2004 Mercedes-Benz SLK SLK350 3.5 from Hong Kong

Summary:

Best value (hard top) roadster on the market

Faults:

First day with the car so nothing is wrong with it. The roof produce some noise when the car drove over uneven surface. Which was the same with my previous R170 SLK230. Need to bring back to the Benz.

General Comments:

Superb power deliver, a little to jerky with the 7 speed Automatic, I used to have the R170 SLK230, the R171 SLK350 is a major improvement on both handling and performance. Accelerion is amazing at this price. It guess nothing going beat it if you want a fast roadster with such comfort, performance, handling 0 to 60 mph at 5.5sec, open hard top and good resale value. Now I am proud of SLK because Mercedes final have nail it and make a sport car. A really fun roadster.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th November, 2005

2004 Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Fantastic

Faults:

Warning light faulty - fixed by dealer.

General Comments:

Absolutely superb. Unlike sports cars I've driven in the past, the ride is very smooth, but it still corners like it's on rails. It incites every young blood to drag at the lights, but it's a bit low on power for that. Everything about it is very well designed... and I'd never go back to rag tops!

The only negative is uncomfortable seating - no lumbar support and excessive rear dip on the seat base.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th October, 2005

2004 Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Fantastic

Faults:

No faults.

General Comments:

Absolutely superb. Incredibly smooth to drive, but corners like it's on rails. A crowd pleaser. Folding roof is fantastic... far better than rag-tops. A lot of attention to detail in the car... even the windows drop a fraction to open and close doors. Seats a bit uncomfortable, no lumbar support. Rear visibility difficult when parking... maybe I'm just nervous.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th April, 2005

2004 Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 1.8 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Looks fantastic, but lacks some substance and the joy of a drivers car

Faults:

This is not really a drivers car. The steering response is a bit like stirring custard. I lost traction doing about 20 mph round a 90 degree corner with the traction control on and on a dry road! The last car I drove that cornered that badly was a Ford Fiesta. The firm seats aren't very comfortable and you never really find the perfect driving position. The dash is appallingly designed - The 0 to 80 mph markings on the speedo are almost always entirely obscured by the large steering wheel unless you have it on the highest setting as though you are driving a truck. I's infuriating not to be able to see your speed. It would have been so much more sensible to put the speed dial on the right hand side so the business end of the dial was always visible - A rev counter is not much use on an automatic. The on board computer is also obscured by about half the steering wheel settings.

General Comments:

Drop-dead gorgeous looks. It makes the pulse race just to walk up to it and click it open. Few cars on the road look this stunning.

The driving experience is a little dissapointing - it's not 'man and machine in perfect harmony'. You almost have to keep reminding yourself you are driving a quality car.

The interior is plain with some small and irritating design flaws.

The engine sound is niether smooth and quite nor sporty and throaty - just an unhappy compromise.

The list of optional extras is endless as the prices are on the typically very steep. Definately consider the lighting package - Press the door button and it lights up like a Christmas tree. There are even lights in the foot wells and under the doors.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 11th January, 2005

22nd Apr 2005, 07:53

I would have to agree with the 1st comment left for the author. The SLK is a great car, and if you can't see the speedo, don't you think it may be that you're too tall? I'm amazed that Mercedes would make a car where the everyday driver can't see the speedo. Are you sure you're not sitting on a booster seat?

5th Jul 2010, 02:12

I seriously don't get the European market. Why do you buy an expensive car with a cheap motor? MB try to fit to the market by making those small engines, but they also go cheap in many other things to keep the price down. My only advice is that if you ever buy another MB don't buy the cheapest one. Not all Mercedes Benz cars are created equal.

5th Jul 2010, 14:33

The reason why European markets have "expensive cars" with cheap engines is simple: cost of vehicle ownership. Unlike in countries like America, you get severely penalised for having a large displacement engine (say, over 2 litres) ; your insurance bracket jumps up, even car registration or road tax is based on factors such as CO-2 emission. In some countries, you get a preposterous sales tax once you go over a certain engine size, in addition to the road tax, expensive insurance, and annual road taxes.

While North America has a Golf 2.5 engine, for example, Europe and other parts of the world have variants of a turbocharged/supercharged 1.2, 1.4, or 1.6 engines, even 1.8 for a large car. Else eventually they'd get legislated out of existence.