UK-C200

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Same here on both the black and the blue toys - Z5,Z6,Z2,Z6, with an occasional Z2,Z6 on the C, as she's parked under a pigeon infested tree every once in a while. I doubled up on the Z5 after claying the SLK (first time wash - always fun!) - not sure if it made all the difference, but when I did the last Z6, the results blew me away.

Paison

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Great looking car....I've been driving a Miata 01 for the last 6 years and am contemplating buying an 06 280 SLK. Glad to hear you like it.
I would like to hear more of your impressions on the ride compared to the Miata. I'm most concerned about reliability...no issue on the miata which has been the most reliable car I've ever owned.
THanks

Dolebludger

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Paison:

I'm not XBarbarian, but I do own an SLK 280, and owned a Miata in the mid and late 90s, and so did my adult daughter. The SLK has been very reliable, and so has our '04 Mercedes C 320 sedan. Our former Miata was mechanically and electronically very reliable (not really much there to go wrong), but daughter and I both had the worst problem (IMO) anybody can have with a car. Paint problems. Peeling off in large areas. The Miata has a crude ride and is underpowered compared with the SLK 280, and the interior and trunk (boot) are cramped.

There isn't much difference in the exterior size of the cars, but the SLK is much nicer for road trips, as it does not have road or wind noise. My 94 year old father thinks it rides better than the C 320. Yet, it corners better than the Miata. As to straight line performance, I got very tired of being out-run by Honda Civics in the Miata. That is now at an end! Just look at the 0 to 60 times on even the new Miata. Quite a few seconds there. The SLK 280 is factory rated at 6.1 seconds, but I've done 0 to 60 runs in the mid 5s -- stock. Of course, cash outlay for a new SLK 280 is a bit more.

Also, I own a Honda S 2000, and believe that it is what the Miata was always SUPPOSED to be. Pure screaming sports car that takes corners at 70 that most other cars take at 40, and the Miata takes at 55 to 60 (if it can muster enough to power through them). To put the SLK in perspective, it takes those corners at 65, but in quiet and comfort.

snowbyhui

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First of all, welcome to the forum.

The AMG package really makes a huge difference to the car . I thought it is a 55 at first as it has the pre-facelift AMG wheels. Although I still prefer the oval exahaust from the pre-factlift, but looks like the new exhaust is more " flush" with the AMG bumper vs the one on stock 09 seems to be stacking out too much..

Very nice!!

XBarbarian

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Sweet Comparison Dolebludger!


Yes, my '06 mx5 was a 3rd gen, so it had the 2.0L engine, 170hp, a nice upgrade from the past I'm told. I found it to be pretty quick, although I always loved the S2000, never got to drive one. I had the Bilsteins and Limited slip, and 17' wheels. It held the road very nicely. only 2300lbs though. And significantly smaller, true.

Was perfectly reliable for the 30 months I had it. Was everything I had hoped it would and more. I really did love that car. Never had issues with paint, as I had probably 30 layers of Zaino Z2 and Z5 on it. BUT, the SLK's began to catch my eye, and as I became able to step up to this class, it became my obsession to upgrade, and MAN, I cant be happier.

The Miata was a "cruder" ride as you put it. Good description. Very sporty, fun, functional. But 200 mile trips left a bit of tingle in the legs and ass from the ride.

The SLK, longer wheel base, even with the Sports Pkg ( AMG stuff sans motor 8 cyclinder ; lowered stiffer suspension ) rides firm, but undeniably german Mercedes ride. This car weighs alot more.. 3900lbs? I think, and that translates to glued to the road, but comfortable. I, normally a person verbose, am at a loss for words. i mean, it a frickin Mercedes; you just know that your in the Top of the Class ( <100k ) for a roadster.


Oh, another interesting note; you know at the deal closing, the finance d00ds have a few "vouchers" he called it... deal addons. Like Road Hazard warranty, etc. One of them was Guidepoint; like lojack, but better. I bought it and the installer came to my work today and installed it. Painless and took him 20 mins to do it. I have the option for the Security Fence; if the car gets towed, or moves > 1 mile without keys in it, they are notified and call my cell, no response, they call the Police. Seems like a nice feature, hopefully not redudant with Tele Aid

UK-C200

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Gotta agree - Dolebugger is spot on, and I spent a week last month driving both my 350 and my brothers MX-5.

Two very different classes of cars - that's about what we both decided. I suspect he'll be looking at an R172 in a couple of years after he's beat on the MX-5 a bit more.

Dolebludger

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I think your SLK 350 has a "curb weight" of more like 3300 lbs. 3295 lbs to be exact according to the dealer hand-out booklet on the '08 SLKs. Sure hope the '09s haven't put on that much weight!

WhiteRabbit

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The weight of the 09 SLK 350 is 3,318 LBs according to the MBUSA site.

__________________
2009 SLK 350, Arctic White, Gullwing Red, 7G Automatic, Premium PKG I, Lighting, Heating packages, Auto Climate Control, smartTop roof module v3.22, Clear side-marker lenses.

Paison

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Thanks for the great comparisons...
I actually sat in a 350 yesterday, after getting out of my Miata....wow. What a difference!! I'm hooked on the SLK and I haven't had a chance to drive it yet.

The Miata is practical but very crude...I agree. I've never felt like I was driving a real car...everything is simple and thin (seats) much like I would imagine an older British 2 seater might be. I think that was what they were originally aiming for. Took a 3 hour ride to Houston with a trunck full of my bronze sculptures...punishing!!! I came back and told my wife I've had enough of shifting through six gears and dragging my ass on the highway. Never thought I would come to an age when I would be tired of shifting!!!

Hopefully by the end of the year I will be sitting in a much more luxerious ride with a 280 in it's name!!

XBarbarian

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... ya. I have to AGREE. Im glad to have an auto finally. The MB dealer told me to beak it in 1k miles before beginning playing with the manual mode, so thats what Im gonna do. I was only on the raod for a week, then had a IT Conference I worked in DC. Just got back. I had a freind with a garage I left it with as I only have a car port. Went to get my SLK straight from the airport :P I was aching to drive her. Man, what a car. I am sooo stoked!

Dave54

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Car looks great. But then again I may be a little bias. I have had mine for a few months now and I still look forward to driving every chance I get. Welcome from Oregon and enjoy the forum.