Mercedes SLK 230 kompressor

Author's Car rating:

Safety	Excellent
Comfort	Excellent
Road Handling	Satisfactory
Looks	Excellent
Features	Excellent

Advantages:	Lots of admiring glances
Disadvantages:	People don't let you out of junctions !

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full car review

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 the speed you hit the brake and apply more force the faster you hit it - MB research says we don't brake hard enough in emergency situations) and you're surrounded by airbags so you feel safe.

Boot space is fantastic with the roof in place (I managed to get a beer cooler in it!) with the roof down it's not so good but then you probably won't by one for the boot space. It's still much bigger than a Boxster or Audi TT though - and the Corsa.

Petrol consumption is around 20 mpg, a bit heavy if you are going to use it every day, but worth it if you only have to fill up every month.

Servicing bills are enough to make you cry but it only needs doing when the car tells you - around every 10,000 miles depending on how the car's driven.

The finish is really good. My cats jumped all over it when It first appeared in the drive but their claws haven't touched the paint as they slipped off its polished wings - unlike other cars I've had! The lack of door panel bumper strips makes me careful where I park it - usually at the end of a row.

It definately gets noticed. Old ladies have told me what a nice car it is and what a nice colour - I heard my paperboy tell his mate that he'd clean it for free! - But the best thing is the roof. Nice and secure - but push a button when you don't want it and it slides into the boot.

Now all I need is a sticker to put on the Corsa - my other car's a Mercedes !

All in all a fantastic second car. If you don't need more than 2 seats and can live with the running costs it's all you need.

PS - In response to Steve's questions: You don't fall into the passenger seat when cornering, nice semi-bucket seats see to that (although my mum's head hit me on the shoulder when i pulled into the doctor's - for her flu jab - but that was more to do with her undoing her seatbelt and bending down to get her handbag while I was turning than the car, or my driving!

Inside it looks like a classic sporty car with lots of machined stainless steel (not silver plastic) and leather. The seats are leather (an option) firm but comfy (heated seats is another option). Windows and mirrors are electric, the mirrors have trick indicator repeaters on the front which look really cool. The indicators and wipers are controlled by a single stick which takes a bit of getting used to.

I've read a lot of articles and reviews about this car and they do hold their money. One even said that if you were to buy a car as an investment - this was the one. I wouldn't go quite that far but there aren't that many around and they are quite unique. The post 2000 models had a facelift - indicator repeaters on the mirrors, air conditioning as standard, and a few other minor changes which make them more desirable.

Rich