Mercedes SLK 55 AMG: From Coupe to Roadster

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Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 32

@Grez666 2 ай бұрын

I've had mine for eleven years. I still take it out at 3am in the summer, just to experience the top-down drive with minimal traffic.Great to observe meteor showers! Daily driver, don't care about the 13mpg... Cheers from London.

@TheWastedDriver 2 ай бұрын

I'm sure you will keep it for eleven more! It's an awesome machine and i'm sure that driving it under the London sky, it's an unique experience

@Grez666 2 ай бұрын

@@TheWastedDriver Actually, over the eleven years as a daily driver (and not garaged) it has gone from The Ratmobile to the Tatmobile. Part of me appreciates the fact that I don't have to worry about it much - I park it anywhere that's convenient and don't fret about supermarket trolleys and 'door dings'. However, I have been considering a change and a major contender has been a V8 Jaguar F-Type, but the boot space on those is ridiculous and they are substantially bigger cars externally, which is not best suited to London on a daily basis. So, I'm currently keeping my eyes open for another 171/55, with fewer miles and generally more tidy. My dream would be to find a Kleemann S8, but even a good example with headers and a re-map would grab my attention... I enjoyed your vid, by the way. I don't often get to hear the sound as a spectator outside of the car! Cheers!

@sykotradingclosecorp Ай бұрын

@@Grez666can you please enlighten me on a general service of this car? How is the general maintenance and service of slk 55 amg? Does it take a lot of cash out of a pocket in replacement of certain parts that need to be replaced? This is absolutely my favourite roadster of all time and I am considering buying anyone between year model 2005 - 2015, as long as I find it in a mint condition both mechanically and physically. I must collect one of these definitely. I think you are one of the people who have massive experience with SLK 55 AMG and your enlightenment in this regard with be highly valued and appreciated.

@Grez666 Ай бұрын

@@sykotradingclosecorp You ask a very good question and it's a subject that crossed my mind when I decided to buy my 55, because I had quite a shock (many years ago now) when I bought my heart's desire Porsche 928S4. My solution was to 'ring-fence' a few thousand pounds to cover any unexpected disasters during early ownership. The good news is that my caution was not needed! Rule number one - as far as possible stay away from Mercedes main-dealers. This is true for spare parts and servicing. Find yourself a good independent specialist for things you either can't, or don't want to do yourself. However, with few exceptions, never fit non-OEM parts. I'm not sure in which country you reside, but most OEM service items can be sourced from parts specialists either in-store or mail-order. I tend to buy service items when they are on sale - such as engine oil, filters etc and keep a running inventory. For instance, I think the last OEM air filters I bought cost me £9 for the set.. MB approved 229.5 oil can always be found discounted somewhere and these engines tend to use a bit of oil as time and miles increase. It's pretty much all via worn valve seals and doesn't affect performance or emissions results. The oil is consumed mainly at wide throttle openings, so tell yourself that it's just a bit of upper cylinder lubrication, and probably a good thing. The M113 engine series have a reputation for being very robust. However, early 722.9 transmissions tend to develop a fault on the conductor plate at some point or other - but again, don't seek help from MB. Usually the fault can be repaired and the cost isn't bad when combined with a routine transmission service. Tyres don't last long if you drive it like it like it should be driven and I quickly found that it's not worth paying for high-end branded tyres, unless you just want bragging rights. On dry roads middle-shelf tyres are fine and on wet roads I slow down.. When you look to buy one of these, I highly recommend you find one which is used regularly. On the various fora that I check, it seems that quite a few problems stem from lack of regular use - especially when it comes to the vario roof. Dried seals are the bane of just about any mechanical system. The roof should cycle in either direction, smoothly, in 21 seconds. If it doesn't - be suspicious. Uneven tyre wear (especially front inner edges) tends to indicate worn suspension bushings. Not hugely expensive, but the sort of thing to look for in service records. So in summary, my 'sinking fund' for disasters was not needed at all. After a couple of years I did what I considered to be the most sensible thing with it - I used it to buy (more) shares in oil companies. The dividends offset that aforementioned average 13mpg 😄 Good luck with your search!

@peterostoyke4643 3 ай бұрын

Ich habe Ihr Video durch Zufall entdeckt, wirklich Klasse. Ich fahre einen SLK 55 AMG von 05/2010, also einen der Letzten, seinerzeit als Jahreswagen erworben, ein absolutes Traumauto. Außer Inspektion und Reifen nichts an außergewöhnlichen Kosten! Gruß aus Deutschland, und allzeit gute Fahrt !

@TheWastedDriver 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for the message man 🤙🏻 Happy you like the video and surely you make a great choice on buying this beauty. Didn't know was also super reliable, but honestly i'm not surprised Enjoy your beautiful drive!

@julianadams2206 3 ай бұрын

Great photography during this video. Glad you liked the car. I’ve owned my SLK 55 AMG for 5 years and love its unique blend of performance and refinement. The engine sound is truly amazing.

@TheWastedDriver 3 ай бұрын

Thank you for the kind words and I'm really happy you like the photography of the video. You make a great choice 5 years ago buddy, that's a great car that transmits amazing sensations in all the conditions. Ps: I agree, the V8 sing amazingly 🤙🏻

@sykotradingclosecorp Ай бұрын

Hallo! May you please enlighten me on a general service of this car? How is the general maintenance and service of slk 55 amg? Does it take a lot of cash out of a pocket in replacement of certain parts that need to be replaced? This is absolutely my favourite roadster of all time and I am considering buying anyone between year model 2005 - 2015, as long as I find it in a mint condition both mechanically and physically. I must collect one of these definitely. I think you are one of the people who have massive experience with SLK 55 AMG and your enlightenment in this regard with be highly valued and appreciated.

@julianadams2206 Ай бұрын

@@sykotradingclosecorp My advice if you intend to buy one of these wonderful cars is: 1. Buy the best you can afford. 2. If it is an R171 model check the condition of the rear subframe. 3. Check the air con works, a new condenser is very expensive and awkward to fit as it is behind the bumper. 4. Check for corrosion around the wheel arches as pre 2010 Mercedes corrosion protection wasn’t great. Generally they are bullet proof good gearboxes and engines. If the car has the big brakes (6 piston callipers) beware of huge replacement costs for discs and pads. If work then deduct from the asking price. Good luck getting one for yourself. They are tremendous fun.

@alexamorin5534 2 ай бұрын

Totally!! I am really between this baby and the 6th gen Camaro. V8 masterpiece

@TheWastedDriver 2 ай бұрын

Ohhhhh also the Camaro is a beauty! I hope to have the possibility to test one in the future 🤙🏻

@kevinjekyll1521 2 ай бұрын

I love mine NZ new, not new to me btw, so quite a different spec from yours and RHD. Still that engine really purrs, a true classic in my opinion. I think often over looked compared to a BMW Z4, both great cars. I have a Z4M too, and I find them both rewarding . One is a high revving all out manual experience, while the 55 is a torque monster, on a long cruise I would choose the 55 all day, I just wish that these cars had been adorned with better interiors. Thanks for sharing you experience with you car, so many cheap SLK's, but the 55 is the one to get if you can. Great video btw, thanks.

@TheWastedDriver 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for the kind words 🙏🏻 I tested also a Z4 (the 2.8) and i agree with you, on a long cruise i will choose hands down the 55 It's a pleasure to drive!

@larriebee 3 ай бұрын

This is one of my favourite cars. Finally got mine last month. I don’t think mine sounds like yours. Is that its stock exhaust?

@TheWastedDriver 3 ай бұрын

You will surely enjoy your new/old car 🤙🏻 Yes, this one is completely stock

@rgates159 2 ай бұрын

Get the supersprint x-pipe. Best mod.

@TheWastedDriver 2 ай бұрын

@robgates4217 i will let the owner know 🤙🏻

@kimcousins1125 Ай бұрын

The only downside to these cars (and I have one) is the gearbox. It's great on the open road, but not so great around town. It changes down too quick and changes up too slowly, and that is a problem when you have 20-mph speed limits, as we do here in Bristol, UK. This car is made to be driven hard. Having said that I love it and they are rare on the road here so it makes you feel good.

@TheWastedDriver Ай бұрын

Surely every car has positive and negative things but I think globally, the 55 it's damn good under a lot of aspects. Thanks for the info on the gearbox, didn't feel that when I test it, but I did't use the car in traffic (thankfully)

@sykotradingclosecorp Ай бұрын

@Marc-uw4lw 14 сағат бұрын

@@sykotradingclosecorpMine has been fairly bombproof and anything that has gone wrong (nothing really) has been fairly affordable to fix with a decent, honest mechanic. You can’t go to a Merc main dealer because they will try to charge you silly money. For example: They tried to charge me thousands for a new fuel tank and fuel pump because a small wire connector overheated and they don’t sell that part separately (it costs about £1…). That’s probably true of all dealerships though. The knowledge on SLK forums is very good and it’s not an overly complicated car. Maintenance isn’t bad except for the front brake discs which are ~£700 each BUT, I’ve never had to replace them. They last a very long time. Everything costs a slight premium, just like the fuel but you get so much enjoyment from it, it’s money well spent. Driving this car with the roof down with an X-pipe in the mountain roads of Europe is one of the best experience I’ve ever had. It’s the perfect size and weight for small switchback roads. It has Porsche build quality. You can drive it hard and it will be fine. Just let it warm up first, especially in winter.