I know this is not a 7 related question so apologies

[rikker]

But I have to move fast,hence the in your face thread(This group allows us a lot of latitude, but admin, please feel free to relocate my ramblings to the depths if need be),so everyone in here appreciates all kinds of performance cars and many members have a lot more experience and knowledge than I with various cars.

I have searched the MB and SLK forums for info already but would be greatly appreciative of the input of those here ...

I have a chance through a friend of a friend to buy a 2007 SLK 55 AMG(with under 25K miles and a good service history) with the 030 package , this consists of, composite wheels and compound upgrades brakes, suspension upgrades and trim bits.

This is to be a birthday gift for my partner, I have never driven any SLK, let alone the 55 and this one is quite a distance away for me to get to, if I do get to travel there then it will be hopefully to buy.( I am also not able to drive anything similar from elsewhere right now)

I have read up quite a bit but just hope that someone here has had hands on with the car or a friend of theirs,or even if you haven't feel free to voice your opinion.Always good to get input on a car buy.

 

 

Thanks .

Edited April 2, 2014 by rikker

[lucky dawg]

My wife has a 2008 280SLK that she loves. The biggest downsides I see are: 1) Excessive maintenance costs, check your local dealer to avoid future shock; 2) Poorly designed cupholders that block your view of the road; 3) Limited headroom.

Edited April 2, 2014 by lucky dawg

[slngsht]

This group allows us a lot of latitude, but admin, please feel free to relocate my ramblings to the depths if need be

 

Just moving it to off topic. Leaving the link here for a couple of days

[rikker]

My wife has a 2008 280SLK that she loves. The biggest downsides I see are: 1) Excessive maintenance costs, check your local dealer to avoid future shock; 2) Poorly designed cupholders that block your view of the road; 3) Limited headroom.

 

Thanks for the input Lucky,boy are you ever right.

So the car is going to need brakes soon, and has curbed lips on two of the wheels, plus all 4 tires will need replacing , so I contacted a MB dealer:

 

here is the breakdown:

 

Left/Front Wheel $1430 (part only)

 

Left/Rear Wheel $1980 (part only)

 

 

4 Tires (2 Options):

 

Continental Contisportcontact 3 $1353 (incl. mount/balance, road hazard, etc)

Pirelli Pzero Rosso Asimmetrico $1346 (incl. mount/balance, road hazard, etc)

 

Both sets are factory recommended and Mercedes Original (MO on sidewall, specifically designed for MB)

 

Alignment $179

 

Front Brake Pads/Rotors $2497 (incl cleaner, paste, sensor, etc)

 

Rear Brake Pads/Rotors $920 (incl cleaner, paste, sensor, etc)

 

WOW!,

(evidently with these composite rotors they are reluctant to turn them).

 

After looking at the car's service history it has had in the first year alone a new power steering pump, sensors and valves in the brake system, complete new steering rack; then a constant list of loose or damaged trim items.Not a great track record for any new car, let alone a MB that was $80K new.

Edited April 3, 2014 by rikker

[fastg]

I worked for MB for years, they have a very high warranty rate, one of the highest in the industry, but it has got better in recent years. It an expensive car so parts are going to be expensive, simple statement that many people do not understand. MB owners want to own a MB so they put up with a lot more stuff that say a Toyota owner. MB owners are up there with Ducati owners, they love there cars and will except a few extra trips to the dealership. Toyota's owners are the opposite Lexus even worse. There expect perfection and will bitch and moan about the smallest issue. So for Toyota and Lexus to always come out at or near the top of the quality list is amazing, because they are help to a higher standard.

 

Graham

[xcarguy]

. . . . . I contacted a MB dealer:

 

here is the breakdown:

 

Left/Front Wheel $1430 (part only)

 

Left/Rear Wheel $1980 (part only)

 

Thanks, rikker! Now I don't feel anywhere nearly as bad as I did over how much I paid for my Bogarts. :smilielol5:

[xcarguy]

. . . . MB so they put up with a lot more stuff that say a Toyota owner. . . . . . Toyota's owners are the opposite . . . . They expect perfection and will bitch and moan about the smallest issue. So for Toyota . . . . to always come out at or near the top of the quality list is amazing, because they are help to a higher standard.

 

Graham

 

I resemble these remarks!!!! . . . . on my seventh Toyota. But in all honesty, I've never had to B&M about any service/repair/warranty issues. :smash:

[lucky dawg]

Rikker - You can save $4000 by having the wheels repaired instead of replaced. We had that done, guy came to the house with a small machine shop in his trailer. Cost was about $150 per wheel and the repairs are invisible.

 

As for tires and brakes, you can probably do much much better away from the dealer.

[NVP66S]

I had a '99 SLK 230 Kompressor for about 8 years. It had a manual transmission. That was a $40k car new in '99 compared to your potential $80k AMG car. I thought the 184 HP was enough, so I have to ask the embarrassing question: Does your partner want/appreciate the difference between the standard M-B offering and the AMG, or is that you? Hey, I had to ask. As others have said, it will cost more in maintenance.

[rikker]

Thanks all for the input,;NVP , this was one of her choices.Anyways, not sure if I will go ahead, will see.Like my old man used to say, think about something you want long enough and there is a good chance you will not want it.

[ihckb2]

Or you think about it long enough and it will be gone. If that is the case then it wasn't to be.

[rikker]

and what is the meaning of life?