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SLC is Going to Be axed???

8K views 64 replies 27 participants last post by  sam8white 
#1 ·
#3 ·
Well it is a possibility as they are reviewing there line up B class is being chopped to and R class ?
So are SLK will be more sort after and maybe price hike up to . :grin:
I think is also because the new convertible cars can't deliver the "feeling" that car's like the SLK do

If you drive the two (SLC and SLK (R170/R171) you will know what i mean :grin:
 
#4 ·
It does not surprise me if the SLC will be axed sales have been in the toilet for years month after month. In 20 years they will fetch good $$$ thru auctions because it will be a classic. So boys and girls time to give the SLK/C a bath and cover it up in the garage and buy a Citroen.:grin::grin:
 
#7 ·
This right here is the end of the real SL. I would think that MB is not talking about Kindersitze in the rear like back in the days.:frown:

In contrast to the future GT, which remains a two-seater in a slimmer and lighter package, the next SL, due in 2020, is to evolve into a more spacious 2+2-seater, trading the retractable hardtop in for a classic folding soft-top.
 
#13 ·
Well, it will be a sad day when the last SLC rolls off of the assembly line. However, I don't foresee it disappearing for ever. Somewhere, sometime in the near future, someone will reignite the broad desire for a proper roadster, and MB will (hopefully) throw its name back in the hat. For now, I will drive and enjoy my car. After all, that is its purpose, right?

I raise my cup to all of my fellow SLK / SLC enthusiasts. May your roads be winding and the skies blue!
 
#15 ·
What are the 'undeniable advantages'
Weight savings are extremely important. If they can reduce CAFE, then funds can be spent elsewhere rather than on "engine/emission" improvements.

Also, they can eliminate all those hydraulics and complicated gyrations need to retract that puppy.

Less complicated system = less repair costs as a corollary.
 
#17 ·
With every decline in economy (worldwide) people tend to become more conservative and practical.
So here you have it.
Besides, roadsters are the "lipstick effect" of every economic curve and we are probably not going to have one soon.
Its not about people not buying its about people
A not feeling confident enough to spend
B people having bigger problems to deal with
C people getting more conservative in general and
D hairdressers buying the much cheaper Miata.
 
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#24 ·
Remember when Coca Cola messed with the real thing....it was a disaster bring back the real thing Mercedes with a soft top and make it cheaper like the concept SLA but not as funky and people will buy it. Less is more not everybody wants to drop 5oK for some weekend fun :grin::grin:



 
#29 ·
But just think about it.............we now own classic cars.:crying:....quick give Harry's garage a call :grin:

As others have said. the sales have tanked and apart from the enthusiasts on this forum and elsewhere it will always be a hidden gem that has been under appreciated since some so called journalist (sorry joker) decided it was for 'hairdressers' and bored middle class housewives..how wrong they were but unfortunately the stigma remained.

I think the 172 design was the penultimate nail in the coffin,(the SL got a battering too) and the SLC killed it off, as you can see that by the minimal effort they put into the revamp....especially removing the 8 cylinders. I think one of MB's biggest mistakes was/is the price gap between the SLK*(C) and the SL. I think many SLK (C) owners would have moved towards SL ownership after a few years of happy motoring in the little gem had that gap not been so huge (well here anyway). Sadly I would suggest that perhaps the end will come in 2020 when we will see a few other MB models disappear off the sales screen....including our beloved SLK(C).

There won't be a dry eye in the house when the last one rolls of the line.....



but wait..........that means they will make a 'special edition'....a going away present perhaps..:surprise:

A 'Black Series'??? and shove a bi-turbo V8 in it>:D
 
#30 ·
Well anything can be a classic but it has to be at least 25 before the AACA will accept it. Usually prices hit bottom between 10-20 years and then start coming up particularly if rare and desirable.


Problem is that there are too many for sale as "used cars" right now to be rare and R171s from private owners are in the $7k-$9k range. Another few years if the dollar stays strong and might see $5k like the R-170s now. Of course a big piece of that depends on where you are. Central Florida has a lot of nice cars (mostly Black or Silver though). I looked at several dozen in the few weeks I was looking and didn't think about the 50% that were over $12k asking but then I much rather deal with a person than a dealer.


But then I keep those I like for decades and all are garaged so do not deteriorate (Florida sun is brutal on cars). Do suspect the mix I have now (the GTP just left) is going to last me for a while, the SLK was the last piece I was looking for.


SLK55s are always going to be both rare and desirable but SLKs in general are a long way from rare with almost 40,000 built between 2005 and 2010. OTOH the combined total production of my three from the last century is less than 9k cars and the 88 coupe is half of that. Only the 47 year old is appreciating, the rest I just enjoy (but all have AC).


Have seen a lot and the only way to make money in cars is to sell them as fast as you can buy them, they are terrible investments (but some can be a lot of fun).
 
#31 ·
Trouble is, what formula produces enough increase in sales for a profitable business case?
SLC already has:
An 'entry' level 180, a range of more performance above that up to a swelt, quick 430, and then there is
the super torquey diesel.
Endless options to have a totally personalised spec, plus designo.
A metal roof for those that really want a coupe and wil never drop the roof
A great folding metal roof for those that want to take every chance to drive topless
Magic sky for rainy days
What more choice can be offered to stimulate sales?

I know!
A shooting-brake body style!
Ah ,I remember, there was a Z3 like that wasn't there ? and it didn't sell many.
 
#34 ·
I think @CHELZEE said it best... the SLK/C has long been under appreciated with a poor labeling by some loudmouth TV/paper auto journos.... Well, many of us on this forum sure do appreciate our little roadster and while it may hurt to see it go, it would be something to have when it is out of production.... If they end the production with a "special edition" in 2020, I may be tempted to trade up my 350 for a special edition AMG model.... But gotta wait to see how it all ends...

I agree the nail in the SLK series had to be the renaming (SLC) and the lack of a big bad V8... These two decisions together were the kiss of death. Sad, really... MB just took its eyes off the ball and destroyed a great car :mad: in their mad rush to squeeze into every car demographic. Sucks...
 
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#35 ·
I think it was the design / look
Looks are everything end of .

You see a car aproaching you that you like the look of and you automatically look back to see the rear end .
It dont matter whats under the bonnet or name .
If it looks the dogs B.....cks

You buy it .

Looks are number 1

No good buying a ugly car with a V8 in it .

Why do we like cleaning our cars often ( Mr Banks ) its the look of it / style :grin:
 
#36 ·
Looks are important but so are specs. Great looks with 1.2 turbo in it? Forget it. Costs only 15K? I bet it will sell. It's a triggy combination of looks, costs, specs, rarity, target group, etc..

Suppose the SLK was as widespread as a Golf? I think I would see that as a bad sign. Don't want no car everyone has. If I were there only customer I would find quite a number of supporters on this forum but on the world wide scale of MB that's peanuts and certainly not worth producing a car for.

Maybe if there is somekind of Lego approach that you can choose different kind of cars from which can be factory produced? They do it now for a limited number of goodies and engine types that's a great start, now throw in the body and chassis and you may have a winning concept as far as sales will. Safety and type approval would be a different matter, and I'll bet pricing will suffer.
In fact the MB catalog is exactly that. The types of body and chassis are already in there it's very limited unfortunately. That topless discovery could be easily picked in the MB catalog: ML with SLK top and SL65 engine and ... :grin:
 
#37 ·
It's a world where MB sells 100,000 combined GLCs and GLEs in 2016 US sales. In other words, US consumers are just walking by an SLC in the showroom with important issues like "third row seating" on their mind. It's a world where manufacturers take a sort-of SUV body, slope it off at the back for less cargo room, call it a coupe and probably sell more. These are the cars that are taking SLC build slots and making MB money. It's also a world where talk is about overproduction and declining sales.


Anyway, what do I care. I like what I have and I'm not selling or buying. I'm slightly more concerned that no one makes the pickup I want, but I can keep my old one for 15 more years if I want.
 
#38 ·
This doesn't surprise me. M-B have made the SLK/C overcomplicated and fussily styled, with an ever more expensive option list.


They need to go back to the reasoning behind Bruno Sacco's original design brief for the R170, throw out most of the silly, overcomplicated electronic tech toys which have no place in a simple roadster and bring down the price.


As for calling it an SLC, that was a great mistake. An SLK is an SLK is an SLK!


My SLK32 AMG is now 14 years old. It still goes like stink and the roof system is as reliable as ever. The styling is ageless, no silly lip spoilers which make current R172s look like an Amazonian tribal chief - and no pointless 'COMAND on line' nonsense. Just 345 bhp and 0-60 in 4.8 and more smiles per gallon than I could ever want!
 
#40 ·
Two seat roadsters are a designers opportunity to truly create something outside the mainstream themes, that looks great, and is not only not copied but, looks great for ever.
There are so many examples,
Fiat X1/9
MGB
Lotus Elise
BMW Z1
Audi TT Mk1

So the SLK R170 was nothing like anything else, it had no corporate styling queues ( except maybe the triangular tail lights) but still was clearly identifiable as M-B. And still looks great today because of this. It is what it is and doesn't age.

Also the R171, has no connection to any mainstream sedan or coupe made by Mercedes, only the obvious links to the SLR supercar.
And to my eyes, is the more cohesive, more attractive overall design than the SLR.

The R172 has been somewhat pulled back into the family style guidebook. Especially with the SLC, front, interior, front console, vents, dash,,,,,
It looks good, but it is no longer daring to be different, the wild child.

If there is not to be a R173, I will miss seeing what the designers would have done with the chance. More corporate themes, shrunk to fit a small package, or something totally unexpected?

I have probably just answered my own question, as the former would be the most likely outcome, almost certainly..... a shortened C-Class Coupe.

The R170 was a means to get new , and young, customers into M-B ownership.
That is done today with AMG A45, or GLC,

What Mercedes are maybe missing, if this forum is anything to go by,
Is that the 600,000 or more SLKs produced are mostly still out there, few are destroyed, most change hands every 3 to 10 years, often as drivers upgrade their toy to a newer SLK, and almost all of the new buyers of these used SLKs are new to M-B brand, or new to AMG, who are then favourably predisposed to consider other products from the brand.
The decision to build the R170 is still paying dividends 25 years after it was taken.
 
#45 ·
What Mercedes are maybe missing, if this forum is anything to go by,
Is that the 600,000 or more SLKs produced are mostly still out there, few are destroyed, most change hands every 3 to 10 years, often as drivers upgrade their toy to a newer SLK, and almost all of the new buyers of these used SLKs are new to M-B brand, or new to AMG, who are then favourably predisposed to consider other products from the brand.
The decision to build the R170 is still paying dividends 25 years after it was taken.
Very true, having had use of a Mark 3 - MX5 in the past, I would have never thought to purchase a MB, till I set eyes on & had funds to purchase a V6 R171... R)
 
#41 ·
It's interesting to note that Audi & Porsche have stayed with fabric roofs & the new BMW Z4 will not have a retractable metal one, weight loss being the claimed reason, to which I would add cost.
Consider also that if you exclude the Silver Arrow heritage the Mercedes brand has never been associated with real sports cars, more cruisers for the seniors. The brand is hardly youthful & the big fat ugly new saloons & SUV's with their huge silly wheels & thug glass tend to appeal to a 'certain' demographic you would not want as neighbours.
Maybe if dealers stocked more comprehensively equipped versions of the SLC instead of the cheapest 'poverty spec. versions devoid of any extras apart from Airscarf & Command then the car may have more appeal. My guess is that Mercedes are trying to sell the SLC on price to those more interested in a pose than a car.
For example as per my regular haunting of local dealers I find endless 250d's & a sole 300 in the harsh bright blue, red seatbelts (!) & Airscarf. BIG deal.
I do sense we are seeing the last of the lightweight supposedly sports car from Mercedes until they re-invent their interpretation of the genre entirely. My 250 is a keeper BUT I will be taking a close interest on the Z4 when it comes out.
Having owned Audi & Honda convertibles there is no way I could go backwards & downmarket to another MX-5. My 1990 model was fun but basic & I have now known better. The new model is horrible & pokey. However I have to admit the build quality of Audi & even Honda does overshadow that of Mercedes. None of my previous cars shook & squeaked the way my Mercedes does when the roof is stowed & being driven over the appalling excuse we call roads in the UK.
 
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