The dual personality of top up/top down motoring.
All around composure
Hard top/glass rear window

Cheap cup holder. Plus drinks spill down the center controls when there is "leakage."
Seats lacking in lateral support.

This is a very fine all around automobile. Wit the top up, you have a very secure environment, no cloth top or plastic rear window to worry about. The top-down motoring is incredibly fun. Certainly not a speed demon, but in my three years of driving it, I've never thought that I needed more - in other words, it's plenty fast. Sure footed handling and stability at high speed. I've not had the sqeaking/rattling problem that others complain about. Perhaps, my early production model had a bit higher quality control.

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1991 BMW 320ic - top problems/plasstic window.

Styling
Retractable hardtop
Retro styled interior

Faulty electricals
Stiff shifter
Engine is better suited to a Subaru
Poor radio reception
Absolutely Unreliable

This car has spent more time in the shop than any car I've ever owned. The problems started with a check engine light and faulty fuel gauge and have continued to become worse.

When it's running the car is enjoyable. The supercharged 4 cylinder is not very smooth, but the power is OK. It's the type of car that feels like it's going fast even though it's not.

All in all, a lemon.

This is an update of my previous review. I am very happy with the handling, design and quality of this car. Do not get it if you do not want to be noticed. This car is two in one. You have a hard top coupe or convertible. I don't turn on the radio often because I like to listen to the sound of the engine.

At low and high speed, the car is very stable.

Teleaid is pretty neat too. You can ask your car if you have any question about it or open the doors if you lock your keys inside...

The biggest weakness is that I can't find a place to let this car run. I have the 230 version and it is plenty fast.

After several months of owning this car, I'm glad I bought it.

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See review below.

The weather here is ideal for a convertable so roof feature is wonderfull.
Great looking car also

Maybe a little too much plastic used for the interior.

I would say it has been a pleasure to own and am glad to have chosen it over similar competitors.

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1983 500 sl;The 500sl had amazing power delivery but the slk is really the next generation of vehicles

It's a nice looking little car which is one of the biggest reasons for the purchase.

It has a retractable hardtop.

Reliability
Quality Control

I've owned my SLK for more than 2 years. The first month of ownership was a lot of fun. Then a few problems occurred.

The top would not go back up on a number of occassions. The dealer told me that this was due to the extreme heat and the metal latches were expanding and contracting. He was right. Once the car cooled down, later that night, the top was once again operable. Mercedes, how about equipping the SLK with a more heat resistant top?

The stereo reception is terrible. I don't live far from Dallas so the reception should be good. The dealer told me that they were all like that.

After approximately 1k miles the engine began to sound more harsh. I don't know if the engine was breaking in or whether the baffling in the exhaust was starting to go. Once again, the dealer told me this was normal. Hey, I love the sound of a sports car, but this thing just sounds sick.

The computer module (chip?) in the transmission had to be replaced when the car would not operate in reverse.

I find these problems unacceptable, but Mercedes is selling thousands of these cars and probably don't care.

I think I'll try the BMW Z3 or the Porsche Boxster next time.

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1972 280SL

This is a cute convertible.

If you're not utterly and absolutely enamored with the retractable hardtop you should look elsewhere because the car isn't that special once you get past it.

First off, the car is somewhat slow or at least it feels slow and that because of the supercharged 4 cylinder. The engine just doesn't sound right. It also causes reverberation in the interior of the car.

I was hoping for a sports car when I bought my SLK, but this car is a little too soft when entering corners quickly. The handling does not inspire confidence when driving hard.

The brakes are very nice. The feel good and the grip is tenacious.

The seats need a little more support when driving aggressively.

I like the stereo. The reception is fine here in NY.

I didn't think a Mercedes was supposed to have squeaks and rattles. I guess that myth is shot to heck.

I'd never buy another unless they drastically improve the car. When I sell this I'll probably consider a BMW 323 convertible or maybe I'll go with the Saab. After this experience I'll take a very long test drive with both cars.

It's possible I have a bad example, but doubtful. Make sure you extensively test drive this car before you buy or lease one.

Good luck in your search!

The fact that the top is spectacular goes without saying.
Smooth power band makes for great passing acceleration.
It's a Benz, what's not to like?

Driver's side blind spot that you eventually get used to
Some top-up creaking in temperature extremes

Paid $36,900 for my year-old demo w/6000 miles on it. Dealership wouldn't budge on the price, but when you're getting a steal how can you argue. Speaking of arguments - make sure your dealership actually cares about you, not just your wallet. MB of Cherry Hill's Service guys are excellent. Sales, well that's another story.

I've had the car for 2 months and have driven it through the worst rain imaginable. No leaks, no noise - what a joy. The exhaust takes some getting used to, but at higher revs with the stick it actually sounds good with the top down.

Mileage is worse than I expected and the supercharger makes for some interesting weather-related performance variables (flooring it when it's hot & muggy outside is definitely a different experience than on a cool evening). The "mystery" hesitation/spasm when cold actually does exist and is annoying for about 2-5 miles until she warms up or I change my driving style. After that, look out!

I'd whole-heartedly recommend this car to anyone that doesn't need to haul people or things on a regular basis. It's way too fun to drive and the looks you get - that's just a bonus. Do yourself a favor and get a radar detector (a good one!) because you'll find you're exceeding the speed limit way too soon and way too often.

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320SL - Much more agile than its MB "little" big brother
Miata - Don't believe all of the press hype about how much better off you'd be getting a Mazda instead!
Z3 - Might drive a little better, but what a lousy top!

Stock audio system is incredible. The car is quick off the line and the traction control works very well. The built in SOS feature if you're ever in an accident is a true life saver. For the money the car is a very good bargain compared with other sports cars.

The seat could have better adjustments. The interior color schemes take a little getting used to but give it character.

I basically don't need a car since I live in Manhattan, however, after renting one for a vacation in the South of France I decided I had to have one. It's basically a car that says, yes I have the money, I know it's not the fastest but you're staring at it.

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1989 Mazda Miata

Fit and finish, hardtop convertible, glass heated rear window, heated leather seats, short throw six speed shifter, power, stability, good looks.

Heater, A/C controls not intuitive. cruise control placed where you grab for it instead of the turn signal.

MB SLK 320 is priced between the BMW M Roadster and the Porsche S-type Boxter. All three cars are eye catchers, everyone looks at you. The SLK 320 exhaust note, while not as throaty as the BMW M Roadster, comes to life with a pleasant sound when you step on it. With the back-of-seat wind screen in place the SLK top-down ride is great; you don't feel beaten up by the wind. Acceleration with the new 215 hp V6 is super, and with the sport package tires the car corners like it is on rails. This is a great ride, I am very happy with it so far.

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BMW M3, a wolf in sheep's clothing, more of a true performance sports car than any of the roadsters on the market. SLK on a sunny day with the top down is more fun to cruise in.
BMW M Roadster, 25 more hp than the SLK320, better sounding exhaust. M Roadster's unheated, plastic rear window is a challenge to live with in a cool or rainy climate and has a bad blind spot with the top up. My M Roadster had quality contol issues, MB SLK 320 quality control is good so far.

The hard-top is great and makes it a fantastic ride in all weathers. With the roof up engine noise is minimal. Great sound system. Good acceleration through 2nd-5th gear. Good leg room, I am 6'2" and find it roomier to drive than my friend's Audi A6, especially over longer distances. The engine performance has definitely improved over time and is much smoother than when I first got the car. It really is a great car to drive.

The lifetime 24 hour roadside service is also pretty cool. Service has generally been excellent.

Visibility over the left shoulder is bad with the seat right back and the roof up - huge blind spot; this shouldn't be a problem for most people though. Paint does seem to chip quite easily. I have had problems with the fuel gauge which malfunctioned "due to additives in the petrol". The "Check Engine" light keeps coming on and going off as well which is a bit annoying as there obviously is nothing wrong with it. The stick shift is a bit pokey, and not as smooth as other Mercs I have been in, but you get used to it.

I paid 48k and am really happy with it. I would love to try the 320, but ultimately, the design is set to become a classic and I am happy to keep this car for a long time to come.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely! It looks brilliant and is an absolute joy to drive! The Mercedes name is so classy, but you do pay somewhat for the name. For the same price you could buy a brand new Miata and a fully loaded saloon and still have some change. The result is that the minor quality niggles are annoying, and this lets down the value rating of the car.

On the whole though, I love my car!

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I have driven the TT which is good fun and was another car in contention for me to buy. I basically fell in love with the SLK though and find it is a classier ride than the Boxter, which is everywhere now and is much more of a boy-racer's car. The Z3 just looks too girly.