need to buy another car.

which one would you buy?

or perhaps a new porsche boxter S or 02'+ carrera S

Depends on what you're looking for. I personally would pick the Boxster S (the current 987 series). Great looking, great handling, and decent power too. You just have to get over the "chick car" stigma of owning a Boxster. SLK 55 is very nice, but $$$ compared with the other cars you mentioned.

M Coupe

slk 55 amg
if you want more info go to pointedthree.com

Porsche or BMW but not MBZ!

The MB is hardly worth the amount of money you're spending. MB is meant for luxury, if that's what you're looking for, go for it. Otherwise go for the Boxster S.

No stick, no sale.

porsche

definently a new MZ4 and go for the convertible

Watch the Top Gear Eposide that compares the two.

I vote bimmer because it's a bimmer! MERC-FTL!

this months car and driver has a z4 m series vs porsche cayman. they gave the nod to the porsche. But its seemed they were very similar in performance with the z4 m series quite a bit cheaper as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5mFe3cLLo8&search=top%20gear%20bmw%20
This is the top gear comparison test between the boxster s and the z4 m roadster. The roadster costs more, but is more of a raw roadster and also is faster.

For a year-round daily driver I'd probably go with the Benz, which offers the best of all worlds if you can live with it's compromises (softer ride, lack of manual gearbox). For a 3-season weekend driver, I'd go with the Z4M.

For a year-round daily driver I'd probably go with the Benz, which offers the best of all worlds if you can live with it's compromises (softer ride, lack of manual gearbox). For a 3-season weekend driver, I'd go with the Z4M.


SLK55: faster than hell, cool interior features and automatic hardtop, a little numb in the steering and too much flex in the corners.

Mz4 roadster: Much better handling, almost as fast with the s54 in it now, softop not nearly as cool as benz top, real manual shifter.


I can't see how anyone would choose the slk55 over the new mz4 roadster if they like to drive hard.

I can't see how anyone would choose the slk55 over the new mz4 roadster if they like to drive hard.

I agree with that - but I don't like driving all that hard these days. I like some get up and go, and I love driving with the top down, but my days of screaming along at over 100 mph on the street are pretty much done. I've mentioned before that I'll likely never get a Z4M - my next Z4 will be a 3.0si, or the twin turbo if they put the new coupe motor in. That'll be plenty for me :)

I choose the SLK55 and I think that car is a drivers car. Sure it aint got a manual tranny which blows, but it goes like stink. I've only driven the 350 which handles well but IMO the handling advantage of the MZ4 isn't enough for me to buy it. The SLK will do just about everything else better especially if you're looking for a car with dual personality.

SLK55 rocks.

I choose the SLK55 and I think that car is a drivers car. Sure it aint got a manual tranny which blows, but it goes like stink. I've only driven the 350 which handles well but IMO the handling advantage of the MZ4 isn't enough for me to buy it. The SLK will do just about everything else better especially if you're looking for a car with dual personality. SLK55 rocks.

Spot on. You'll give up a little in the handling department for a TON of torque and neck snapping acceleration. The interior of the SLK is far superior (though cramped) and if that's not enough, the retractable hardtop should end any doubt.

SLK55. No brainer.

~ Ian

SLK55. No brainer.

~ Ian

... only if you're under 5'10. At 6'1 I hardly have space and I'm not even considered tall really.

... only if you're under 5'10. At 6'1 I hardly have space and I'm not even considered tall really.

That's what the SL55's are for...! =)

~ Ian

... only if you're under 5'10. At 6'1 I hardly have space and I'm not even considered tall really.

I'm 6' even and I dont have a problem fitting into an SLK.

I'm 6'1"+ and i fit into a SLK fine :confused

I rode in an instructor's SLK 55 once and find it a little cramped, and I'm only 5'11''.

But I'm all torso and no legs.

Depends. Two very different cars. I had an SLK and it was a good touring car, more than a sports car. For most folks it handles well enough and has a comfy ride. The hard top is nice, but it compromises the trunk in a big way. You can't get a set of clubs in it, but they fit in my Z4, top up or down, along with a folding cart. Sure you can put some stuff in the SLK, but then you can't put the top down. When I would travel, we'd just put it up and keep it up until we arrived and could unload. The Z4, any model, is much more of a sports car in my book. The difference between the two is typical of the distinctions between BMW and Mercedes. The BMW is much more of a driver's car while the MB excels at eating up highway miles with little disruption. I have a CLS to do that. It's the same between the M5 and the CLS 55. One requires your input and thought, the other, simply stand on the pedal. Drive them both and you'll pick the right one for you... but the SLK will cost more.

I would definitly go for the SLK55 for a daily driver. Only issue is once you get in that car and you feel the power you will want to upgrade it more.

You better off getting a slower car so like slk350 that its alright power but not to much that you get addicted to the daily driver.

Depends. Two very different cars. I had an SLK and it was a good touring car, more than a sports car. For most folks it handles well enough and has a comfy ride. The hard top is nice, but it compromises the trunk in a big way. You can't get a set of clubs in it, but they fit in my Z4, top up or down, along with a folding cart. Sure you can put some stuff in the SLK, but then you can't put the top down. When I would travel, we'd just put it up and keep it up until we arrived and could unload. The Z4, any model, is much more of a sports car in my book. The difference between the two is typical of the distinctions between BMW and Mercedes. The BMW is much more of a driver's car while the MB excels at eating up highway miles with little disruption. I have a CLS to do that. It's the same between the M5 and the CLS 55. One requires your input and thought, the other, simply stand on the pedal. Drive them both and you'll pick the right one for you... but the SLK will cost more.

I pratially agree with tybee, if you want a comfortable car that still goes like hell and lets you have some fun in the canyons get an e-class or cls. When it's time for the roadster you'd love to drive on nice days get the sportiest one, and there's no doubt the mz4 has that in spades over the slk.

I think the slk is a LOT better looking than the z4, no offense to z4 owners.

Well, just to add a little fuel to the fire (inasmuch as the Top gear video isn't shown), I pulled this off the Stig's lap times:
BMW Z4 M 1.26.0
Porsche Cayman 1.26.2
Lotus Exige 1.26.4
Chevrolet Corvette 1.26.8
Mercedes CLS 55 AMG 1.26.9
Porsche 911 GT3 1.27.2
TVR 350C 1.27.5
BMW M3 CSL 1.28.0
Marcos TSO GT2 1.28.2
Dodge Viper SRT-10 1.28.5

Pretty damn good company, I'd say. And the SLK isn't on the list! At least one review that praised the Cayman over the Z4M noted that in the hands of a skilled driver, the Z4M would be faster. Nothing said about the crappy Contis that are currently OEM. The point is that the SLK simply isn't in the same sportscar class as the Z4M. A fine car, but a tourer without a touring trunk!

The .9 seconds beween the BMW Z4 M and the CLS 55 AMG is really nothing on that style coarse. More pratice from each car would have better results. Thats not bad considering the Z4 has a manual and CLS is auto. I would take the CLS 55 AMG over the z4m anyday.

Well, I have a CLS 500 and it is a great car,but it's not a sports car... and the CLS55 has 469 hp vs 330 in the BMW, so the weight difference (lbs./hp) is alot closer. But don't forget that there is about $35k difference in price between them. AMG does a great job with the MB big sedans,but at a price. The C55 is closer to the Z4M and I would doubt is nearly as fast as the Z.