Mercedes-Benz SLK Roadster (2004 - 2011) 200K (2008) 2d (2010/10) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

It says I am smack bang in the middle of a mid-life crisis.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

My wife loves the car. My friends think I'm a @~&%, as for the neighbours... Who cares.

Would you buy this car again and why?

Quite possibly, if the price was right. However I can see me owning this one for a good few years yet.

What are you likely to buy next?

I'm likely to go for another reliable far east 5 door hatchback. Possibly another i30?

Type of dealer you bought from?

Franchised

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£13,599

When did you buy the car?

January 2013

Did you get a good deal and why?

The price I paid was excellent! It was the deciding factor really in switching from trusty, reliable but rather bland, far eastern hatchbacks. The price I paid for this 2 year old 'quality' European car was around that which I spend on a brand new Hyundai or Toyota, but it was more than £6000 under the valuation quoted by Parkers. Because Mercedes Benz hold their value far better than a Hyundai this 4 year old Merc in now worth £2000 more that my 2 year old Hyundai bought for around the same price. I firmly believe that the true secret in getting hold of a bargain is a willingness to travel. I had to drive more than 200 miles for this particular deal.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

I'd always bought sensible, practice cars. I fancied something with a little spice for a change... Also, I was approaching 40 and going bald!

What was the dealer like?

My contact with the dealer was minimal. I spent hours searching the internet for the best deal. When I spotted this car, I called the dealer to check information, and agreed a price for the part ex. No haggling involved. They also emailed me a copy of the hpi check.

What's it like to drive?

The car I traded in for this was Picasso MPV. Enough said? Not on your Nelly. It's incredible!!! Being the first ever 'performance' car I have driven, I was simply blown away. It's fun fun fun! Of course, I cannot compare it to other cars in its class as I have no experience of them, but next to the MPV or 5 door hatchback it truly is astounding.

What's it like to park?

Out of curiosity, I parked this car side by side my Hyundai i30. to compare the length. I was surprised to find that they were remarkably similar given the difference in space within the cabin. Alas, this is because around half the length of the SLK is bonnet. This did take some getting used to when parking.

Have you had any problems with the car?

A couple of minor faults developed with the air con and electric windows, but these were rectified under warranty very quickly.

What's most practical about your car?

Lets face it... A 2 seat roadster in never going to be that practical, If it was, it wouldn't be fun. However, the boot is surprisingly roomy - even with the top down.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

My favorite bit of the car has to be the auto folding hard top roof. Elegant, and has performed perfectly without fail.