My first Mercedes - the new SLK.

[steveatpipex]

After three BMW saloon cars, and the fact the kids won't be seen dead with us anymore, I've managed to convince my better half that we NEED a sportscar as our "first" car. I'm not in any rush to buy it, and after considering all the options (SLK, TT, Z4, Porsche) I've decided on the new SLK (although Merc seem to be playing the cards very close to their chest at the moment - anybody know any sites with clear pictures, not those which show it masked?), and seeing as its our silver wedding in August 2004 I am hoping to suprise her with a new SLK being delivered to the drive on the day.

Am I being a little optimistic about delivery times, or is it likely to be on the market by then? If so, about when should I try and order one, given thats there probably going to be a waiting list? (My local Merc dealer have been less than helpful with this, and looked at me with disdain when I mentioned the replacement SLK - business going elsewhere I think!).

I would be interested in the 2.3 version or whatever its going to be.

Any advice from you experts appreciated. Thanks in anticipation.

 

[si]

You can see piccys and spec here: http://www.mbslk.de

Direct link to gallery is here: http://www.mbslk.com/modules.php?op...lbum&file=index&do=showgall&gid=9

Direct link to info is here:
http://www.mbslk.de/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=246

If your German's a bit rusty then you can pass the page through Altavista translator (does a reasonable job):
http://babelfish.altavista.com/
Paste URL into the "Translate a Web Page" field.

The new SLK looks fantastic. When you get it, enjoy!!!

The attitude from the sales-team sounds like MB. There won't be a 2.3. Apparently the line up is:
SLK 200 KOMPRESSOR - 1.8 (4-pot)
SLK 300 - 3.0 V6
SLK 350 - 3.5 V6
SLK 55 AMG - 5.4 V8 - I WANT!!!!

 

[Tony]

There's also a forum devoted to the new SLK on benzworld.org. Look under R171 (the current SLK's code name is R170). I think the equivalent of the SLK230 will be a 1.8 litre I4 with a supercharger. I suspect that there will be a waiting list (the original SLK had a 4 year waiting list on introduction, but it won't be that long). But there will be no chance of discounts and I suspect also that the price might be hiked. Remember that the current SLK's price was set with the Euro at about 60p - it's now 69p.

Then again, this all might prove to be wrong. It may be that the economy is so bad next year that waiting lists and price rises are out of the question.

 

[Arnie]

The new SLK sure looks nice with many styling cues from the new SL. However, I would not want to get the first version of anything as there are bound to be niggles and possibly recalls- it's inevitable.

You'll have to see when it's launched in germany, and then you may expect it here some 6 months later.

If the economy is really bad, you may get a low mileage, nearly new SL350 for not much more???