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Coupes & Convertibles Mercedes-Benz SL/SLK-Class Mercedes-Benz SLK 
226 messages, Last post on Nov 03, 2006 at 10:50 PM
You are in the Mercedes-Benz SL/SLK-Class Forum. Your Host is claires
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Replying to: mbenoun (Jul 20, 2004 1:48 pm)
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I sold my '98 SLK230 in March, drove the new one last weekend. 268hp is a huge leap, even over the old SLK320. The additional size is a huge advantage -- much more comfortable, and the car has more presence on the road. As others have said, interior quality is markedly better. Engine sound is amazing for a Benz - very throaty. The only demo available here was a 7 speed automatic, which I don't think I would order. It's a very busy gearbox, with the usual manual mode and "comfort" and "sport" modes. It kicks down multiple gears at a time when you step into the gas, and seems to have a mind of its own. I like automatics, because I'm comfortable controlling kickdown with the accelerator, but I never quite felt like I was in control of this one. This also seems like a lot of complexity destined to fail. Fortunately the standard 6-speed is supposed to have been nicely redone. If you're careful with the options, you should be able to park one in your garage for under $50K plus tax. The dealer here in San Diego is selling them at MSRP. Compared to the Lexus SC430 and the Cadillac XRL, that seems like a smoking deal. Back at the dealer: I didn't flog their demo, because it had less than 300 miles on the clock. But M-B's quote of 5.4 sec to 60mph seems reasonable. This is a fast car. While the outgoing SLK320 never felt that much faster than the SLK230 (though it sounded better), this one would have my old SLK for lunch. It also sounds good at idle, cruise or full throttle acceleration. Today I surfed over to Porsche's new Boxster introduction on their website. 240hp for the '05 Boxster, 280hp for the S. 0-60 for the SLK and the Boxster S are within .2 sec. Makes me wonder about the price difference. For once, I think M-B has given a non-AMG product ample power. Kudos for that. From initial photos, I was concerned M-B had overstyled the nose. In person, it looks classic. The character line on the side swoops down nicely into the front fender and smacks vaguely of Lamborghini (but far more subtle). The small size makes the whole assembly even more pleasing than the widely admired SL. You can actually look over your shoulder and get a decent view due to a larger rear quarter window -- still small, but an improvement. The demo was silver with black leather. It's a handsome car, but I don't know if I'd get silver again. It's TOO popular. I can't wait to see it in black or one of the dark blues -- should look amazing. The dual tailpipes are tasteful -- jury's still out on the four pipes on the AMG, which seems a little Corvette-like. My first impression: Great power, great sounds, very sharp styling. Controls are much more intuitive, although the odometer reset is diabolically hidden. (And why exactly anyone would need "four-zone climate control" in an open car this size is beyond me.) Mercedes really did its homework this time. If quality holds up, the new SLK should be a winner. |
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by request. kirstie_h Roving Host Host, Future Vehicles & Smart Shopper discussions |
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Any 2005 SLK owners here care to discuss the reliabity of their cars so far? M
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Replying to: merc1 (Mar 13, 2005 2:49 pm) After about an hour I had more time to check out the problem. In cruise mode there was no response, in either forward or reverse. In sport mode (or manual) I had reverse & first gear only. The transmission tried to change to second, but spun free as second gear tried to engage. I called Tele Aid, their best guess was that I went into "limp home mode" and sent a tow truck. As I read my owners manual, limp home mode should enable second gear only and since that was not the case, I disagree with their assumption. I was towed to the dealer (on Saturday), all I could do was to leave the car for the service department on Monday. I was asked to back the car down off the flatbed from the driver, which I gladly did. I noticed something strange at that time. The transmission was working in cruise mode, although I was not able to go off lot - so who knows about upshifting. Since previously there was no response at all in cruise mode - my guess is the problem may have disappeared when I got to the dealer. I decided to leave the car and have it checked out. I need to know whats going on. I have also noticed that the parking assist (passenger side rear view mirror tilts downward in reverse) stopped working around week two. I double checked, and yes it is turned on. Today is Sunday. I'll be speaking with the dealer tomorrow. I will keep you informed. Hopefully (not to regret my decision) amgnut |
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I hope so too that you won't regret the purchase. Sounds like to me the same electrical glitch stuff MB has been killed for. I doubt if a new tranny blew out unless you've been doing some really naughty driving.... M
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Replying to: merc1 (Mar 13, 2005 11:12 pm) Service advisor called & said they had to replace a valve body in the tranny. I was not aware of the need to re-program the adaptive transmission after its replacement. Advisor said 50 miles of driving (programming) minimum? Said standard operating procedure is the shop foreman drives it home overnight?!? Over my strong objections, advisor says its the only way they will re-program tranny. Sounds like a joy ride to me - but then again what do I know about MB, this is my first one! I only hope the shop foreman has read the correct break-in procedure in the manual. Advisor says he will call me tomorrow & let me know where we're at. |
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It seems that in 2004 MB started putting the 7-speed automatic tranny in SL500's. 05 SL500 have them too. I've been reading old boards and have seen posts about the tranny getting stuck in first gear? I just spoke with the assistant service manager, and yes, the SLK 7-Speed tranny shares the same platform as SL's & E-class. Can anyone share tranny problems & fixes on any 7-speed automatic's? Thanks - |
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That is very disappointing to read about. This shouldn't happening. All the 2004+ "500" models, S,E,CL,SL, also S430 and the 2005 CLK500 and also the 2006 CLS500 all have the same 7-speed tranny. The SLK55 is the first AMG product to have this tranny which might explain the problem? This is the first time I've heard of this on any of the MB boards I read. I hope its fixed. M |
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Replying to: merc1 (Mar 14, 2005 9:43 pm) Just got my slk350 yesterday and cant stop looking at it! However, I ran into a problem today. I have the auto and was driving in C mode; not using the paddles at all. Anyways, the car shifted fine from 1-2,2-3, then the car kept changing gears like it didnt know if it wanted 2 or 3 or 4. It lunged forward then back (not harshly) and went into neutral. I pulled over and turned off the car. Once restarted, I didnt have any problems. Has anyone of you experienced this? I hope it was once in a lifetime but not quite sure how to handle it. Of course, I will inform the dealership. Any thoughts? Since that episode, I have informed the dealership of the situation. It has worked fine since but leaves me wondering if it will come back. I am going to make an appointment this week. However, I hardly doubt they will witness the same problem. I wonder if I 'reprogrammed' the tranny myself. I have driven approximately 50 miles since the problem and everything seems fine now. I too will keep you all posted. As a side note, I should mention that I love the looks, feel, and the fact I have only seen one other 350 on the road. Glad I didnt get the boxster. I see those everywhere I look!
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