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.

 

Nice car but I've always found the front end F-U-G-L-Y !

 

No. Just no. Have fun though.

 

Remind's me of this but it is a nice car.

 

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).

 

Ask any 10 people who are not on Crossfire Forum to choose the best looking of the two cars and the Crossfire would lose 10 out of 10 times. The Crossfire is an odd looking car and extremely dated at this point. Some of us like it but most people do not. It's amazing how many violently negative reactions I got to that car. Never had any other car do that. Most cars people either love or simply don't notice. Not the Crossfire.

 

And then there's the Crossfire........

 

lol...I don't give a **** . Like I said, its a nice car, enjoy it .

 

Have to agree with the squidward look.. not to my liking at all.

As far as the crossfire being "dated".. well there have been quite a few people shocked when I tell them it's an '04 model.

Comparing a car that sold for 30k - 35k on a "we can't move them sale" to a 70k car... really?

How about a run down against a Viper since that is more realistic price wise..

 

I'd suggest you move on over to a MB forum then. Do your Crossfire bashing over there where you wont be insulting the masses. **** that 55 is FUGLEY. LOL

 

nice car with all the mod cons.....particularly the in dash screen and steering wheel controls.....
I have to agree with some though....the nose doesnt do it for me.....
however....
Performance - despite the V8 - you cant beat a $15kSRT6 (slk32) with the simplest of upgrades....the 65mm pulley. And as you know, other guys have gone much further.

Please please....honour the car and fit a SC and head for 550hp++.....;>)

ENJOY

 

A very nice car but a bit feminine for my tastes. Now the C63 AMG - that is a motor!

 

Exactly, the Crossfire was and remains a car that almost no one wants. Hence the bargain basement prices for poeple like us who do love it. Your comparison of auction priced SRT6's to the SLK55 MSRP is not exactly the proper comparison.

Since every SLK55 comes with a drop top, the closest SRT6 to compare would be the convertible. The SRT6 ragtop listed for $50K new with the only option, nav. They didn't sell. They didn't sell to the extent that Chrysler had to dump a good deal of the inventory at auction. Dealers had three year old cars in the showroom. And they cried.

The SLK55 is around $70K pretty well loaded like mine. But, for the extra money you get a ton of extra convenience and luxury upgrades like the "Air Scarf" system in the seat backs that blows hot air on your neck when the top is down. You also get a real nav system, 6 disc CD changer, satellite radio, bluetooth hands free communications, trip computer, power tilt-n-telescope wheel, power seats with 3 position memory, etc. And rack and pinion steering, a folding metal hard top, Bi-Xenon headlights, an updated chassis, and a much updated interior design. You also get a 5.5L V8 that sounds like heaven compared to the Hoover vacuum sound of the 3.2L in the SRT6. And Mercedes isn't shipping them off to auction. They do sell. Not in any great numbers but, they aren't giving them away either.

And a Viper? Really? That's some bizarre logic! The SRT6 was descended from the old Mercedes SLK32 aka the R170 platform. The SLK55 is the next generation of that platform for Mercedes aka the R171. The SLK32/SRT6 was the highest performance AMG variant of the R170 platform. The SLK55 is the highest performance AMG variant of the R171 platform. What possible comparison could be more appropriate than the two generations of the same platform from the same manufacturer?

Next you'll be suggesting a comparison to the Nissan GT-R. Geez guys, grow some thicker skin. We all know the SRT6 is a red headed step child. But that's why it's such a bargain. With lemons comes lemonade.

 

Nice car and congratulations! Enjoy your ride!

 

It seems pointless comparing one car with a 3.2 supercharger and another with a 5.5 litre engine.

No suprise therefore that R171 is quicker, probably sounds a lot better and has more equipment as it is newer.

However, in terms of looks, one cannot get away from the fact it has a "cyril sneer" front end and is really a car for "ladies that lunch"

Happy motoring!

 

It is not quicker or faster than mine However I am a fan of the slk 55. Spudracer you need to send yours off to Rob at Needswings to get the exhaust up grades that Nick (thirteendog) got. His car sounds great. The six pot brakes on Nick's car are what inspired me to up grade to the 8 pot brembo's on mine.

 

Nice car, and the Caspian Blue is truly a wonderful color. It's ironic because I've been casually looking at the SLK55 market. Almost bought one last week, but figured for the price differential I could put my car well into the 11's and still have a rarer car. So, frugality won.

Stock-for-stock, the SRT and '55 are actually within a tenth of each other in all areas -- accelerating, skidpad, braking, etc. It's basically down to which driver can extract the better numbers (I have the OEM data panels to prove it). That being said, the SLK is the easier car to drive. Better brakes, better steering, better suspension, better technology all around.

Looks have been and always will be a subjective thing. At first I hated the Squidward look. Now, I quite like it. Everyone says the SLK is a girl's car (and w/o the 55 motor, I'd agree) but let's remember that the Crossfire is based on the ultimate hairdresser's car, the R170.

Regarding the interior, the SLK wins. Not even a contest, and I've spent ample time in both. Hard-top convertible -- nuff said. It's the best of both worlds. No windows falling out of the SLK...

The SRT is faster when modded and has much more rear grip. 265 is as wide as you can go with the SLK's wheels. Spin city.

As for looking 'dated' -- there is no car company on Earth that makes such an effort to completely outdate previous platforms as Mercedes-Benz. The R170 looks downright ancient compared to the R171. The new R172, which has the exterior looks of the new SL and the interior of the SLS, makes the R171 look a decade old. And if you think that's bad, look at what they've done with the E-Class over the last 11 years

The Crossfire, on the other hand, had ONE generation. One look. One design. The poorly-maintained Crossfires look horrible, with their yellow headlights and rough paint. Pampered ones look like they just rolled off the line last year, and I've had people ask me as much about mine.

Long story short, enjoy the new refinement, because you have that in spades. You're also not going to me noticed as much. People would pass right by Nick's 55 at the car shows to look at my white Crossfire. It got so bad, I actually threw money into his engine bay.

Personally, I chose to stick with my SRT for the time being, but I can't fault anyone that jumps from SRT to SLK55. The engine sound alone is worth it. If she feels great, gives you a thrill, and makes lovely sounds -- who cares if she has a big nose?

 

You are talking about a 1 night stand right?

And since we're not allowed to compare outside brands.. What's 40k transform an SRT6 into .. a screaming V-8 monster with touch screen everything + ?
And there won't be another one sitting at the next corner.

 

Quite right. And the Crossfire was universally praised for it's styling as a "real man's" car. Seriously dude, you're driving a Crossfire. Don't be talking smack about the car's popularity with secretaries and blue haired geriatrics. But you are right in that both cars are known as "feminine". Meh, who cares. Both will run with a C6 Vette.

 

Arrgh got to enter something here or it won't post.