I got an overnight loaner (non Performance Pack) from Mercedes Tonbridge (MBUK demo car) and did around 350 miles in it.
In my mind, this was the ideal replacement for my CLS55.
Initially, I was utterly seduced, and was sure I was going to order one.
By the next day, I had decided it was not for me. I had started off wanting one badly.
The engine is wonderful; sonorous, powerful, free revving and responsive. It sounds like a true naturally aspirated V8, rorty, honest and clear. Utter delight.
The gearbox much less so. It thunks on high speed/rev changes, and is reluctant to downshift at times. It felt dull witted to me when driving spiritedly. Not a patch on the MCT gearbox. Even when operating normally, speed of gear change is last century. I think the gearbox is the single weakest dynamic point of the car.
Handling is fine on smooth and even roads. However, once the road becomes bumpy and/or uneven, the chassis really struggles; it skips, jumps and is nervous and skittish when crossing diagonal lateral cracks on the road. The lack of composure and damping finesse is very obvious on badly maintained A and B roads. It feels distinctly hot rod in a way. A sports car, definitely not.
On corners driven enthusiastically, there is no feel from the steering wheel. The only real indicator of what the car is doing is body lean and suspension crashing into bumps and undulations.
It does not feel properly and exhaustively developed like other AMG cars I have owned (CLK55 and CLS55) and driven (SLS, SL55 and C63 coupe). For me, the SLK55 is an AMG only as far as the engine is concerned. It is terribly compromised, and does not deliver on AMG's traditional values.
At the end of the day, the short wheelbase and the huge weight on the front axle cannot cope with the dynamic demands place on them when driving to take advantage of the amazing engine.
It's like a person with a perfect body but a face that's best hidden with a brown paper bag.
Apologies to SLK55 owners, I don't mean to offend.
The above are my impressions and verdict on an SLK55 based on my requirements and my driving history.
In my mind, this was the ideal replacement for my CLS55.
Initially, I was utterly seduced, and was sure I was going to order one.
By the next day, I had decided it was not for me. I had started off wanting one badly.
The engine is wonderful; sonorous, powerful, free revving and responsive. It sounds like a true naturally aspirated V8, rorty, honest and clear. Utter delight.
The gearbox much less so. It thunks on high speed/rev changes, and is reluctant to downshift at times. It felt dull witted to me when driving spiritedly. Not a patch on the MCT gearbox. Even when operating normally, speed of gear change is last century. I think the gearbox is the single weakest dynamic point of the car.
Handling is fine on smooth and even roads. However, once the road becomes bumpy and/or uneven, the chassis really struggles; it skips, jumps and is nervous and skittish when crossing diagonal lateral cracks on the road. The lack of composure and damping finesse is very obvious on badly maintained A and B roads. It feels distinctly hot rod in a way. A sports car, definitely not.
On corners driven enthusiastically, there is no feel from the steering wheel. The only real indicator of what the car is doing is body lean and suspension crashing into bumps and undulations.
It does not feel properly and exhaustively developed like other AMG cars I have owned (CLK55 and CLS55) and driven (SLS, SL55 and C63 coupe). For me, the SLK55 is an AMG only as far as the engine is concerned. It is terribly compromised, and does not deliver on AMG's traditional values.
At the end of the day, the short wheelbase and the huge weight on the front axle cannot cope with the dynamic demands place on them when driving to take advantage of the amazing engine.
It's like a person with a perfect body but a face that's best hidden with a brown paper bag.
Apologies to SLK55 owners, I don't mean to offend.
The above are my impressions and verdict on an SLK55 based on my requirements and my driving history.
