Twisted

The Facelifted SLK350, quite a vehicle i must say. Somewhat controversial styling and i must add it looks a lot better in person than in the pictures. They recently reviewed it here on local television but i decided to have a go at it myself.

I've always been a lover of the SLK despite what everyone else says about the looks etc and when the facelift came out i was somewhat in two minds but really, the facelift really leaves me speechless. I'm yet to drive the 200, so i can't really comment on that but this is what i thought of the 350.

If there's a few things i love about the SLK is, the direct steering, the amazing engine and of course the upgraded gadgets in the cabin and let's not forget the exhaust note, especially with the upgraded engine reving higher than the old.

It's really a drivers car that you never get tired of.

I don't know why people complain about it not having a manual transmission, I'm a manual head all the way but the automatic 7G transmission is pure bliss and so smooth. The only thing i didn't like is the occasional period where the transmission "waits a bit" before getting going. The breaking is awesome and the grip is amazing.

Here almost all the features are standard so its a big plus. I need to add that the ipod integration works like a charm and i wish it was included on earlier models as multimedia does make up a big part for me especially on long trips.

Those who complain about the seats, buy a C-Class or a S-Class or try my rock hard BMW, this is a roadster and it's meant to be a certain way.

Conclusion: I don't own one yet and was originally going to go for an '07 350 but now making a decision is even more difficult as the '09 is slightly out of my price range (well not really, i'm just not willing to spend that much in todays climate) but this aside, i can highly recommend the facelift to anyone who is wanting to get into an SLK, because it has what the pre- has and more and it's far more up to date and as per usual the build quality is up there with Mercedes standards. The Engine is definitely a big plus with the extra 24kW putting it right up there in terms of competition and overall it's really a winner.

I'm by no means putting the pre- SLK down as its an amazing vehicle, i may still end up buying one but the facelifted one offers so much more and is more "up to date".

If anyone here has a new 200, feel free to drop some comments on what you think in comparison to the old 200.

FishtailnZ

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We can read all we want on this or that car, but nothing like a little seat time to nail it down, thanks for the review!

P.S. I agree, the facelift version looks much better in the flesh and in pics.

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Ikarus

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I have the manual transmission on my SLK and I can tell you that it is that much closer to my concept of "pure bliss". I did test-drive the 7G, but after having been spoiled by driving an Audi A3 with DSG, nothing less will do for making me give up the stick.

Twisted

I've got to admit, the ferrari's transmission and the dsg and the m-dct are all ideal but in "normal" terms as far as auto boxes go, the 7G (and i'm assuming the AMG version with quick shift) are pretty much right up there but i do see your point.

alroumi

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thanks for sharing.

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daylite

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First post here, howdy everyone !

I jumped into the new face lifted SLK350 on Monday.
*wow*... didn't want to get out of it. I ended up taking the salesman for a 45min test drive, all along the winding Cape Town coast.

Dropping 3 gears at one point and hitting the hammer brought not only ridiculous acceleration, but also a rather stupid grin to my face that I couldn't get rid of the rest of the drive... and that engine sound, *wow*. I also found that I didn't have to back off of corners nearly as much as I expected, as there was absolutely no 'slip' what so ever. It's got fantastic handling.

The new interior is much more subtle and understated, and I really rather like the black buttons rather than the previous satin chrome. The new Audio 20 interface (didn't get to see the Comand APS DVD) is also really nice and they've done away with the side screen buttons so it's all controlled from the 'hat' switch. Even my Nokia 8800 showed up perfectly in the Bluetooth connection first time, with no probs. In addition, the test car also had the Harmon Kardon sound system, which has quite the most astonishing base and clarity I have ever heard in a car.

I was also looking at getting a pre-facelift model, as our second hand (<30,000km) is going through the floor and you can get some great deals right now... but after driving the new one... I'm not so sure anymore.

SLKman

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Welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing!

SLKman

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Twisted

Welcome to the forum... Good to see a fellow Cape Tonian on the board.

Yea i know what you mean on the baragins especially with the 350's and 55's BUT after driving the facelift i'm so much more convinced on getting a facelift. Problem is, i just dont want to spend that much as of yet on a facelift as i can get a pre- 350 for a whole lot cheaper.

Welcome anyways and thanks for your input.