German Car Zone

Mercedes-Benz SLK350





What is it?

The facelifted version of its hugely successful second-generation SLK. Here is a car that showed all the signs of enduring well beyond the traditional facelift cycle when it was launched back in 2004, so it's highly indicative of the expectations harboured by today's car buyers that Mercedes-Benz has decided to refresh its entry-level roadster.
Central among the measures taken to place the SLK on a more level footing with new competition such as the Audi TT, is the appearance of a reworked version of the older model’s 3.5-litre V6 engine.
Set to head into a range of updated Mercedes-Benz models in the not-too-distant future, the 90-degree unit gains a host of detailed internal changes, including lightweight valves, a revised camshaft, new pistons, higher 11.7:1 compression ratio and new single stage inlet manifold – all aimed at providing it with a sportier twist.
With 301bhp at 6500rpm and 265lb ft of torque, it is certainly not lacking in reserves, boasting a respectable 24bhp and 7lb ft more than the engine it replaces. More significant, perhaps, it also gives the facelifted SLK more oomph than any of its German rivals in standard guise, outgunning the range topping TT to the tune of 54bhp, Z4 by 40bhp and the Boxster S by 10bhp.
What’s it like?

More than these bald figures, it is the reworked four-valve-per-cylinder unit’s improved response and ability to rev that really makes a difference. While the old engine achieved a rather conservative 6800rpm, the new one can be wound to 7200rpm before the onset of the limiter. Consequently, it feels livelier and more willing, with the revs rising and falling with greater determination.
Allied to this new V6 engine is a standard six-speed manual gearbox, but the optional seven-speed automatic will still impress the most. Running a slightly longer final drive than before, it helps propel the updated SLK350 from 0-to-62mph in 5.4sec – just 0.5sec slower than the similarly updated 355bhp 5.4-litre V8 powered SLK55 AMG - and a slight 0.2sec improvement on the old model.
Interestingly, Mercedes-Benz says you will be no quicker in a straight line with the manual, and the automatic achieves better fuel economy and lower CO2 emission figures.
Acknowledging the second-generation SLK has lacked the sort of steering response offered by some of its more contemporary open top rivals, Mercedes-Benz has also given it a new variable steering rack.
At the straight ahead, the so-called Direct Steer system is geared much the same as before in a bid to achieve good motorway stability, but as you wind on lock it gradually becomes increasingly direct, the actual ratio varying from 15.8:1 to a whip crack 9.5:1.
In combination with standard of 17-inch alloys shod with 225/45 (front) and 245/40 (rear) tyres, it provides the SLK with noticeably sharper responses at speed and a keener ability to turn into corners.
Add the optional sports suspension and larger 18-inch wheels to the mix and you’ve got a car that can hold its head high in the company of the TT, Z4 and Boxster. In fact, the complete handling repertoire has been greatly improved, making it a much more rewarding drive.
Making things all the more impressive is the fact that the improved dynamics do not come at the expense of the SLK’s excellent ride quality. No other two seat rival cossets its occupants over rough roads with such aplomb or control.
Accompanying the mechanical tweaks is a very lightly reworked exterior. Among the changes is an aggressive new front bumper with twin vertical struts seeking to provide the compact roadster with even closer visual ties to the latest McLaren-Mercedes F1 car, darkened tail lamp lenses, a deeper rear bumper with integrated diffuser element and a pair of trapezoidal shaped chromed tail pipes.
It’s a subtle makeover that helps give the SLK a slightly fresher, but far from character changing appearance, like that brought to the facelifted SL.
Similarly subtle changes have taken place inside, with reworked instruments, multi-function three-spoke steering wheel and a new finish for some of the switchgear grouped on the centre console helping to lift its appeal.
Should I buy one?

Yes, if you want a comfortable premium roadster with enough pace to keep you ahead of the obvious competition; the SLK’s new top-of-the-line engine and variable steering rack does make it a more appealing buy than its well-liked predecessor.
But if sales of that model are anything to go by it will be the cheaper 182bhp, 1.8-litre SLK200 Kompressor and 228bhp 3.0-litre SLK280 that will continue to the bulk of business here in the UK.
Greg Kable

Sounds like MB touched on all the right things for the facelift. This often forgotten model is now one Mercedes' best cars IMO. Has been since day one.

M

They had to. Whisper: Audi TT

I wouldn't say that. The TT while improved is still no sports car according to most. There is only so much you can do with that platform.

M

Really? Most of the reviews i read seemed to praise its new found sporting credentials, at least much improved over the previous. Maybe was just 'new car syndrome'.
Still think overall the new TT makes a very compelling proposition tho

Oh yes it is vasly improved, but from what I've seen in the end they say it still isn't as sporty as say the Z4 or Boxster and/or is not a true sports car. Now the TT-S may change that, we'll see. I'd still go with the SLK on looks alone though the Audi does have a more stylish interior.

M

Fair enuf

Drives


Mercedes SLK350

After 185,000 sales of the second-generation SLK (and 310,000 of the first), Mercedes-Benz has given its little sportster a raft of enhancements, improvements and other things ending in ‘ments’ .
It has even fatter styling, even more performance and more gadgets than you can throw a Bluetooth enabled headset at. There are over 650 revised or new components, a new-look front and rear styling treatment, a tweaked interior and telematics, a new direct-steering system and more power for the SLK 350 and 200 models.
The new SLK's front bumper looks a bit odd?
Yes. It would be cruel to suggest that the revised SLK looks like its missing a tooth but…
The front-end treatment is certainly, erm, controversial. The nose positively screams ‘WE HAVE AN F1 TEAM, DONCHA KNOW!’ and for some that’ll be just a little too shouty.
Other more successful styling revisions include the LED ‘tuning fork’ mirrors, the darkened rear lamps and the trapezoidal tailpipe. There’s also a neat piece of surfacing above the front number plate that gives the revised SLK a nice darty profile. So all-in-all a strange juxtaposition of some sweet detailing and some rather clumsy (and impotent – the rear diffuser offers no aerodynamic benefit) styling features.
OK – but looks are subjective. What about the new SLK's mechanicals?
The SLK 350 gains the most revisions so that’s the car we’re driving. Its 3498cc now produces 305bhp – some 33bhp more than its predecessor. In this techno-zeitgeist age it’s nice to see some good ol’ fashioned engine tuning at work here; the compression ratio is up, the valves are lighter, the pistons are new, the valve seats are deeper and the rev limit has been raised to 7200rpm. Torque is also up – by 7lb ft – and Mercedes claims an improvement in fuel consumption and a cut in emissions too.


Over 300bhp is pretty serious. How does the SLK feel on the road?

Very quick. If a hot-hatch owner accuses you of driving a girl's car you can make them eat your smoke with a 5.4 second 0-62mph time – six-speed manual or seven-speed auto.
Mercedes would like you to believe that the revised V6 engine is revvy and ultra-sporty – it’s not. Despite its raised 7200rpm rev limit, peak power arrives at 6500rpm and the torque curve is flatter than the Fens making the V6 a meaty, muscly and extremely driveable motor. In other words this is a very fine engine for a sports car. Sounds great too – hollow and musical thanks to a revised intake system.
What about the bits between the straights? Does the SLK 350 handle?
Yes. All the right ingredients are there; good weight distribution, front-engine/rear-wheel drive, consistent grip – but the SLK has never handled or steered with the precision or fluidity of a Boxster.
Mercedes has tried to address this with a new Direct-Steer option – although vario-steer would be a more appropriate term. The new steering is an exceptional piece of old-school mechanical engineering; simply put the steering ratio changes in line with the steering input via some clever gear reprofiling within the rack. It works well – although it takes a few turns to learn not to oversteer the wheel. The system delivers a noticeable increase in steering attack when the wheel is twirled more than 90 degrees and parking is also easier. Mercedes claims that 22 percent less steering input is required in an emergency manoeuvre too.
Direct steer doesn’t offer improved feel (a steering wheel the size of a Sumo’s waistband doesn’t help) and the variable ratio feels odd at first, but it sharpens front-end response and increases agility.

I’m stuck in traffic. Will the revised SLK entertain me?

Very much so, and once you’ve tossed the epic instruction manual aside and dived into the menu screen you’ll find it’s an intuitive device.
The SLK now has Mercedes’ NTG 2.5 generation system, featuring Linguatronic voice recognition for the sat-nav (a brilliant option), standard Bluetooth hands-free, an optional iPod interface and a slot above the screen for a memory card loaded with MP3s. A Harmon Kardon Logic7 option is also available, delivering dizzying 5.1 surround sound regardless of the roof position. It’s one of the best audio and telematics systems available.
Verdict

The SLK 350 is a very good car. Its mechanical integrity, build quality, performance and folding hard-top roof are all top drawer. Nope, the SLK’s problem has always been its image; no matter how fat (with a ‘ph’) the styling is, no matter how fast and no matter how many gadgets it has got it’ll always face that accusation that it’s a ‘girl’s car’. And that’s a pity, because with powerful engines and trick gadgets it’s a really rather fine 21st century metrosexual cross gender device… darling.
The SLK 350 in particular feels like a proper beefy sports car, the SLK 55 AMG gloriously unhinged and the supercharged 182bhp SLK 200 a sweet-handling delight. The SLK doesn’t offer the pure driving pleasure of a Porsche but it is by far the better all-rounder.





N.B Another review, slightly more in depth. This time by CAR magazine