Originally Posted by syfi

No reason to waste any more time on this thread....

Attachment 28251

Originally Posted by Spudracer

Well, today my SRT6 joined the dearly departed cars of my memories to make room for its successor, an SLK55 AMG.

For anyone who doesn't know, the SLK55 is based the next generation R171 platform using a normally aspirated AMG 5.5L V8 and 7 speed automatic that can be shifted with steering wheel paddles or the shift lever.

Beyond the engines and transmissions what's different?
The SLK55 weighs about 200 lbs more, 3,420 vs 3,230. Pushing my personal limit on weight here.
HP is up in stock form from 349 to 355
Torque is up in stock form from 330 to 376
Stock for stock, the magazines tested the SRT6 at between 4.8 and 4.5 seconds 0-60 while the SLK55 has been tested at 4.3 seconds
Power mods are a lot tougher (more expensive) on an SLK55 without forced induction from the factory
The R170 recirculating ball steering has been replaced with a rack and pinion setup on the R171.....big improvement
Steering assist has been dialed waaay back
The SLK55 now has a full manual mode from the factory that was only available from tuners with the SRT6
A thorough modernization has taken place inside the passenger compartment
The SRT6 brakes were great but.....the SLK55 takes it up a notch with 6 piston calipers up front and 4 piston calipers in back with slotted/drilled rotors all around
The newer SLK55 has a lot less tire than the SRT6 but doesn't seem to suffer any traction loss
The sound.....Crossfire = whooshing sound from the supercharger vs SLK55 = aggressive V8 rasp and burble a la the Mustang Coyote engine.
Compression braking.....Crossfire = not so much vs SLK55 = who needs brakes?
The roof....Crossfire = fixed roof or ragtop vs SLK55 = folding hardtop, the best of both worlds
The price.....Crossfire = $46K - $50K new vs SLK55 = >$70K


The SLK55 I bought was pretty well loaded. Pretty much every option except for wood trim and the run flat tires.
Bi-Xenon headlights with heated headlight washers
Airscarf heaters for the back of your neck when the top is down
Heated seats
Seat memory
A proper modern Nav system and the Mercedes Comand controls
Power tilt & telescope steering wheel
6 disc CD changer
Auto dimming side and rear view mirrors
Digital dual zone climate controls
Satellite radio
Bluetooth
Driver information center with all kinds of info about the car
Steering wheel controls tied to the Comand system to control all sorts of stuff
Premium interior lighting with thoughtful lighting touches all over the cabin
Rain sensing wipers
Metallic paint (Caspian Blue)


A lot of that stuff simply wasn't available on a 2005 Crossfire.

As for looks yeah, the SLK55 is a lot prettier especially in Caspian Blue metallic paint and tan leather. But I still love the quirky art-deco styling of the Crossfire. There certainly wasn't anything else like it.

Well, this should take care of my Jones for sunshine. But I will remember my 26,000 miles in my SRT6 coupe fondly.

Not mine.....no pics yet..... but this is what mine looks like.

Originally Posted by Billy22Bob

Funny how this thread offers to shed a little light on human communication.....
I thought for interest's sake I'd repost spud's original post.....
reading it again it was seemingly devoid of any mailce....
simply a happy owner of a new toy...

but then .....the conversation quickly got dirty....

DING DING!.....



....interesting....

Originally Posted by Spudracer

Funny, that's what I like best about the car. Mercedes grafted the nose from the SLR McClaren onto it.

Then again, I've spent the last two years over on S2Ki defending the Crossfire from claims that the rear end looks like a dog hunched up to take a crap (imagery courtesy of Jeremy Clarkson).

Originally Posted by miscetera

Oh please. He made this thread thinking we would all be so envious of his new car. And we people didn't respond all that favorably, he threw a tantrum.

Originally Posted by dskul1

First off, congrats on the new M/B. For what it is worth I like the car. I like the XF too. As far as the dog comment by Clarkson is concerned. Am I supposed to think that this man has any sense of style just because he is a talking head on a TV show? After all he was awarded first place as one of the worst dressed men in England not too long ago. So a very ugly man, who doesn't know how to dress himself worth a damn is supposed to be the final judge on style? Style of anything?? If you really liked and appreciated the XF you wouldn't have even brought the comment up. If you put up the basic silhouette of the XF I think you will find it not that different from a lot of cars that are considered to be great designs and are very desirable. Enjoy your new car.

Originally Posted by Spudracer

. The jealousy here is palpable.

Originally Posted by Billy22Bob

Funny how this thread offers to shed a little light on human communication.....
I thought for interest's sake I'd repost spud's original post.....
reading it again it was seemingly devoid of any mailce....
simply a happy owner of a new toy...

but then .....the conversation quickly got dirty....

DING DING!.....



....interesting....

Originally Posted by Mrmiata

I think you mean your inferiority complex.

Buying a used Mercedes doesn't make you a "somebody" in this world.. sorry to break the news to you.

Go brag about it on the MB board.. I'm sure you'll impress over there.

Originally Posted by Spudracer

I only brought up the dog comment after the insults started. But I love Clarkson. I think he's funny as hell. He's no particular authority on anything. But he is funny. Geez, I owned a Crossfire but I still got a good laugh out of the dog crapping analogy. These geezers need to lighten up and drop the defensiveness. Or they can stay inside their bubble and keep pretending the Crossfire is the pinnacle of automotive design.

I'm gonna bet they go with the latter.

Originally Posted by Easley15

To be honest I don't this is funny at all, it's actually extremely offensive.

Originally Posted by Spudracer

Thanks dude. That was my intention. But hang around here long enough and you will find out this forum has the lowest collective IQ of any car board on the web. They can't process any post that casts a positive light on any car other than a Crossfire. Discussion is utterly pointless. Simply agree that the Crossfire is the pinnacle of autodom. That is your only option.

Originally Posted by Spudracer

Thanks dude. That was my intention. But hang around here long enough and you will find out this forum has the lowest collective IQ of any car board on the web. They can't process any post that casts a positive light on any car other than a Crossfire. Discussion is utterly pointless. Simply agree that the Crossfire is the pinnacle of autodom. That is your only option.

Originally Posted by Spudracer

Talk about angry old men.

Originally Posted by miscetera

Actually, I find your insecurities amusing. You're a pathetic, pretentious internet troll from Connecticut of all places who is stupid enough to believe he has his finger on the pulse of the automotive world. Get over yourself. You're a joke.