| Overall Rating |
 |
| Description |
| Poised looks, a brilliant roof, a carefree image all at increasingly accessible used prices. SLK is not an out and out sportster, but it's comfortable, clever, well rounded and very desirable. |
| Handling |
 |
| Comfort |
|
| Quality & Reliability |
|
| Performance |
|
| Roominess |
|
| Running Costs |
|
| Value for Money |
|
| Stereo/Sat Nav |
|
| NCAP |
| 4 |
| Best Models |
| 3.2 V6 |
| Worst Models |
| 2.0 |
| Replacement |
| 2004 |
|
 |
| Road Test |
| SLK has the roof that invented the coupe/convertible concept. Before SLK, you had to buy a coupe for winter and a convertible for summer. Not any more. SLK proved that the concept worked, even boot space is restricted with the top down. Sometimes unfairly criticised for not being a sports car, SLK is a lifestyle choice that many people still ache to own and with good reason. The 2.0 and 2.3 litre engines use Mercedes Kompressor supercharger and prove adequate for most owners. Keener drivers may choose the 3.2 V6, which is certainly quicker although the handling isn?t that sports-car sharp. What really matters though is that SLK is a jewel of a car that's easy to drive and own. It's practical, well built and refined. Running costs are on the high side, but SLK continues to holds its value well although older examples are slowly becoming more affordable. |
| Positive Points |
- Petite and poised, plus prestige presence
- Electric folding steel roof gives coupe practicality
- Fairly affordable to run, holds its value
|
| Negative Points |
- Responses are not sportscar-sharp
- Folding roof eats into luggage space
- Much more common now than Boxster
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