QUICK and NIMBLE... off the line this baby can fly... high end is not bad for a four-cylinder. Love the blue exterior and blue interior combo and retro console design, makes heads turn all the time. Xenon lights a plus for night time driving as well as looks. People have said it doesn't have power, I personally think it's the driving... I can take out a BMW 330 CI by two car lenghts, and the GS 400 by a length and a half. Don't be fooled by this four-cylinder... it's got punch... power band is constant and you always ready and willing. Great little cruiser, lot's of potenial to convert it to a tweaker!

Quality of interior, style is definity there but the quality of the parts should be a consideration to the manufacturer... To date, in the last 5 months i have brought my car back to the dealer for a number of problems, the windows were leaking in the touchless car wash, the shift knob POPPED off, I repeat POPPED off TWO (2) times (wierd??), the gas tank was not filling properly, all in all it was a total hassel for me to take it in for servicing when really this could have all been easily avioded. Maybe it was just my bad luck... :(

I think besides the tweaks of the first shipment of the 2001 model of the SLK 230, the car is the best buy for what your paying for. In terms of performance it may not be the fastest car on the road, but you'll be surprised at what it can do when you push it a little. The interior is the best, in my opinion out of all the roadsters available, it's simple yet very distinctive and stylish, everything comes together as one unique setup, it is very user-friendly, and nothing is in an awkward position. The blend of Style and Performance in both interior and exterior settings make the SLK 230 the roadster of my choose.

Similar Products Used:

Compared before purchasing the SLK, the BMW Z3.0i and the Honda S2000, both are faster on paper, but on the road those numbers start telling a different story. For the price the SLK is the best equiped, and has the most options, the BMW Z3 didn't even have an option for Xenon lights, not to mention a not too attractive body styling. The S2000 has pretty much no options or interior considerations, it's one thing to have an impressive 9000 RPM redline, an aggressive styling, and a cool "start button" igninion system, but when you have to pay for an ashtray, and your your sound system is composed of two speakers, one has to question, are you buying the car for your enjoyment or the people looking at you's? The SLK in terms of performance to these two aren't that bad, I ran against a S2000 on the freeway and it didn't seem like it was "all that", I could pace it in 6th gear no problem.

Strong and willing engine, high quality materials, great driving entertainment - It's solid at high speed. (It's seen 140) - Top mechanism combines quiet high speed cruise with topdown fun - Smooth, quiet ride for a car with such a sporty character

The rear storage is limited if the top is down. Long trips call for frequent stops to stretch. Tire noise intrudes on rough roads. Manual gear selection requires counting and mental discipline to avoid surprises.

I bought it as a "weekend" car to be used sparingly. It's accumulated 12,000 miles in 5 (winter) months. The grin factor doesn't go away. We choose back roads and small towns and almost every weekend is now spent driving mountain roads in northern Arkansas or some such place. It's exactly what my wife and I wanted. It's almost as much fun as a motorcycle, but without the disadvantages. It's hard to justify the price, but it's a bargain when you consider some other cars in its class. You're never alone if you need help. It's a little spooky to have "the voice" come out of the dash, but the service is first rate.

It gets a little more attention than desired. Sometimes I wish it had a stealth mode.

Similar Products Used:

I looked at Boxsters, Z3's and TT's. They weren't what I wanted. I needed a comfortable, quiet, cruiser with long legs and a high fun factor. I think I got it.

Solid overall construction. Excellent handling and stability during sharp turns. Hard top when the weather is bad and you can fold it into the trunk when the weather is good. 6 speed! Firm brakes. Excellent sound system with solid bass and good mid and high end (BOSE). Quiet for a sports car. With the top up, you can actually carry a bit more than a change of clothes in the trunk.

I'm 6'1" tall and I have the seat back as far as it goes. Leg room is ok and I still have enough head room. For the money, they should through in a CD player though I listen to music at home. No real weaknesses yet.

Thanks to everyone for your reviews. It was a close call between the TT and the SLK. The TT had only good reviews. The SLK ranged over the map. I opted for the SLK because of the hard top, 6 speeds, teleaid and ultimately the look. I picked it up today and have been grinning ever since. Its seems like MB has taken care of all of the short falls of the earlier models with the 2001 edition. The BOSE radio reception is good and the sound is excellent. Two bass speakers pick up the low end and mids and highs are great.

The 230 uses a supercharger on a 4 cyclinder. The 2001 has 5 more horses than the earlier models from what I can tell. It gets up quick. I may not be the best judge of this because I've been driving a diesel for 15 years now! Anyway, with 6 gears, it turns about 2,200 RPM and moves in the high 60s to 70s. Nice ratios and quiet at speed. The motor has a good sound even when pushed.

Supposedly the car sits a bit lower with the 2001 than earlier models and the front air dam has been redesigned. Steering is precise and stable. It doesn't use rack and pinion but has the typical MB feel. Solid! It goes where you point and is smooooth.

The interior is ok and uses what room there is reasonably well. The TT has a bit more room when the rear seats are folded down. With the roof up, the SLK has lots of trunk space for a sports car. The seats are comfortable. They could use adjustable lumbar. I've had back problems and the SLK seems easier to get in and out of than the others.

Well, summer is coming and I'll update after several months. I'll give it 4 stars for value because it ain't cheap. They could have thrown in the CD (at least a single disk version) and some seat warmers. Good driving!

Similar Products Used:

Audi TT Coupe with Quattro: I love the TT. Couldn't get a sun roof in it and the roadster is not my favorite look. I like the look of the SLK better. The TT Quattro is excellent and offers good handling. The turbo came on early and as a result, the first gear felt very short. The SLK 230 has a super charger and it really begins to kick in around 2,500 RPM. First gear had some length and you really didn't need the supercharger until 2nd or 3rd. In the TT, it was hard to see stop lights and much of the world around you since the top curved down so much on the sides and front.
Honda S2000: A high RPM engine packed in a beautiful skin. Not much else. Terrible carpet and radio, very loud but its a screamer. The suspension is VERY tight and so its high performance with low comfort. Didn't get the sense that the car would last a long time.
Porsche Boxter: A great car with a soft top. Frankly, I like the security and safety of the SLK hard top better. Otherwise, couldn't find enough benefit for the extra $bucks.

super top,great brakes,excellent fit and finish,good acceleration,wonderful sound system,gets alot of attention.

seats are a little hard.corvette

I purchase a new car every 2 years and this is without a doubt one of my favorites.It gets a lot more attention than the corvettes I've owned. The quality is very good and it handles great.It's just a fun car to drive.One night I hit a pot hole and ruined a tire.I called the 24 hour Mercedes service they showed up in 20 minutes and were excellent. This is one outstanding product and I'd recommend it to anyone except a young kid.Buy one and see

Similar Products Used:

Honda delsol,corvette Far better quality than both the Honda or the Corvette,but not as fast as the Corvette.

Terrific retractable hardtop. 320 engine very peppy (same as in MB ML 320 SUV). Looks great -- sports package has AMG wheels and sculpted lower body. Great brakes and handling. Many safety features (air bags, traction control)

No memory for power seats. Lack of truck space with top down. Expensive (except when compared to Boxster and BMW Z3). Sound system could be a "notch" better. Integrated cell phone is a nice feature (albeit expensive), but don't get the "voice activation" feature; it doesn't work well enough to justify the extra $400.

Great looking car, particularly the aggressive looking Sport model. As fast as you'd want. Retractable hardtop that is the life of a party -- people just want to sit in the car, raising and lowering the top. It's a wonderfully impracticle car (i.e., 2-seater, no trunk space). My first MBZ, and I'd consider other models in the future. The SLK is really only for someone who has another, larger car for trips to the store, golf course, etc.

Similar Products Used:

Boxster - more money, less "refined." BMW Z3 - not a particularly attractive car (though I'm a BMW fan with 3 of them).

the roof, standart music system is quite good, handling is great essp with amg sport suspension and 17" wheels, in my opinion the most beautiful roadster in the market with no doubt.

the climate control could have been much better.

I did love this machine. I would recommend it as it is quite a beautiful convertible fun car without the classical shortcomings of roof and wind sound.

Similar Products Used:

None

I always wanted a Mercedes SL, but never had deep enough pockets to afford one. I thought that the SLK was the answer.

The styling is a little quirky, but that didn't bother me. This was, afterall, a Mercedes convertible.

When driving around town at low speeds the SLK is fine and handles well. When driving at highway speeds the car is loud. Now sometimes a loud car is a good thing, but the SLK sounds like it's sick. The noise becomes quite obnoxious after a half hour of driving.

The top has been stuck in the up position a few times. I'm told by the dealer that this was due to extreme heat.

The shifter is still very stiff and not very sporting.

The quality of the materials used in this vehicle is questionable for a Mercedes. I've never seen such cheap plastic in an MB, not even in a friend's old 190e.

I do find the seats very comfortable.

Bottom Line: I should have waited until I can afford MB's real convertible.

style, sharp colour, sporty

slightly too short, a good size should be 200cm longer

A fun car to drive for weekend, reponsive, good brake, open top. Mechanically very reliable, never experience any mechanical and electrical problems.

Similar Products Used:

None

Styling, retractable top, super-charged engine, brakes, handling, fuel efficiency, almost everything is included

dual climate control is a myth

I have never loved any object so much in my entire life! This car is not only an absolute pleasure to drive, it has also been a lifesaver (because of its brakes, handling and suspension). As someone who loves to drive up steep and winding roads, this is the perfect car for the job. It is quick, responsive and stops on a dime. I couldn't recommend this car more highly.

comfort, speed, 5 speed auto trans, smooth top retraction

None

I enjoy the car for now, i have a feeling that the price will exceed my enjoyment and maybe i should have went with the new c class

Similar Products Used:

1995 bmw325 conv,