![]() ![]() The first generation makes the best sense to us with some great value examples around and, as ever we like the idea of a juicy V6 nestling under the bonnet so the 2000 to 2004 years would be our favourites. Slow roofs are a cause for concern, it will need a pricey new pump, as are windows that go up to far, replacement glass.Īs a future classic we like the SLK for its understated good looks and for the fact that it is a dedicated roadster with an innovative hood design. Issues? Not to many it seems though the old baddie rust keeps making an appearance in the forums, it was a problem for Mercedes of that era. As for gearboxes, The 6 speed does come in for a slight bit of criticism for being a bit notchy but is generally considered a decent unit and the auto gets lots of praise, so it comes down to what ever is your flavour I guess, manual or auto? If you want the silky smoothness of the V6, and most people agree its the best engine for the car, then you will need to look for a post 2000 model. ![]() The post facelift R170 (1998) versions with the 6 speed, if you fancy going for the manual, are probably the best ones to go for, with the 2.3 Kompessor giving decent performance, though it is felt that the 4-pot engine is a bit on the gruff side when revved. Generally the R171 was a significant step forward from the first generation and prices reflect that fact at present. It also came with a front end that could persuade some approaching fellow road users that you were piloting something altogether more exotic than a SLK. In 2004 the second gen R171 came out with a much improved interior and a new range of engines, with the main stay being a 1.8 Kompressor, as well as a couple of V6's to tickle your fancy. In 1998 a facelift introduced a 6 speed manual and in 2000 a 3.2L V6 was added to the range and then finally an AMG in 2001 using a tuned version of the V6. kompressor in German) and an automatic transmission. The engine range consisted of a 2.0L and 2.3L Kompressor engine which in the 2.3 form gave the car a 0-60 of 7 seconds. That SLK 230 Kompressor contained a four-cylinder engine equipped with a supercharger (a.k.a. This is a electrically operated folding hard top and was a first in the mass produced car world (I say first though I think the Americans got there before Mercedes, but this one actually worked!) Being designed as a roadster from the ground up and having a complicated roof mechanism has made the car a bit heavier than the “Leicht” label suggests meaning those engines have got their work cut out for them, but on the positive side it also means the car has impressive rigidity for a roadster which relates to better handling. Mercedes managed to get the first one on the road in 1996 and there have now been three generations to date (R170, R171, R172) and as the MX5 was a dedicated roadster, so too would be the SLK, though this being Mercedes they had to go that bit further, cue the introduction on the “Vario Roof”. Thats, sports, light, kurz (short) and we shall come on to the lightness bit in a minute but lets look at the car its self first. On the safety side, Mercedes-Benz installed an upgraded ESP on the entire range.Mercedes SLK Roadster with retractable hardtop.Īs with so many car companies of the time, Mercedes watch in amazement, and no doubt a fair degree of jealousy as Mazda MX5's just fly off the shelf and decided they wanted a piece of the action. In addition, the automaker added a 3.2-liter V6 under the hood, which was also available with AMG treatment. Thus, there was a bigger power difference between these two versions. Under the hood, the former SLK 200 Kompressor lost about 30 ponies, while the 230 K version gained four. But still, the handbrake remained hosted on the center console, unlike most other Mercedes-Benz cars that had a pedal for the parking brake. In addition, the steering wheel was thicker and featured a new design. Since the car proved to be fast while hard cornering, the automaker offered new seats with higher bolstered areas. Depending on the trim level, the coupe-cabriolet came with chromed slats on the main grille. Also, the air dam received a small lip spoiler. ![]() Unlike the 1996 SLK, the 2000 version featured round fog lamps instead of triangular ones. While it kept the original features that made the car very appealing to its customers, it also added a few modifications that made it not only faster but also safer and friendlier with the environment.Īt the front, the automaker installed a redesigned bumper with different fog lamps mounted on the lower side of the apron. In January 2000, Europe switched to the Euro 3 emission standards, and Mercedes-Benz needed to upgrade its coupe-cabriolet roadster, the SLK.įour years after revolutionizing the premium roadster segment with its pocket-sized SLK, the German automaker introduced a facelifted version for it. ![]()
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