In 22 seconds………………...

 

Does the smart top module make it go up any faster?

 

nope. same time. r172 is 20 secs. r171 is 22 secs

from r172 brochure:

Retractable hardtop. The centerpiece of the
SLK, the power-operated roof vanishes into
the trunk in less than 20 seconds.

 

One word: boot space.

 

I had an Audi TT Coupe before the SLK and the Audi was a little quieter at speed. One of the idiosyncrasies of the diesel is it doesn't actually get much louder as you go faster, and therefore you are much more aware of wind and road noise than in a petrol car. The SLK does a fantastic job of pretending to be a fixed-head coupe and it's one of the best compromises I've come across between the refinement and security of a coupe and the excitement of a convertible.

It's a bit heavier, it does eat up the boot with the roof down and Mercedes are ripping us off stupid with the pano roof (same roof, different interior trim panel) but it's pure theatre putting it up or down and I love it. I'm sure you would too.

 

IMHO it's no compromise.

If you need the boot space, leave the roof up! But when you don't need the boot space, roof up or down at the touch of a button.

Other folding hard-top convertibles I've driven the chassis clearly lacks stiffness due to teh conversion. The SLK is *solid*, clearly designed from the ground up not to need the roof as part of the monococque structure, other folding hard tops (even the Astra, whose roof is made by the SLK roof people) are conversions of regular saloon/estate/coupés and suffer.

When the roof is up it's as quite as a hard-top. (Can't vouch for the glass "magic sky" roof - but the regular roof is solid metal with lining just like a fixed roof).

 

the regular roof is solid metal with lining just like a fixed roof).

Not since 2013 Model Year. They're all transparent now with a solid headlining to make it seem like metal, but it's now definitely polycarbonate/glass.

I'm not sure any of the roof skins were ever metal, I think they were all plastic of some description and the early ones leaked and had to be replaced with the newer transparent ones.

 

IMHO... my SLK being my 3rd vert since the mid 90's. I'll write this a little more generically for a Vert vs Coupe, with emphasis on the SLK.

CONS:

• Costs more than an equivalent mfgr 2-door coupe
• The top is mechanical, meaning it's one more thing that could break or get stuck up/down/or somewhere in between. Some mfgrs (to my knowledge, not the SLK) provide a way to manually put the top back up in certain situations if it the automation fails.
• Trunk (aka "Boot") space is always smaller, especially if top is down (duh)
• Noise level both with top up and top down. Verts are generally a bit noisier than an equivalent coupe even with the top up; When the top is down it varies greatly on the design of the model/make/year. Don't think you're going to hear your sound system without blasting passer-by's or when you slow down at a light, or try to carry on anything more than brief conversations (including with wireless cell phone calls, even with an earpiece) without a raised level to your voice. If you are an audio aficionado, the Coupe wins with likely better sound, especially at lower volume levels and if the subtle detail is important in your audio system.
• Cockpit buffeting (aka wind) varies and impacts noise level. It can be improved with various OEM options and things like a Windrestrictor, even better if you're willing to ride with the windows up when the top is down (I would NEVER do that).
• Top needs to be up when it's raining
• You may loose your ball cap if you wear one when the top is down. (Just learn to put it on a little tighter and pull the brim down a bit more.)

FWIW, my old SC430 was both quiet (could hear the Nakamichi sound system at just a little higher than top-up levels) and had little buffeting with the top and windows down. My 335i was louder and had more buffeting -- even with it's optional and ugly windscreen that fit over the back seats. I hate to say, but I might as well turn off the music if I'm on the freeway with the top down in my SLK, and buffeting -- even with my Windrestrictor, is the worst of the three verts I've owned. It's not awful, but something every potential owner should experience and make their own decision if it's acceptable to them. It's why I'm convinced it comes down to how a mfgr prioritizes the importance of noise and buffeting in their design -- e.g. the SC430 had no coupe equivalent in Lexus' lineup -- there wasn't a hardtop version like say there was/is with the BMW, so Lexus could truly design a vert from the ground up vs. BMW that likely had to compromise their design to work as a coupe or hardtop vert.​

PROS:

• A hardtop convertible has the security benefits of a coupe, with none of the drawbacks of a soft top that will show wear, need replacing, and can be cut-through should some thug want to damage your prized possession
• A whole lot more quiet than any soft top equivalent when the top is up
• IT'S JUST FLAT OUT MORE FUN THAN ANY COUPE
  and you can add whatever you want to that: a great ride to help with midlife crisis; you can let the air blow through your hair (or over your bald scalp as may be the case); It's sexy; ...and you add as many other similar reasons here as you want. With a vert, it's all about appeal and passion.

Personally, I've always owned a coupe (since early 70's), added a moonroof as a standard option to all my rides as those soon became generally available, and finally purchased my first hardtop convertible in 2002. I've been without a vert for only 1 year since, and purchased my SLK when I had only my SUV and just flat out missed having my "Big Boy Toy" that always puts a smile on my face when I take it out for a ride -- be that for a short jaunt or a long tour.

 

When I see people abusing a convertible like this, it incites violent tendencies in me that I never knew I had.

ride with the windows up when the top is down

 

the only problem i have notice with my r172 is when the top is down its more nosier i think its because thay have put that plastic glider for your seat belt thats stops your seat belt damaging your leather seats on my r171 i never had that noise but my seat started to wear due to the belt rubbing on it

 

Without sounding too ignorant the first time I saw an SLK ie. about 3 years ago (I never considered a convertible ever...simply because I couldnt afford a nice one to enjoy) I simply loved the look of it. It was LOVE at first sight.

Finances at the time said no, but I was very envious of this beautiful car when I first lay eyes on it.

Fast forward 3 years and I should be in a position to buy the SLK 350 next year. For me its the perfect car for a SLK, ie between the unaffordable AMG and 250 being not good enough for me. (ie I wanted too many extras).

I have had a sad miserable life for 3-4 years. This is something that would make me smile each time I turn the ignition on, I know this feeling would last for at least 5 years if not more. I dont drink or do drugs. I gamble ( and I am rare- I have not lost in 9 years) But thats another story. If the car is running smoothly with no problems I am happy to have this car for a long long time (20 years as long as it is trouble free).

With the car model from 2012, has anyone experienced mechanical failure with the roof? This I can imagine would be my only concern.

This is 2 cars in one for me IMO - it definitely is a coupe and a convertible rolled into one.

Call it being too greedy, but I do want one too many accessories for it which worries me, the AMG and the 7.1 sound system is a must. The red metallic probably too. The sky roof is a bonus, but not a necessity. Admittedly its a great show off feature for the girls of course lol.

Im hoping to get this car in the end of financial year in Australia in June 2015. Im hoping my bargaining power and the pressure for a dealer to make a sale may get me over the line.

Yes I am dreaming I do know this. Off the bat I could afford the SLK 250 easily next year, but the SLK 350 just has too many things I want and I dont want to have a regret, which sounds like a spoilt person.

But before you judge, as I said 4 years of suffering and being abused, I just want this car to cruise and enjoy a lovely drive top down.

Could posters please tell me, what freebies have you posters been able to get at a dealership?

In the past I was able to squeeze in an upgraded alloys and metallic paint. I guess I would like to know how far I can push which is realistic.

Thanks so far for your advice I value and appreciate it.

Keeping in the them of soft tops - its a big no for me. Having it ripped would be a cruel painful blow to me. Its hard all the way.

 

One thing I would say, before you buy an SLK, get a test drive of at least a couple of hours, and see if you can live in the seat. If I were any taller I would be in trouble. As it is I have to get it just right (we opted for leccy seats and memory!) or I'm cramping up in twenty minutes. There's not a lot of room for tall folk in there.

 

I'm 189cm (6'2") and over 100kg. I have no comfort issues but it is good advice.

 

Im 6ft, 95 kgs I think I should be fiine. To be honest, I prefer having a 2 seater car, I get distracted by having more than one person in the car while driving. I know thats my issue, but its why I am being selfish and buying a SLK. In fairness, Im a single guy so its really affecting anyone.

 

IMHO with side windows down, cabin turbulence is worse when the wind restrictor is fitted because air flowing around the A post slams into the restrictor instead of passing through the gap between the roll hoops.

The wind restrictor is only really effective with the side windows up, which at motorway speeds is the only way to be able to have a conversation without shouting or hear music at a reasonable level.

If I'm in the car on my own and have taken out the wind restrictor, then side windows down is great. If my wife is in the car too, then side windows up with wind restrictor is best for us.

As for pros and cons of the SLK vs a comparable coupe; roof up the SLK is a very accomplished coupe, roof down its a very decent roadster. No fixed head coupe or rag top roadster can do that..

 

based on SLK

Cons:
1. it's heavier compare to coupe/non-convertible (performance factor decreases)
2. people think you drive a chick car

Pros:
1. people think you drive a really expensive merc
2. chicks love your car

 

Yup, all that!

I don't might the weight - feels good and solid on the road. And the engine can still hurl it about.

 

I have been reading reviews of the SLK where they say that the car really is like two cars in one - ie Coupe and Convertible.

Is the SLK model immune to rain and noise externally?

I own a 2012 SLK 350. For me it's the perfect Coop (very quiet) and the perfect convertible. Everything else depends on what each of us like or does not like. With the top down at slow speeds I have the windows down. At high speeds I have windows up. All the above subjects are personal. No problem with rain. I'm impressed with how quiet it is. When I pass an 18 wheeler on the free way with the top up I can hardly hear its noise. With that in mind the SLK is a great car, top up or top down.

 

The only real major differences and/or sacrifices over a coupe are going to be trunk space-related, and potentially backseat-related if you weren't going to get a 2-seater coupe. I never have bought into the idea that it's "safer" to have a hard-top over a soft-top (see those big glass things where the metal ends? Yeah, those are breakable.) but I do prefer a hard-top if given a choice. The SLK is a really nice ride and a great choice and you should be really happy with a 350 should you decide to buy one. I test drove a 250 and found it to be pretty damned quick considering the stats it had and was going to buy the V8 AMG had I ended up buying an SLK which i'm sure is greased lightning. The V6 probably goes plenty fast.

I don't think you'd notice any difference in ride or "cowl shake" on a car like this since it's designed as a convertible, and it should be just as warm and quiet considering how it's built. Convertibles have been mastered as this point technology-wise and some are even quieter than in their coupe counterparts. And yes, they're waaaaaaaay more fun than coupes! This car really is the best of both worlds though and works in colder climates as well as places closer to the equator. I couldn't find another hard-top convertible worth buying frankly other than this one that was in the same price range.

And get the magic sky if your budget allows, it's really something. One of the coolest features i've seen on any car on the road.

 

Great thread

My Con
Road and tire noise
Limited space (Don't sell the wagon)

Pro
Sports car
Convertible
People notice the car
Wonderful throaty sound from the engine (SLK250)