Quad tail pipes: what are they for?

[jaymanek]

 

[MOCAŠ]

Why not switch to a model which comes with standard exhaust and bodykit rather?

Or cancel the order and get that DB9!!

Bottom line is I want an SLK - this will be my third. But in order to get one with a standard exhaust and no bodykit, I'd have to go for a 4-cylinder model - a prospect that doesn't appeal to me. So I'm having to compromise, and I'd rather compromise on the bodykit than on the engine.

It's just a shame that MB have decided to take this direction. On the basic SLK, the body addenda are optional (as part of the AMG Sport package). They could so easily have made this stuff optional on the AMG models as well, or at least have a no-cost delete option if they wanted to make it standard.

 

[Dieselman]

Don't worry about it Mocas, the car looks fine with the bodykit on.

 

[wemorgan]

debadged in Tenorite Grey it will blend in to the background - if that's the look you're after.

Will the 17" wheels on the non-AMG Sport models fit over the calipers? That might help the car to look less AMG

 

[sjmaxwell]

LOL

Light the fuse and stand back!

 

[MOCAŠ]

debadged in Tenorite Grey it will blend in to the background - if that's the look you're after.

That's what I'm hoping. I specifically went for Tenorite as it seems to be the most subdued colour and tends to hide the various lumps and bumps that come with the AMG.

Will the 17" wheels on the non-AMG Sport models fit over the calipers? That might help the car to look less AMG

Hadn't really thought about the wheel size, but I've ordered he optional 10-spoke wheels as they look a bit more svelte than the standard 5-spoke ones.

 

[HotJambalaya]

there was something about AMG models being available without all the extra stuff starting soon wasnt there? debaged, no body kit and dual exhausts. I know it wont be in time for you, but seems like it will be around soon.

 

[MOCAŠ]

there was something about AMG models being available without all the extra stuff starting soon wasnt there? debaged, no body kit and dual exhausts. I know it wont be in time for you, but seems like it will be around soon.

That's the Business Line option that's been mentioned, but I think it only applies to the E Class. Whether it spreads to other models eventually remains to be seen.

 

[Riverside Red]

I think that whenever you buy a car at "normal" prices there is always an element of compromise, I love the way the new SLK55 looks, the engine, exhaust and sound. Including all the lumpy bits and the interior, however I'm finding it difficult to come to terms with the auto gearbox.

For me coming from an S2000 the most important thing was open air motoring, character and the engine's raucous sound which I believe is more in your face than a body kit. If I'd wanted a sane car I'd have bought a boring Porsche Boxster.

Perhaps the SLK55 is just not the car for you...........

 

[Riverside Red]

Buy the way I looked at a used DB9 roadster, but couldn't afford the £3 grand bill for a clutch change every 15000 miles, and the flappy paddle gearbox can't reverse up a slope without cooking the clutch too..........

Standard 911s and Turbos only have two exhausts


RR

 

[1945wickedred]

Just for show and don't they look nice and sound nice too,just changed up to quad pipes on my SL350 with Vortex race mufflers and the sound is amazing,certainly turns heads in the village,all stainless steel as well,takw a look on my album page.

 

[Jules335]

I agree with Riverside Road. I love the way the SLK55 looks. It's part of what makes it special and I would hate it to just look like a basic model.

From everything that you have said it really doesn't sound like the right car for you.

 

[MOCAŠ]

From everything that you have said it really doesn't sound like the right car for you.

On the contrary, it was probably a foregone conclusion that it would be my next car. Observe my progression so far:

• R170 ... R171 ...
• SLK200 ... SLK350 ...
• 4-cylinder ... V6 ...

My next car more-or-less had to be an R172 SLK55 V8. It's just that I'm not out to turn heads - or stomachs, for that matter - and it seems that the net effect of the visual 'enhancements' is to do one or the other, depending on your perspective (I accept we're all different).

It's not just the SLK AMG that's been subjected to this treatment, it's all the lower-end AMG cars. MB seem to think that only people buying the SLS value discretion. Perhaps I'm just the exception to the rule.

 

[b1g1an]

The problem is the SLK is a junior range car so has all the smaller engines, then to create an AMG they just shoehorned the least powerful AMG engine they had in it as it had to have an AMG engine to be one.

If it was classed with the bigger cars they're would be an SLK500 that would tick the box you're looking for...V8 with discretion, but given the range the 350 you had is already that car. The C-Class would be exactly the same but as the M3 exists they had to make the same overly large jump.

Things are changing though as there is now the 'AMG light' engine in the new A-Class, so logic would say the next SLK AMG would have the 350 engine with a turbo rather than any V8.

 

[MOCAŠ]

The problem is the SLK is a junior range car so has all the smaller engines, then to create an AMG they just shoehorned the least powerful AMG engine they had in it as it had to have an AMG engine to be one.

If it was classed with the bigger cars they're would be an SLK500 that would tick the box you're looking for...V8 with discretion, but given the range the 350 you had is already that car. The C-Class would be exactly the same but as the M3 exists they had to make the same overly large jump.

Things are changing though as there is now the 'AMG light' engine in the new A-Class, so logic would say the next SLK AMG would have the 350 engine with a turbo rather than any V8.

I don't particularly disagree with any of what you've said, but that's not really the point I'm making.

The SLK55 AMG is what it is - a small roadster with a 5.5-litre AMG-tuned engine. The question is why MB feel that this needs to be announced by the body kit, quad exhausts and more badges than you can shake a stick at. I'm pretty sure that even if they offered an SLK500 (the engine must surely fit, if the 55 does?) it would still come with a body kit, just like the SLK350 now does.

 

[Riverside Red]

Another reason why I bought the SLK55 is the NA engine, I don't particularly like turbo engines, never have done even AMG ones.......however if AMG start taking the easy option and put turbo non Affalterbach (as in the A class) engines in more models then the AMG marque is dead. I'm considering replacing my CLS with a new E63 but the turbo engine turns me off.

RR

 

[b1g1an]

I don't particularly disagree with any of what you've said, but that's not really the point I'm making.

The SLK55 AMG is what it is - a small roadster with a 5.5-litre AMG-tuned engine. The question is why MB feel that this needs to be announced by the body kit, quad exhausts and more badges than you can shake a stick at. I'm pretty sure that even if they offered an SLK500 (the engine must surely fit, if the 55 does?) it would still come with a body kit, just like the SLK350 now does.

Yep, it's exactly the point you're making, it's an AMG and people buy an AMG because they want something 'sporty', or just the top of the range with loads of baubles and don't mind other people knowing. In a full range model like the E-Class, the AMG is 'shouty' and the E500 is 'classy', very little difference in overall experience other than 'shouty' turns more heads and four pipes is most definitely 'shouty' implying lots of go when standing still.

It's just like the SE and Sport models in every manufacturers range, the Sport massively outsells the more discrete versions despite most of them not being remotely sporty other than looks and rock hard suspension. The SEs are bought by the minority that value comfort and don't want to show off.

 

[MOCAŠ]

With respect, b1g1an, I understand that AMGs are being targeted at "shouty" people, but I would love to understand why MB have done this. Even if 90% of their customers now fall into this category, why not provide an option for those that don't? I can't believe I'm the only customer that feels this way.

As for the E Class, the E500 is long gone (in the UK at least). The engine range now consists of a 4-cylinder 2-litre and the AMG E63. That's it (plus some diesels).

 

[wemorgan]

I imagine it was financial. Offering choice costs money. If they estimated only 10% would like an option it would have to be very cheap to make it viable.

 

[Dieselman]

With respect, b1g1an, I understand that AMGs are being targeted at "shouty" people, but I would love to understand why MB have done this. Even if 90% of their customers now fall into this category, why not provide an option for those that don't? I can't believe I'm the only customer that feels this way.

Most people won't be able to use the power but want everyone to know they have a powerful car.

Says you've got a big d*ck...which if it's a woman driving...avoid...!!