Mercedes A-Class - Hatchback - Front (FWD) - 6 Speed - (Man) / Autotronic - (Auto) - 1992 cc - Max Speed: 116 mph - 109 bhp - Diesel - Available Trims: Elegance SE, Classic SE, Classic, Avantgarde SE, Long
Advantages: Lots of admiring glances Disadvantages: People don't let you out of junctions !
I bought a 320 SLK after many trips to the local Mercedes garage and after test driving a few CLKs and the new Coupe. The SLK was the only one I got out of with a smile on my face, and it was a big one! So rather than buy one big CLK to load up with miles I bought a 1.2 Corsa for running around and an SLK for nice days.
Performance is enough to get you into trouble in the wet but the traction control always kicks in before you realise you've even had a problem. The flashing light on the dash tells you you almost did! The sound from the engine is fantastic - especially with the roof down - it's like being in a computer game.
Handling isn't quite what I'd expected. I'd had a couple of BMW coupes before and the SLK feels a bit bouncy compared to them - comfy rather than taught. The brakes are fantastic though (they sense ...
Advantages: Very stylish, nice to own and drive. Disadvantages: Very little luggage space with the roof down.
We purchased our first SLK in March 1998. The first sports car we had owned. It was sitting there in the local Mercedes dealer's showroom and following a test drive we decided to buy it.
At the time, this Mercedes dealership afforded a first class service and was a pleasure to deal with, but more about that in another opinion.
What a brilliant piece of engineering this car was with it's folding roof, watching the whole thing disappear into the boot at the touch of a button.
The bodywork was finished in silver with a black leather interior, the best combination, in my opinion. It had the standard 7 spoke polished alloys fitted and again, these 16" wheels suited the car really well. Later styles of 16" wheels fitted to the facelift SLK 230 are not so appealing in my view.
Out on the road the super-charged 4 cylinder engine ...
Advantages: It's a hard top, it's a convertable. Disadvantages: Running costs.
This is very much initial thoughts as I have only owned my Merc for 3 weeks.
I did own a new shape Nissan Micra but had yearnings for something a little different. First thoughts were for a Jaguar X-Type but the more I looked at them the less they impressed.
Thoughts then turned to a convertable. After research on the internet I visited a local dealer to view a Toyota MR2 but soon realised this could only be a second car due to it's none existant boot!!
As I was checking out the Toyota I couldn't help but see the bright yellow SLK sitting on the dealers forecourt. Ah you think, a yellow one, but believe me it looks fantastic, well to me and that's what matters. My initial thoughts were 'too expensive' but after doing my sums I thought 'well maybe'.
The next step was a test drive. Setting off from home the skys were grey but as I ...
