About the Mercedes-Benz SLK
Baa Baa Black Jeep purchased this Mercedes-Benz SLK used for $75,000 (including all on-road costs) in 2018. Baa Baa Black Jeep would buy this car again because: “There’s no end of performance vehicles that are available, yet as someone that researches endlessly before buying, there’s often a compromise if your needs are specific enough. After over four years of ownership, from someone who normally turns over their cars over every two to three years, in my opinion there’s still no other vehicle that ticks so many boxes. “
How reliable has your car been? Tell us about any issues.
From having a 10-year-old BMW in the family previously, was worried about the often touted unreliabliity and expensive repairs of ageing Euros. Whilst the BMW didn’t disappoint with many sensors needing replacing during its life, so far, the SLK has been trouble free, bar the regular maintenance items.
Battery lasted nine years, and a quote from Battery World for well over $600 ended up being just over $400 with NRMA.
Similarly the brakes. We were quoted for well over $4000 and ended up with Aussie made DBA slotted rotors and pads for $2000. Servicing is done at local Euro specialist. SLK has a A and B schedule every 12 months, and via the dealership ball park figures are $800 and $1500 – these generally come in at just over half that.
What do you think of the ownership experience with your car?
Still loving it. Makes a boring commute (sometimes up to an hour) enjoyable, top down most days (that’s what heated seats and air scarf are for) with a couple of choice corners that I look forward to. The stereo is great for a relaxing drive, but can impinge on the engine note.
However, there’s sacrifices to be made. There’s not much luggage room in the boot, if going on a trip, soft bags would solve most of that. Plus there is a false bottom where a spare can fit, as I have the useless glue and pump.
I can still get two sets of golf clubs (albeit one in a slimmer travel bag) in the boot and have the top down, and tyre well can fit my collapsible golf buggy. Luggage room increases plenty if you keep the roof up.
Are you happy with the price and features of your car?
Really enjoy researching vehicles, and whilst I looked at used Cayman S, new Mustang, used M4 convertible, wanted the hard top, due to a lack of off street parking in a tree lined street. Porsche Spyder was also on the shortlist, but as a daily driver the (then) manual and semi-manual soft top will have to wait as it’s still pretty much what I’d like to get next.
Another advantage of the hard top is being able to still take a surfboard short distance via soft racks. Due to the lack of roof length, the racks are too close together and you’re limited to 90kmh due to buffeting – not ideal when going away, however, this has been solved by an extra surfboard at our holiday place.
My SLK only had 26,000km, was dealer serviced and came with a year’s Mercedes warranty. Whilst the SLK was around $160k new, the main option I wanted and could only find on a high mileage one interstate, was the AMG handling package, which was an extra $9k.
And disappointed that the original owner didn’t option DAB which was just $490, but glad they opted for the dash clock for $510.
Can’t remember when Mercedes switched from the last two numbers of the model being the engine capacity, but makes it a bit easier when telling others about your car, “the 55 is for 5.5 litres and it’s also the last of the naturally aspirated V8s”
What do you think of the performance and economy of your car?
Performance and economy? The easy one first, it’s not bad on fuel, I use ECO for much of my commute, and it even de-activates four cylinders to ECO4 for some reasonably frugal use – averages around 11L/100km, all while still being only two presses away from switching to manual and able to shift down a few gears for some corners on your favourite back road and to hear the roar at 5-6000rpm is intoxicating.
The gearbox doesn’t shift as crisp as a BMW M, but if you time it right with the revs it can still be pretty sweet – otherwise it hesitates just a touch, or just switch to Sport and the changes are pretty close to where you’d want them to be.
Having a roadster with 310kW and 540Nm of naturally-aspirated V8 is as much fun as you want it to be. Upgrading the rears with Pirelli tyres has led to some very confidence inspiring driving, where the previous Continentals would predictably lose their grip.
Track days are a must as well, despite being 1600kgs this is still a very responsive car with the major limitation driver skill.
What do you think of the technology in your car?
Nine years old means only Bluetooth. Fortunately have a Samsung Fold, that sits on a magnetic pad installed in the CD player, that I use for Waze on trips and other phone functions.
I have toyed with the idea of installing a head unit, but keeping the car original and not wanting to lose any steering wheel controls is more important.
What do you think of the ride comfort and handling of your car?
Ride’s firm and you slow down for all potholes.
The handling is pretty good, having driven at M3 at SMSP it’s not quite at that level, but more than enough for the average enthusiast wanting to enjoy some open top motoring while listening to the V8 symphony.
As mentioned, upgrading the tyres to something decent will enhance the handling if that’s what you’re after.