Hi everyone. this is my SLK which James has reviewed. I would like to say a few things. 1st is that I previewed this about a month before and having pointed out a few bits missing from the comparison James has acknowledged this and changed it slightly to include some footage not previously included. Credit to him for for that. Nice honest bloke and that goes for his integrity in getting things as good as he can. 2nd. This is quite an honest review. The R171 SLK 2004-2010 is not perfect (having driven a Z4 convertible and Coupe). I'm sure the Boxter is a better sports car, and if I had a spare £16k+ to get a SLK55, I probably would upgrade, but I purchased this for £6500 in 2017, and they are good value. Personally I would not compare this with a Boxter, but with a Z4 as I see this as a mini GT and not an outright sports car. As a side note I am 6ft3 and I fit into this with the roof up and down. When I looked at a early Boxter, I could not even fit behind the wheel. 3rd. The faults are there, no car is perfect. I am happy, others would not be. I asked James to do this review as there is no real footage for this car on RUclips. If you are looking for one, this is a very good grounding for you to start the hunt for one in the classified's.
@@whomstd up to the point he reviewed, genuinely no issues except the rust. Since then heater fan and motor (because a drain hole in the battery box was blocked and this causes the overflow into this unit and then into the passenger footwell, and temp sensors to sort. But mechanical no issues at all. Great car. Took part in an endurance event last November (got a vid up about it). Ended up 1800 miles between Friday am and Sunday pm. Great fun. No issues
I have heard subframe rust issues is a problem for these models. Would this bean expensive job to replace. Really love the car and looking to buy as we speak. Many thanks 👍🏻
I have a 350SLK 2006, I agee with most of the findings. It is a great car to drive and the V6 sounds superb, I have driven a Boxer and I hated the transmission wine, to me the Merc is better. The downside is we get spoof faults coming up for the Vario roof, the roof works fine so a sensor is playing up. Off to the Alps in June with other sports cars 350 SLK should be perfect.
Mazda mx5 rf retractable hardtop and bmw z4 both great cars much more of a drivers sports car compared to the luxurious and sophisticated slk 350 with its v6 and the slk 55 with that monster of a v8 5.5 litre true amg built engine . The slk is more of a gt car . I ve got the slk 350 2012 I love it but seriously considered getting the Mazda and the bmw. Both great cars and maybe more fun than the slk but at my age I went for the power and the luxury and comfort of the Mercedes
@@DJAkayManchesterI can't make my mind up about the model to go for. Basically I'd decided to go for the new model the r172 but there's not many like yours around especially in sunny bolton lol there all the 250 cdi diesels. Now do I go for that or the 171 3.5 litre ones which are more plentiful. Plus a lot cheaper. It's only a Sunday car for a drive out with the wife etc.
I've got a SLK350 but have also owned a Boxster, TTS and Lotus Elise 111s and the SLK is by far the best day to day drive as far as marking all relevant categories (economy, reliability, comfort, speed etc) there are definitely other cars that do things better but this car does all things well and is definitely the best looking car.. Absolutely a future classic 👌
When shopping for a used convertible, I was split between the BMW Z3 & Z4, Honda S2000, Jag XK8, and SLK350. I’m glad I went with the SLK350. Nothing beats a hardtop convertible when it’s winter time. Plus the SLK350 had more power than the other options and was the cheapest
Hi am live in dubai I find many cars between 2000 and 2005 with more the 180 k miles ante they worth buying and what’s the cost of maintaining of these car is it expensive
@@riverside4392 main issues are timing chain gear and transmission conductor plate. If the car has over 120k miles the issues are probably addressed already.
Just picked up an slk350 on the cheap a year after watching this video and I’m pleasantly surprised at how well it drives and it’s engine is strong. Definitely feels quicker than my v6 Alfa and 350z I had before! Yeah the gearbox is a bit slushy but kinda suits it as an open top cruiser. Was after a 987 boxster S but for the same mileage and year the slk was a third the price so took a gamble. No complaints thus far 💪
Bought a neglected 2007 SLK350 a few years ago, as I wanted a black one with red seats, which was hard to find. The interior was in good condition, with 110,000 km on the clock. Soon after, many gremlins appeared, mostly engine and gearbox related, which cost the same amount as the purchase price to fix at the dealership. I'm happy to say that the car is now in near perfect condition and is a joy to drive on smooth roads. I initially also considered the Z4 and the boxter, but I preferred the interior layout and the hardtop of the SLK. The plastics may not be of the highest quality, but they hold up pretty well in the hot sun of South Africa. The 55 was tempting, but I already had a V8 in my Cayenne and decided that a V6 was ample enough for such a small car.
I bought a neglected 06 slk and many gremlins appeared including a yeti. Had to replace the transmission for about 5k. Love the car but it’s already draining my bank account. I love the car and driving it is pure pleasure.
I think that this SLk has aged very gracefully, The SLK 350 is plenty quick with some publications when they were new stating 0 to 60 in around five seconds, I have driven a few and they have an excellent exhaust note, for some reason though this particular one doesn’t sound as throaty as some of the ones I’ve driven here in the states, even though they were unmodified…. Great review as always Jay thank you👌🙏💯
I changed my 2008 SLK55 for a 981 Boxster GTS. The Porsche was a better car from a driving and interior point of view. But I did miss that silly glorious V8.
I must say I do not agree with most of the comments in this clip about the SLK350. I own one myself (SLK350 2008 model) and was considering a Boxter or Z3/Z4 as well. I am glad I decided to buy the SLK as it is a comfortable sportscar. The suspension is fine (I live in Far North Queensland/Australia with most roads demanding) hard, but not too hard to get shaken all up. Also the power is strong enough for such a little car. The mileage you will get out of one tank is really good for such a car as well. Ah, and, the interior in the Boxter or BMW look a lot more "plastiky" than in the 350. It looks a lot more stylish in the 350 in my opinion.
Yes and being a 2008 it is likely a facelift model which is significantly better but all reviewers try the first series and don't mention the second. Very annoying and misleading.
Little known fact about these cars: the 3.5 V6 in this car made a little over 300 hp, whereas all other “350” cars in the Mercedes range made 268hp until around 2014
Incorrect: at least in Europe the SLK 350 had 272 hp and 350 Nm until the end of 2007, and then with the facelift from 2008 to the end of the model's life it had 305 hp and 360 Nm with the updated engine version called "Sportmotor" which still had conventional port injection but had its power slightly raised with a higher compression ratio. The reason it only got this older tech and didn't get the newer up-to-date CGI (direct injection) engine was because the CGI engine was a bit larger in height so it didn't fit into the SLK.
@@pistonburner6448 haha ive been considering them also 😆, for some reason the z4 is at at really good price here in the UK, i suppose maintenance would also be a benefit financially also and i do prefer the drive of a bmw straight 6 💨😉
Pre-2007 cars had a balance shaft issue in the M272 engine (SLK280, 300, and 350). This is potentially catastrophic. It was fixed in the 2007 facelift (the one with the inverted V in the front bumper) and also got a bump to 305bhp. Oh, and proper flappy paddles. Also, the boot spoiler was optional on all R171 cars, not just the AMG55, just look for the 'sports pack' option.
Sadly road tax is quite a bit more expensive on the facelift model by around £300 per year. Only certain VIN’s are impacted by the balance shaft issue.
It took me 8 months to find a low mileage SLK 350 with a 7 speed manual transmission. Worth every minute of the wait. Very few out there, but it's a LOT of fun and can be used as a daily driver. So far she hasn't had any issues and I bought her 2 years ago.
I used to have the 2009 facelift SLK200 R171 with manual gearbox. great fun and reliable car. It was my only car for a few years and it just worked. boot space is there at the limit for a 1-2 weeks vacation, which means it's quite decent actually. if there wasn't the kid, I would definitely buy again a SLK350 or SLK55. and yes, I find the R171 gorgeous
I've had my SLK 350 for over 10 years. I love it. It's been the most reliable car I've ever owned. It'll soon need control arm work and probably some other things but the body, engine, and trans feel just as good today as when I got it.
For me, the fact that the Boxster has 2 trunks (boots) puts it head-and-shoulders above the competition. I've had a 981 and now a 718 that I have previously used as daily drivers and they're fantastic
2 года назад
The boot in the SLK with the roof up is actually pretty big, bigger than a Ford Focus IIRC. Roof down it's another story though.
My '06 SLK 350 was mint when I got it. I found the power to be fine, the 7 speed transmission makes for truly excellent effortless acceleration and it's routinely run up past 200 KPH and it's very smooth. I have the 16" tires with no sport suspension so the ride is very good. I did find the body wallowed a LOT in corners at 130K+. I fixed that by installing AMG sway bars front and rear. On the transmission, it has sport and comfort and I added the A mode. That gives you way earlier downshifts, way higher RPM before upshifting and when manually shifting it will hold it at the red line and not shift unless you go past. You can also turn off the torque reduction 'feature' when cornering. All of this, coupled with very modern Michelin tires, means you will not be embarrassed by anything. There is also more power to be had by changing the fuel setting to 94 octane and using it.
I own a 55 here in Germany, and Volkswagen boxters and Z4's tend to get very small in my rear view mirror. And I will go toe to toe with the big boys...oh after 450,000 km. I had a Carlsson motor put in. 😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁
Shame that Porsche never made a V-8 Boxster then (has anyone ever made a Boxster LS swap???). EDIT- looks like it's been done many times! ruclips.net/video/VZ303oD_EIY/видео.html
I love your videos and I was recently watching some of your older work, from 2 years ago or so and I can tell you your style and the quality of the videos has evolved healthily and nicely, good job.
I have an R172 SLK 200. I like driving it but it definitely isn't an out and out sports car. The interior is a massive improvement over the R171 though. I love the folding roof, definitely the best feature.
Later R171 cars (2009>) as well as getting the increased power of 306bhp also benefitted from revised suspension and steering changes that made it a better and sharper car. Check out EVO on line for a proper review. I swapped my 2.5si Z4 for one and I have been so much happier. Ride in the Z4 was bone jarring and the SLK has just been a better thing to own.
My 2005 SLK350 has the manual mode and the steering wheel paddles.. I guess it was an option on the 350. I like mine as it was only £3,500 (cheaper than a same aged MX5 or Boxster, I was going to buy), no rust and the ride is far superior to a BMW Z4.
Be very lucky to find a decent one for anywhere near that price now. Bought mine in May for a bit of summer fun but my daughter persuaded me to keep it. She is a very astute young lady.
Thank goodness now I can admit to adoring these smaller Mercedes Benz models. I had the impression these were models that were looked down upon a bit. Happily I was wrong.
I had a r171 SLK350 and got rid of it very quickly. As you rightly said, the suspension on anything other than a smooth road is appalling. But the main reason I sold it was the 7G box. It never seemed to do what I wanted it to do. It never changed up or down at the right time. I cant believe you were so kind about it. For me it destroyed the whole driving experience. I've now got a CLS55 AMG which I've almost finished restoring. You can borrow it if you like for a review!!
Just to clear something up, the engines in these two SLK's do not come from the same engine family. The SLK55 uses the M113 V8 engine (SOHC, 3 valve, twin spark plug) that was used in other AMG cars in the early-mid 2000's (before the introduction of the M156 6.3 engine). The SLK 350 uses the later M272 V6 (DOHC, 4 valve), the V8 version of which is the M273 which was never used in the SLK I believe. Completely different engines. One advantage of the M113 is that it is a very strong, reliable engine with no real serious issues, while the M272/M273 were known to have some serious issues including timing system failure on the early models.
This SLK55 has the M113 NOT the M113K. The K stands for Kompressor and is of course the supercharged one in all the 55 Kompressor models, this has the NA M113.
@@ahemgee9542 Oh no, another mistake. How embarrasing! That's what happens when you post before your morning coffee. Quite ironic given I used to work on M156's all the time and owned one for a while. BTW, I know the M156 has a 6.2 capacity, but MB badge it as a 6.3 so that's what I use to avoid confusion. Not everyone is an AMG nerd you know. Thanks again!
The M272 V6 engines that were sold between 2004 and 2006 with engine serial numbers below 2729..30 468993 often show early wear of the balance shaft gears. This is a very serious problem and resulted in a class action law suit in the USA. Some say the problems were not over until MY 2009.
I bought a 2007 SLK350 with 100K miles a year ago, previously pampered and garaged in Palm Beach FL so as pretty as the day it rolled off the showroom floor with zero rust. I only had to replace the front plastic bumper which had one too many cracks from scraping over curbs while parking. Very reliable since then, and very roomy for my 6ft 2 in frame compared to the Boxster and Z4 I checked out when shopping. The hardtop is WAY better than and ragtop will ever be. I love how it handles, and the 268 HP engine was more than enough to get me an effortless speeding ticket on a casino trip to North Carolina. This is one fun car.
@@Beer_Dad1975, yes, but the car is light enough that it doesn't matter, and the 5.5l V8 is one of the few truly bulletproof Mercedes engines of the modern era.
@@flyingphoenix113 At 1600kgs they aren't exactly light for a sports car. Yes it's one of Mercedes better engines - but there are loads of V8 engines that make as much or more power, use less fuel, and are just as, if not more reliable - e.g. the 1UR-FSE comes in at just 4.6 litres, makes more power & only slightly less torque, and uses a lot less fuel - and it's all but indestructible. Of course Lexus didn't put it into a sports car unfortunately - but the point is, the M113 of this particular era seems like a bit of a cop-out for a supposed AMG engine.
Haven't had the chance to watch this yet but will throw my comment in ahead of hearing your insight. I had the opportunity at 18 to drive a 986 Boxster S and what was advertised as a R170 SLK320, but turned out to be a brand new R171 SLK350 manual. To this day, I maintain the SLK was the nicer car to drive. Couldn't get on with the Boxster at all.
I have owned an SLK 350, a 986 Boxster S and a BMW Z4 3.0si. All three fantastic. The Boxster probably edges it over the others. In fact, I definitely edges it. And yet, I find I miss my SLK the most.
I have a 2007 SLK350, it doesn't have a single rust spot. I haven't had a single problem since I bought it 2016. And when the gearbox is in manual it shifts pretty fast.
I bought the mrs a 350, the slightly newer one with just over 300 hp. Auto gearbox. It’s very rapid.(mind you I drive an auto long wheelbase transit custom as my daily drive). It holds onto the gear really well and around country roads in sport mode it’s brill. Rusty wings mind you! They always go where they are attached. 2 new wings needed. But who cares when it goes that well and the roof goes down in the summer
31.4 mpg, he's getting .3mpg more than my 2009 A150. Just goes to show sometimes it's better to have a big engine you don't have to work than a small one that needs loads of throttle to do anything
I was working for MB during the mid-noughties era so “lived” with these particular cars on a daily basis. 350 wins over 55 AMG every time unless it’s a “10 minute blast every other Sunday morning” car you’re after. Nearly as fast, much smoother drivetrain with less on-off throttle “shunt”, sweeter engine note, less nose-heavy handling, less gear-hunting auto-box, better damping. Need I go on? 987 Boxster S still better though!
The 55 is more than just sound. Its lowered, stiffer, the power difference is significant given the car’s weight. And another point: brakes. The 55 has massive 6 piston front brakes and 4 piston rear brakes. You wont keeo up with a well driven 55 in a 350.
I have a slk 200, no rust on body work but I had to get rear sub frame welded (£350)& my fuel & brake pipes are next on my list (£500). Had it 4 years now, no other issues.
Same here. I drive the 200 for 6 years now. It is a 2008 model. No rust at all and here in Germany we have loads of salt during the winter. Having that said, yes I drive it whole year long. When I got it it had 72k km behind it and now it has 180k km. Costs? Only brake lines, discs and pads and 2 springs up front. Car passes MOT every time without issues. Chain drive issues I never had although they say it is a problem with these engines. Beside that it is fun to hear every time that I own such a nice car. Many people here in the village had their eyes on it when it came up for sale but I was the lucky one. I owned a BMW before and although very good, they lost vallue pretty quick. However, the Merc is still worth a lot. Maybe not in the books but some are willing to pay more. Just to have it. Sure there are things like the interior knobs etc but hey, it isnt a SL. But parts arent to expensive and you find a lot on Ebay. Drive is comfort enough for a roadster and lays steady enough to have fun in the corners. Overall it is a great car and every day when I look which car I want to take, S coupe or SLK, I go for the SLK. Hope to keep it for many many years to come
SLK350 is ridiculous value for money. £40k car for £5k. V6 sounds superb, performance is more than enough on the road. They need a bit of fettling to sort out the shakes, squeaks and rattles but there are excellent forums to help point you in the right direction. As a former owner of a 997 Carrera 2S, I’m having more fun and less stress in the SLK 350 I recently inherited than the 911. Amazing how some things are significantly undervalued.
I e got the latest version of the SLK350, the SLC43, I have had it since new and really enjoy it. The suspension is nicely controlled, the later gearbox is pretty smart and changes it’s behaviour significantly between the modes the Sport+ is a little too much comedy. It is a really fun car to drive at up to 8 tenths, after that the lack of real finesse makes driving on the limit a bit too much guess work. My wife’s Mini Cooper S feels a much more angry car. Overall the folding hard top and the drive makes this car one I will hold on to as it is a road car and as such is pretty good.
I had a 2008 350slk until this year. It was fun. It is very compact. It gave me a better time on the hill climb than previous cars audi a3, bmw 135. In last 4y a few things let me down... springs, battery, i fixed the rust. 106000 miles. Yes it rattled a lot due to the separator in the boot. But great for luggage for 2 people to go away for 10days. New Z4 G29, seems a lot better all round except larger.
The 55 is a hoot to drive but the previous generation SLK32 AMG was an absolute terrorist of a car, when you put your foot down in that thing it felt like you`d been fired out of a slingshot...cost me a fortune in speeding fines when I had one back in 2008 in South Africa...
I love my 2004 SLK350 R171 Manual. The manual box, never mind 1st gear being a bit low, is by far the best choice. Rust the rear sub frame, yes mine has been changed and the front wings need a little attention as well. The ride strangely enough I find a bit stiff when going slow and a bit soft when at speed. They made lots so you can get parts, and in the summer a press of the button and you have that open top feeling. I have the 17" 10 Spoke wheels, the 18" 16 spoke AMG wheels would fit right on, but I suspect it would make the suspension harsher than it already is. Negatives, well the corrosion as you mentioned, I would have liked it in white but that wasn't available until later. There are a few daft messages that come up from time to time, usually to distract you when your flying down the motorway. The seat moves back when you switch off, fine except if like me you leave the engine in gear and have your foot on the clutch (I think you can switch that off). The electric fan cooling the engine is incredibly loud. The prettiest of the available models and perfect for the Cornish lanes where I live.
Every car has its gremlins, but I love my r171 SLK 350. Had an r170 230 before this, which I also loved but rust problems forced me to sell it. This one had an irritating rattle which turned out to be the boot lid. A few adjustments and it's fine now. The suspension is a little hard for Bristol's terrible roads but it's ok on the A roads and motorway. Plenty fast for me, as I don't want to race the boy racers around here, ( although I could leave most of them standing!) and it's nice to know that it has the acceleration to overtake when I need to. I love the styling, love all the extras, and I just love driving with the roof down. This is my last car and I shall enjoy every minute that I spend in it.
@@boerboel7777 Actually, I have had a change of heart. It will not be my last car. I plan to find a decent r171 SLK 55 AMG, and that WILL be my last car. They are overpriced though. I am 70 years old. Want to die happy, if you know what I mean!
@@kimcousins1125 Great stuff, now that's the spirit Kim! ☺ I know exactly what you mean...the only regret I ever have when driving my SLK is that its not a 55. I hope you find that AMG 🤞
Somehow Jay you missed that the 7 speed auto in the 350 DOES have a Manual Mode. Just keep pressing the button and a very small "M" appears after the "C" and "S". That also gives much better throttle response for powering out of corners.
Thanks for the video. I saw it after buying an R171 SLK 280 just a few days ago. So, less power. It has flappy paddles, but I doubt I will ever use them. I am enjoying it hugely. In a few days, it will be on its way to Spain, where it will spend the winter under cover and be driven in the summer months. So, I hope the bodywork and undercarriage will remain in the same condition as today-no visible rust on the body and almost nothing underneath. 50K miles and, it seems, garaging for almost all its life have given me a very nice-looking car. My only gripe is that the console (which looks much nicer than the reviewed 350) has that nasty, rubbery coating that is just starting to feel tacky under the finger. This was a spur-of-the-moment purchase; I looked at no other examples. But, I am happy that, as far as I can see, it is a lot of car for the money. Not even much in the way of squeaks and rattles, but the ride is firmer than I would prefer.
I've got a really nice 2005 SLK 350. I like the McLaren front end, It's only got 40k miles on it. It's garage kept, mint and a pussy magnet. Everyone thinks it's a new car. I get compliments every time I take it out.
@@uthantdillon3896 I'm in Florida. I won't drive it in the rain or even on a wet street. I keep it in the garage and covered up. I drive it when the weather is nice.
This is one of those cases where you need to really understand what YOUR definition of “sporty” is and what you want from it etc. boxster is definitely more sporty in the most proper sense of the word, but I know many that would consider this to be more so because they just don’t see “sporty” the same way as car nerds like us
I had a clk350 sport with a full factory fitted amg body kit. Absolutely loved it, owned it for 6 years. It's amazing how much better the interior was on that car due to it being based on the e class.
If you have someone drive the SLK350 then have them drive the SLK55 AMG I can wisely assume that no one would choose the 350 over the 55. The prices of both cars are about the same now on average a 5k difference. A lot of people don’t know as well that on these early AMG cars, most work can be done yourself. Parts on the AMG will always be more expensive because you’re getting that much of a better car. You can’t compare performance of these two cars because it’s not fair or even close. The SLK 55 AMG will for ever be in my heart as a bold statement of a sports car. Not saying the SLK350 is a bad car because it’s not. Don’t compare to the SLK55 AMG is basically my point here.
Not the same car but I've been lucky enough to own C350 with a manual transmission. I've enjoyed driving it for 10 years and have never had any major issues with it. It's old enough now that it is starting to get compliments. Is it the best at anything? Probably not. Is it very good at most things. Yes indeed. Not close to a relevant car anymore but I can't see myself ever selling it because I could never find one again.
I have a 350 slk 2004 6 speed manual .. with AMG option same body kit and wheels as the 55 for the money £5400 i cant fault it it was a 45 k car when new I have updated the Stereo added a subwoofer as well the big change came when i replaced the front suspension with new arms and uprated dampers Bilstien B8s the difference was night and day gone was the soggy front end and aquired was its ability to change lanes at crazy speeds without fuss it was fitted with the factory sports suspension from new i think i have just upgraded that .. i will be doing the rears next year I have also been over Europe and the swiss alps on a 12 day tour in a 350 manual and it was perfect for the job averaged 35 mpg makes some great noises in the tunnels I see the 55 as more of a toy as its at least 10k more brake maintenance can be crazy with brembo 6 pots and 345 mm split discs and it likes to drink ,, if they made a manual though one i would go for it .,. i hear the same story about the gearbox .. its never quiet it the gear you want it to be in Faults so far Fan packed in they are known for this easy but pricey to fix Rust spot on front wing they are known for this its a bracket behind it that starts it Rear subframe can rot out and MB have been known to replace them under warranty Rust is really not an issue with the SLK 171 the 170 is though I bought I carsoft to diagnose any issues and kick start the Air Con again cheap at £135 I chose its for steel roof.... boot capacity ., its not an out and out sports car but can deliver if needed .. it sounds great and looks great ..its a Merc would not hesitate in recommending one it is the bargain covertable in my view The review here knocks the quality i cant fault it for the money i really cant
1 advantage of the SLK 350 is that it is also available with a 6-speed manual transmission with 3 pedals for the stick lovers like me. I drive a W203 C350 with this gearbox and it is a dream. Highly recommended than those sluggish torque converter automatics tbh.
Hi from Australia just got a 2007 SLK 350 with 143,000 K's on it as a 6 speed manual for $20,000 AUD I think it is a good Buy and has the WOW factor and much better for the price as other brands also I really like Mercedes Benz as they have it. Good car just wish they were cheaper like in The USA and Britania.
My wife had a SLK230 for 15 years. She loved it, whilst I was always encouraging her to change it. Fantastic to look at (it had the full AMG body kit) but dire dynamics and power delivery always made driving it a disappointment. Also for all budding car engineers/designs the SLK is perfect for you to experience and appreciate shuttle shake.
The R170 was a completely different performer than the R171. The R171 was substantially more rigid and had much better power and power delivery. Suspension is also quite solid by comparison.
If you just want to buy a cheap daily convertible，the slk350 is definitely enough，for me the SLK55 AMG is one of kind german romance，such a big engine in such a small car，the power is even close to the Ferrari 360 from a year ago，this is crazy😱
I considered a SLK, was in the market for a convertible 2 seater. I ended up with a 2004 Porsche Boxster S 6-speed manual trans, midnight blue. Love the car, but would love to have a SLK also. :)
Just bought an 09 350 with the upgraded sport motor and very happy with it.not as focused as a boxster but as an all rounder i think its a better car .i had a 986 3.2 s manual and was a great car in the bends but as a car to run daily the slk is a better option with a lot more toys as standard.good thing with the 305bhp later model is the cheaper tax and better mpg. The 06 to 08 cars are 675 quid tax .mine is 414 annually
I can only speak about myself here, but I have owned my 2006 SLK350 for 13 years, and still can't find something I like better (for under 90K). I might buy a new car in the next year or two, but I prefer my SLK to the 718 Boxster. Not anything against the Boxster per se, but my SLK offers me everything in a car that I want, so maybe it is just my preferences. The Boxster was one of the possibilities along with the Z4 M40i, but I'm not all that impressed with either of those two. I also prefer a hardtop which NOBODY offers any more (save C8 Corvette). Z4 and Boxster are wonderful cars (or I would not be looking at them), so I understand why people might want those cars. Probably can't go wrong with either of those, or the SLK/SLC.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the interior of the R171 slk. Yes, there is plastic (What car doesn't have plastic) but it is stylish and doesn't look cheap and nasty. I don't like the all-black interior that lots of silks have but mine is beige and black and I really like it. This car holds its own against most modern cars for style and performance, it is a very aesthetically pleasing car. It has a hard sports suspension so yes it doesn't ride bumps or rough roads that well but that is just how it is. I love mine to bits.
I'm looking to buy a slk. But i really dont know if i should get 350 ot save more (1year) and get slk 55 amg. Is it worth it? Would be my DD, mostly city
@@alexamorin5534 I am waiting to buy a 55 AMG. I have a 350 at the moment. You either love or hate SLKs, I love them, and once you fall in love you want the best, the most powerful and that is why I must have a 55. They are overpriced, and they are costly to run but if you can afford one, get the 55 because if you don't you will be craving one. The 350 is a great car however and if you are doing lots of miles to work or whatever you may find that the fuel costs are too high with the 55. I am an older guy, I work part-time and it takes me ten minutes to get to work. I won't be piling on the mileage and so I'm not concerned with the fuel costs. If you do get a 55 get a 2005 or earlier because the road tax doubles after that. Follow your gut mate, I always do. My advice is to join an SLK forum online. good luck!
@@alexamorin5534 I am part of the SLKworld owners club and arrange semi regular meets. If I had the cash I probably would prefer the 55 but it would be a lower miles pre facelift car. Problem being they are really expensive (last look was £16000) so when mine cost me £6000, and when having fun with the pack on the road, I can easily keep up with the 55. Only on track do I get left behind.
I had one of these 350's in a manual, it's first gear was ridiculously short and most of the time I started off in 2nd gear. The interior was indeed very cheap, the driver's seat creaked everytime you went around a corner, the engine had an intermittent strange knock when you started it, (strange for a 10,000 km engine) The roof creaked, but that could be stopped by lubricating all the rubber sealing. Engine performance was quite good, but in the end all the above faults were too much for me, so I offloaded it within a year.
I've had my R171 since 2018, and I have loved Every moment with it since then. Sure, the Boxter may have been a better choice for a sports car, with excellent handling - but i didn't buy the SLK to compete with that. The SLK's handling is more than adequate for the touring role that it fulfills so well. And ..it looks a whole lot better - end of story. And the Z4? Dont even go there. I wasn't in the market for a jelly mold.
Hi everyone. this is my SLK which James has reviewed. I would like to say a few things.
1st is that I previewed this about a month before and having pointed out a few bits missing from the comparison James has acknowledged this and changed it slightly to include some footage not previously included. Credit to him for for that. Nice honest bloke and that goes for his integrity in getting things as good as he can.
2nd. This is quite an honest review. The R171 SLK 2004-2010 is not perfect (having driven a Z4 convertible and Coupe). I'm sure the Boxter is a better sports car, and if I had a spare £16k+ to get a SLK55, I probably would upgrade, but I purchased this for £6500 in 2017, and they are good value. Personally I would not compare this with a Boxter, but with a Z4 as I see this as a mini GT and not an outright sports car. As a side note I am 6ft3 and I fit into this with the roof up and down. When I looked at a early Boxter, I could not even fit behind the wheel.
3rd. The faults are there, no car is perfect. I am happy, others would not be. I asked James to do this review as there is no real footage for this car on RUclips. If you are looking for one, this is a very good grounding for you to start the hunt for one in the classified's.
Hey mate. Thanks for loaning your car to James. I really like this era of MB, great styling!
How did you find it reliability wise?
@@whomstd up to the point he reviewed, genuinely no issues except the rust. Since then heater fan and motor (because a drain hole in the battery box was blocked and this causes the overflow into this unit and then into the passenger footwell, and temp sensors to sort. But mechanical no issues at all. Great car. Took part in an endurance event last November (got a vid up about it). Ended up 1800 miles between Friday am and Sunday pm. Great fun. No issues
I have heard subframe rust issues is a problem for these models. Would this bean expensive job to replace. Really love the car and looking to buy as we speak. Many thanks 👍🏻
I have a 350SLK 2006, I agee with most of the findings. It is a great car to drive and the V6 sounds superb, I have driven a Boxer and I hated the transmission wine, to me the Merc is better. The downside is we get spoof faults coming up for the Vario roof, the roof works fine so a sensor is playing up. Off to the Alps in June with other sports cars 350 SLK should be perfect.
I thought this car looked familiar. Had to go over some old meet photo's and low and behold 🤣
For me, the fact that the SLK's have a real hard roof and not a flimsy cloth concoction put it head and shoulders above the competition.
The later z4’s also had a hard top.
Mazda mx5 rf retractable hardtop and bmw z4 both great cars much more of a drivers sports car compared to the luxurious and sophisticated slk 350 with its v6 and the slk 55 with that monster of a v8 5.5 litre true amg built engine . The slk is more of a gt car . I ve got the slk 350 2012 I love it but seriously considered getting the Mazda and the bmw. Both great cars and maybe more fun than the slk but at my age I went for the power and the luxury and comfort of the Mercedes
Yes, I would not have considered a car with a fabric or plastic lid.
@@DJAkayManchesterI can't make my mind up about the model to go for. Basically I'd decided to go for the new model the r172 but there's not many like yours around especially in sunny bolton lol there all the 250 cdi diesels. Now do I go for that or the 171 3.5 litre ones which are more plentiful. Plus a lot cheaper. It's only a Sunday car for a drive out with the wife etc.
I've got a SLK350 but have also owned a Boxster, TTS and Lotus Elise 111s and the SLK is by far the best day to day drive as far as marking all relevant categories (economy, reliability, comfort, speed etc) there are definitely other cars that do things better but this car does all things well and is definitely the best looking car.. Absolutely a future classic 👌
Nonsense...
The version of the SLK 350 with paddle shifters is excellent.
When shopping for a used convertible, I was split between the BMW Z3 & Z4, Honda S2000, Jag XK8, and SLK350. I’m glad I went with the SLK350. Nothing beats a hardtop convertible when it’s winter time. Plus the SLK350 had more power than the other options and was the cheapest
Hi am live in dubai I find many cars between 2000 and 2005 with more the 180 k miles ante they worth buying and what’s the cost of maintaining of these car is it expensive
@@riverside4392 main issues are timing chain gear and transmission conductor plate. If the car has over 120k miles the issues are probably addressed already.
I do love the McLaren influenced front end on the R171's...
That’s easily one of the coolest part😭
Just picked up an slk350 on the cheap a year after watching this video and I’m pleasantly surprised at how well it drives and it’s engine is strong. Definitely feels quicker than my v6 Alfa and 350z I had before! Yeah the gearbox is a bit slushy but kinda suits it as an open top cruiser.
Was after a 987 boxster S but for the same mileage and year the slk was a third the price so took a gamble. No complaints thus far 💪
Bought a neglected 2007 SLK350 a few years ago, as I wanted a black one with red seats, which was hard to find. The interior was in good condition, with 110,000 km on the clock. Soon after, many gremlins appeared, mostly engine and gearbox related, which cost the same amount as the purchase price to fix at the dealership. I'm happy to say that the car is now in near perfect condition and is a joy to drive on smooth roads. I initially also considered the Z4 and the boxter, but I preferred the interior layout and the hardtop of the SLK. The plastics may not be of the highest quality, but they hold up pretty well in the hot sun of South Africa. The 55 was tempting, but I already had a V8 in my Cayenne and decided that a V6 was ample enough for such a small car.
I bought a neglected 06 slk and many gremlins appeared including a yeti. Had to replace the transmission for about 5k. Love the car but it’s already draining my bank account. I love the car and driving it is pure pleasure.
Sometimes it's better to compromise on the colour and but based on the condition and history. You can always have it wrapped in a different colour.
I think that this SLk has aged very gracefully, The SLK 350 is plenty quick with some publications when they were new stating 0 to 60 in around five seconds, I have driven a few and they have an excellent exhaust note, for some reason though this particular one doesn’t sound as throaty as some of the ones I’ve driven here in the states, even though they were unmodified…. Great review as always Jay thank you👌🙏💯
I agree about the exhaust note. I think it's James camera. I have a few videos on YT and the sound is much better.
I changed my 2008 SLK55 for a 981 Boxster GTS. The Porsche was a better car from a driving and interior point of view. But I did miss that silly glorious V8.
Thats a nice upgrade. I have a 987.2 2.9L Cayman. Would love to have the 981 GTS. But its significantly more expensive (double the price).
I have a 2005 slk350 I'm from Brazil...and I wouldn't trade it for a Porsche...Mercedes-Benz is the best series car in the world...
@@kikomacedo8529 Boxster 987 > SLK350 R171, SLK 55 R171 > Boxster 987
Boxster 981 > SLK 55 R171
I must say I do not agree with most of the comments in this clip about the SLK350. I own one myself (SLK350 2008 model) and was considering a Boxter or Z3/Z4 as well. I am glad I decided to buy the SLK as it is a comfortable sportscar. The suspension is fine (I live in Far North Queensland/Australia with most roads demanding) hard, but not too hard to get shaken all up. Also the power is strong enough for such a little car. The mileage you will get out of one tank is really good for such a car as well. Ah, and, the interior in the Boxter or BMW look a lot more "plastiky" than in the 350. It looks a lot more stylish in the 350 in my opinion.
Yes and being a 2008 it is likely a facelift model which is significantly better but all reviewers try the first series and don't mention the second. Very annoying and misleading.
@@skyalex5663 I’ve had a 2009 350 since new and have enjoyed it. Coming up to 34,000 miles on the clock.
Little known fact about these cars: the 3.5 V6 in this car made a little over 300 hp, whereas all other “350” cars in the Mercedes range made 268hp until around 2014
2011 W204 350 Petrol got 306hp.
You got that engine in the CLC also, would make a great Q car especially badged as a 180 :cheeky:
Incorrect: at least in Europe the SLK 350 had 272 hp and 350 Nm until the end of 2007, and then with the facelift from 2008 to the end of the model's life it had 305 hp and 360 Nm with the updated engine version called "Sportmotor" which still had conventional port injection but had its power slightly raised with a higher compression ratio. The reason it only got this older tech and didn't get the newer up-to-date CGI (direct injection) engine was because the CGI engine was a bit larger in height so it didn't fit into the SLK.
Thanks for the info, i was looking at one of these for the summer, now i know to get the "right" one 😄👌
@@mcdxxbletrxxble5761 Yeah, the right one is BMW Z4 3.0si 👍
@@pistonburner6448 haha ive been considering them also 😆, for some reason the z4 is at at really good price here in the UK, i suppose maintenance would also be a benefit financially also and i do prefer the drive of a bmw straight 6 💨😉
Pre-2007 cars had a balance shaft issue in the M272 engine (SLK280, 300, and 350). This is potentially catastrophic. It was fixed in the 2007 facelift (the one with the inverted V in the front bumper) and also got a bump to 305bhp. Oh, and proper flappy paddles.
Also, the boot spoiler was optional on all R171 cars, not just the AMG55, just look for the 'sports pack' option.
Sadly road tax is quite a bit more expensive on the facelift model by around £300 per year. Only certain VIN’s are impacted by the balance shaft issue.
It took me 8 months to find a low mileage SLK 350 with a 7 speed manual transmission. Worth every minute of the wait. Very few out there, but it's a LOT of fun and can be used as a daily driver. So far she hasn't had any issues and I bought her 2 years ago.
You have a 7 speed manual? So you have 3 pedals at your feet and 7 speeds?
@@dpa1686 I don’t think there is 7 speed manual SLK350. I got a 6 speed.
I've got a 280, and it does everything I want. Massive amounts of smiles per mile. It's smooth and comfortable to drive and reliable.😊
The R170 is a masterpiece! I have one, love the look, the ride, and how reliable it is
I used to have the 2009 facelift SLK200 R171 with manual gearbox. great fun and reliable car. It was my only car for a few years and it just worked. boot space is there at the limit for a 1-2 weeks vacation, which means it's quite decent actually. if there wasn't the kid, I would definitely buy again a SLK350 or SLK55. and yes, I find the R171 gorgeous
I've had my SLK 350 for over 10 years. I love it. It's been the most reliable car I've ever owned. It'll soon need control arm work and probably some other things but the body, engine, and trans feel just as good today as when I got it.
For me, the fact that the Boxster has 2 trunks (boots) puts it head-and-shoulders above the competition. I've had a 981 and now a 718 that I have previously used as daily drivers and they're fantastic
The boot in the SLK with the roof up is actually pretty big, bigger than a Ford Focus IIRC. Roof down it's another story though.
You can't get a 20 year old Boxter with 60,000 miles for £5000 though, so there's no comparison because they're not in the same price bracket.
Front wings where they meet the bumper is the area to watch for rust
My '06 SLK 350 was mint when I got it. I found the power to be fine, the 7 speed transmission makes for truly excellent effortless acceleration and it's routinely run up past 200 KPH and it's very smooth. I have the 16" tires with no sport suspension so the ride is very good. I did find the body wallowed a LOT in corners at 130K+. I fixed that by installing AMG sway bars front and rear. On the transmission, it has sport and comfort and I added the A mode. That gives you way earlier downshifts, way higher RPM before upshifting and when manually shifting it will hold it at the red line and not shift unless you go past. You can also turn off the torque reduction 'feature' when cornering. All of this, coupled with very modern Michelin tires, means you will not be embarrassed by anything. There is also more power to be had by changing the fuel setting to 94 octane and using it.
@@bobjones3725 how did you add the A mode?
Thank you, just bought a 350 - 2006 with only 34 000 miles, i just love love it!!!!!
I own a 55 here in Germany, and Volkswagen boxters and Z4's tend to get very small in my rear view mirror. And I will go toe to toe with the big boys...oh after 450,000 km. I had a Carlsson motor put in. 😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁
I always loved the amount of sound coming from an SLK55, considering the size of the car.
Shame that Porsche never made a V-8 Boxster then (has anyone ever made a Boxster LS swap???). EDIT- looks like it's been done many times! ruclips.net/video/VZ303oD_EIY/видео.html
I love that every your video starts with car passing by the camera
I love your videos and I was recently watching some of your older work, from 2 years ago or so and I can tell you your style and the quality of the videos has evolved healthily and nicely, good job.
I have an R172 SLK 200. I like driving it but it definitely isn't an out and out sports car. The interior is a massive improvement over the R171 though. I love the folding roof, definitely the best feature.
What color? I have a red one.
@@ApKieras black
Later R171 cars (2009>) as well as getting the increased power of 306bhp also benefitted from revised suspension and steering changes that made it a better and sharper car. Check out EVO on line for a proper review. I swapped my 2.5si Z4 for one and I have been so much happier. Ride in the Z4 was bone jarring and the SLK has just been a better thing to own.
Snap😇😇😇😇
My 2005 SLK350 has the manual mode and the steering wheel paddles.. I guess it was an option on the 350. I like mine as it was only £3,500 (cheaper than a same aged MX5 or Boxster, I was going to buy), no rust and the ride is far superior to a BMW Z4.
My wife's CLK350 has the same
Yes, same as a 2006 SLK350 i used to have too. I guess they had the manual mode in the later generation R171s.
Be very lucky to find a decent one for anywhere near that price now. Bought mine in May for a bit of summer fun but my daughter persuaded me to keep it. She is a very astute young lady.
mine has a real stick. its rare but awesome!
Love mine. Paddles and gearbox are slow but what a car. Keeper. 350SLK is massively underrated.
Thank goodness now I can admit to adoring these smaller Mercedes Benz models. I had the impression these were models that were looked down upon a bit. Happily I was wrong.
SLK55 vs SLK350 is the perfect example of head vs heart. Of course, I've always been more of a heart guy myself.
Yep, me too.
I had a 350, great car and superb value for money.
We had a SLK200 for 7 years , what a great sportscar😍😍
I had a r171 SLK350 and got rid of it very quickly. As you rightly said, the suspension on anything other than a smooth road is appalling. But the main reason I sold it was the 7G box. It never seemed to do what I wanted it to do. It never changed up or down at the right time. I cant believe you were so kind about it. For me it destroyed the whole driving experience. I've now got a CLS55 AMG which I've almost finished restoring. You can borrow it if you like for a review!!
The 7G can be retuned, basically it's an excellent box, yours obviously needed attention.
What's the process for retuning please?@@FairladyS130
@@mcb00m Search SLK World, there are a couple of things that can be done including a remote tune.
Thank you very much!
This slk is one of the best cars ever made.!!! I have a slk, 320, year 2000. Already a Star too! !
Just to clear something up, the engines in these two SLK's do not come from the same engine family. The SLK55 uses the M113 V8 engine (SOHC, 3 valve, twin spark plug) that was used in other AMG cars in the early-mid 2000's (before the introduction of the M156 6.3 engine). The SLK 350 uses the later M272 V6 (DOHC, 4 valve), the V8 version of which is the M273 which was never used in the SLK I believe. Completely different engines. One advantage of the M113 is that it is a very strong, reliable engine with no real serious issues, while the M272/M273 were known to have some serious issues including timing system failure on the early models.
This SLK55 has the M113 NOT the M113K. The K stands for Kompressor and is of course the supercharged one in all the 55 Kompressor models, this has the NA M113.
@@ahemgee9542 ooops typo, now corrected thanks
@@slasher9883 also the 6.2 , (not 6.3) AMG V8 is the M156, 172 is not a Mercedes engine code.
@@ahemgee9542 Oh no, another mistake. How embarrasing! That's what happens when you post before your morning coffee. Quite ironic given I used to work on M156's all the time and owned one for a while. BTW, I know the M156 has a 6.2 capacity, but MB badge it as a 6.3 so that's what I use to avoid confusion. Not everyone is an AMG nerd you know. Thanks again!
@@slasher9883 lol. I'm one of those nerds and owners. Currently have an M113K in my E55K Wagon and an M119 5.0 in my R129.
The M272 V6 engines that were sold between 2004 and 2006 with engine serial numbers below 2729..30 468993 often show early wear of the balance shaft gears. This is a very serious problem and resulted in a class action law suit in the USA. Some say the problems were not over until MY 2009.
I bought a 2007 SLK350 with 100K miles a year ago, previously pampered and garaged in Palm Beach FL so as pretty as the day it rolled off the showroom floor with zero rust. I only had to replace the front plastic bumper which had one too many cracks from scraping over curbs while parking. Very reliable since then, and very roomy for my 6ft 2 in frame compared to the Boxster and Z4 I checked out when shopping. The hardtop is WAY better than and ragtop will ever be. I love how it handles, and the 268 HP engine was more than enough to get me an effortless speeding ticket on a casino trip to North Carolina. This is one fun car.
I’d still prefer the 55. Sounds better, goes better & yes it will drink fuel what V8 doesn’t but the V6 isn’t exactly that brilliant on fuel either
Stats wise, the engine in the 55 is woefully underpowered for its cubic capacity.
@@Beer_Dad1975, yes, but the car is light enough that it doesn't matter, and the 5.5l V8 is one of the few truly bulletproof Mercedes engines of the modern era.
@@flyingphoenix113 At 1600kgs they aren't exactly light for a sports car. Yes it's one of Mercedes better engines - but there are loads of V8 engines that make as much or more power, use less fuel, and are just as, if not more reliable - e.g. the 1UR-FSE comes in at just 4.6 litres, makes more power & only slightly less torque, and uses a lot less fuel - and it's all but indestructible. Of course Lexus didn't put it into a sports car unfortunately - but the point is, the M113 of this particular era seems like a bit of a cop-out for a supposed AMG engine.
Haven't had the chance to watch this yet but will throw my comment in ahead of hearing your insight. I had the opportunity at 18 to drive a 986 Boxster S and what was advertised as a R170 SLK320, but turned out to be a brand new R171 SLK350 manual. To this day, I maintain the SLK was the nicer car to drive. Couldn't get on with the Boxster at all.
I have owned an SLK 350, a 986 Boxster S and a BMW Z4 3.0si. All three fantastic. The Boxster probably edges it over the others. In fact, I definitely edges it. And yet, I find I miss my SLK the most.
I have the same thoughts … I totally agree
Which had the greatest straight line performance?
@@ecd1585 I don’t know. Never tried.
I have a 2007 SLK350, it doesn't have a single rust spot. I haven't had a single problem since I bought it 2016. And when the gearbox is in manual it shifts pretty fast.
I bought the mrs a 350, the slightly newer one with just over 300 hp. Auto gearbox. It’s very rapid.(mind you I drive an auto long wheelbase transit custom as my daily drive). It holds onto the gear really well and around country roads in sport mode it’s brill. Rusty wings mind you! They always go where they are attached. 2 new wings needed. But who cares when it goes that well and the roof goes down in the summer
31.4 mpg, he's getting .3mpg more than my 2009 A150. Just goes to show sometimes it's better to have a big engine you don't have to work than a small one that needs loads of throttle to do anything
my slk350 only gets 14mpg the way I drive!
I was working for MB during the mid-noughties era so “lived” with these particular cars on a daily basis. 350 wins over 55 AMG every time unless it’s a “10 minute blast every other Sunday morning” car you’re after. Nearly as fast, much smoother drivetrain with less on-off throttle “shunt”, sweeter engine note, less nose-heavy handling, less gear-hunting auto-box, better damping. Need I go on? 987 Boxster S still better though!
Regardless of all that, lacking AMG noise which puts all those 'negatives' to bed.
Sounds like Bentley V8 vs W12; by all accounts the V8 makes the car better to drive, but...c'mon, W12.
The 55 is more than just sound. Its lowered, stiffer, the power difference is significant given the car’s weight. And another point: brakes. The 55 has massive 6 piston front brakes and 4 piston rear brakes. You wont keeo up with a well driven 55 in a 350.
I have a slk 200, no rust on body work but I had to get rear sub frame welded (£350)& my fuel & brake pipes are next on my list (£500). Had it 4 years now, no other issues.
Same here. I drive the 200 for 6 years now. It is a 2008 model. No rust at all and here in Germany we have loads of salt during the winter. Having that said, yes I drive it whole year long. When I got it it had 72k km behind it and now it has 180k km. Costs? Only brake lines, discs and pads and 2 springs up front. Car passes MOT every time without issues. Chain drive issues I never had although they say it is a problem with these engines. Beside that it is fun to hear every time that I own such a nice car. Many people here in the village had their eyes on it when it came up for sale but I was the lucky one. I owned a BMW before and although very good, they lost vallue pretty quick. However, the Merc is still worth a lot. Maybe not in the books but some are willing to pay more. Just to have it. Sure there are things like the interior knobs etc but hey, it isnt a SL. But parts arent to expensive and you find a lot on Ebay. Drive is comfort enough for a roadster and lays steady enough to have fun in the corners. Overall it is a great car and every day when I look which car I want to take, S coupe or SLK, I go for the SLK. Hope to keep it for many many years to come
You're absolutely spot on with the scuttle shake problem, I had a SL and it was worse than my Mum's Golf cabriolet!
SLK350 is ridiculous value for money. £40k car for £5k. V6 sounds superb, performance is more than enough on the road.
They need a bit of fettling to sort out the shakes, squeaks and rattles but there are excellent forums to help point you in the right direction.
As a former owner of a 997 Carrera 2S, I’m having more fun and less stress in the SLK 350 I recently inherited than the 911.
Amazing how some things are significantly undervalued.
I e got the latest version of the SLK350, the SLC43, I have had it since new and really enjoy it. The suspension is nicely controlled, the later gearbox is pretty smart and changes it’s behaviour significantly between the modes the Sport+ is a little too much comedy. It is a really fun car to drive at up to 8 tenths, after that the lack of real finesse makes driving on the limit a bit too much guess work. My wife’s Mini Cooper S feels a much more angry car. Overall the folding hard top and the drive makes this car one I will hold on to as it is a road car and as such is pretty good.
if they made a standard 43 I'd be on it like fly on a turd
I had a 2008 350slk until this year. It was fun. It is very compact. It gave me a better time on the hill climb than previous cars audi a3, bmw 135. In last 4y a few things let me down... springs, battery, i fixed the rust. 106000 miles. Yes it rattled a lot due to the separator in the boot. But great for luggage for 2 people to go away for 10days. New Z4 G29, seems a lot better all round except larger.
It's very light with a short wheelbase for great mpg and performance. 5/5
4000 lbs. not so light! but well... you pickyour battles
The 55 is a hoot to drive but the previous generation SLK32 AMG was an absolute terrorist of a car, when you put your foot down in that thing it felt like you`d been fired out of a slingshot...cost me a fortune in speeding fines when I had one back in 2008 in South Africa...
I love my 2004 SLK350 R171 Manual. The manual box, never mind 1st gear being a bit low, is by far the best choice. Rust the rear sub frame, yes mine has been changed and the front wings need a little attention as well. The ride strangely enough I find a bit stiff when going slow and a bit soft when at speed. They made lots so you can get parts, and in the summer a press of the button and you have that open top feeling. I have the 17" 10 Spoke wheels, the 18" 16 spoke AMG wheels would fit right on, but I suspect it would make the suspension harsher than it already is. Negatives, well the corrosion as you mentioned, I would have liked it in white but that wasn't available until later. There are a few daft messages that come up from time to time, usually to distract you when your flying down the motorway. The seat moves back when you switch off, fine except if like me you leave the engine in gear and have your foot on the clutch (I think you can switch that off). The electric fan cooling the engine is incredibly loud. The prettiest of the available models and perfect for the Cornish lanes where I live.
I think I will be sticking with my XKR.
Every car has its gremlins, but I love my r171 SLK 350. Had an r170 230 before this, which I also loved but rust problems forced me to sell it. This one had an irritating rattle which turned out to be the boot lid. A few adjustments and it's fine now. The suspension is a little hard for Bristol's terrible roads but it's ok on the A roads and motorway. Plenty fast for me, as I don't want to race the boy racers around here, ( although I could leave most of them standing!) and it's nice to know that it has the acceleration to overtake when I need to. I love the styling, love all the extras, and I just love driving with the roof down. This is my last car and I shall enjoy every minute that I spend in it.
You mean R170 230?
@@boerboel7777 I do indeed. Typo.
@@kimcousins1125 A bit sad that you say "my last car" Kim 😢
@@boerboel7777 Actually, I have had a change of heart. It will not be my last car. I plan to find a decent r171 SLK 55 AMG, and that WILL be my last car. They are overpriced though. I am 70 years old. Want to die happy, if you know what I mean!
@@kimcousins1125 Great stuff, now that's the spirit Kim! ☺ I know exactly what you mean...the only regret I ever have when driving my SLK is that its not a 55. I hope you find that AMG 🤞
If you thinking about the 55, just do it. You wont regret it and neither you wont get it unless you experience it!
I have an r171 350, I love it but I will buy a 55 when I can find a good one at a reasonable price.
Sound from this V6 far better than the Passat W8 in your previous video
Great review , surprised you didn't mention the engine issues of the early 350s , that's why I went for the r172 350 and love it
Do you mean the belt
Jumping ?
@@Shobby69 no engine balance shaft problem
SLK55 has M113 engine (or very close derivative) whereas the SLK350 has the M272 engine which is a generation ahead of the M113 and not related.
Somehow Jay you missed that the 7 speed auto in the 350 DOES have a Manual Mode. Just keep pressing the button and a very small "M" appears after the "C" and "S". That also gives much better throttle response for powering out of corners.
Thanks for the video. I saw it after buying an R171 SLK 280 just a few days ago. So, less power. It has flappy paddles, but I doubt I will ever use them.
I am enjoying it hugely. In a few days, it will be on its way to Spain, where it will spend the winter under cover and be driven in the summer months. So, I hope the bodywork and undercarriage will remain in the same condition as today-no visible rust on the body and almost nothing underneath. 50K miles and, it seems, garaging for almost all its life have given me a very nice-looking car.
My only gripe is that the console (which looks much nicer than the reviewed 350) has that nasty, rubbery coating that is just starting to feel tacky under the finger.
This was a spur-of-the-moment purchase; I looked at no other examples. But, I am happy that, as far as I can see, it is a lot of car for the money. Not even much in the way of squeaks and rattles, but the ride is firmer than I would prefer.
I've got a really nice 2005 SLK 350. I like the McLaren front end, It's only got 40k miles on it. It's garage kept, mint and a pussy magnet. Everyone thinks it's a new car. I get compliments every time I take it out.
Just bought a 2005 350 myself and everyone thinks it's a brand new car lol
@@uthantdillon3896 I'm in Florida. I won't drive it in the rain or even on a wet street. I keep it in the garage and covered up. I drive it when the weather is nice.
This is one of those cases where you need to really understand what YOUR definition of “sporty” is and what you want from it etc. boxster is definitely more sporty in the most proper sense of the word, but I know many that would consider this to be more so because they just don’t see “sporty” the same way as car nerds like us
I have a beautiful pearl white 350 and it's fun and sporty ❤️
I had a clk350 sport with a full factory fitted amg body kit. Absolutely loved it, owned it for 6 years. It's amazing how much better the interior was on that car due to it being based on the e class.
This is the best video available about the slk 350
Shame you didn't use a facelift SLK 350 with the revised engine...305hp and 7200rpm.
3.5L V6 is still a giant motor for a car like this is.
The 5,5 liter was just right for pushing into M3´s trunks on hillclimbs :D
Better mpg than most 2.0. Cyls
If you have someone drive the SLK350 then have them drive the SLK55 AMG I can wisely assume that no one would choose the 350 over the 55. The prices of both cars are about the same now on average a 5k difference. A lot of people don’t know as well that on these early AMG cars, most work can be done yourself. Parts on the AMG will always be more expensive because you’re getting that much of a better car. You can’t compare performance of these two cars because it’s not fair or even close. The SLK 55 AMG will for ever be in my heart as a bold statement of a sports car. Not saying the SLK350 is a bad car because it’s not. Don’t compare to the SLK55 AMG is basically my point here.
Gonna get the amg 2023 :)
Not the same car but I've been lucky enough to own C350 with a manual transmission. I've enjoyed driving it for 10 years and have never had any major issues with it. It's old enough now that it is starting to get compliments. Is it the best at anything? Probably not. Is it very good at most things. Yes indeed. Not close to a relevant car anymore but I can't see myself ever selling it because I could never find one again.
I have a 350 slk 2004 6 speed manual .. with AMG option same body kit and wheels as the 55 for the money £5400 i cant fault it it was a 45 k car when new
I have updated the Stereo added a subwoofer as well the big change came when i replaced the front suspension with new arms and uprated dampers Bilstien B8s the difference was night and day gone was the soggy front end and aquired was its ability to change lanes at crazy speeds without fuss it was fitted with the factory sports suspension from new i think i have just upgraded that .. i will be doing the rears next year
I have also been over Europe and the swiss alps on a 12 day tour in a 350 manual and it was perfect for the job averaged 35 mpg makes some great noises in the tunnels
I see the 55 as more of a toy as its at least 10k more brake maintenance can be crazy with brembo 6 pots and 345 mm split discs and it likes to drink ,, if they made a manual though one i would go for it .,. i hear the same story about the gearbox .. its never quiet it the gear you want it to be in
Faults so far
Fan packed in they are known for this easy but pricey to fix
Rust spot on front wing they are known for this its a bracket behind it that starts it
Rear subframe can rot out and MB have been known to replace them under warranty
Rust is really not an issue with the SLK 171 the 170 is though
I bought I carsoft to diagnose any issues and kick start the Air Con again cheap at £135
I chose its for steel roof.... boot capacity ., its not an out and out sports car but can deliver if needed .. it sounds great and looks great ..its a Merc
would not hesitate in recommending one it is the bargain covertable in my view
The review here knocks the quality i cant fault it for the money i really cant
Such excellent content!
I would probably hold out and still save up for the Porsche instead
You won't regret it either. I sold mine for a 3rd gen Boxster - brilliant - however this has now turned into a 991 Targa -
Very nice video. Keep up the good work.
One thing for me to take the 350 over the 55 is the fact that the 350 has a manual transmission option!
Dam it I was thinking of getting an SLK, now you will drive the prices up! 😉
I 💌 my R171 on a 2006 plate in obsid black . . . My own little pocket rocket!!!
Excellent content.
I'd still have an MX-5 untill I can save up for a Boxter. Just maintanace + parts alone on an old Benz is a an expensive chore...
1 advantage of the SLK 350 is that it is also available with a 6-speed manual transmission with 3 pedals for the stick lovers like me.
I drive a W203 C350 with this gearbox and it is a dream. Highly recommended than those sluggish torque converter automatics tbh.
Hi from Australia just got a 2007 SLK 350 with 143,000 K's on it as a 6 speed manual for $20,000 AUD I think it is a good Buy and has the WOW factor and much better for the price as other brands also I really like Mercedes Benz as they have it. Good car just wish they were cheaper like in The USA and Britania.
My wife had a SLK230 for 15 years. She loved it, whilst I was always encouraging her to change it. Fantastic to look at (it had the full AMG body kit) but dire dynamics and power delivery always made driving it a disappointment. Also for all budding car engineers/designs the SLK is perfect for you to experience and appreciate shuttle shake.
The R170 was a completely different performer than the R171. The R171 was substantially more rigid and had much better power and power delivery. Suspension is also quite solid by comparison.
The engine is actually M272 series not m112 and hence not quite as robust.
If you just want to buy a cheap daily convertible，the slk350 is definitely enough，for me the SLK55 AMG is one of kind german romance，such a big engine in such a small car，the power is even close to the Ferrari 360 from a year ago，this is crazy😱
I feel like these don't have the same street cred as the porsche but as we get older and wiser we care increasingly less!
"These are lighter than the SL..." sounds a bit incongruous to anyone who remembers what "Sports Leicht" means.
This went down well on the SLK forums...
Hi. Interesting video. Two questions: (1) did you find the steering heavy? and (2) is the 'Comand' System just another term for 'computer'? Thanks.
I considered a SLK, was in the market for a convertible 2 seater. I ended up with a 2004 Porsche Boxster S 6-speed manual trans, midnight blue. Love the car, but would love to have a SLK also. :)
The best looking SLK. You should try and get hold of an SLC43 AMG. Fabulous little car and used prices are ludicrously low already.
The next gen after this one is far better looking
Just bought an 09 350 with the upgraded sport motor and very happy with it.not as focused as a boxster but as an all rounder i think its a better car .i had a 986 3.2 s manual and was a great car in the bends but as a car to run daily the slk is a better option with a lot more toys as standard.good thing with the 305bhp later model is the cheaper tax and better mpg. The 06 to 08 cars are 675 quid tax .mine is 414 annually
I agree with that.
I can only speak about myself here, but I have owned my 2006 SLK350 for 13 years, and still can't find something I like better (for under 90K). I might buy a new car in the next year or two, but I prefer my SLK to the 718 Boxster. Not anything against the Boxster per se, but my SLK offers me everything in a car that I want, so maybe it is just my preferences. The Boxster was one of the possibilities along with the Z4 M40i, but I'm not all that impressed with either of those two. I also prefer a hardtop which NOBODY offers any more (save C8 Corvette). Z4 and Boxster are wonderful cars (or I would not be looking at them), so I understand why people might want those cars. Probably can't go wrong with either of those, or the SLK/SLC.
I had one. Nice car. They all go rusty under the wheel arches. Have a look.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the interior of the R171 slk. Yes, there is plastic (What car doesn't have plastic) but it is stylish and doesn't look cheap and nasty. I don't like the all-black interior that lots of silks have but mine is beige and black and I really like it. This car holds its own against most modern cars for style and performance, it is a very aesthetically pleasing car. It has a hard sports suspension so yes it doesn't ride bumps or rough roads that well but that is just how it is. I love mine to bits.
I'm looking to buy a slk. But i really dont know if i should get 350 ot save more (1year) and get slk 55 amg. Is it worth it? Would be my DD, mostly city
@@alexamorin5534 I am waiting to buy a 55 AMG. I have a 350 at the moment. You either love or hate SLKs, I love them, and once you fall in love you want the best, the most powerful and that is why I must have a 55. They are overpriced, and they are costly to run but if you can afford one, get the 55 because if you don't you will be craving one. The 350 is a great car however and if you are doing lots of miles to work or whatever you may find that the fuel costs are too high with the 55. I am an older guy, I work part-time and it takes me ten minutes to get to work. I won't be piling on the mileage and so I'm not concerned with the fuel costs. If you do get a 55 get a 2005 or earlier because the road tax doubles after that. Follow your gut mate, I always do. My advice is to join an SLK forum online. good luck!
@@alexamorin5534 I am part of the SLKworld owners club and arrange semi regular meets. If I had the cash I probably would prefer the 55 but it would be a lower miles pre facelift car. Problem being they are really expensive (last look was £16000) so when mine cost me £6000, and when having fun with the pack on the road, I can easily keep up with the 55. Only on track do I get left behind.
If theres bubbling on the arches, there will be plenty elsewhere.
Here in the United States the rare combo is the SLK350 with a manual because it's so rare to find one
Will we see a review on a clk55 amg w208 on the future? 🥺🥺
Really enjoying your mercedes benz reviews btw
I had one of these 350's in a manual, it's first gear was ridiculously short and most of the time I started off in 2nd gear. The interior was indeed very cheap, the driver's seat creaked everytime you went around a corner, the engine had an intermittent strange knock when you started it, (strange for a 10,000 km engine) The roof creaked, but that could be stopped by lubricating all the rubber sealing. Engine performance was quite good, but in the end all the above faults were too much for me, so I offloaded it within a year.
I had the 280, someone bumped me so went with the 250, which just isn’t fun, no sound, felt slow, so in process of changing to the 350 but 12 plate.
I've had my R171 since 2018, and I have loved Every moment with it since then. Sure, the Boxter may have been a better choice for a sports car, with excellent handling - but i didn't buy the SLK to compete with that. The SLK's handling is more than adequate for the touring role that it fulfills so well. And ..it looks a whole lot better - end of story.
And the Z4? Dont even go there. I wasn't in the market for a jelly mold.
Had a Jag, soon realised I'd made a mistake as so uncomfortable hard ride, went back to an SLK 250.