Manual or Auto SLK

[mgcjag]

Hi All.....Wife wants a manual slk200....2008/9 shes only ever driven manual....one forum member advised against a manual....saying that even MB dealers dont like selling them.....your thoughts please.....surely as a sports car manual is the way to go....unless that is u prefer the auto.....really im looking for answers....is there sometinng wrong with the manual box..Steve

 

[Mike Walker]

I have a 54 plate SLK 230 auto which drives brilliantly following ATF change. Would not want a manual version instead thanks.

 

[mgcjag]

Undestand that u prefer the auto.....but whats wrong technically with the manual..Thanks

 

[Sp!ke]

Automatic is the way to go with Mercedes as others have said. The cars were designed with an automatic gearbox in mind. A manual gearbox changes the whole cars dynamics for the worse.

An SLK200 isn't really a sports car btw.

 

[Giantvanman]

The automatic drives well and you can always switch it into 'M' for manual mode and use the buttons/mini paddles (or whatever they are called) on the steering wheel.

 

[st13phil]

You will struggle to find an SLK with manual transmission because they're not as pleasant to drive as an auto. If you do manage to find one, you will struggle to sell it on because they're (relatively) unloved. Stick to the auto...

 

[Beetnik]

Manual is fine...

as long as you're prepared for a poorer driving experience and lousy residuals.

 

[72 dudes]

I have to agree with the comments above really. As someone who generally used to prefer manual cars, Mercedes and manual gearboxes don't really go together (and I also used to have a restored 1969 MGCGT).

If your wife wants a manual sports car, you might be better off looking for a Z4 or an MX5.

 

[wemorgan]

SLK is more GT than Sports IMHO. For that reason the auto is the preferred choice by a mile.

Check the pedal positions. It's not uncommon for RHD manual cars to have offset pedals.

 

[AMGeed]

If your wife hasn't tried one already, get her to try an auto for a longish period, including heavy stop start traffic. For me, auto and MB were made for each other and after driving my old E280, my wife far prefers the ease and comfort of an autobox.
As said previously, there is always the option of putting the car in Manual mode or using the buttons/paddle on the wheel of the tiptronic gearstick.

 

[mgcjag]

Thanks for the replies so far......cant understand the comment re the slk is not really a sports car.....thats what MB classify it as the S stands for sport......re the availability of manual cars and will find it hard to sell on, just a quick search and from 350 cars 30% were manual....prices about the same........the option of using an auto box and driving like a manual by going through the gears is a non starter........the wife just wants a manual car.......why is the manual driving experiance not as good as an auto....i know all the arguments of auto v manual,, thats not the issue here...if there is a known problem with the manual thats the info im after...thanks and please keep this topic going......Steve

 

[jotter22]

4 People (slk owners) have answered your question what's the point in keeping the topic open? you have to be firm and TELL the wife auto slk or manual Mazda!

 

[Sp!ke]

The SLK200 is underpowered and handles more like a sports tourer than a sports car.

If you want a convertible with an involved sporty handling then get an MX5. The SLK is a slow wobbly whale in comparison.

 

[John Jones Jr]

If your wife wants an SLK and doesn't want an auto, just buy a manual - job done. Nothing wrong with a manual if that's what somebody wants and might suit the SLK 200 better overall than an auto, more in keeping with it sports car image. BTW, I'm not biased I'm a big fanboy of auto's too.

 

[Dryce]

Tre the availability of manual cars and will find it hard to sell on, just a quick search and from 350 cars 30% were manual....prices about the same.......

Consider that something like 90%+ of these cars are sold with an auto gearbox. If you're seeing 30% manual then what does that tell you - either they sell slowly or they get churned more frequently through the market.

Is the manual that bad. No it won't be. But the focus of the market is on auto and MB are good at autos. Which just makes the manual seem like it's eclipsed.

If SWMBO wants a manual then get her a manual. It's just the auto is really the default (even if it is normally an option) so people tend to think it's normal and the manual is something strange.

As to the SLK being a sports car - or not. It's a heavy beast for what it is (as is its BMW counterpart the Z4 with the folding roof) and while the 200 is respectably quick it's not got the benefit of being light and nimble or alternatively provided with an excess of power. Nothing wrong with that as long as you go into any acquisition with your eyes open. And there are always larger engine options like the 280 .....

 

[mgcjag]

Thanks all...but especially the last 2 posts for answering the question...there is nothing wrong with a manual........this was a bit like pulling teeth thats why i kept the thread going....i was just being give opinions of what others prefered........Steve

 

[mgcjag]

Thought u may be interested in these production numbere for SLK manual V auto makes some of the previous posts look like guess work MBSLK.de - The SLK-Community - Produktionszahlen R170

 

[Mike Walker]

^ I am happy to admit that I have never tried a manual C Class , SLK or E Class and have or do own one of each. I have also owned a dog leg manual W201 190 and frankly would buy an auto version of that model next time without a doubt.

My reasons for preferring the auto are simple - mostly motorway driving, lazy left foot and tiptronic, as and when required, to deal with the traffic light lunatics.

I suggest that you buy a manual SLK and let us all know how you get on. Enjoy.

 

[st13phil]

If your wife wants an SLK and doesn't want an auto, just buy a manual - job done.

^ This. Just be aware of the (perhaps not so obvious) consequences.

Thought u may be interested in these production numbere for SLK manual V auto makes some of the previous posts look like guess work MBSLK.de - The SLK-Community - Produktionszahlen R170

The UK market for Mercedes-Benz cars is almost totally dominated by automatics, it's not the same in other markets which happily buy the same models with manual transmission - hence the production numbers (which relate to the previous R170 model, btw).

My wife has an R171 SLK350 Auto, so I do have some first-hand knowledge...

 

[Dryce]

Thought u may be interested in these production numbere for SLK manual V auto makes some of the previous posts look like guess work MBSLK.de - The SLK-Community - Produktionszahlen R170

UK market doesn't reflect those numbers.

Bear in mind that there have also been various cheaper variants such as the non-kompressor SLK200 R170 that were not sold in the UK.

When we looked at buying a R171 SLK200 three years ago almost all the used models we encountered were automatics.

However - having done a quick search I can believe the SLK200 numbers in the UK were roughly 2:1 in favour of the auto on the R171 - which fits with your observation 30%.