Future Classics

MERCEDES SLK

Description

The Mercedes SLK-Class is a compact luxury roadster and was first introduced in 1996. There have been three generations to date.

First Gen: 1996-2004
Performance BHP 0-60 MPG
200 Kompressor Petrol 163 7.9 - 8.3 28
230 Kompressor Petrol 193 6.9 - 7.3 28
3.2 Petrol 354 5.0 25
320 Petrol 218 6.7 - 6.8 24

Examples for sale: (March 2016)
1999 2.3 Kompressor Auto Black 71K miles v/good £3500
1998 2.3 Kompressor Auto Silver 138K miles good £1000
2005 350 auto Silver 108K miles no fsh £5000
2001 3.2 AMG Black 97K miles - £7500

Headline stats

Maximum # of Registrations = 69078
Latest # of Registrations = 69078

Our Verdict

Mercedes SLK Roadster with retractable hardtop.
As with so many car companies of the time, Mercedes watch in amazement, and no doubt a fair degree of jealousy as Mazda MX5's just fly off the shelf and decided they wanted a piece of the action. Thus was born the SLK. Thats, sports, light, kurz (short) and we shall come on to the lightness bit in a minute but lets look at the car its self first. Mercedes managed to get the first one on the road in 1996 and there have now been three generations to date (R170, R171, R172) and as the MX5 was a dedicated roadster, so too would be the SLK, though this being Mercedes they had to go that bit further, cue the introduction on the “Vario Roof”. This is a electrically operated folding hard top and was a first in the mass produced car world (I say first though I think the Americans got there before Mercedes, but this one actually worked!) Being designed as a roadster from the ground up and having a complicated roof mechanism has made the car a bit heavier than the “Leicht” label suggests meaning those engines have got their work cut out for them, but on the positive side it also means the car has impressive rigidity for a roadster which relates to better handling.

The engine range consisted of a 2.0L and 2.3L Kompressor engine which in the 2.3 form gave the car a 0-60 of 7 seconds. In 1998 a facelift introduced a 6 speed manual and in 2000 a 3.2L V6 was added to the range and then finally an AMG in 2001 using a tuned version of the V6.
In 2004 the second gen R171 came out with a much improved interior and a new range of engines, with the main stay being a 1.8 Kompressor, as well as a couple of V6's to tickle your fancy. It also came with a front end that could persuade some approaching fellow road users that you were piloting something altogether more exotic than a SLK. Generally the R171 was a significant step forward from the first generation and prices reflect that fact at present.

The post facelift R170 (1998) versions with the 6 speed, if you fancy going for the manual, are probably the best ones to go for, with the 2.3 Kompessor giving decent performance, though it is felt that the 4-pot engine is a bit on the gruff side when revved. If you want the silky smoothness of the V6, and most people agree its the best engine for the car, then you will need to look for a post 2000 model. As for gearboxes, The 6 speed does come in for a slight bit of criticism for being a bit notchy but is generally considered a decent unit and the auto gets lots of praise, so it comes down to what ever is your flavour I guess, manual or auto?

Issues? Not to many it seems though the old baddie rust keeps making an appearance in the forums, it was a problem for Mercedes of that era. Slow roofs are a cause for concern, it will need a pricey new pump, as are windows that go up to far, replacement glass.

As a future classic we like the SLK for its understated good looks and for the fact that it is a dedicated roadster with an innovative hood design. The first generation makes the best sense to us with some great value examples around and, as ever we like the idea of a juicy V6 nestling under the bonnet so the 2000 to 2004 years would be our favourites. Defo the thumbs up for this one!

Future Classics Rating

87%
Source: Wikipedia

Details of Derivatives

Total 54 items.
NameCalculated RatingMax RegLatest Reg
SLK 200 KOMPRESSOR AUTO61459313635
SLK 230 KOMPRESSOR AUTO191387111161
SLK250 AMG SPORT CDI BLUE-CY A099009852
SLK 200 KOMPRESSOR859655484
SLK 350 AUTO439303748
SLK200 AMG SPORT BLUE-CIENCY A037053699
SLK280 AUTO629712768
SLK 320 AUTO1221801897
SLK 250 D AMG SPORT AUTO019601960
SLK250 CDI BLUEEFFICIENCY AUTO118801854
SLK 230 KOMPRESSOR1318661611
SLK200 AMG SPORT ED125 BL-CY A231183905
SLK 32018850694
SLK200 BLUEEFFICIENCY AUTO2839815
SLK 55 AMG AUTO6734686
SLK 280 AUTO7733678
SLK 3505588557
SLK200 AMG SPORT BLUE-CIENCY0583583
SLK 200 AMG SPORT AUTO1577571
SLK350 AMG SPORT BLUE-CIENCY A0548548
SLK250 AMG SPORT BLUE-CIENCY A3500481
SLK200 KOMPRESSOR AUTO5488459
SLK200 EDITION 125 BLUEEF-CY A9472429
SLK55 AMG AUTO0462462
SLK250 AMG SPORT ED125 BL-CY A32435292
SLK2808398366
SLK300 AUTO2320311
SLK200 BLUEEFFICIENCY3309299
SLK32 AMG17281233
SLK 250 D AUTO0242242
SLK250 BLUEEFFICIENCY AUTO2182178
SLK 230 SE KOMP A9176160
SLK 300 AMG SPORT AUTO0171171
SLK350 AMG SPORT ED125 BL-CY A1168166
SLK 200 AUTO22159124
SLK 200 AMG SPORT0135135
SLK 200 SE KOMP A7132122
SLK200 KOMPRESSOR9121110
SLK200 EDITION 125 BLUEEF-CY3111107
SLK 200 KOMP GR EDITION A2110107
SLK250 EDITION 125 BLUEEF-CY A48783
SLK 28096155
SLK 200 SE KOMP266044
SLK30023938
SLK 320 SPECIAL EDITION A103733
SLK 200 KOMP 2LOOK ED A83431
SLK 200 KOMP GR EDITION93128
SLK 230 SE KOMP51817
SLK250 AMG SPORT BLUEFFICIENCY01818
SLK 320 SE01111
SLK 200 KOMP 2LOOK ED066
SLK250 BLUEEFFICIENCY033
SLK350033
SLK350 AUTO5021