Wednesday 29th April 2015

Mercedes SLK: Guilty Pleasures

Dan expands on his bold theory that the Mercedes SLK is an overlooked gem ... which is brave

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If you've watched the recent episode of PHTV the revelation of my previously secret crush on the Mercedes SLK is now out there. Time to defend myself. I'd best make it quick too, I think I'm about to be escorted from the building...

Pre-facelift cars are the nicer looking ones

If you're expecting me to mitigate this declaration by saying it's restricted to the much overlooked AMG versions then, sorry, no. I'm talking normal SLKs. Even the four-cylinder ones. Over a Honda S2000 or Porsche Boxster though? Really?

Erm ... kind of.

Look, hands down those two win on the 'proper sports car' credentials. I'm not about to pretend otherwise; the Honda has one of the best engine/gearbox combinations ever and still looks fresh today. And it goes without saying (even though I'm just about to) that the equivalent 987 Boxster is a lovely steer and the charismatic howl of its flat-six is a proper neck hair tingler.

Looks are wheel sensitive - bigger the better

But I think the SLK is the better looking car. Honestly. And if its dynamics aren't quite as razor sharp it's actually a lot better than you might imagine. Look at this way - walk up to a Boxster and your expectations are going to be pretty damned high and deservedly so. The same with an SLK and it's likely you can only be pleasantly surprised.

This isn't a sympathy vote though. I like the second-gen SLK's more traditional configuration, especially before the typically heavy-handed mid-life facelift. OK, the SLR-lite nose isn't especially beautiful but the wedgey profile, short rear overhang and discreetly pumped up arches are actually rather nicely balanced and classically handsome. The later Sport models with their split six-spokes and deeper side skirts really show this off well, particularly from the rear three-quarter view. Indeed, from any angle the SLK looks fundamentally well proportioned. Try a Boxster in profile for comparison...

Classic proportions are classically appealing

And few cars carry off the dual personality coupe/roadster thing quite as successfully as the SLK. It helps that it was always intended thus but roof up or down it looks equally good and works just as well in either configuration too. Genuinely it's the best of both worlds. The cabin is comfy, well built and, if more functional than stylish, genuinely a nice place to be.

But it's still a girl's car to drive, right? Actually no. The 350 is actually a bit of an overlooked gem, the M272 V6 having a beautifully smooth character, honest to goodness Boxster S chasing punch thanks to its 272hp output and a creamy power delivery topped off with a willingness to pile on the revs. Sounds good too. It's not as knife-edge or hardcore as either the Honda or the Porsche but it's not trying to be either and the steering and chassis are nicer than the Z4's. But it's not inert or boring, the 350 in particular backing up those classic proportions with a muscularity and classic rear-driven balance few would credit, the more so in 305hp post-facelift cars. And you can get it as a manual which, in a further confounding of expectation, is actually entirely pleasant to use. Most will be 7G-Tronic autos though and this gearbox suits the car and has an acceptable manual override too.

AMG there if you need to prove your manliness

Obviously the 5.5-litre V8 AMG version does the proper over-engined muscle car thing and may be the only SLK a red-blooded PHer might be willing to be seen driving in public. The pumped up looks work, the soundtrack is - naturally - awesome. If a blunt tool it's actually rather amusing to drive. And if you think it suffers from the lack of a locking diff the Black Series version proves not all cars are necessarily improved by such a thing, snapping from defiant understeer to terrifying oversteer with wild and not especially enjoyable abandon.

So the AMGs are great. But I'm going to fight for the right to drive a 'civilian' SLK350 and not be laughed at. It may be a lonely battle...

 

[lewisf182]

I've always rated these, people often trot out the z4 3.0 but these SLK's seem to get overlooked. I assume due to their more feminine image but how anybody can think a small roadster with a 3.5 litre engine be feminine I don't know. Post face lift 3.5 would be my ideal choice for 305hp, they sound pretty fruity too!
For me the interior kind of lets them down though, really not a fan of merc interiors.