Mercedes Kompact - my non PH 1st car
Discussion
Hello everyone,
I've been an avid PH reader for quite a few years, mostly scrolling through this section's topics and was bored so decided to write up one of my own.
By now you're probably wondering what on earth is a Mercedes-Benz Kompact, but it's actually an SLK. Which should stand for Sport, Light and Compact. In reality, it's just the latter, so there you go.
This is my first own car and I've had it for just over 4 years now. Obviously, as someone who is fond of this kind of website, it was not the car I had intended to buy, but as I ended up looking for a roadster (MX-5, Z3 or TF), my parents decided it had to be german, not too much power, and have an hardtop, so I got this handsome fella.
It's a 1st gen (R170) SLK 200. Yes, naturally aspirated, 134bhp. It has hardly seen any mod done to it in these years and will probably stay like that for a long time, reason being I'm a uni student and also see no point in modifying a car that's not much fun to drive / would require quite an investment to become one. It'll probably just end up getting evo and PH stickers for added 5 bhp.
It's my daily driver and already has over 160k miles (approaching 270k kms now), and although not a great steer, it still gets some good use as I enjoy going for some spirited drives and finding new stretches to hoon in, preferably a bit more flowing than you would because it's not a 10 tenths car, more like 6 or 7. Next year I'll probably even end up tracking it because I've never done it in my own car and quite fancy it.
Before this, I drove an old clattery diesel saloon for a year, and when I picked this up for the first time, found myself trying to turn the key to start it, only to find it was already running.
As for pros and cons, let's start with some positives. It was a bit cheaper than both the Mazda and BMW I had in my mind and hasn't really depreciated. It's been very reliable, had nothing major done to it so far. It's also decently comfortable, well insulated, and the boot is actually quite big with the roof up. The exhaust sound is good for a 4 cylinder Merc (needs a proper airbox though). The interior still looks good, it's roomy enough, and the seats are full leather and heated. Also, to my eyes it's aged well enough.
Now the bad part. It's heavy (around +200 kg than an NB MX-5), there's not much feel to the steering, too thirsty for the performance on offer (very rare to see over 30 mpg), and obviously not quick and as engaging to drive as I'd like. The suspension is set up for a 50 year old man, sits on 15 inch wheels and rolls a bit in corners at speed. The driving position could be a fair bit lower and the seats lack lateral support. Also, the flywheel is too heavy as well and can sometimes be annoying when really giving it a thrash. Clearly this is not a car built with a 20 year old hoonigan in mind.
In the future, I'd like to own a 6 cylinder E36/46 and an Elise, but that will have to wait at least a couple years more as I'm planning on studying a master's in England next year and then settling over there. Yep, as you brits who have probably been to the Algarve or Porto may have noticed by the plate, I'm portuguese.
I know it won't generate much interest, but feel free to leave a comment on this piece of hairdressing on wheels. I'll try to keep it updated if anything interesting pops up.
Cheers!
I've been an avid PH reader for quite a few years, mostly scrolling through this section's topics and was bored so decided to write up one of my own.
By now you're probably wondering what on earth is a Mercedes-Benz Kompact, but it's actually an SLK. Which should stand for Sport, Light and Compact. In reality, it's just the latter, so there you go.
This is my first own car and I've had it for just over 4 years now. Obviously, as someone who is fond of this kind of website, it was not the car I had intended to buy, but as I ended up looking for a roadster (MX-5, Z3 or TF), my parents decided it had to be german, not too much power, and have an hardtop, so I got this handsome fella.
It's a 1st gen (R170) SLK 200. Yes, naturally aspirated, 134bhp. It has hardly seen any mod done to it in these years and will probably stay like that for a long time, reason being I'm a uni student and also see no point in modifying a car that's not much fun to drive / would require quite an investment to become one. It'll probably just end up getting evo and PH stickers for added 5 bhp.
It's my daily driver and already has over 160k miles (approaching 270k kms now), and although not a great steer, it still gets some good use as I enjoy going for some spirited drives and finding new stretches to hoon in, preferably a bit more flowing than you would because it's not a 10 tenths car, more like 6 or 7. Next year I'll probably even end up tracking it because I've never done it in my own car and quite fancy it.
Before this, I drove an old clattery diesel saloon for a year, and when I picked this up for the first time, found myself trying to turn the key to start it, only to find it was already running.
As for pros and cons, let's start with some positives. It was a bit cheaper than both the Mazda and BMW I had in my mind and hasn't really depreciated. It's been very reliable, had nothing major done to it so far. It's also decently comfortable, well insulated, and the boot is actually quite big with the roof up. The exhaust sound is good for a 4 cylinder Merc (needs a proper airbox though). The interior still looks good, it's roomy enough, and the seats are full leather and heated. Also, to my eyes it's aged well enough.
Now the bad part. It's heavy (around +200 kg than an NB MX-5), there's not much feel to the steering, too thirsty for the performance on offer (very rare to see over 30 mpg), and obviously not quick and as engaging to drive as I'd like. The suspension is set up for a 50 year old man, sits on 15 inch wheels and rolls a bit in corners at speed. The driving position could be a fair bit lower and the seats lack lateral support. Also, the flywheel is too heavy as well and can sometimes be annoying when really giving it a thrash. Clearly this is not a car built with a 20 year old hoonigan in mind.
In the future, I'd like to own a 6 cylinder E36/46 and an Elise, but that will have to wait at least a couple years more as I'm planning on studying a master's in England next year and then settling over there. Yep, as you brits who have probably been to the Algarve or Porto may have noticed by the plate, I'm portuguese.
I know it won't generate much interest, but feel free to leave a comment on this piece of hairdressing on wheels. I'll try to keep it updated if anything interesting pops up.
Cheers!
Edited by Sport220 on Thursday 22 November 15:50
I'm old enough to remember when these came out and always liked the look of them, especially in AMG trim. My boss then bought one brand new, they were quite pricey at the time.
I've never been in one, and so sometimes think of buying one just to smoke around in over summer. Maybe next year, who knows.
Not a bad first car!
I've never been in one, and so sometimes think of buying one just to smoke around in over summer. Maybe next year, who knows.
Not a bad first car!
My son is 22, never had a car because he just didn't need one. Then I got an SLC on loan at work, brought it home and he took it out. He loved it, was the first "half decent" car he'd ever driven. So he decided to get an SLK. A low powered one for cheaper insurance.
We looked around, and saw some really lovely cars for around £2K, with low miles and FSH.
But in the end, the boring sod decided he just didn't need a car (which is true) so put his money in a Right To Buy Isa instead.
Shame, I was quite looking forward to having it to use occasionally.
We looked around, and saw some really lovely cars for around £2K, with low miles and FSH.
But in the end, the boring sod decided he just didn't need a car (which is true) so put his money in a Right To Buy Isa instead.
Shame, I was quite looking forward to having it to use occasionally.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
But in the end, the boring sod decided he just didn't need a car (which is true) so put his money in a Right To Buy Isa instead.
What a loser 
In all seriousness I never really understood the dislike for these cars. Perhaps it says more about my qustionable tastes but I have never been against the styling and assume that inside they provide a reasonably cosseted means by which to drive from A to B with or without the roof. I cannot recall if the styling was thought of as suspect when nearly new, but I rarely find anyone that appreciates them. They seem great value these days.
A great purchase OP and I hope you get many years enjoyment from it.
paulyv said:
TwigtheWonderkid said:
But in the end, the boring sod decided he just didn't need a car (which is true) so put his money in a Right To Buy Isa instead.
What a loser 
This one is mine (for the moment at least - see classifieds), I reckon they are fantastic littlecars, comfortable, frugal, cheap to insure, DHC when you want it to be, sporty enough 184bho supercharged. Lots of bells and whistles. Won’t be everyone’s cuppa but they tick a lot of boxes.
paulyv said:
Mike and Ed had their hands on one this evening on Wheeler Dealers on Quest. The roof was the main problem.
I would have said the underbody corrosion that they didn't even mention was a bigger problem. When he was bleeding the brakes it looked like the car had been parked in the sea for 10 years.It's a good write up OP, and quite an interesting choice of car for a student! 
I'm sure there was quite a waiting list for these when they were new - IIRC some of the owners who got early ones were able to sell them for more than list price. Probably popular because there wasn't anything comparable at the time!
I hope you enjoy it, and good luck with the 6 cylinder BMW plan - a manual petrol BMW 6-pot is great! (I'm currently on my 3rd & 4th).
I'm sure there was quite a waiting list for these when they were new - IIRC some of the owners who got early ones were able to sell them for more than list price. Probably popular because there wasn't anything comparable at the time!
I hope you enjoy it, and good luck with the 6 cylinder BMW plan - a manual petrol BMW 6-pot is great! (I'm currently on my 3rd & 4th).
A nice little car.
I've owned 3 now, 2 R170s ( 230 / AMG 32) and an R171 (AMG 55).
They are often criticised for not being the last word in handling but to do so shows a misunderstanding of what the slk is about. It's not about Nurburgring lap times but comfortable cruising. To my mind the R170 has aged better than it's successor.
I loved my SLK 32 but eventually got fed up with the rust (hopefully this won't affect you in Portugal!). I had it repaired under warranty initially in 2008 but it kept coming back (wheelarches, bootlock) so eventually upgraded to a 55.
I've owned 3 now, 2 R170s ( 230 / AMG 32) and an R171 (AMG 55).
They are often criticised for not being the last word in handling but to do so shows a misunderstanding of what the slk is about. It's not about Nurburgring lap times but comfortable cruising. To my mind the R170 has aged better than it's successor.
I loved my SLK 32 but eventually got fed up with the rust (hopefully this won't affect you in Portugal!). I had it repaired under warranty initially in 2008 but it kept coming back (wheelarches, bootlock) so eventually upgraded to a 55.
Thank you for your comments 
Here in Portugal I still see a fair share of them on the road.
) or black.
I do agree they are underrated, the 230K must be a quick car and also bit nicer with the facelift's 6 speed box.
This one was imported from Germany just over a year after being registered, may have had something to do with that.
Thanks, I'm a big fan of BMW's il6 engines
That 55 AMG R171 must be a riot
80sMatchbox said:
I'm old enough to remember when these came out and always liked the look of them, especially in AMG trim. My boss then bought one brand new, they were quite pricey at the time.
I've never been in one, and so sometimes think of buying one just to smoke around in over summer. Maybe next year, who knows.
Not a bad first car!
It's certainly a good purchase for enjoying summer, seeing as they can be had for so cheap over there. Here in Portugal I actually end up taking the roof down a bit more in the spring than in the summer, as it's usually too hot and I get sunburnt quite easily.I've never been in one, and so sometimes think of buying one just to smoke around in over summer. Maybe next year, who knows.
Not a bad first car!
CornedBeef said:
Good car OP! You don't see many of these on the roads any more in the UK, your thread made me realise. Are you planning on driving it over when you come to the UK? It would be a good road trip all the way from Portugal!
I'll definitely consider it, it would be an awesome trip. Albeit a costly one I reckon Here in Portugal I still see a fair share of them on the road.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
My son is 22, never had a car because he just didn't need one. Then I got an SLC on loan at work, brought it home and he took it out. He loved it, was the first "half decent" car he'd ever driven. So he decided to get an SLK. A low powered one for cheaper insurance.
We looked around, and saw some really lovely cars for around £2K, with low miles and FSH.
But in the end, the boring sod decided he just didn't need a car (which is true) so put his money in a Right To Buy Isa instead.
Shame, I was quite looking forward to having it to use occasionally.
My father is quite fond of the SLK as well, wouldn't let me sell it and takes it for a spin every once in a while.We looked around, and saw some really lovely cars for around £2K, with low miles and FSH.
But in the end, the boring sod decided he just didn't need a car (which is true) so put his money in a Right To Buy Isa instead.
Shame, I was quite looking forward to having it to use occasionally.
paulyv said:
What a loser
In all seriousness I never really understood the dislike for these cars. Perhaps it says more about my qustionable tastes but I have never been against the styling and assume that inside they provide a reasonably cosseted means by which to drive from A to B with or without the roof. I cannot recall if the styling was thought of as suspect when nearly new, but I rarely find anyone that appreciates them. They seem great value these days.
A great purchase OP and I hope you get many years enjoyment from it.
They do get a fair share of hate from just about everyone who thinks they're into cars. But in the end I'd still be driving it rather than their diesel hatchbacks. In all seriousness I never really understood the dislike for these cars. Perhaps it says more about my qustionable tastes but I have never been against the styling and assume that inside they provide a reasonably cosseted means by which to drive from A to B with or without the roof. I cannot recall if the styling was thought of as suspect when nearly new, but I rarely find anyone that appreciates them. They seem great value these days.
A great purchase OP and I hope you get many years enjoyment from it.
elanfan said:
This one is mine (for the moment at least - see classifieds), I reckon they are fantastic littlecars, comfortable, frugal, cheap to insure, DHC when you want it to be, sporty enough 184bho supercharged. Lots of bells and whistles. Won’t be everyone’s cuppa but they tick a lot of boxes.
Very nice car, I quite like the looks of the R171. Nice colour as well, over here they are all boring silver (just like mine ) or black.paulyv said:
Mike and Ed had their hands on one this evening on Wheeler Dealers on Quest. The roof was the main problem.
I've watched that episode too, fortunately mine works flawlessly SVX said:
I ran a 2000 plate facelift 230K for about 18 months - great and very underrated car. Being a Portugal car, yours should be ok for corrosion. Enjoy.
Correct, not a spot of rust in sight I do agree they are underrated, the 230K must be a quick car and also bit nicer with the facelift's 6 speed box.Mr Tidy said:
It's a good write up OP, and quite an interesting choice of car for a student!
I'm sure there was quite a waiting list for these when they were new - IIRC some of the owners who got early ones were able to sell them for more than list price. Probably popular because there wasn't anything comparable at the time!
I hope you enjoy it, and good luck with the 6 cylinder BMW plan - a manual petrol BMW 6-pot is great! (I'm currently on my 3rd & 4th).
It certainly is, don't know any other student in uni driving around in one of these. I'm sure there was quite a waiting list for these when they were new - IIRC some of the owners who got early ones were able to sell them for more than list price. Probably popular because there wasn't anything comparable at the time!
I hope you enjoy it, and good luck with the 6 cylinder BMW plan - a manual petrol BMW 6-pot is great! (I'm currently on my 3rd & 4th).
This one was imported from Germany just over a year after being registered, may have had something to do with that.
Thanks, I'm a big fan of BMW's il6 engines
slk 32 said:
A nice little car.
I've owned 3 now, 2 R170s ( 230 / AMG 32) and an R171 (AMG 55).
They are often criticised for not being the last word in handling but to do so shows a misunderstanding of what the slk is about. It's not about Nurburgring lap times but comfortable cruising. To my mind the R170 has aged better than it's successor.
I loved my SLK 32 but eventually got fed up with the rust (hopefully this won't affect you in Portugal!). I had it repaired under warranty initially in 2008 but it kept coming back (wheelarches, bootlock) so eventually upgraded to a 55.
Very well put, it certainly is a different approach to a roadster than most of its rivals.I've owned 3 now, 2 R170s ( 230 / AMG 32) and an R171 (AMG 55).
They are often criticised for not being the last word in handling but to do so shows a misunderstanding of what the slk is about. It's not about Nurburgring lap times but comfortable cruising. To my mind the R170 has aged better than it's successor.
I loved my SLK 32 but eventually got fed up with the rust (hopefully this won't affect you in Portugal!). I had it repaired under warranty initially in 2008 but it kept coming back (wheelarches, bootlock) so eventually upgraded to a 55.
That 55 AMG R171 must be a riot
Quick update on the SLK
Took it for a B-road (the portuguese equivalent of that) blast this saturday along with 6 other cars, over 200 km of some of the finest driving roads in the North of Portugal, alongside the Douro river, which highlighted many of the car's strengths and weaknesses.
It was probably the hardest this car has ever been driven, as I'm yet to do a trackday in it. That meant the brakes were a bit of an issue, forcing me to take a calmer rhythm a few times. I'll be checking the brake fluid and pads, would like to replace the latter with EBC greenstuff or similar, but not entirely sure if they are worth it for this car.
A bit more unexpected was an issue with the clutch, which decided to spin in higher gears just as the morning loop was ending. It was probably caused by the flywheel issue I mentioned earlier, with the revs not dropping all the way they were supposed after going up a gear two or three times. Odd, but it went back to normal after the lunch stop. Should get that checked as well
The neutral balance of the car was appreciated as it started raining heavily in the afternoon, which was not much of a problem for the Uniroyal Rain Expert tires. Those will also need replacing in a couple of months. I'd like to replace them with Rainsports (got them on my parents' 5 series and quite like them), but not sure if they make them for 15 inch wheels (odd size too, 205/60). Would also like to upgrade to 16s, but probably not worth doing
Second gear felt a bit too long, hitting the rev limiter just shy of 90 km/h, which isn't great for this kind of driving. I could certainly make swifter progress with a shorter ratio.
Mpg was also quite bad, as expected, but I reckon there's something wrong with the injection system, it's been a bit worse on fuel the last couple of months and from the mirror I can see it making some noticeable white smoke while sitting in the traffic when it's dark, it must be running rich. Hopefully just a faulty lambda sensor causing it.
Although a bit more involvement and poke would have been welcome, it was certainly enjoyable, had some very good fun.
Here's a picture of it parked in the middle of nowhere during lunch:
Took it for a B-road (the portuguese equivalent of that) blast this saturday along with 6 other cars, over 200 km of some of the finest driving roads in the North of Portugal, alongside the Douro river, which highlighted many of the car's strengths and weaknesses.
It was probably the hardest this car has ever been driven, as I'm yet to do a trackday in it. That meant the brakes were a bit of an issue, forcing me to take a calmer rhythm a few times. I'll be checking the brake fluid and pads, would like to replace the latter with EBC greenstuff or similar, but not entirely sure if they are worth it for this car.
A bit more unexpected was an issue with the clutch, which decided to spin in higher gears just as the morning loop was ending. It was probably caused by the flywheel issue I mentioned earlier, with the revs not dropping all the way they were supposed after going up a gear two or three times. Odd, but it went back to normal after the lunch stop. Should get that checked as well
The neutral balance of the car was appreciated as it started raining heavily in the afternoon, which was not much of a problem for the Uniroyal Rain Expert tires. Those will also need replacing in a couple of months. I'd like to replace them with Rainsports (got them on my parents' 5 series and quite like them), but not sure if they make them for 15 inch wheels (odd size too, 205/60). Would also like to upgrade to 16s, but probably not worth doing
Second gear felt a bit too long, hitting the rev limiter just shy of 90 km/h, which isn't great for this kind of driving. I could certainly make swifter progress with a shorter ratio.
Mpg was also quite bad, as expected, but I reckon there's something wrong with the injection system, it's been a bit worse on fuel the last couple of months and from the mirror I can see it making some noticeable white smoke while sitting in the traffic when it's dark, it must be running rich. Hopefully just a faulty lambda sensor causing it.
Although a bit more involvement and poke would have been welcome, it was certainly enjoyable, had some very good fun.
Here's a picture of it parked in the middle of nowhere during lunch:
Edited by Sport220 on Tuesday 27th November 12:04
Sport220 said:
Hello everyone,
By now you're probably wondering what on earth is a Mercedes-Benz Kompact, but it's actually an SLK. Which should stand for Sport, Light and Compact. In reality, it's just the latter, so there you go.
I think the K stands for Kurz (short). Same thing really. By now you're probably wondering what on earth is a Mercedes-Benz Kompact, but it's actually an SLK. Which should stand for Sport, Light and Compact. In reality, it's just the latter, so there you go.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff