R171 SLK55 or R172 SLK55 AMG

[alexanderfoti]

Bonjour all

Still in an alcohol induced haze from the past 3 days of relaxing, I have been turning my eyes to the classifieds.

I have been eyeing up SLK55's for a while now. but am stuck between an R171 or R172.

The R171 has the M113 (which we all love) with the 7Gtronic, whereas the 172 gets a weird version of the M157 with no turbos (M152), with approx. 420BHP. Still nice though! Same gearbox.

Prices for 171's seem to be artificialy high at the moment, in my opinion, with nice low mileage verisions between 15k and 19k
On the flip side, 172 55's seem to be coming down, with a few nice choices around 22k.

My two pics are:

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Thoughts?

 

[Blobcat]

I’ve looked at the R172 ‘55 a few times and that would be my choice.

Although quite a few like the SLC43 instead just to add to the mix…

 

[alexanderfoti]

I’ve looked at the R172 ‘55 a few times and that would be my choice.

Although quite a few like the SLC43 instead just to add to the mix…

Has to be V8 so no SLC43, makes that choice easy.

I don't think the M152 is as characterful as the 113. Will have to test drive both I think.

I have driven both, but customer cars so none in anger.

 

[Blobcat]

Has to be V8 so no SLC43, makes that choice easy.

I don't think the M152 is as characterful as the 113. Will have to test drive both I think.

I have driven both, but customer cars so none in anger.

I like the M152 as I could probably daily it for similar costs to my M272… (based on man maths…)

 

[alexanderfoti]

I like the M152 as I could probably daily it for similar costs to my M272… (based on man maths…)

We collected one from a customer and dropped it back. 50 miles of gentle driving and I did 30mpg. Pretty good, but then I could eek 25+mpg out of a M113K in a CL on a slow gentle run, so not amazing.

 

[fabes]

I still prefer the F1 nose of the older car, but I'd play it safer with the newer one

The light interior is nice

However, I sat in a 172 both with and without the glass roof insert and I found the latter a little claustrophobic (for when you would have to have the roof up)

Does that matter to you?

 

[alexanderfoti]

I still prefer the F1 nose of the older car, but I'd play it safer with the newer one

The light interior is nice

However, I sat in a 172 both with and without the glass roof insert and I found the latter a little claustrophobic (for when you would have to have the roof up)

Does that matter to you?

Its a good point. A pano roof on a convertible does not bother me that much. Can have the roof down with the air scarf going if I want open airness!

I have 3-4 172's saved, 2 of them have pano roof. I would prioritise other specs over it. It would be nice to find a P30 but I don't think that will happen.

 

[grayb]

Bonjour all

Still in an alcohol induced haze from the past 3 days of relaxing, I have been turning my eyes to the classifieds.

I have been eyeing up SLK55's for a while now. but am stuck between an R171 or R172.

The R171 has the M113 (which we all love) with the 7Gtronic, whereas the 172 gets a weird version of the M157 with no turbos (M152), with approx. 420BHP. Still nice though! Same gearbox.

Prices for 171's seem to be artificialy high at the moment, in my opinion, with nice low mileage verisions between 15k and 19k
On the flip side, 172 55's seem to be coming down, with a few nice choices around 22k.

My two pics are:

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

Thoughts?

I quite like the F1 nose of the R171 but the interior of that R172 would sway me in a heartbeat...

 

[alexanderfoti]

I quite like the F1 nose of the R171 but the interior of that R172 would sway me in a heartbeat...

It's funny you say that, I actually dislike the 171's front end in its own right. I am a minority in that sense.

Part of the draw of the SLK (either version) is its relative simplicity!

Get in
Roof down
V8 on

done

 

[SL63 Mark]

I like the later car. More sorted, modern, lower miles, better looking, that's got to be a lot of fun.

1610 kg is still not the lightest, but a lot of fun.

Not sure how I feel about the lack of Turbos, the fun really starts when they kick in.

 

[alexanderfoti]

I like the later car. More sorted, modern, lower miles, better looking, that's got to be a lot of fun.

1610 kg is still not the lightest, but a lot of fun.

Not sure how I feel about the lack of Turbos, the fun really starts when they kick in.

True, but 420bhp in a revvy engine and 1600kg means you don't get the rush, as its all rush all the time!

 

[V6Matty]

I’d actually go for the earlier car, I like the 172’s but the 171’s just have that better overall appearance to me. Plus you get the 113 so just drop in a kleeman supercharger and your sorted hahaha

 

[alexanderfoti]

I’d actually go for the earlier car, I like the 172’s but the 171’s just have that better overall appearance to me. Plus you get the 113 so just drop in a kleeman supercharger and your sorted hahaha

If it was a 10k difference, it would be a no brainer.

Putting a big supercharger in it makes it less simple

 

[grayb]

Putting a big supercharger in it makes it less simple

'Less simple' says the man with a penchant for V12s...

 

[alexanderfoti]

'Less simple' says the man with a penchant for V12s...

Exactly why

 

[Timeandleisure]

The R172 out of the two…

 

[Uncle Benz]

171 for me, but I’m biased

 

[alexanderfoti]

I was waiting for your input!

If you went back and had to choose again, which would it be?

 

[Uncle Benz]

171. The 172 looks awkward to me. Gotta have a KW V3 set on it though. Absolutely transforms the car.

 

[Uncle Benz]

Another one. Can you tell I like this car?