Mercedes SLK 350 - What's it like?

[PompeyPaul]

Just after a bit more information on the Merc 350 SLK.

Having a retractable hard top, so I assume there are no problems at all with inside cabin misting like some soft tops?

Also is air scarf a must? It sounds like a good gadget - does it work well and how long does it take to push out warm air on those cold mornings?

Also is the engine powerful enough to make it feel quick and give decent mid range power and back road fun? At around £18,000, is the SLK55 AMG is worth double the money of this?

Any thoughts gratefully received.

[Miglia 888]

SLK with the top up is as snug as a fixed roof coupe.

Air Scarf is like a small hairdryer blowing on the back of your neck - works well, pushes out warm air in seconds. Not a must imho, I only use it on sub-zero mornings, as the noise annoys me.

2008 onwards 305hp versions rev to 7200, sound great, and get to 60 in just over 5s. Sports suspension option makes ride firm, but delivers good control in back road fun.

Depends on what you value most as to whether a 55 is worth 100% more. Not for the surprisingly modest real world performance differential from just 18% more peak power ime, but quite possibly if you want a lovely hand-built V8, with 40% more torque delivered 1000rpm lower down the rev range, and that V8 sound...

[RobM77]

They're both decent cars. You can feel the weight of the hard top compared with a Z4 or Boxster, but the driving position is the best I've tried in any road car and they're generally really nice to drive and own. As for 350 vs 55, I've driven both a few times and prefer the '55 for its lovely soundtrack and torque, but the 350 isn't that bad at all - I'd buy a 55 if you can afford the mpg with the miles you're planning on doing, but the 350's fine if not.

[ZX10R NIN]

+1

[Griffithy]

350 SLK is a very nice and wellmade car.
A very good and fast allround car and very handsome indeed.

The 55 is a completely different animal.
That´s actually the one which goes under the skin.

[kambites]

As above really, the mk2 SLK is a really very nice little sports/GT type thing. A nice comfortable quiet cruiser when you want it to be and a decent enough sports car when you're in the mood - it's never going to compete with the Boxster for B-road fun but it's at least a match for the Z4, IMO.

The V6 is a nice engine which seems to suit the car and it even came with a decent (albeit not exceptional) manual gearbox. The V8 engine might be worth the extra money but that package is significantly let down by its gearbox so the car overall is not, IMO; it sounds glorious, though, even at idle.

Edited by kambites on Friday 27th March 08:19

[RobM77]

I'd rate the SLK350 very close to the Z4 3.0 and Z4C 3.0, and I had a choice between them a few years ago (and drove them on road and track). The Z4 edges it for me with its lower weight and lower CofG (tht hard top really is noticeable, which is why BMW resisted for so long and Porsche still do), but the SLK is definitely good competition for the Z4. I'd forgotten to mention the gearbox - most SLK350s are autos and all 55s are (although I did hear talk of one manual one on a PH thread years ago). It's not a bad auto box, but it's an auto box nonetheless. And don't think you can just use it in paddleshift mode - the newer 7G-Tronic box has a decent paddleshift mode, but the gear indicator is so small that it's entirely useless.

[kambites]

It also has the best driving position of any modern car I've driven.

[RobM77]

kambites said:

It also has the best driving position of any modern car I've driven.

RobM77 earlier said:

the driving position is the best I've tried in any road car

[kith]

Had a mk2 SLK350 manual for a couple of years. Best drivers car I've ever owned.

[mikal83]

Wife had a 320....a tad small in the "cockpit" and way too quiet. Was OK.

[romeogolf]

Airscarf is instant heat, no waiting around for the engine to warm up.

I find it's not got enough blow on it for true warmth with the top down, but it's good for taking off the chill straight after start-up.

[Fox-]

mikal83 said:

Wife had a 320....a tad small in the "cockpit" and way too quiet. Was OK.

They didn't do a 320 in this generation, that was the first model.

[Ed Moses]

I agree with comments about driving position and enjoy my V6 SLK. It is a fun car to drive quick.y when you want to, but can also just cruise.with the top down on a Sunny day. The V8 is more full on, so it depends what you are after from the car.

Take a look at SLKWorld.com, lots of owners and real world experience.

Ed

[anonymous-user]

I had a manual SLK350 (R171) and it was a lovely car. Silky drivetrain, lots of reserved power when needed, smooth ride and the manual gearbox suited the engine perfectly.

[PompeyPaul]

Thanks for the responses so far guys. Seems the decision between the two is not as easy as first thought.

For those with experience of either/both, what are real life rough MPG with some spirited driving included?

[rgv250ads]

PompeyPaul said:

For those with experience of either/both, what are real life rough MPG with some spirited driving included?

Hi Paul, i've got a 2005 SLK55.
If i tickle the throttle and i mean REALYL tickle it on a motorway run I can get 33MPG. this is however hidiously boring and crazy (almost stressful!) way of driving. Only did it once on a long run to see what it'd do. Reality is i am getting 24MPG. I dont blast everywhere but also dont drive with MPG in mind. A Mixture.

My car is purely a toy and not used for commuting. If you can justify (man maths!) the extra for the 55 then you wont regret it. Also the M113 V8 is generally regarded as a more robust unit over the V6. I dont think you will get double (or even anywhere near) the fuel economy out of the V6 over the V8 so it comes down to purchase of vehicle costs. Plus of course what do you Really want. have you got a V8 itch to scratch or not bothered?

Insurance on my SLK55 is really cheap i think. Got a limited mileage policy (5k per annum) i'm 36 and it's £220 a year.

Good luck in your search. Have you driven both yet or are you just info gathering? If you were nearby i'd be happy to show you an R171 SLK and explain what to look for.

Edited by rgv250ads on Friday 27th March 14:19

[kambites]

From what I saw when I was test driving things, you can probably expect to average MPGs in the low 30s out of the V6 and low to mid 20s from the V8 in anything which could be called "typical" driving. I'd expect servicing and repairs to be considerably cheaper on the V6, too.

[RobM77]

OP: Have you driven a 55? You may just hear the sound it makes and instantly fall for it an decide you simply have to have one! It certainly had that effect on me and I also love the response of the V8 and the way it suits the car.

[eldar]

kambites said:

From what I saw when I was test driving things, you can probably expect to average MPGs in the low 30s out of the V6 and low to mid 20s from the V8 in anything which could be called "typical" driving. I'd expect servicing and repairs to be considerably cheaper on the V6, too.

My experience of driving them would knock around 10mpg of both of those figures, if you do a lot of city driving and drive with some gusto.