Can only imagine it would be a torque monster, have a test drive lined up next week in one I saw one keeping pace with a C63 on a cruise a month ago or so, mind boggling! How is it to live with day to day?

I loved it, only got rid as couldn't get a double pram in with all the seats up, so went to an XC90, which I also loved, but was somewhat of a letdown, coming from 493 bhp and 1000nm of torque, to a lowly 163 bhp and 340nm was a massive jump!

Wiped the smiles from a few hot hatch and more upmarket powerful cars in a straight line, obviously not the most nimble through the corners due to the weight. They literally EAT brake pads, think I got about 4k from one set of brembo fronts.. But discs not too bad and are heavy on tyres, mine was on 20's too..

Mike

 

[Steve84N]

Its a 200mph car tho which is a bit of fun trivia to tell people.

I think you've got the wrong car...

SL55 AMG perhaps but not the SLK55 AMG with 355hp or even 416hp.

I ended up with a brand new slc amg 43 , that everyone tells me is a crap car , but 367bhp , 9 speed box that doesn't auto change up in manual mode , factory lsd and fully disabled traction control when I want it does me fine , not to mention an absolute bargain compared to anything similar

I recently had a week in an SLC300 and it was generally a very nice car. Main faults were no LSD, turbo lag and awful engine sound. It made all the trim vibrate and sounded like a wet fart. It also had pretty bad scuttle shake with the roof down.

I was thinking the 43 would be much better but I'd not call it a bargain when the 300 is already £40k. Porsche all day long at that money for me.

 

[Paulwirral]

Its a 200mph car tho which is a bit of fun trivia to tell people.

I think you've got the wrong car...

SL55 AMG perhaps but not the SLK55 AMG with 355hp or even 416hp.

I ended up with a brand new slc amg 43 , that everyone tells me is a crap car , but 367bhp , 9 speed box that doesn't auto change up in manual mode , factory lsd and fully disabled traction control when I want it does me fine , not to mention an absolute bargain compared to anything similar

I recently had a week in an SLC300 and it was generally a very nice car. Main faults were no LSD, turbo lag and awful engine sound. It made all the trim vibrate and sounded like a wet fart. It also had pretty bad scuttle shake with the roof down.

I was thinking the 43 would be much better but I'd not call it a bargain when the 300 is already £40k. Porsche all day long at that money for me.

You'll get a 43 amg for 40k if you try hard and it's got all the toys as standard , that's one of the reasons I bought one , I was planning on a boxster but the Porsche options list is a scary place when buying new .
I have to say though , the boxster is a better car than the slc and the current z4 put together in , sorry if this upsets most on this forum ! Hopefully the new z will be a genuine alternative to a boxster as the merc is an ugly dinosaur and a ttrs is just fast .

 

[Jaw]

I loved it, only got rid as couldn't get a double pram in with all the seats up, so went to an XC90, which I also loved, but was somewhat of a letdown, coming from 493 bhp and 1000nm of torque, to a lowly 163 bhp and 340nm was a massive jump!

Wiped the smiles from a few hot hatch and more upmarket powerful cars in a straight line, obviously not the most nimble through the corners due to the weight. They literally EAT brake pads, think I got about 4k from one set of brembo fronts.. But discs not too bad and are heavy on tyres, mine was on 20's too..

Mike

That's suprising that the xc90 would have more space - the Q's seem huge from appearance!

The monster acceleration must keep the grin on that the maintenance wipes off Would love to have one for a week to see if I'd gel with it, I think I'm shying away from luxo suv's the more I think about it, even though in reality I know they're exactly what I ''need'' at the moment!

Its a 200mph car tho which is a bit of fun trivia to tell people.

I think you've got the wrong car...

SL55 AMG perhaps but not the SLK55 AMG with 355hp or even 416hp.

I ended up with a brand new slc amg 43 , that everyone tells me is a crap car , but 367bhp , 9 speed box that doesn't auto change up in manual mode , factory lsd and fully disabled traction control when I want it does me fine , not to mention an absolute bargain compared to anything similar

I recently had a week in an SLC300 and it was generally a very nice car. Main faults were no LSD, turbo lag and awful engine sound. It made all the trim vibrate and sounded like a wet fart. It also had pretty bad scuttle shake with the roof down.

I was thinking the 43 would be much better but I'd not call it a bargain when the 300 is already £40k. Porsche all day long at that money for me.

You'll get a 43 amg for 40k if you try hard and it's got all the toys as standard , that's one of the reasons I bought one , I was planning on a boxster but the Porsche options list is a scary place when buying new .
I have to say though , the boxster is a better car than the slc and the current z4 put together in , sorry if this upsets most on this forum ! Hopefully the new z will be a genuine alternative to a boxster as the merc is an ugly dinosaur and a ttrs is just fast .

Its a 200mph car tho which is a bit of fun trivia to tell people.

I think you've got the wrong car...

SL55 AMG perhaps but not the SLK55 AMG with 355hp or even 416hp.

I ended up with a brand new slc amg 43 , that everyone tells me is a crap car , but 367bhp , 9 speed box that doesn't auto change up in manual mode , factory lsd and fully disabled traction control when I want it does me fine , not to mention an absolute bargain compared to anything similar

I recently had a week in an SLC300 and it was generally a very nice car. Main faults were no LSD, turbo lag and awful engine sound. It made all the trim vibrate and sounded like a wet fart. It also had pretty bad scuttle shake with the roof down.

I was thinking the 43 would be much better but I'd not call it a bargain when the 300 is already £40k. Porsche all day long at that money for me.

The SLC certainly looks good, can't imagine the 43 is 'crap' by any measure! The not changing up in manual is a plus! I guess they deliver a totally different experience from a Porsche. The SL's have always been more.. wafty? than out and out fast?

I think I want something a bit bonkers rather than a 'good car' though that said.

Took a C63 out for a long spin today, the grunt of the thing, quite frankly, is just bull**** genuinely laugh out loud kid stuff. I've recently bought a C4 corvette with straight pipes and the C class still delivered more childish laughs.

God willing will take out a Quattreporte on Thursday (still not convinced I'm not just tempted for the brand and the fact there are less fo them on the road meaning better residuals) followed by an SLK on the weekend to see how I feel.

Big pull for the SLK is I think it will deliver a lot of what I loved about the Z4M, a bit brutish, scruff of the neck type handling, throaty acceleration etc.

 

[Jaw]

I have looked at these more than once, always really liked them.

The thing that put me off is they are expensive to run and service. With a good indy this will be avoided but the era of Merc and reliability with cost of parts... A friend of my dad has had one from new and its sounds glorious but man hes spent some money on that thing.

Its a 200mph car tho which is a bit of fun trivia to tell people.

Thought that might be the case, the reviews etc I've read suggest it's a reliable choice - but Merc ad BMW seem to be very good at surpressing bad press and when I speak to people who actually own them, the issues start to come out :/

Anything in particular he's had to shell out on?

Tough part is that I'm opting for slightly newer to finance and avoid spending a wad of cash on an older vantage/m6 or similar - if whatever I buy will cost a fortune to run then arguably I should just spend cash on something that I'd enjoy even more. Man maths I know given that those two options would also cost a bit to maintain but as an example, I could potentially get a v10 M5 for half the price of 2012 C63 / SLK55 AMG's.. If it ends up costing similar amounts to maintain, then I'm potentially not much worse off on the M5 :/ Unless kaboom..

 

[Monkeydonkeyratmagic]

M5 is a far better motor than a merc.

Depends on what you really want for that budget. I assume around 15k?

Rs4? Pretty monstrous.
Impreza p1? Depreciation proof and pretty solid.
Evo FQ400...
Freshly imported but risky r34 Skyline? Cheaper than a known one with UK history.

All big and bargy with stupid power.

Depends if you want convertible or not.

 

[ph001]

Big pull for the SLK is I think it will deliver a lot of what I loved about the Z4M, a bit brutish, scruff of the neck type handling, throaty acceleration etc.

I really wanted the SLK 55AMG before I got the Z (albeit the older model) and test drove a couple. The auto box felt pretty lazy compared to modern transmissions but it had loads of low down grunt and was more refined than the E85 (I'm guessing somewhere between the E85 and the E89). BUT, literally at almost every set of traffic lights in the town centre I was getting jaunts from idiots saying things like "girls car..." and "out for a drive in the wife's car eh...". I've never have comments like that in the E85 at all.

I guess you can just ignore it but it does seem to have a pretty strong perception as being a womans car which ultimately just put me off it. I did like it otherwise though.

 

[Steve84N]

Took a C63 out for a long spin today, the grunt of the thing, quite frankly, is just bull**** genuinely laugh out loud kid stuff. I've recently bought a C4 corvette with straight pipes and the C class still delivered more childish laughs.

Glad you enjoyed the C63, I have an estate and use it daily. Such an easy decision over the RS4 in so many ways and BMW don't make an M estate in this class. I find it has a better handling balance than the Z4, it's got lovely steering and is special all the time.

The C63 pretty much just needs fuel and tyres with no major problems other than head bolts on early cars.

M5 is a far better motor than a merc.

How so?

The V10 is epic but it's a car that frequently has potential for scary repair bills. The F10 is very quick but lacks the character of a C63.

The C63 needs an LSD and a remap which can be done for £2k. Then it's 500bhp+ and decent traction. Easy to add more noise in stages too, from secondary decat all the way through to headers and straight pipes.

 

[Jaw]

I really wanted the SLK 55AMG before I got the Z (albeit the older model) and test drove a couple. The auto box felt pretty lazy compared to modern transmissions but it had loads of low down grunt and was more refined than the E85 (I'm guessing somewhere between the E85 and the E89). BUT, literally at almost every set of traffic lights in the town centre I was getting jaunts from idiots saying things like "girls car..." and "out for a drive in the wife's car eh...". I've never have comments like that in the E85 at all.

I guess you can just ignore it but it does seem to have a pretty strong perception as being a womans car which ultimately just put me off it. I did like it otherwise though.

Ha funny that, I had the same when I had the Z4M, down to getting postit notes by the construction crew at work on the windscreen 'what time do you knock off darling' etc

But that said I think the '12 onwards ones are decisively more macho/pointy and with a little added noise and a few visual tweaks look very aggressive!

Interesting to read about the lazy autobox, kind of expected it to a degree - did it spoil the fun at all?

M5 is a far better motor than a merc.

Depends on what you really want for that budget. I assume around 15k?

Rs4? Pretty monstrous.
Impreza p1? Depreciation proof and pretty solid.
Evo FQ400...
Freshly imported but risky r34 Skyline? Cheaper than a known one with UK history.

All big and bargy with stupid power.

Depends if you want convertible or not.

Budget is about $30-75k (I'm in Aus, probably talking 20k-50k sterling) But then prices here are a bit different. 80k is GTR money, so if I went Jap I'd probably put the extra in and go that way - R34's P1s are awesome but I already have a supra track build and I'm looking for something relatively new with some mod cons, I miss being able to jump in a car and have a good media system and just go to a to b smoothly (but still have fun when I get a chance!)

I did consider an Evo (if I go for cash and e60 M5 money, then it's an option too!)

As for convertible / non convertible, annoyingly I don't mind either way - I have the corvette for roofless cruises so it's more about the car as a whole. Think that's what's making it hard as I don't have a lot of requirements which means more options. I have recently had a baby though so I suppose smart hat on, 4 seats is probably the way now I think out loud.

Glad you enjoyed the C63, I have an estate and use it daily. Such an easy decision over the RS4 in so many ways and BMW don't make an M estate in this class. I find it has a better handling balance than the Z4, it's got lovely steering and is special all the time.

The C63 pretty much just needs fuel and tyres with no major problems other than head bolts on early cars.

M5 is a far better motor than a merc.

How so?

The V10 is epic but it's a car that frequently has potential for scary repair bills. The F10 is very quick but lacks the character of a C63.

The C63 needs an LSD and a remap which can be done for £2k. Then it's 500bhp+ and decent traction. Easy to add more noise in stages too, from secondary decat all the way through to headers and straight pipes.

Do like the sound of even more noise

The F10 doesn't interest me in the least, they seem much too bland The V10 is epic, I loved the M6 that I didnt buy. Repair bills are a concern and could easily see me spend the same as the c63 costs to buy but that's more of an 'if' I suppose.

The RS4 (and most audis) does seem a bit bland in comparason although I have a real soft spot for the circa 2008 model, but they sit at the 'too much to justify spooging cash on and too old to finance' age. Good to know re heaad bolts, I'd be looking at 2012 and on so hopefully resolved?

Are the same problems found on the SLK do you know? (different engines I know, wondered if a merc-wide thing?)

 

[Steve84N]

Not sure about the other engines. All the facelift are fine as are the later pre-facelift ones.

I was seriously considering the B8 RS4 but on a test drive the engine was bland until over 6k rpm, the steering was awful, it plowed wide on a roundabout at very modest speed and the seats had no lateral support.

I discounted the B7 as too old but it's meant to be a better car to drive. Main things are the coking up of the engine and the DRC dampers going bad.

 

[Jaw]

Not sure about the other engines. All the facelift are fine as are the later pre-facelift ones.

I was seriously considering the B8 RS4 but on a test drive the engine was bland until over 6k rpm, the steering was awful, it plowed wide on a roundabout at very modest speed and the seats had no lateral support.

I discounted the B7 as too old but it's meant to be a better car to drive. Main things are the coking up of the engine and the DRC dampers going bad.

Yeah I can't fall in love with the audis, I really can't! Good to know re the facelift, the ones I'm looking at are all 2012's.

Have all bout ruled out the slk now, going by the above they're not going to deliver the same experience of the z4m whilst being as quick as the C63 with none of the practicality.

The new dilemma is that I've just been looking at an m3.. I know I ruled them out, but e92 competition pack, gorgeous alcantara wheel, and the same money fetches a two years newer car with less kms. I only had a very reserved dealer drive - does anyone have more seat time to compare? Little sportier than the C class perhaps, but a little less brutely - genuinely stuck

Also drove a CLS63 - absolutely disgusting performance but just doesn't appeal to me in the same way. The C63 has the performance pack, nicely coloured seats, but a very bland dash/interior

 

[Monkeydonkeyratmagic]

Does it have to be German? What about a Jaguar XF R?