I used to own a SLK 320 until it's wrecked in an accident. I was thinking to get the new 350 as a replacement and today went for a test drive. I used to love driving the 320 but I just don't have the excitment driving the new 350. What is wrong with me? Is it time for a different car? What other car would you recommend for a former SLK owner?
man, I am worried I will have the same problem... as I had an '01 320 for about a year back in 2k and have always wanted the amg. I have been in my s2000 for almost 8mo, so I am hoping that trim and power will overcome any lackluster feelings I might harbor for the slk... I read so many posts that reassure me the power and performance are amazing, so I know I will be pleased, just hope it is "new" enough from my old slk320?
…man I hate being a slave to the new car bug [:p]
Hmmmm I'm not going to helpwith this comment then [:D]
Just sold my S2000 after 18months, for a SLK55 AMG.... theres no comaprsion [:)] Its an amazing car in all respects of crusing or enthusiastic driving.
Ok so the S2k is a good car, and that hood does come down quicker... but.......
[:D]
J
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"Torque, BHP & Good Looks, it couldn't get better"
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I used to own a SLK 320 until it's wrecked in an accident. I was thinking to get the new 350 as a replacement and today went for a test drive. I used to love driving the 320 but I just don't have the excitment driving the new 350. What is wrong with me? Is it time for a different car? What other car would you recommend for a former SLK owner?
All reports published so far on the R171 have indicated that the improvements over the old R170 are dramatic in all respects. Speed, power, comfort, handling, etc, etc. Some writers have also indicated that one rarely sees such a huge improvement in one model year.
I wouldn't know myself. The old SLK was underpowered, clearly a chick's car, that looked sawed off on both ends. Didn't appeal to me at all, and I never even thought about it.
If you loved the old SLK, check out the Chrysler Crossfire, which is the old SLK in a new suit.
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Black opal with anthracite leather interior, ML500 with sport package, Bi-xenon lights, 3rd row seating, Parktronic, wood vent covers, wood dash surround, chrome gauge clusters, leather armrest cover, leather and chrome shift encasement, AMG chrome valve stem caps, and a baby seat.
SLK55 Obsidian black with black/berry red interior, Nav with HK sound, Bixenons, airscarf.
slksurvivor - 10/8/2005 11:37 PM
I just don't have the excitment driving the new 350.
Unless you really really want something completely different, I should recommand you go for a new 350 if you enjoyed your 320 like I think you did. Pick options you did not have in your 320. Throw in a few thousands more and go for the Sport Package. Or better still, go nuts and treat yourself to a new 55AMG!!! And if you want to add some extra excitement, go for another colour. According to the piccies I saw of the accident in another thread, your 320 was silver with black or dark grey interior, wasn't it? So try an exciting and daring new combination. Designo? Why not!
Hey, slksurvivor, we don't want to lose a member of the SLK family! [V] But whatever decision you make, I wish you the best of luck! [:)]
I just sold my '99 SLK since my '06 SLK350 should be arriving in the next week. The 170 body series was a "fun" car; however, the new 171 chasis coupled with the new designed engine family really is a totally different automobile. The responsiveness of the engine, the rack and pinion steering, and the body rigidity make for a much better experience.
Thanks for all the comments and encouragements. Here's my review on the test drive of the SLK 350.
Part of the problem is the lack of availability of the car. I've called all dealers around here and only one of them have a 350; the 55 is out of the quesiton for trying out. The 350 I test-drove has:
Automatic pkg (good)
Heating pkg (good)
Entertainment and Navigation pkg (ok)
Interior trim pkg (who care, a ripoff)
Lighting pkg (ok)
Iridium Silver (good)
No comfort pkg (have to hand-pump to raise the seat, doh!)
The exterior and interior of the car look great. The car looks longer and wider than the 320. The seating capacity is definitely larger, with more leg room and more elbow room on the side.
The seats are crap though, with no bucket-seat expected of a sport car. The build and comfort of the seats are disappointing. Don't know whether the seat trim pkg would help.
The drive is smooth. The gear shifting is seamless.
With all the raving and hyping of the 350's new power, I expected the car could fly. However, high expectation leads to disappointment usually. In this case although it's not downright disappointment, but it is unimpressive. The car doesn't jump ahead from the start when gas padel is pressed hard. It seems to build up power for a little while before it can go fast. At times the 350 feels like driving in molasses. The gas padel is stiff; need to really press it to get the power.
I don't know how to put it. It feels not as agile as the 320 when accelerating or decelerating. I used to be able to downshift the 320 to a stop using 1st gear without braking in a stop-and-go traffic. I can still downshift the 350 but it feels heavy.
Now it comes to my biggest complaint about the 350. It's the location of the gear stick. I don't think I am an overly tall person and I don't have overly long arm. But the gear stick is too far back close to the seat; its distance to the side of the seat is shorter than a normal forearm. I have a hard time shifting. My elbow needs to push hard back onto the side of the seat and my hand has to crooked down much to reach the stick to shift gears. What is Mercedes thinking? That people would just put the car in auto and don't shift?!
That's why after the test drive I don't get the must-have feeling about the car. The car definitely attract attention and will be fun to drive with the top down.
I haggled a bit and got the salesperson to drop the price a little to $1000 less than the MSRP but short of what I wanted. I stood firm on the offer since the car's packages were not exactly what I wanted. I asked about factory ordering and she said it takes 3 months for the 350 and 8 months for the 55!
May be I'll just get a Porsche 911 and forget about it.
Its clear that you are not an MB man so stick to the Porsche for twice the money, your 350 must have had its handbrake on because mine goes like a dingbat.
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