Sour Rivals to choose from!

Gordon · 3rd April 2006, 15:35

The Mercedes SLK350 and the Porsche Boxster S are termed as international rivals. Both of them are now available in India. Both of them are very closely priced and both deliver equally good performance figures. So which one would you pick if given the choice?! Give reasons for your choice.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mercedes SLK 350
Power: 272 bhp
Engine: 3.5L V6
Vehicle type: front-engine, rear-drive; 2-door 2-passenger roadster

The new Mercedes SLK is a much improved version over its predecessor. Its nose has a F1-inspired look. With the press of a button, its hardtop can be brought into place or put down in the boot. Its faster in operation compared to the older SLK.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Porsche Boxster S
Power: 280 bhp
Engine: 3.2L Flat 6
Vehicle type: mid-engine, rear-drive; 2-door 2-passenger roadster

"Porsche" - the name itself may be enough for customers to pick up those Boxsters. IMO, the old Boxster was a joke with that sad headlamps. These original 911 style headlamps look much better and in place on the new Boxster.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* This is only a comparison between the SLK 350 and the Boxster S
** Technical figures from Top Gear India
*** Pics taken at MotoXtreme, so plates are not blanked out

goldie_malhotra · 3rd April 2006, 15:50

The Boxster - for that legendary handling. It is meant to be pushed hard and fast.
Cant say the same about the SLK, though the looks are really cool.

karthik247 · 3rd April 2006, 15:52

Very hard to pick one..but i'll go with the Porsche Boxter S. Its a sports, aggressive and more of a drivers car than the Merc. Porsche are meant to be fast and mean, while the Mercs are fast, but not all that aggressive.

amitoj · 3rd April 2006, 15:56

which one gives better FE?

Jokes apart, but since porsche is considered a pure driving pleasure, i'd pick that.... of course then i will wake up and drive home in my rickety old zen.

Cheers
Amitoj

2L8uLoose · 3rd April 2006, 16:03

Has to be the porsche for me.
OT-Think its too late now but shouldnt you BLOCK OUT the car number plates??

madhu_calvin · 3rd April 2006, 16:23

I voted for Porsche,as theres no option for both. Though, its very confusing to choose between them, i would leave it for a last second decision on choosing any one among them (in my dreams).

adya33 · 3rd April 2006, 16:27

Quote:

* This is only a comparison between the SLK 350 and the Boxter S

Out of the two I would choose SLK.
Reasons

Although Porsche has better handling there are no roads to make use of such brilliant handling. Instead with SLK I will atleast get three pointed star.

I personally dislike Boxter rear design.

Dippy · 3rd April 2006, 16:40

It's the Porsche for me too. I never liked the previous Boxter but I love the new one. Looks very similar to the 911. It a great handler and definately will be more reliable than the Mercedes.

The Porsche it is

aniguchisan · 3rd April 2006, 16:48

Everyone knows that the Boxster is a poor man's 911. However, the SLK can be seen as a poor man's SL. Relying solely on brand name, build quality, ride comfort and driving pleasure, it would have to be the Boxster S.

5u3zEr0 · 3rd April 2006, 17:04

Easy one. The Porsche anyday....The name "Porsche" is enough for me to differentiate.

BUSA · 3rd April 2006, 18:31

Has to be the porsche. Amazing handling and that typical porsche lights are a total turn on for me.

Though given any i would take it as the merc is not far behind love the F1 type nose.

mxx · 3rd April 2006, 18:54

Mercedes SLK 350.
cos i just love mercs.

If i have to buy a porsche, it wud be a cayenne.

Deeps · 3rd April 2006, 19:05

It'd be the SLK for me. Looks soooooo much better and not down on the power either. The only Porsches i'd even consider are the Carrera GT and the new 911.

Mpower · 3rd April 2006, 19:20

Boxster for the true enthuiasts. SLK for the posers.

abhibh · 3rd April 2006, 19:22

Merc for me. I think this merc costs 60 Lac. and i have seen a Silver Colour here in chandigarh.

View Poll Results: Which one would you choose?!
Mercedes SLK 350	17	30.36%
Porsche Boxster S	39	69.64%
Voters: 56. You may not vote on this poll

3rd April 2006, 15:35	#1
Gordon Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 2,546 Thanked: 483 Times View My Garage	Sour Rivals to choose from! The Mercedes SLK350 and the Porsche Boxster S are termed as international rivals. Both of them are now available in India. Both of them are very closely priced and both deliver equally good performance figures. So which one would you pick if given the choice?! Give reasons for your choice. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mercedes SLK 350 Power: 272 bhp Engine: 3.5L V6 Vehicle type: front-engine, rear-drive; 2-door 2-passenger roadster The new Mercedes SLK is a much improved version over its predecessor. Its nose has a F1-inspired look. With the press of a button, its hardtop can be brought into place or put down in the boot. Its faster in operation compared to the older SLK. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Porsche Boxster S Power: 280 bhp Engine: 3.2L Flat 6 Vehicle type: mid-engine, rear-drive; 2-door 2-passenger roadster "Porsche" - the name itself may be enough for customers to pick up those Boxsters. IMO, the old Boxster was a joke with that sad headlamps. These original 911 style headlamps look much better and in place on the new Boxster. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * This is only a comparison between the SLK 350 and the Boxster S Technical figures from Top Gear India * Pics taken at MotoXtreme, so plates are not blanked out Last edited by v12 : 3rd April 2006 at 19:01.
	() Thanks

3rd April 2006, 15:50	#2
goldie_malhotra BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: New Delhi Posts: 757 Thanked: 12 Times	The Boxster - for that legendary handling. It is meant to be pushed hard and fast. Cant say the same about the SLK, though the looks are really cool.
	() Thanks

3rd April 2006, 15:52	#3
karthik247 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: BLR, HYD Posts: 2,710 Thanked: 30 Times	Very hard to pick one..but i'll go with the Porsche Boxter S. Its a sports, aggressive and more of a drivers car than the Merc. Porsche are meant to be fast and mean, while the Mercs are fast, but not all that aggressive.
	() Thanks

3rd April 2006, 15:56	#4
amitoj Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Windham, NH USA Posts: 3,348 Thanked: 3,105 Times View My Garage	which one gives better FE? Jokes apart, but since porsche is considered a pure driving pleasure, i'd pick that.... of course then i will wake up and drive home in my rickety old zen. Cheers Amitoj
	() Thanks

3rd April 2006, 16:03	#5
2L8uLoose BANNED Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Bombay Posts: 628 Thanked: 6 Times View My Garage	Has to be the porsche for me. OT-Think its too late now but shouldnt you BLOCK OUT the car number plates??
	() Thanks

3rd April 2006, 16:23	#6
madhu_calvin BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 56 Thanked: 0 Times	I voted for Porsche,as theres no option for both. Though, its very confusing to choose between them, i would leave it for a last second decision on choosing any one among them (in my dreams).
	() Thanks

3rd April 2006, 16:40	#8
Dippy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 7,561 Thanked: 2,472 Times	It's the Porsche for me too. I never liked the previous Boxter but I love the new one. Looks very similar to the 911. It a great handler and definately will be more reliable than the Mercedes. The Porsche it is
	() Thanks

3rd April 2006, 16:48	#9
aniguchisan Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 2,022 Thanked: 123 Times View My Garage	Everyone knows that the Boxster is a poor man's 911. However, the SLK can be seen as a poor man's SL. Relying solely on brand name, build quality, ride comfort and driving pleasure, it would have to be the Boxster S.
	() Thanks

3rd April 2006, 17:04	#10
5u3zEr0 BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Madras Posts: 379 Thanked: 3 Times	Easy one. The Porsche anyday....The name "Porsche" is enough for me to differentiate.
	() Thanks

3rd April 2006, 18:31	#11
BUSA Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,130 Thanked: 20 Times View My Garage	Has to be the porsche. Amazing handling and that typical porsche lights are a total turn on for me. Though given any i would take it as the merc is not far behind love the F1 type nose.
	() Thanks

3rd April 2006, 18:54	#12
mxx BHPian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 761 Thanked: 271 Times	Mercedes SLK 350. cos i just love mercs. If i have to buy a porsche, it wud be a cayenne.
	() Thanks

3rd April 2006, 19:05	#13
Deeps Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Delhi/Noida Posts: 1,116 Thanked: 170 Times	It'd be the SLK for me. Looks soooooo much better and not down on the power either. The only Porsches i'd even consider are the Carrera GT and the new 911.
	() Thanks

3rd April 2006, 19:20	#14
Mpower Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 10,409 Thanked: 1,730 Times View My Garage	Boxster for the true enthuiasts. SLK for the posers.
	() Thanks

3rd April 2006, 19:22	#15
abhibh Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Back in the HOOD near you! Posts: 2,768 Thanked: 39 Times	Merc for me. I think this merc costs 60 Lac. and i have seen a Silver Colour here in chandigarh.
	() Thanks