2005 SLK now in the family - a couple of questions!

[Matt's Dad]

Hi everyone, my Mum bought a 2005 SLK350 auto in Osbidian Black a few days ago - after years of owning Jags, she finally wanted something different, and I think she’s taken a liking to our E320 saloon in the same colour (even though she said she didn’t like it when we first bought it!)

I took it for a drive when she got it home, and I have to say, I was quite disappointed! I know I’m a diesel fan, but I prefer my 320CDI (with re-map) as the power seems more ‘instant’ and from 70 ish mph, our diesel pulls much stronger - I found the SLK a bit lazy in changing down a gear or two, and there seemed a big difference between using the kick down button or not - putting my foot down without the button seemed a bit tame for a 350, then when I did press the button down, the engine revved high, and accelerated quite well.

Also, I found the steering quite vague - at cruising speed, I could move the steering wheel left and right a couple of inches, and it seemed to take a while to react with the car - the SLK is on 17” wheels, and my E320 is on 18” with sport suspension, but I assumed the SLK would be a lot more precise than the E-class?

So, is there anything to check regarding the steering - such as, are there any better type or brand tyres that suit the car well? What pressures do people recommend? And is it possible to re-map a petrol??

I don’t want to offend anyone that owns an SLK! I just want to improve it for her, if I can, and I don’t know anything about the SLK’s - I read pages and pages on this site before and after I bought my E-class, but she only decided last week, that her Jag XJR was too big for her, and she wanted something a bit more ‘sporty’ - she loves the SLK - she had a few lined up to go and look at, and ended up buying the very first one she saw! This one has done 50,000 miles, with full MSH, and has quite a few options such as sat nav etc………


Also, it has phone prep - but I can’t find where the UHI module goes? If it uses one, like my car????

 

[MOCAŠ]

Sounds like your mother's car could be the twin of mine.

I've never noticed any slowness about the steering response, but I'll make a point of looking for it tomorrow (if I remember). However, I know they improved the steering as part of the 2008 facelift, which was said at the time to put it more on a par with that of the Z4 and other competitors.

With regard to throttle response, I think this is a known issue (and the one thing that occasionally irritates me about my SLK). I've read about some after-market fixes for this on the forum, but have not yet felt compelled to take the plunge.

It will be interesting to hear how your mother gets on with her car.

 

[Matt's Dad]

Sounds like your mother's car could be the twin of mine.

I've never noticed any slowness about the steering response, but I'll make a point of looking for it tomorrow (if I remember). However, I know they improved the steering as part of the 2008 facelift, which was said at the time to put it more on a par with that of the Z4 and other competitors.

With regard to throttle response, I think this is a known issue (and the one thing that occasionally irritates me about my SLK). I've read about some after-market fixes for this on the forum, but have not yet felt compelled to take the plunge.

It will be interesting to hear how your mother gets on with her car.

I think she will be happy with it, as it is - but it would be nice if it can be improved. Also, I don't know if it's where the seats are lower, but it felt like I was going faster than I actually was - My E-class is the opposite

 

[MOCAŠ]

^^ Yes, this is quite a common perception with low-mounted seating.

 

[JLR1969]

If you want to improve it buy an SLK 55.

 

[Meldrew2]

..... I don't know if it's where the seats are lower, but it felt like I was going faster than I actually was - My E-class is the opposite

^^ Yes, this is quite a common perception with low-mounted seating.

Likewise, I feel that I am going slower than I really am in my ML.

Maybe this is the reason that "White Van Man" drives so fast.......

.

 

[finisterre]

Likewise, I feel that I am going slower than I really am in my ML.

Maybe this is the reason that "White Van Man" drives so fast.......

.

Possibly, when I had a sports saloon it felt like 50 at 90.
The Z4 feels like 50 at 35, the Vito feels like 50 at 45,


But objectively white vans are more complex. They have contradictory aspects, the front is quick, it prefers to get right up your bottom because braking is to be avoided and accelerating is impossible. The back end is different, it is very slow, it pulls out in front of people and almost stops.

If I could just get it right I would be able to load really long items.

Anyway back on topic. Surely your mum likes it as it is and turning it into a roller-skate will not be popular?

 

[Matt's Dad]

Oh, she definately likes it, and maybe I was just expecting too much from it. I just assumed it would be faster, pull better and handle better than a 180,000+ mile diesel saloon. Sitting on the driveway, it looks amazing, and looks a good drive!!

 

[john925]

If that 350 feels slow compared to a diesel Either there is something seriously wrong with it or your not driving it to its true potential. How many diesels do 0 to 60 in 5.3 seconds ? if the steering play is that bad then again it sounds like a problem Mine is totally positive and no wandering at high speed