Advice on New SLK Options

['Round the Benz']

It's my first visit to a forum site, so I'm still finding my way.....

Basically, I am in the process of ordering a new SLK 200 and have been told that the 'Sports Suspension' option makes the car 'sit' slightly lower and makes it look much better. Just wondered if anyone had any experience of this.

Although I am not keen to mess around changing from standard tyre sizes, I couldn't live with the std alloys. Do the 16" upgrade alloys (606) look any good? - as it's difficult to tell from brochure.

Look forward to hearing from you....

RTBenz

 

[SLinKyjoe]

go for the 5 spoke option alloys. like the ones on the 350....and the sports suspenions makes the ride a lot firmer....a lot....makes road humps a bit of a pain to be honest....cant see how much difference it makes from looks. the 17inch wheels make more visual difference.

i wouldnt order sports suspension again...not unless i was gonna take it to a track...

 

[Tony]

You need 17" wheels on an SLK. 16" wheels are actually better from most points of view but they look too small nowadays. If you get 16" wheels you'll be one of the many people advertising them on ebay in a very short time - and they don't fetch a very good price. Also, you should bear in mind that when you change your wheels from standard (i.e. what you bought the car with new) the insurance company will load your premium, and it makes not a jot of difference that the wheels may have been an option that you could have bought new - illogical or what. As you're only getting bigger wheels to make the car look better you should pick a pattern that "look" the largest and this tends to be designs where the spoke goes all the way to the rim. Split rim wheels, in addition to being expensive, look about an inch smaller than they are because of this.

 

[pascal]

17" or even 18", but it depends on the type of roads you normally drive.

Wheels are he most noticable exterior upgrade on any car, and can completely transform the look of an older car.

Pascal

 

[Geezer]

Do NOT order the roof remote as it is useless. :sad:

 

[SLinKyjoe]

Do NOT order the roof remote as it is useless. :sad:

it isnt exactly useless but it isnt that remote either....you have to hold the button on your remote down for the whole 22 secs....may as well sit int he car...

Maybe MB will get round to giving us an option to have this overridden like the untis you can buy which allow you to do this. They also allow you to overide the roof movment while the car is driving too.

 

['Round the Benz']

Many thanks for all your sound advice, I've taken it on board & will be confirming spec with dealer without the sports suspension and definately going for the 17" x5 spoke option (607)

Just heard back from my dealer today that earliest build slot he can get is early Oct with delivery end of Oct. Is this good/realistic, or do you think I could speed this up by 'shopping around'??

Another option I'm considering is the transparent wind deflector - but I've heard it causes a bad reflection at night with 50APS Nav. Option. Although I am not going for the Nav option, does anyone know if this 'potential' reflection happens with the std stereo??

Thanks again for earlier replies

RT Benz

 

[blassberg]

earliest build slot he can get is early Oct with delivery end of Oct. Is this good/realistic, or do you think I could speed this up by 'shopping around'??

Where are they built? My RHD C-Class was ordered 2 weeks ago and will be Mid July build. But then September delivery as built in S Africa.

 

[SLinKyjoe]

SLK's are built in north germany..somewhere beginning with B.

October seems about right....in fact thats quite quick. they must be tooling up for the 200 again.

You will not find the glare a problem from the clear draught excluder...it will reflect but it isnt bad in the way it is suggested...but what is worse is the diffused view when you leave the netted draught excluder up at night. I really dont like the netted one so that now sits in the bag the clear one came in. the clear one stays on all the time. get them to throw the draught excluder in with the deal. as a nice after thought.......shopping around other dealers may pay off so give it ago but it wont really speed up delivery. you may get a few freebies.....asking costs nothing but just dont be upset if you dont get anywhere...

let us know what you get and how you get on.

 

[Geezer]

SLK's are built in north germany..somewhere beginning with B.

Is it Bremen?

 

[SLinKyjoe]

sounds like the one. the personal collection page on MB's uk web site has the details of where they are built.

 

['Round the Benz']

Is it Bremen?

Yes it is definately Bremen, as dealer was telling me that MB offer a free optional collection service, whereby they pay for one person to fly to Bremen, transfers, x1 night 4 star accomodation with dinner & breakfast, factory tour - then hand over of your new vehicle, by an English speaking person!!! They also pay for ferry or tunnel return crossing within x5 days.

Sounds good....has anyone any experience of this?? Is it an opportunity not to be missed??

RT Benz

 

[S2Tigger]

Hi

If you want a good read on the Bremen collection, check out this write up over on Benzworld.org by user Beverage..

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1214038&posts=29&fid=27

I have just opted to collect my car from Germany...I have a provisional collection date of 13/9/05 :grin:

I have just nailed down my spec and and going to the dealer at the weekend to finalize the order

Darren

 

['Round the Benz']

Darren, many thanks for that link :grin: It really was a good read. I can clearly see why you have opted for the Bremen collection experience yourself. Hopefully time will allow me to do the same....if I ever get my spec finalised!!

Indeed, I have now 'taken the plunge' and paid my dealer a deposit for an early Oct build slot - with delivery scheduled for end of Oct.

At the moment spec is:
SLK 200 manual
Metallic
Leather
Heated seats
AirScarf
Alloys (607)...I was persuaded by everyones earlier comments!!
Electric folding mirrors...(I do appreciate SLinKy Joe's comment [stated on a previous thread] that the range of movement doesn't justify the cost) however I like the fact that the mirrors fold in, at least a little, automatically when you lock the vehicle.
Transparent wind deflector
Mats

Having only ever driven the 350 auto, which really did put a big smile on my face :-D (but I can't let my heart rule my head) my dealer is getting a 200 auto for me to try this weekend. Yes an auto....you never know I might be swayed on the gearbox issue. I'll let you know how I get on.

My only niggles are silver with black leather or black with red leather?
and Parameter Steering?....does anyone have any views on the above spec especially the steering?

Thanks again

RT Benz

 

['Round the Benz']

Tried the SLK200 Auto, it was a good gearbox....but I feel when combined with the smallest engine in the range that it just seemed to lack the racy/sporting feel of a 'Roadster'

I appreciate that gearboxes are very subjective and each to their own......but on this occasion I'll have to go manual.

I must add, having read several other threads about dealer service, or lack of it!!...I have been extremely impressed with my MB dealer so far. I do think that it's often down to the individual Salesperson that you 'end up with' & how enthusiastic, knowledgable and helpful they are. Remember, people buy from people.

TOP TIP: When you arrive at any dealership, often an 'extended' perusal by the brochure stand or around the showroom can be time well spent sizing up who you may feel 'comfortable' dealing with. You don't have to deal with the first & often 'desperate' Salesperson who pounces on you before you even get through the door. Remember, you wouldn't walk into a bar & buy the first person who approaches you a drink....would you?

PS: Any views on the parameter steering option???

 

[SLinKyjoe]

the parameter steering does help at very low speeds with parking. the steering isnt heavy without it bit you would notice a difference between the 2. i dont have it on mine and as I am a skinflint i wouldnt pay..but dont let that put you off.....you may be able to get a go a a car with it and the same model without at the dealer if they have one in. try it...

 

['Round the Benz']

Thanks for that.....I was told that the one I drove at the weekend didn't have it (parameter steering)...... and it didn't feel overly heavy when parking, so like you, SLinKy, I will also keep the £200 in my pocket & perhaps do a little light weight training!!

I hadn't previously considered upgrading the stereo to the Audio 50APS/Nav unit. However, the std Audio 20 APS unit did seem to have a very reflective, mirror-like facia, which might become quite distracting. Does anyone have any experience of this, or indeed, general views on this std unit??.....or is it one of those Mercedes accessories that simply must be upgraded, otherwise it's a 'big negative' come re-sale time??

RT Benz

 

[blassberg]

Is the wind deflector effective / necessary in an SLK?

A lady friend says if your hair is blown backwards in a convertible then the deflector is a waste of time. If it blows you hair forward it is essential.

Personally I've never been blown backwards but I didn't tell her that.

 

[SLinKyjoe]

Thanks for that.....I was told that the one I drove at the weekend didn't have it (parameter steering)...... and it didn't feel overly heavy when parking, so like you, SLinKy, I will also keep the £200 in my pocket & perhaps do a little light weight training!!

I hadn't previously considered upgrading the stereo to the Audio 50APS/Nav unit. However, the std Audio 20 APS unit did seem to have a very reflective, mirror-like facia, which might become quite distracting. Does anyone have any experience of this, or indeed, general views on this std unit??.....or is it one of those Mercedes accessories that simply must be upgraded, otherwise it's a 'big negative' come re-sale time??



RT Benz

any of the ICE options will reflect in the draught excluder if you have the clear one. but they dont reflect much so dont let it worry you.

and the draught excluder does make a difference and reduces the amount of wind in the cabin.

 

['Round the Benz']

any of the ICE options will reflect in the draught excluder if you have the clear one. but they dont reflect much so dont let it worry you.

and the draught excluder does make a difference and reduces the amount of wind in the cabin.

Ref: the 'bad reflection' mentioned earlier from the std Audio 20 Radio/cd
NB: My query is NOT related to any potential reflection from either wind deflector.

Sorry, perhaps I didn't make it clear, but this was simply when looking directly at the 'shiney' facia of the std fitted unit, which almost seemed like another 'vanity mirror' rather glistening, cheap, & distracting when compared to the better looking 'matt' finish of the optional Audio 50APS CD/Nav system.

Has anyone else experienced this 'distraction'?
Is the Audio 50APS one of those 'essential' Mercedes upgrades come re-sale?

Thanks

RT Benz