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Mercedes-Benz SLK (2004-2011)

The original Mercedes-Benz SLK was a car ahead of its time. The first modern car with a folding steel roof all wrapped up in a stylish little roadster. The second generation SLK not only has a new selection of powerplants but is also the driver’s car that the previous version always promised to be. It is altogether more refined and better equipped, competing well with the other cars in its class. It was very hard to think of a good reason not to choose the Mercedes SLK …until the new BMW Z4 came along.

Mercedes-Benz SLK Details

Production Dates2004-2011
Length 4103 mm / 162 in
Width 2012 mm / 79 in
Height 1296 mm / 51 in
Wheelbase 2430 mm / 96 in
Turning Circle 10 m / 394 in
Luggage Capacity 300 litres / 10.59 cu ft
Fuel Tank Capacity 70 litres / 18.5 US gal
Warranty 3 years or unlimited miles

Mercedes SLK 200 Kompressor

The Mercedes SLK 200 has a 1.8 litre supercharged engine which gives a good turn of speed and respectable fuel economy. With the manual gearbox it is the best fun to drive in the SLK range and the most like a proper sports car.

Specifications

Fuel type Unleaded Petrol
Engine type Straight 4
Engine Capacity 1796 cc
Power 184@5500 bhp
Torque 184@2800-5000 lb.ft
Transmission type 6-spd manual / 5-spd auto
Kerb Weight 1390 kg / 3064 lb
UK Retail Price from £29,980
UK Insurance Group 16/40

Performance

Max speed (manual) 147 mph / 237 kph
Max speed (auto) 144 mph / 232 kph
0-60mph (manual) - seconds
0-60mph (auto) - seconds
0-100kmph (manual) 7.6 seconds
0-100kmph (auto) 7.9 seconds

Economy and Emissions

EU Combined Fuel Economy (manual) 36 mpg / 7.8 L/100km
EU Combined Fuel Economy (auto) 34 mpg / 8.3 L/100km
CO2 Emissions (manual) 184 g/km
CO2 Emissions (auto) 192 g/km

Mercedes SLK 300

At the end of 2010 the 280 was renamed the 300 but remained otherwise unchanged. The 280 had the same 3 litre engine as the 300.

Specifications

Fuel type Unleaded Petrol
Engine type V6
Engine Capacity 2996 cc
Power 231@6000 bhp
Torque 221@2500-5000 lb.ft
Transmission type 6-spd manual / 7-spd auto
Kerb Weight 1455 kg / 3208 lb
UK Retail Price from £33,870
UK Insurance Group 17/42

Performance

Max speed (manual) 155 mph / 249 kph
Max speed (auto) 155 mph / 249 kph
0-60mph (manual) - seconds
0-60mph (auto) - seconds
0-100kmph (manual) 6.3 seconds
0-100kmph (auto) 6.2 seconds

Economy and Emissions

EU Combined Fuel Economy (manual) 29.7 mpg / 9.5 L/100km
EU Combined Fuel Economy (auto) 31.7 mpg / 8.9 L/100km
CO2 Emissions (manual) 220 g/km
CO2 Emissions (auto) 207 g/km

Mercedes SLK 350

Specifications

Fuel type Unleaded Petrol
Engine type V6
Engine Capacity 3498 cc
Power 305@6500 bhp
Torque 266@4900 lb.ft
Transmission type 6-spd manual / 7-spd auto
Kerb Weight 1485 kg / 3273.9 lb
UK Retail Price from £38,260
UK Insurance Group 18/45

Performance

Max speed (manual) 155 mph / 249 kph
Max speed (auto) 155 mph / 249 kph
0-60mph (manual) - seconds
0-60mph (auto) - seconds
0-100kmph (manual) 5.4 seconds
0-100kmph (auto) 5.4 seconds

Economy and Emissions

EU Combined Fuel Economy (manual) 29.1 mpg / 9.7 L/100km
EU Combined Fuel Economy (auto) 31.4 mpg / 9 L/100km
CO2 Emissions (manual) 227 g/km
CO2 Emissions (auto) 209 g/km

Information last updated

11 Owner Reviews

Do you drive a Mercedes-Benz SLK? Would you recommend it to others? Join the conversation and let us know what you think of the car. This Mercedes-Benz currently has 11 owner reviews.

  1. Avatar for J Russell J Russell says:

    I love driving my SLK, but had just as much fun driving my Tigra retractable. It just bugs me how much petrol I use driving the SLK. I could be buying another pair of shoes a week!

  2. Avatar for Danae Holt Danae Holt says:

    That’s ridiculous. How on earth can you compare a Vauxhall Tigra with any Mercedes. You’re not driving just an SLK, but a Mercedes with all the engineering and quality that just doesn’t compare with a Vauxhall. I presently own an elderly ML320 and an SLK 200 Kompressor. I wouldn’t swap either for any Vauxhall currently on the market.

  3. Avatar for Kenneth Kenneth says:

    Just goes to show that some people buy Mercedes because they appreciate exquisite design, industry-leading engineering and meticulus build quality, and others just like the color.

  4. Avatar for Sohail Sohail says:

    The Drive is beautiful, I love the agile cornering and quick acceleration, The Roof opening and closing is really quick, parking it is quite good. It is one the best roadsters on the market.

  5. Avatar for douglas douglas says:

    The slk 200 m171 mark 2 is a fun car to live with. Comfortable, elegant, economical and reasonably fast. Id only change mine for the new model. Highly recommended.

  6. Avatar for Siren Siren says:

    I just became a proud owner of a Mark II 2006 SLK 200 after 7 very happy years with a classic 1998 SLK 230 which was so much fun even in the snow with winter tyres. I always wanted one ever since Mercedes Benz bought the first one out. It’s an absolute classic, well designed and with great engineering and reliability behind it and loads of boot space. I hope the mark II will give me as much pleasure although it is a shame they didn’t make the newer models in the same funky colour range as the old ones. I loved my Vivianite green SLK 230.

  7. Avatar for findusoon findusoon says:

    I have just taken delivery of 09 slk in black used to have mx5 2.0 coupe, slightly better drive in mx but not the same “presence”. Cant wait for decent weather to get top down.

  8. Avatar for Bernard Cooper Bernard Cooper says:

    7 years ago at the young old age of 75 I bought a new SLK 200 automatic. The quality build is superb the allround performance is first class and its unique design allows this model to stand out in a crowd. I have now driven 8000 miles of delightful driving. The car looks mint condition and I will be devasted if a recent eye infections stops me from driving

  9. Avatar for Ian .wright Ian .wright says:

    we have just purchased our first Mercedes SLK 200 AMG. 2011. 24000miles this car is wonderful the build quality , driving is a pleasure difficult to fault it’s no rocket ship just put a smile on your face

  10. Avatar for garry rowley garry rowley says:

    I have 2006 R171 280, bought for £4800. I love it. I am working on refurbing it over the long term. I agree with others you can’t beat Mercs for engineering quality and performance. This car cost £34k new 15years ago! and it still drives and looks fabulous.

  11. Avatar for Ni Carr Ni Carr says:

    I bought my SLK 200k in August last year. My previous toy was an MR2 Roadster. Both great cars but the Merc is more a Grand Tourer and more suited to my 67 years. Super interior, well specified and quick enough to excite. Beautiful exterior- best looking car on the road, in my opinion.

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