Tell me about SLK200/250 (AMG)...

crinkleshoes · 27 Dec 2011 at 01:35

What are these like?

There are some very attractive offers on lease deals for these at the minute, so much so it tweaked my interest...

Practicality is not an issue, no need for a boot or more than 2 seats.

It'll be used for commuting and client site visits, about 80% motorway 20% back roads... Barely any town driving.

Fuel economy isn't the biggest concern. But the quoted figures are quite impressive for cars with 180/200bhp...

Would like something reasonably comfortable, but still a bit of poke... The quoted 0-60 times for both cars are under 7s... So acceptable. Always like convertibles too...

Would be nice to have a little bit of enjoyment out of it once in a while, but I'm guessing open differentials on both models? Not a deal breaker, just an annoyance.

The AMG offers 'stiffer' suspension... But how much and does it make much of a difference?

Is the handling ok, or are both like driving boats?

I need a new car (new to me, doesn't have to be new new) by the end of February and the girl is getting the RX8.

I've always swayed away from leasing in the past as I prefer to own, but with the slew of problems I've had in the last year with multiple cars, I just want something easy that I don't have to worry about as my main car for work.

The deal is £287/month including VAT and maintenance in 3+11... So I'm only looking to be tied in for a year. This is for either an SLK200 AMG or SLK250 non-AMG... With enough miles for me and reasonable excess mileage charges.

There are other models and spec variants too ranging up to £315 that I might opt for. Let's say £300 for easy figures, so that's £4200 for a year in a brand new SLK.

I can't get the finance for the M3 I want due to my credit rating, but I can get a lease deal (?).

Anyhoo... Please no "don't throw your money away on a lease" comments, it's either a £3-4k car or a lease and I don't want the potential problems a £3-4k car can bring with it.

Off to read the reviews and I'll head to local dealer for a look tomorrow...

rG-tom · 27 Dec 2011 at 15:31

Will an slk250 really meet the needs of someone who was looking at an m3 :s

[TW]Fox · 27 Dec 2011 at 16:22

A lease is for people who can afford not to care not for people who can't afford a good used car and can't get credit. Seems like a bad idea.

THe mileage on a personal lease at those rates will be very low as well.

AndrewNR · 27 Dec 2011 at 16:24

Am I missing something or are the AMG's only available in a 5.4L V8?

AndrewNR · 27 Dec 2011 at 16:31

Also, you'll need at least a 350 to do 0-60 in or under 6 secs I think.

Ev0 · 27 Dec 2011 at 16:35

AndrewNR said:
Am I missing something or are the AMG's only available in a 5.4L V8?

Like Audi and their S-Line, BMW and M Sport, you can have 'AMG Sport' as the trim level of the car.

You're thinking of the model designation AMG, which is the SLK 55 AMG.

crinkleshoes · 27 Dec 2011 at 16:46

No... Not at all, I'm considering it for a different purpose than the M3 as a bit of a stop gap of comfort convertible cruising, plus due to my credit rating, I can't get an M3 yet... It'll take me about a year to save up for it. So a 1 year lease is perfect.

The price and terms are exceptional for the cars above, IMO.

I've found a 250AMG for 3+11 with maintenance for £287 per month inc vat... That's cheaper than a new MX5 lease deal!

I've just come back from test driving a 200AMG.

Nice car, a lot of car for the money... That's for sure.

Seems decent quality, nice interior IMO... Not Jag quality of course, but didn't feel all that far off. It's generally a nice place to be, so would be good for life on the motorway.

The handling didn't feel that bad either, but I didn't have a chance to really push it of course.

There are however, two annoyances that would grate on me over time... I'm struggling to make my mind up, but I'm thinking the price is worth the compromise as theyre not the biggest of issues for its intended use:

- the steering is overly assisted... To the point you really can't tell what the front wheels are doing, combined with the 2.2 turns lock to lock, I actually found it a little twitchy on the dual carriageway... Probably get used to it, but the steering lock is practically identical to the RX8, so I wasn't expecting it to be quite so pronounced, especially when I've driven stuff with lower lock/smaller wheels etc.

- The gearbox, I was anticipating a DSG system... So the delay and response was much slower than expected, something that will definitely annoy me over time. The flappy panels where actually quite nice with a good feel to them... But even in sport mode, the gearbox was almost as slow as a 996 911 :-(

I'm right on the fence at the minute... The two annoyances seem small, but they're things that will grate on me over time. In the grand scheme of things, it's only a year I'll be tied in... So it's not really that long and for the intended use and price... I don't think it can be beaten...

Anything else I should be considering?

I'd like a BMW, but the lease prices are significantly higher than this deal.

crinkleshoes · 27 Dec 2011 at 16:54

AndrewNR said:
Am I missing something or are the AMG's only available in a 5.4L V8?

Those are the real AMGs... Yes... The AMG name on these seems like a bit of a gimmick... It's a body kits and a few aesthetic changes + 1cm lower suspension + a sport mode for the gearbox

I wouldn't pay extra for the AMG branding, that's for sure... It's just that the best offer I've found is for the 250AMG

AndrewNR said:
Also, you'll need at least a 350 to do 0-60 in or under 6 secs I think.

Yup... I thought I typed 7 above, the 250 is quoted 6.6s and the 200 a shade over 7... It was enough for its intended use, I'm not going to pretend its anything special, just not bad.

Ev0 said:
Like Audi and their S-Line, BMW and M Sport, you can have 'AMG Sport' as the trim level of the car.

You're thinking of the model designation AMG, which is the SLK 55 AMG.

yup

WJA96 · 27 Dec 2011 at 16:56

I've driven the new 204bhp diesel last week and it's a very nice car indeed. It was the standard spec with sport suspension and it's not as firm as the Audi S-line suspension ie. it won't rattle your teeth out. The AMG pack seems to add very little other than a subtle bodykit, special leather and 18" alloys, all of which are available as an option anyway. I only drove the 7-speed geartronic which is better than DSG in my opinion (no hesitation at take-off). The gearing is also short to start off with (hence the super-rapid 0-60 times) then there is a big jump to 5th, 6th and 7th which also gives good fuel economy.

Be aware that the standard car has very little kit on it and if you don't get leather then bird carp and water can make a right old mess of the seats. By the time I'd finished with the optionsI was looking at over £40K, which is a lot for a 2.0 diesel.

Audi have excellent PCP/leasing deals on quattro TT's at the moment so that could also be of interest.

panthro · 27 Dec 2011 at 16:59

Why don't you carry on driving the car you have now until you can afford the car you really want and not waste time with a "stop gap" car? Seems like a waste of money to me.

Jambo · 27 Dec 2011 at 17:01

Where is that deal OP?

AndrewNR · 27 Dec 2011 at 17:11

The new 2011 model looks pretty nice (on the outside).

For 290 a month for a year, why not?

How much extra a month for some of the faster varients? I'd rather spend a bit more and get something to remember.

I'd have to at least get the 250, but I'd always wished I went for the 350.

crinkleshoes · 27 Dec 2011 at 17:12

[TW]Fox;20890164 said:
A lease is for people who can afford not to care not for people who can't afford a good used car and can't get credit. Seems like a bad idea.

THe mileage on a personal lease at those rates will be very low as well.

Had a feeling you'd come back with something like that :-P

I can afford both, I'm just still recovering from my abuse of interest free overdrafts as a student ;-)

its improving and I'm sticking to my agreed payment rates, I'm not paying them anymore than I am already because it won't have any extra enhancement over my current method of payment with regard to my credit rating... I only started making any payments towards them 3 months ago, so I have a while to go yet before I start getting accepted again, even if I paid it all off in a lump sum (which funnily has no credit rating benefit compared to agreed installments, apparently).

There's no way in hell it'll improve enough by the end of February. If it would, I'd be jumping straight in an M3. By the end of 2012/early 2013, I plan to buy a 2-3 year old M3 and I should have a caterham by April. This car is separate from toys and temporary.

The benefit of a lease to me is hassle free motoring in a brand new car and i won't even be going in to my salary as this deal + insurance is less than my car allowance alone! So I'm hardly going to feel a massive financial shortfall due to this... I wouldn't be considering it if I was.

It seems like a great offer for a good car... Please point me in the right direction if you know of any better lease options for similar money... I don't want to go higher than £400/month on a lease.

I was originally going to go for an MX5 lease, but the deals have ended and this Merc isn't much more... But is a noticeably better car, albeit less fun.

As for mileage rates... 10k included + 13p/mile after... I don't expect to do more than 12 in a year, so have factored the extra in... If I choose to do more, it's a reasonable rate compared to others I've seen.

ChrisD. · 27 Dec 2011 at 17:21

If you can't afford to buy a used M3 outright then what are you going to do when it ***** your wallet with a £1000 bill for brakes and tyres or other generic cost associated with 'M' ownership? Borrow more money? Just because you can afford the finance, fuel and insurance does not mean you can afford to run the car.

crinkleshoes · 27 Dec 2011 at 17:31

WJA96 said:
I've driven the new 204bhp diesel last week and it's a very nice car indeed. It was the standard spec with sport suspension and it's not as firm as the Audi S-line suspension ie. it won't rattle your teeth out. The AMG pack seems to add very little other than a subtle bodykit, special leather and 18" alloys, all of which are available as an option anyway. I only drove the 7-speed geartronic which is better than DSG in my opinion (no hesitation at take-off). The gearing is also short to start off with (hence the super-rapid 0-60 times) then there is a big jump to 5th, 6th and 7th which also gives good fuel economy.

Be aware that the standard car has very little kit on it and if you don't get leather then bird carp and water can make a right old mess of the seats. By the time I'd finished with the optionsI was looking at over £40K, which is a lot for a 2.0 diesel.

Audi have excellent PCP/leasing deals on quattro TT's at the moment so that could also be of interest.

I did consider the TT and the 299 deal is pretty good... But I've never liked the look of them (although, to be fair... Never driven) and that deal is for 3 years, I don't want to be tied in to a car for that long.

Definitely a lot for a diesel... Imagine you still get a nasty chugga chugga at idle with the roof down too... Thats one combination I don't think I will ever understand... Diesel + convertible

The spec on this lease deal is reasonable, AMG (so leather...) with air scarf, premium audio and some other bits (on iPad so copying and pasting specs is awkward).

crinkleshoes · 27 Dec 2011 at 17:34

panthro said:
Why don't you carry on driving the car you have now until you can afford the car you really want and not waste time with a "stop gap" car? Seems like a waste of money to me.

Because we need 2 cars... The second car is not worth putting through its MOT... So it's shed or lease.

panthro · 27 Dec 2011 at 17:42

How much deposit do you have to put down for the SLK?

crinkleshoes · 27 Dec 2011 at 17:52

AndrewNR said:
The new 2011 model looks pretty nice (on the outside).

For 290 a month for a year, why not?

How much extra a month for some of the faster varients? I'd rather spend a bit more and get something to remember.

I'd have to at least get the 250, but I'd always wished I went for the 350.

Unfortunately these deals are only on the 200/250. The 'normal' lease price would be £450-500 non-maintained for these models. £287 maintained for only a year is a steal... I couldnt believe it when I first saw the prices... Even Merc themselves aren't much higher... Thought too good to be true til I saw the dealer offers a quite a few reputable lease companies with similar offers. According to the main dealer, it's a combination of good residuals and end of year targets.

The 350 is just shy of £1,000/month for the shortest tie in I can find of 2 years... Crazy money... Can get base spec M3 lease for £700! I just don't want to throw £700 away on a lease car.... If I'm spending that kind of money, I want it to be my car.

If I was willing to throw that much money away, there are a lot of other things I'd go for before an slk350, boxster is cheaper... 911 isn't much more and cayman is about the same price, I think.

For £290/month for only a year tie-in... Extremely tempting... Heck, I eat take-out at least every other night.... Switch to cooking and that's paid for it even... It's almost throw-away money at this price :-S

bullit in head · 27 Dec 2011 at 17:54

I think you will have missed the boat the deals have to be completed and registered by the 31st of dec to quailify for these prices,( these deals are being under written by Merc UK )but that could have been a sales patter, the deals were even better at the beginning of the month, 150pm 3+11, +vat. Mine is being delivered tommorrow.

Opal red 200auto with beige leather air scarf + others

although be aware merc fleet is a stickler for talking back damaged and non perfect cars and charge accordingly

bullit in head

Ev0 · 27 Dec 2011 at 17:54

panthro said:
How much deposit do you have to put down for the SLK?

Guessing 3x the monthly cost on what he's said