Mercedes-Benz SLK Roadster (1996 - 2004) 230K 2d Auto Owner Review

A classic of the future? I still smile each time I get into my first generation (R107) 24 year-old SLK. I'm still a little bit in love with the folding metal roof; safer and more substantial, soundproofed and secure than a mere 'rag-top' and which I have down in the middle of winter as regularly as I do on balmy summer days. The 190bhp and a 0-60mph of just over 7 seconds is more than adequate for overtaking, for cruising and for my somewhat belated mid-life crisis! It's nimble, easy to park and 'exhilerating-lite'. I embrace the radio-casette player (rather than CD) and the lack of cup-holders (both appeared 1998 onwards). The car's aesthetics may not ostensibly be as macho as a Porsche Boxster's or a BMW Z4's, but in my opinion, remain surprisingly fresh and not as susceptible as some to fleeting trends and the vaguaries of fashion. Suddenly there's less than 2,500 first generation Mercedes SLK 230 automatic Kompressors registered in the first 2 years of production in the UK. A fun 'neo-classic' that after 18 months still only owes me £3,500, inclusive purchase price, sorting minor faults and 2 services.