The Mercedes SLK deserves attention and consideration at this point, although it does not even qualify as a youngtimer. But it's already a classic, but most of all, in 1996, it was a revolution and its delivery times (around two years) recalled the good old days when Mercedes graciously allocated its cars. At the beginning of the SLK was even sold with markups 15,000 mark over list were in it! Mercedes brought the assembly lines in Bremen quickly up to speed, so that the surcharge was soon over. The SLK, internally called R 170, invented a whole new breed of car, one that the world had longed for the tin roof convertible.
t was simply Brilliant. There was such a technique quite a bit earlier at Peugeot and Ford, as there had been before in the history of the car; but hardly could someone remember that. And a Mitsubishi in the US, launched in 1995 with similar technology, found only in homeopathic doses in the people. So that the trunk did not protrude too much like a rump, the roof had to be very small. So the R 170 got the somewhat funny proportions with the small, short pulpit, whose hood could fold neatly folded in the rear and after 25 seconds the hat was swallowed.
The driver had to press a red-transparent switch on the center console. It was like magic, and early SLK pilots performed in parking lots to gawking audiences like medieval jugglers. After the show there was a fabulous convertible. In god's weather open to the horizon and in thunder weather closed like a submarine. And then so cheap. 52,900 for the basic version - Mark! Had it been 10,000 marks more expensive, Mercedes would have had to allocate it as well. Rushhour was at the dealership to get a test drive appointment. Everyone wanted to have it not tomorrow but ..yesterday.
The SLK 200 with 136 hp is indeed due to its camshaft adjustment neat, but the general show appearance is not quite fair. In Italy and other southern countries there was a compressor variant of the SLK 200 with two liters and 192 horsepower, which was the fiscal SLK because of the tax laws. Amazing about this car is in addition to its stunning success and the fact that Mercedes had previously adorned for 33 years to put a small sports car on the keel. The Mercedes bosses of the no-sports generation thought since the 60s as stubborn as North Korean governments, motto: the main thing, the door makes dully schlockkk, as if she belonged to a vault.
SLK ancestor in spirit is the 190 SL from 1955 to 1963. Only 33 years later, after 33 months of development in April 1996, the small folding roof Wunderding was presented. Below is the robust technology of the then current C-Class including four-cylinder engines, ie 136 hp (two-liter vacuum) and 193 hp (2.3-liter compressor). The first facelift came in 2000, with little on the outside (indicators in the mirrors, sills and spoilers), but even more so on the hearts. So pulled out of a 200 with supercharged (163 hp) and strengthened by four to 197 hp 230 and two six-cylinder under the hood: the suction V6 with 218 hp in the SLK 320 and top model AMG supercharged variant with 354 hp. The outside was also pretty liftet. In 2004, the R 170 series was replaced by the R 171, which is today's SLK. By 2007, however, the R 170 was further built in American disguise its name was Chrysler Crossfire and had as a hunchback coupe and fabric roof roadster, built by Karmann in Osnabrück, only modest success, although the Chrysler was made in Germany.
Iis Vario roof was a revolution, at the touch of a button, the coupé becomes a roadster and vice versa. This is still big opera. The metal hood needs much more space when folding away than a fabric roof, while shrinking the trunk of 350 to 145 liters. However, for such a novel design, the complex mechanics are remarkably reliable. Problems in the system but also occur, even ingress of water. Occasionally, the cables and the electronic controls on the Vario roof cause trouble, and the small triangular windows in the rear stall. The brake system needs attention, pads and discs are not designed for too high loads. That also applies to the seats. However, the basic reliability is enormous, rust on supporting parts unknown. The automatic (until 1997) spins sometimes, oil loss occurs, but is rather the exception. The torsion-resistant body, the good comfort, the low maintenance of the four-cylinder, which calms the high level of passive safety, are a pleasure. The handling is not outstanding, the steering too smooth. The 200cc natural aspirated engine pushes a bit sluggish.
In between, this dream car has become affordable the SLK can be found from 5000 euros, but mostly with proud mileage on the folding hump. For all engine variants, the offer is large, only a few worse-edged copies are available at the dealer. Often the SLK was driven by women prejudices or not, they are often more careful with engine, suspension and brakes to. Prices are still likely to remain low, but all indicators say: a classic of tomorrow.
Spares? No problem. The car is still too new for that. However, full Mercedes prices apply. On many websites there are many informative sections on repair costs.
The SLK 230 compressor with manual transmission has the best price-performance ratio. However, the SLK was more popular with the automatic transmission, although at the time it was still suffering from the disease, always switching at the wrong moment and swallowing power and fuel. If performance is not the main focus, the more robust SLK 200 is not a bad choice. Unremarkable in the relevant statistics of the cars are all models after the facelift 2000.
