Are R171's Upgraded Each Year?

Daniel W. · 10-07-2006

Since the R171 was introduced, there have been issues with the cup holder, various cheap plastic interior parts, and a mediocre manual transmission, among others. Is the 2007 model better than the first R171 considering these parameters, and if so, what has been upgraded?

Thanks for your responses!

**-1-** · 10-07-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel W.

Since the R171 was introduced, there have been issues with the cup holder, various cheap plastic interior parts, and a mediocre manual transmission, among others. Is the 2007 model better than the first R171 considering these parameters, and if so, what has been upgraded?

Thanks for your responses!

"Mediocre manual transmission". Never heard this before. Specific?

**Woolly** · 10-07-2006

I've got a 6speed MT (7 if you count reverse!) and it's the dogs............... If you want a sports car, you must have MT - sooooooooooooo much better than a sludgymatic box.

FPF422 · 10-07-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woolly

sludgymatic box.

That's the thing you find on Yank cars... not on MB productions...

ierax · 10-07-2006

The gertrag 6speed slk manual is one of the best I have handled. There are always minor changes eitehr announced or un-announced between manufacturing years but nothing to write home about.

**Ynot** · 10-08-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel W.

Since the R171 was introduced, there have been issues with the cup holder, various cheap plastic interior parts, and a mediocre manual transmission, among others. Is the 2007 model better than the first R171 considering these parameters, and if so, what has been upgraded?

Thanks for your responses!

There was never an issue with the cup holders, the only problem is it's location, right above the COMMAND system, you can damage it if you spill your drinks in it, if that's what you mean?

Cheap plastic interior parts, can you be more specific, are you sure you are not getting it mixed up with the r170 model, there isn't cheap plastic in the r171 model.

Mediocre MT, nevermind you are getting the r170 and r171 models mixed up, the r171 is miles better than the older version. The MT is one of the best I've ever driven. Second only to the S2000. If I hadn't driven the s2000, I would had said it's the best. MB knows how to make manuals, they should offer MT for all their models.

Daniel W. · 10-08-2006

The R171 is WAY better than the R170, and the R171 can be truly called a sports car. The R171's interior is greatly improved, and the plastic interior on the dash doesn't peel like it did on my R170! Sitting in the cockpit though does give a feeling a being surrounded by too much plastic IMHO. The non glare black plastic on the doors and dash on the R171 is easily scuffed, and small white marks must constantly be attended to. The window switches also have a cheap feel to them.

The cup holder is fine for cellular phones, but you wouldn't want any spills there! Perhaps a revision would be to have a small recessed area around the cup holder that would contain any spills...

The MT's could be a bit smoother, even though it's better than the R170's. Using mediocre to describe MB's MT was perhaps a bit harsh. I like the Boxster's better, and the S2000's is a bit smoother.

Does the R171 come with slight improvements each year? Most of the issues are minor indeed, but a few quality control decisions could make the R171 even better than it already is.

mtiede · 10-08-2006

The R171 is WAY better than the R170, and the R171 can be truly called a sports car. The R171's interior is greatly improved, and the plastic interior on the dash doesn't peel like it did on my R170!

Totally agree that the R171 is WAY better having had both. And not to say that the R170 was horrible or something. I really liked the R170, I just like the R171 even more. They improved almost everything.

Not everyone's dash peeled in the R170. Mine never did. I had NO troubles with it. Admittedly, I only had it 3 years, but NO troubles.

Sitting in the cockpit though does give a feeling a being surrounded by too much plastic IMHO. The non glare black plastic on the doors and dash on the R171 is easily scuffed, and small white marks must constantly be attended to.

I think the plastic interior seems to be a common theme amongst car manufacturers lately. However, I think many other cars now have an even MORE plasticy feeling than the R171. I think the plastic used is not overdone at all and fits into the general look of the car without looking cheap as some do. I added the wood trim option and think that really looks nice with the plastic, but gives it a more finished, less plasticy look.

The scuffable material has ALREADY been replaced in the R171. They only used that for 2 years and went to a different material. I kind of like the scuffable material, but the skin marks are a bit of a nuisance. Not so much for me since I am pretty careful what I touch, but when passengers get in they aren't as careful.

An even different material would be better. One that looks and feels like the original, but doesn't get scuffed would be better, but, as I said, they have already improved this material. Whether the replacement will have a splitting problem, well, we will have to see how it holds up over time.

But I certainly would not have turned down the car just because of the dash material. Far from it.

The window switches also have a cheap feel to them.

I like the feel of the switches. And again, putting them on the door handle is an improvement from their former location. It seems like everytime I used to wanted to put the windows down in the R170, I had to hunt around to find which knob or lever was the windows. Kind of embarrassing when pulling into a burger pickup window

The cup holder is fine for cellular phones, but you wouldn't want any spills there! Perhaps a revision would be to have a small recessed area around the cup holder that would contain any spills...

Better yet would be a popup one from somewhere. Crossfire has it by the handbrake. A better place for the cellphone is in your pocket

I have the Bluetooth module and like that, though there is some room for improvement there with the software.

The MT's could be a bit smoother, even though it's better than the R170's. Using mediocre to describe MB's MT was perhaps a bit harsh. I like the Boxster's better, and the S2000's is a bit smoother.

Can't comment on the MT, though quite a number of people have been pleased with it. I am an Automatic kind of guy. My first and second car were manuals and my last one was 30 years ago. Don't miss it in the least. And particularly so with the 7G automatic. I control the shifting with the accelerator

And even the touch shift is okay compared to the R170 which was much more sluggish to respond. I would almost never use the touch shift in the R170, but I could see using it in the R171.

Does the R171 come with slight improvements each year? Most of the issues are minor indeed, but a few quality control decisions could make the R171 even better than it already is.

So the bottom line is, yes, they have made some changes in the model even when the basic car stays the same, but the complaints you have mentioned are for the most part minor things.

The R170 is a very good car. The R171 is a great car which, admittedly, could be improved with slight changes. None of the things you mentioned would make me hesitate at all in buying the R171...

Daniel W. · 10-09-2006

Thanks for your responses!

Yeah, agreed -- the R171 is a great car; MB thought it out very well, and paid attention to most problem issues.

I'm was being very picky, but I'm hoping that MB addresses these minor issues, as I'd like to trade for an SLK55 (or SLK 63!

) in about 2 years.

The MB manual transmission is a lot better than the R170's, but in stop and go traffic, is not as good as other contenders. Out of traffic it is quite good, and decidedly better than the R170.

I agree that you're surrounded by plastic in most cars today. Tap your fingernail around certain areas (sun visor, various switches, lower seat frame, etc.); I'd be happy if MB would upgrade these pieces with later models. I'm considering the following wood dash kit, which would balance out the interior nicely: http://www.rernetworking.com/mereced..._kits_2005.htm

I'm sure that MB is aware of these issues, and hope they are taking customer feedback to heart with each successive year of the SLK.

Thanks again for the input...

FPF422 · 10-09-2006

.... but the lower seat frame is metal... part of the structure of the seat... What would have been the ideal material for an (almost) invisible part ?

And the dash should have been covered in an Alcantara type of material... anyway the plastics are far superior than on Dodge or Chrysler.
Also, about the MT, there are no "holes" between the gears and the clutch is progressive enough (for a 272 hp car)... for the rest it's up to you to use it well. Foer example, I had a friend who never was able to use correctly the transmission on my Alfa Romeo GT Junior... for me it was the best box ever made. True, it was at a slight angle, you had to wait till your oil was warm to change down without a double declutching, and the first gear was way too short with the engine I had. It's just a personal thing

N4PWJ · 10-09-2006

probably minor changes which would not be recognizable to anyoe not in the know.

**-1-** · 10-09-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel W.

Thanks for your responses!

Yeah, agreed -- the R171 is a great car; MB thought it out very well, and paid attention to most problem issues.

I'm was being very picky, but I'm hoping that MB addresses these minor issues, as I'd like to trade for an SLK55 (or SLK 63!

) in about 2 years.

The MB manual transmission is a lot better than the R170's, but in stop and go traffic, is not as good as other contenders. Out of traffic it is quite good, and decidedly better than the R170.

I love a manual transmission. The only complaint I have with the SLK is first and second gears (gear ratios) are too close. I normally use second gear for starting on level ground. With that in mind, I could live with a five speed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel w.

I agree that you're surrounded by plastic in most cars today. Tap your fingernail around certain areas (sun visor, various switches, lower seat frame, etc.); I'd be happy if MB would upgrade these pieces with later models. I'm considering the following wood dash kit, which would balance out the interior nicely: http://www.rernetworking.com/mereced..._kits_2005.htm

I'm sure that MB is aware of these issues, and hope they are taking customer feedback to heart with each successive year of the SLK.

Thanks again for the input...

If not plastic, what would they use? I have no complaints with the SLK (R171) interior. I would not recommend any of the aftermarket wood dash kits. They look "add-on" and too much. Personally, I'm not a fan of the MB wood trim kit, especially with the high cost. You might consider either brushed aluminum or the carbon fiber look. Even then, I might use only selected pieces and not the entire kit. It's your car, do as you wish.

10-07-2006	#1 (permalink)
Daniel W. SLK World Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Italy Vehicle: 2006 SLK 350 Posts: 8 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Are R171's Upgraded Each Year? Since the R171 was introduced, there have been issues with the cup holder, various cheap plastic interior parts, and a mediocre manual transmission, among others. Is the 2007 model better than the first R171 considering these parameters, and if so, what has been upgraded? Thanks for your responses!

10-07-2006	#3 (permalink)
Woolly Founding Member #8 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Co. Durham, UK Vehicle: 2004 SLK350 Other Toys: Cars, Bikes, Boats & Aircraft!! Posts: 972 Country: Thanks: 28 Thanked 26 Times in 16 Posts	I've got a 6speed MT (7 if you count reverse!) and it's the dogs............... If you want a sports car, you must have MT - sooooooooooooo much better than a sludgymatic box. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. 2005 BMW LT - 16 countries, 2 CONTINENTS & counting 2004 MB SLK 350 Andradite Green (6 speed manual] 1999 Ducati ST2 2003 Vauxhaul Vectra 1974 Triumph Bonneville 750 T140V 1937 Norton 500 single (all still current)

10-09-2006	#10 (permalink)
FPF422 Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Buizingen - Belgium Vehicle: '05 SLK 350 - 7G Posts: 852 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	.... but the lower seat frame is metal... part of the structure of the seat... What would have been the ideal material for an (almost) invisible part ? And the dash should have been covered in an Alcantara type of material... anyway the plastics are far superior than on Dodge or Chrysler. Also, about the MT, there are no "holes" between the gears and the clutch is progressive enough (for a 272 hp car)... for the rest it's up to you to use it well. Foer example, I had a friend who never was able to use correctly the transmission on my Alfa Romeo GT Junior... for me it was the best box ever made. True, it was at a slight angle, you had to wait till your oil was warm to change down without a double declutching, and the first gear was way too short with the engine I had. It's just a personal thing Last edited by FPF422; 10-09-2006 at 05:35 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Poll: Do you have the upgraded sound system?	Sid	SLK R171 General Discussion	54	08-23-2008 02:18 AM
Bikers with R171's	Woolly	SLK R171 General Discussion	43	01-17-2008 10:46 AM
New comand 2007 disk out for R171's?	aquascape	SLK R171 General Discussion	28	02-23-2007 08:05 PM

10-07-2006	#5 (permalink)
ierax Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Vehicle: Obsidian black SLK Posts: 293 Country: Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The gertrag 6speed slk manual is one of the best I have handled. There are always minor changes eitehr announced or un-announced between manufacturing years but nothing to write home about.

10-08-2006	#7 (permalink)
Daniel W. SLK World Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Italy Vehicle: 2006 SLK 350 Posts: 8 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The R171 is WAY better than the R170, and the R171 can be truly called a sports car. The R171's interior is greatly improved, and the plastic interior on the dash doesn't peel like it did on my R170! Sitting in the cockpit though does give a feeling a being surrounded by too much plastic IMHO. The non glare black plastic on the doors and dash on the R171 is easily scuffed, and small white marks must constantly be attended to. The window switches also have a cheap feel to them. The cup holder is fine for cellular phones, but you wouldn't want any spills there! Perhaps a revision would be to have a small recessed area around the cup holder that would contain any spills... The MT's could be a bit smoother, even though it's better than the R170's. Using mediocre to describe MB's MT was perhaps a bit harsh. I like the Boxster's better, and the S2000's is a bit smoother. Does the R171 come with slight improvements each year? Most of the issues are minor indeed, but a few quality control decisions could make the R171 even better than it already is.

10-08-2006	#8 (permalink)
mtiede Founding Member #7 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Western New York Vehicle: 2006 SLK 350 Posts: 1,642 Thanks: 100 Thanked 55 Times in 45 Posts	The R171 is WAY better than the R170, and the R171 can be truly called a sports car. The R171's interior is greatly improved, and the plastic interior on the dash doesn't peel like it did on my R170! Totally agree that the R171 is WAY better having had both. And not to say that the R170 was horrible or something. I really liked the R170, I just like the R171 even more. They improved almost everything. Not everyone's dash peeled in the R170. Mine never did. I had NO troubles with it. Admittedly, I only had it 3 years, but NO troubles. Sitting in the cockpit though does give a feeling a being surrounded by too much plastic IMHO. The non glare black plastic on the doors and dash on the R171 is easily scuffed, and small white marks must constantly be attended to. I think the plastic interior seems to be a common theme amongst car manufacturers lately. However, I think many other cars now have an even MORE plasticy feeling than the R171. I think the plastic used is not overdone at all and fits into the general look of the car without looking cheap as some do. I added the wood trim option and think that really looks nice with the plastic, but gives it a more finished, less plasticy look. The scuffable material has ALREADY been replaced in the R171. They only used that for 2 years and went to a different material. I kind of like the scuffable material, but the skin marks are a bit of a nuisance. Not so much for me since I am pretty careful what I touch, but when passengers get in they aren't as careful. An even different material would be better. One that looks and feels like the original, but doesn't get scuffed would be better, but, as I said, they have already improved this material. Whether the replacement will have a splitting problem, well, we will have to see how it holds up over time. But I certainly would not have turned down the car just because of the dash material. Far from it. The window switches also have a cheap feel to them. I like the feel of the switches. And again, putting them on the door handle is an improvement from their former location. It seems like everytime I used to wanted to put the windows down in the R170, I had to hunt around to find which knob or lever was the windows. Kind of embarrassing when pulling into a burger pickup window The cup holder is fine for cellular phones, but you wouldn't want any spills there! Perhaps a revision would be to have a small recessed area around the cup holder that would contain any spills... Better yet would be a popup one from somewhere. Crossfire has it by the handbrake. A better place for the cellphone is in your pocket I have the Bluetooth module and like that, though there is some room for improvement there with the software. The MT's could be a bit smoother, even though it's better than the R170's. Using mediocre to describe MB's MT was perhaps a bit harsh. I like the Boxster's better, and the S2000's is a bit smoother. Can't comment on the MT, though quite a number of people have been pleased with it. I am an Automatic kind of guy. My first and second car were manuals and my last one was 30 years ago. Don't miss it in the least. And particularly so with the 7G automatic. I control the shifting with the accelerator And even the touch shift is okay compared to the R170 which was much more sluggish to respond. I would almost never use the touch shift in the R170, but I could see using it in the R171. Does the R171 come with slight improvements each year? Most of the issues are minor indeed, but a few quality control decisions could make the R171 even better than it already is. So the bottom line is, yes, they have made some changes in the model even when the basic car stays the same, but the complaints you have mentioned are for the most part minor things. The R170 is a very good car. The R171 is a great car which, admittedly, could be improved with slight changes. None of the things you mentioned would make me hesitate at all in buying the R171...

10-09-2006	#9 (permalink)
Daniel W. SLK World Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Italy Vehicle: 2006 SLK 350 Posts: 8 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for your responses! Yeah, agreed -- the R171 is a great car; MB thought it out very well, and paid attention to most problem issues. I'm was being very picky, but I'm hoping that MB addresses these minor issues, as I'd like to trade for an SLK55 (or SLK 63! ) in about 2 years. The MB manual transmission is a lot better than the R170's, but in stop and go traffic, is not as good as other contenders. Out of traffic it is quite good, and decidedly better than the R170. I agree that you're surrounded by plastic in most cars today. Tap your fingernail around certain areas (sun visor, various switches, lower seat frame, etc.); I'd be happy if MB would upgrade these pieces with later models. I'm considering the following wood dash kit, which would balance out the interior nicely: http://www.rernetworking.com/mereced..._kits_2005.htm I'm sure that MB is aware of these issues, and hope they are taking customer feedback to heart with each successive year of the SLK. Thanks again for the input...

10-09-2006	#11 (permalink)
N4PWJ Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Belfast,N.Ireland Vehicle: 2006,slk280,carlsson Other Toys: Caterham Posts: 1,417 Country: Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	probably minor changes which would not be recognizable to anyoe not in the know.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)