SLK 320 6 speed vs Z3 vs Boxster

[tjts1]

Gearbox steering

/thread

[Holland]

Wait, that slk DOESN'T have rack and pinion steering!? Is it running off K-Jetronic too and maybe vacuum locks?

[Ratbastage]

Well, its like this.

Boxster most fun to drive of the 3 but also the highest parts cost and most labor intensive = more cost. Transmission, nickosil peeling, countershaft bearings and oil leaks.

Z3, fun car, rude, simple and fun. The only thing is it comes with the typical m52/4 cooling system crap and the interiors are fragile. Fun to drive,well balanced and overall fairly cheap to own.

SLK, the luxury version of a Z. Handles decent but has its quirks like worm and sector steering, a penchant for lower ball joints and the spring rate in the rear is off. The 32 will eat rear tires every 10K or less depending on how its driven. Interior is soft and peels. Overall, its the most user friendly of the group.


IF you want to drive a soft top, grab a Z3. If you want to drive a drop top hardtop, grab a SLK.

The Boxster is the most fun of the bunch, however, when it lunches a gearbox your wallet will not be happy. If it lunches a countershaft your wallet will really dislike you.

[tjts1]

Wait, that slk DOESN'T have rack and pinion steering!? Is it running off K-Jetronic too and maybe vacuum locks?

First gen SLK (R170) shares its platform with the W202 C class and W208 CLK. Same gearbox steering, multilink rear suspension, etc. MB finally gave up on KEjet in 1993 thank god. Everything is EFI after that.

[Holland]

First gen SLK (R170) shares its platform with the W202 C class and W208 CLK. Same gearbox steering, multilink rear suspension, etc. MB finally gave up on KEjet in 1993 thank god. Everything is EFI after that.

Which was about 15 years too late... I have lost any faith in MB, sure good cars but I think the 16th century had newer technology.

[Edev]

It really depends what motor is in the Z3 and the Boxter. There are Boxters out there which are slower than mine. I like Boxters. I was looking at one, but I would not want to own one.

[02stu]

Having owned both a Z3 and a Boxster and carefully balancing the pros and cons of each I'd say that the Boxster gets you laid more...





The Z3 is very simple which I love, and the parts are cheap. The Boxster is a bit of a maintenance nightmare but is a blast to drive and I'm shallow so I like having a Porsche. The other great thing about a boxster is that you really don't have to modify it to make it cool car. Its almost like BMW forgot the Z3 was a sports car when they put the suspension, wheels, exhaust and seats in it.

[tjts1]

you don't have to modify the boxster. It modifies itself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvLRMGs-Ti8

Which was about 15 years too late... I have lost any faith in MB, sure good cars but I think the 16th century had newer technology.

I quite like my MBs. Just needed Megasquirt and R&P swap. Hardly rocket science. Best daily driver's I've owned.

[02stu]

you don't have to modify the boxster. It modifies itself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvLRMGs-Ti8

That's not the failure to worry about its the IMS failure. The cylinder wall failures were similar to the nickisil(insert proper spelling) in the s60 motors.

Edit: nevermind, yes the IMS failures are a drag