Visited my Porsche dealer

[ptcja]

djantlive, you are right. I went over today and went through the list with my sales professional. I agree with you. You are right. I drove my R171 SLK 350 over and took the salesman for a ride. He said my car felt comfy and soft and would drive completely different from the base boxster 987 tiptronic.

Also, I think that MB really spoilt me because at MB for the R171, most things like bi-xenon HID lights are standard. This is definitely logical cos R171 is more for the mass market and they don't wanna confuse the customers. Most cars come equipped with rain sensor, cruise control, dimming mirrors, electric seats and folding mirrors. That's also why a lot of magazines did mention that R171 has lured many old boxster users over because it would definitely be considered to be a bargain if you weren't into the good old legacy of Porsche and simply drive for fun. It takes a while for me to really get used to.

At the outset, I was quite turned off by the rather simple no-frills dash as well as the simple radio and automatic climate control. Went to look at a few 997 C4 and Carrera and also found them to share pretty much the same interior as the boxster. Then, I came to the realization that Porsche was never a company into hi-tech gimmicks while MB is steering into that direciton. Look at the S... so many gimmicks like night view system and I appreciate PORSCHE's idea in evolution rather than revolution and it's principle in being a true producer to sports cars (although a few got pissed when the Boxster and Cayenne were produced... especially the V6 toureg... oh I mean cayenne...). I also start to appreciate the rather simple and traditional porsche's dash... it's the real thing.

It will take me a while to get used to for sure... but I am sure I will grow to like it. I like the boxster for its wider wheel base and longer body. However, the steep price and my low trade in price for the R171 is going to sit with me for a while. Won't be able to take delivery until next april any way so I will let it sit for a while... I have at least before feb. However, I am all for it so far.

The salesman said I should get the 18" wheels if I prefer and the metallic paint. Finally, the Bose system is also worth the $, any input on that front.

However, one thing really had me thinking was the key of the Porsche. The good news is that Porsche stays true to its legacy and keeps the tradition in having a metal key. Although I truly feel that it is quite an antiquated concept... it is rather impractical to me because the key sticks out and in jeans pocket could poke. Furthermore, I did pose him the question in losing the key. It looks like the traditional setup calls for a replacement of the full set of locks and that's costly.

I do enjoy the 330i's new keyless go system with the start/stop engine button and I wonder if Porsche will ever roll it out. Well, maybe Porsche is simply a company that focuses on performance and driver's communication more so than the gimmicks but a keyless go or chip system would be appreciated.

[djantlive]

Didn't know you are in HK. My brother is there.

I think SLK 350 is a fine car. Offers great safety, pretty powerful engine, nice options / interior. If I were you, I would not trade for a 987 base. I would trade for a 996 or 987S or a Cayman. 987 base is really not a very fast car especially w tiptronic. If you trade, you'll lose money so it has to be a step up.

SLK will be cheaper to maintain as well. The folding hardtop is real nice compared a soft top.

RE: the key, I doubt it's a high priority for Porsche. It's really not a feature typical Porsche buyer cares about.

On options, you can refer to my previous reply to your other tread.

[ptcja]

Thanks for the inputs. You might be right. If I go for a base 987 tip, I might simply be driving the badge which is no good.

I already feel that the SLK 350 is really underpowered and it is quite a soft ride even with AMG suspension. It gives me lots of SEDAN FEEL and it's definitely a good sized down GT.

Your bro. is over here? Cars are so expensive. This base 987 will cost me 100K USD. What can you buy with 100K USD in the States? I don't wanna think about that one. Import tax is like 200%.

Um... here's what my cousin offered me. My cousin said going from a SLK to a Boxster is a serious upgrade because he said I should start experiencing what Porsche really offered. It's one of a kind and it is definitely worth the money even for the handling. Plus he said Porsche drivers will always stay true to Porsche and he educated me on a few deals like "not to be sold on GIMMICKS like the BMW's 330i engine start stop button and all those DCAG's Mercedes' gimmick."

Simply put, a porsche is a porsche is a porsche and you have to own one to get into this REALM and the 987 is a good start. He also said that Porsche s are very durable and and withstand the test of time and definitely an icon so for this one that I am going to buy, I will probably keep for 5 years +. He said one plus to buy now is that this is second generation and year 1 of the new boxster and definitely have a lot more enjoyment then buying a last year's face lift model.

However, your inputs on maintenance is much much more a concern to me. SLK is a lot cheaper to maintain even for the warranty part. I figure that if I buy a 100K USD car, I will not go to an independent mechanics and will stay true to my dealer JEBSEN and first 2 years will cost 50K HKD = 6000+ USD and next 2 years 60k HKD = 8000 USD.

Only one thing puts me back now... besides maintenance... the soft top. I have no experience but the soft top will be a lot harder to upkeep and I wonder if it will start to leak in 3-4 year's time... though I know that most boxster owners never replace their tops.

Inputs on that front? I definitely feel a lot safer and more secure on SLK's hard top.

However, my experience with my R171 SLK 350 was so negative that the bad taste in my mouth due to what happened with the vehicle and how my dealer treated me really had me thinking if I would ever buy from DCAG and Mercedes again. MB is losing its reputation and the quality is serious declining.

[ptcja]

Djantlive... this is what happened to my car every morning now:

http://www.badongo.com/vid.php?file=R171+P...LKR171Noise.mpg

This is the reply from DCAG after 4 months of investigation keeping my car out of service for 4 months (btw, no lemon law in HK):

The first incident that upsetted me was after 1.5 months of investigation, they blamed it on my washing the car causing rusting:

http://www.badongo.com/pic.php?file=MBCL+1...benz02forum.JPG

But they replaced all parts and the noise still exist... between Oct 5 - Dec 8th, they had kept my car and so it is still out of service and now they give me this:

http://www.badongo.com/pic.php?file=120705...207.jpg&s=black

Telling me that this is normal and nothing is wrong.

C'mon... if it was normal, why didn't they issue a TSB or told me right away instead of causing me 4 months of depreciation license and registration right?

This together with the Boxster's appeal is really pushing me over. Plus I think I will like it and I am fed up after 30 letters to DCAG.