Which SLK55 R172 to Buy?

[MikeInWimbledon]

I think I can live with that; maybe it's time for a change. I'm getting older... I've read lots of reviews of the R172, and I can recall one that was very complimentary specifically of the exhaust sound. Go figure...

For sure the exhaust on the R172 sounds lovely. These were only points about comparison to your beloved R171.

As my friend said, the R172 SLK55 is better than the R171. Like most AMG's it's simply not the bruiser than the previous model was.

I'm aware of this stuff because I keep stepping back from updating because I like the earlier cars so much even if their tech isn't as clever.

 

[E55BOF]

I'm still thinking about it. The interiors are identical - red seats - but I like the paint colour of the grey one a bit more, and it has the later colour COMAND screen, which I prefer, though tbh I'm not hugely fussed about the tech. The ceramic front discs on the black one are quite pricey (£1000 a pair, pads £200), but ceramic discs may last a lot longer than steel ones. I wonder if the Performance Pack suspension is stiffer than the standard AMG version.

Decisions, decisions...

 

[st13phil]

I wonder if the Performance Pack suspension is stiffer than the standard AMG version.

Yes, it is.

The ceramic front discs on the black one are quite pricey (£1000 a pair, pads £200), but ceramic discs may last a lot longer than steel ones.

They're not ceramic (never an option on the SLK55), they're compound, i.e. they have an aluminium bell riveted to the CI rotor rather than being a complete CI unit. Life expectancy will be the same.

Re: the comparison twixt R171 and R172, I've never driven an R171 SLK55, but we did move from a R171 SLK350 with Sports Pack to an R172 SLK55 and I'd say that the R172 is more comfortable, more refined, and the ride much better composed. When we did our first long trip in the R172 I posted up a "travelogue" thread, Our SLK55 French Odyssey, in which I made some comparisons between the R171 350 and the R172 55 (and also the Biturbo E63) here and here.

If you're interested, I have a PDF copy of the MY2015 pricelist for the SLK range. Just pm me your email address if you want a copy.

 

[E55BOF]

That's very useful, thank you very much. What's a CI rotor, though? I can't recall ever having heard the term.

 

[st13phil]

What's a CI rotor, though?

CI = Cast Iron. Sorry, it's my manufacturing background...

 

[E55BOF]

Maybe he means he's fitted ceramic pads, to keep the dust down.

I did find one aftermarket supplier of front discs, on Autodoc:

ZIMMERMANN FORMULA Z COAT Z Slotted / Perforated, Two-piece Brake Disc, Vented, Coated, Alloyed / High-carbon

at a more reasonable £400. That may be for one, though; I can't recall.

 

[st13phil]

Maybe he means he's fitted ceramic pads, to keep the dust down.

That's the most likely scenario.

FWIW, the rear disks are the same as those used on the front of the A45.

 

[kcsun]

Are both the cars local to you, go for a drive in both, it may help you make your mind up, it sounds like you prefer the Grey car, in that case if you are not worried about selling it again soon, JUST BUY IT, summer is almost here, and for UK summers you have a nice hard top to help keep you warm
kc

 

[E55BOF]

...for UK summers you have a nice hard top to help keep you warm
kc

 

[leef44]

The performance pack has stiffer suspension set up and LSD. If you like to get the back end out a bit then you will need this. It's not necessarily about getting lairy but I would imagine you would be able to get the power down more assertively with a slight feel of the rear end wanting to slide.

I've not driven one with the performance pack but I find the SLK quite a refined car and works best as a cruiser with the odd foot planted to the floor on a straight.

If I remember correctly it was a £2000 optional extra.

 

[st13phil]

If I remember correctly it was a £2000 optional extra.

The AMG Performance Package, comprising of AMG Performance suspension, AMG rear axle differential lock, AMG Performance steering wheel in nappa leather/Dinamica microfibre (code 281) and front compound brakes was a £4,105 option

 

[E55BOF]

Wow. I didn't realise it was that expensive, but maybe I should have, recalling much the same thing, but no LSD, on the E63 S212. I'm not sure what the poncy steering wheel brings to the party, but I doubt many people would have paid for it as a standalone option.

 

[st13phil]

I'm not sure what the poncy steering wheel brings to the party, but I doubt many people would have paid for it as a standalone option.

At £415 for it as a standalone option, I'd postulate that you're right!

 

[E55BOF]

I recall Jeremy Clarkson, about fifteen years ago, revealing that if you wanted your Ferrari steering wheel cover sewn in red rather than black, it was nigh on £4000 extra. Same machinist, same machine, same thread but a different dye. Now that's really taking the piss...

Apropos brochures, by the way, this site has the (US versions) for pretty much everything going back to about 2005: Auto-Brochures | Mercedes-Benz Car & Truck PDF Sales Brochure/Catalog/Flyer/Info AMG C-Class CL-Class CLK-Class CLS-Class E-Class G-Class GL-Class GLC-Class GT Maybach M-Class Metris ML-Class R-Class S-Class SL-Class SLK-Class SLS-Class Sprinter X-Class

No price lists, though.

 

[leef44]

I recall Jeremy Clarkson, about fifteen years ago, revealing that if you wanted your Ferrari steering wheel cover sewn in red rather than black, it was nigh on £4000 extra. Same machinist, same machine, same thread but a different dye. Now that's really taking the piss...

I'm sure that same Ferrari upholsterer would pour your glass of chianti for you at £50 a go (small print: labour costs only, parts not included, cost is per pour, it may take more than one pour to fill your glass )

 

[poormansporsche]

Just buy the one from the dodgy dealer. What's the worst that could happen

 

[E55BOF]

I think I'll have the black one. I've done my checks, and found nothing adverse.

Looking carefully at the wording of the ad, though, I rather think the advert was written by a dealer anyway: " As a prominent member of the Mercedes-Benz UK community, the owner has been fastidious with care and attention during his 7 year ownership". Jacob Rees-Mogg might refer to himself in the third person, but I reckon that's an (undeclared) dealer's blurb. The car's declared location is thirty miles from the Ebay seller's, too.

Either way, I believe it will be obvious that the car is as described, so if it is I'll go ahead anyway, but I'll take the iCarsoft down and read the codes, just in case...

I bought my first MB from a dealer masquerading as a private seller, and that was fine; I bought my last E500 from another, and the court case is ongoing. Third time lucky?

 

[kcsun]

Photos will be required upon collection
kc

 

[st13phil]

Looking carefully at the wording of the ad, though, I rather think the advert was written by a dealer anyway

I formed that impression when I read it. Far too many "trader cliché" phases.

A price haggle point could be to threaten reporting them to the local Trading Standards?

 

[E55BOF]

There's more to it than that, but in a good way. More anon...