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Manual or Auto SLK

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).

R170 SLK230 was probably close to 90% autiomatic vs manual.

R170 SLK200 was possibly closer to 50% but the population much smaller in the UK. It's possible that those going for the 200 would be more price sensitive so less likely to pay for the automatic.

I suspect the R171 skewed things a bit. It was sold as a sportier model than the R170 so maybe more buyers went for the manual option. MB maybe pushed more manuals through the fleet operators.
 
My wife hates autos, the whys confuse me. If she wants a manual...get one or you will never hear the end of it!
 
Well finally the last 2 posts have answered the question.....there is nothing wrong with the manual gearbox...........that was a bit like pulling teeth.........went direct to MB technical.....manual is the standard option...auto is an option.......350s actually bring a premium in manual as there are not many available.....Thanks Steve
 
Wwent direct to MB technical.....manual is the standard option...auto is an option

I think that was pointed out in an earlier post.

It is a bit of a paradox in the UK that most people take the auto 'option' as the standard when it comes to MBs. But then MB UK seem to also be against bonnet stars on the E-class in this market as well.

I suspect that one of the cultural differences between an MB forum and some of the others is that the tendency is for those who are MB enthuisasts is to take the auto option - whereas that would be heresy amongst those who woud call themsleves an enthusiast on some other marque based forums.

People are actually trying to help you though you don't seem to necessarily realise it. The MB manual option isn't generally perceived to be that good - which is not quite the same as there being something wriong with it.

Have you looked at a Z4? The current E89 model is less soft than the R171 SLK - so a bit more on the sport vs tourer side of the divide.
 
People are actually trying to help you though you don't seem to necessarily realise it. The MB manual option isn't generally perceived to be that good - which is not quite the same as there being something wrong with it.
Absolutely true.
350s actually bring a premium in manual as there are not many available
Haha - that's a good one! :D

Back in 2009 when my wife bought her SLK350 auto new, my local dealer had another brand new SLK350 in the showroom. It was a lovely spec, but manual transmission. It sat there for months. In the end they had no option but to discount it heavily to move it. Perversely, the R171 facelift SLK350 is also in a higher VED band in manual guise than it is as an auto.

Don't get me wrong, if your wife wants a manual SLK200 then she'll probably be very happy with it. Just don't bother trying to justify it on grounds other than it being what she wants :thumb:
 
Well finally the last 2 posts have answered the question.....there is nothing wrong with the manual gearbox...........that was a bit like pulling teeth.........went direct to MB technical.....manual is the standard option...auto is an option.......350s actually bring a premium in manual as there are not many available.....Thanks Steve

You sound like you've convinced yourself that you want a manual.

Get one bought , and let us know how you get on.

Good luck at resale time :thumb:
 
You sound like you've convinced yourself that you want a manual.

Get one bought , and let us know how you get on.

Good luck at resale time :thumb:

You're missed a crucial point. The driver only drives manuals irrespective of make & model.
 
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.

I'm in agreement, if your Mrs wants a manual and that is what she feels comfortable with then find a manual, they are out there and if they are less desirable, then they are likely to be less expensive, so its a bonus.
Personally, I'd stick with auto.:)
 
I "wanted" a manual SLK when I bought one 6years ago... Have since gone to auto (not an slk, a CL) and if I had the choice again, I wouldn't buy a manual car.

Same with my mrs, she wanted a manual CLK but I bought her an auto anyway because i know best lol, she refuses to drive a manual car anymore!
 
Well.......Thanks All...youve sucsseded where I couldnt.....just shown the wife all your comments...and guess what.....she thinks that she should now try out an auto........well knock me down with a feather.......next move get her a test drive in a large engine model........anyway being new to this forum just need to reach the 30 post mark so i can respond to some od the classified.......once again thanks all...will let u know how we get on....Steve
 
Lol. Tell your missus that if she has never driven an auto before, just plant her left foot on the floor and forget she has it.
That's what the guy at Orlando Airport told me when I collected my first auto hire car many years ago. He was right too.
 
next move get her a test drive in a large engine model
Yup, I would personally want something bigger than a 1.8 ... as mentioned, it's not a lightweight car. The SLK55 is nice :devil:
 
Well.......Thanks All...youve sucsseded where I couldnt.....just shown the wife all your comments...and guess what.....she thinks that she should now try out an auto........well knock me down with a feather.......next move get her a test drive in a large engine model
Hope she enjoys the experience :thumb:

If you do go for a larger engine (discounting the SLK55 AMG which is a completely different kettle of fish), the 350 is a better bet than the 280 / 300 as it has more kit as standard - including memory seats & mirrors which is very useful if both of you will be driving it - better performance, and the same fuel economy / emissions band.
 
Test drive an auto in a traffic jam or really heavy traffic if you can, that's really when you think "why the hell did I ever drive a manual car"...
 
Semi auto = best of both worlds (nearly). Seriously though, considering how well mercedes do automatics, who would want anything else?
 
Well.......Thanks All...youve sucsseded where I couldnt.....just shown the wife all your comments...and guess what.....she thinks that she should now try out an auto........well knock me down with a feather.......next move get her a test drive in a large engine model........anyway being new to this forum just need to reach the 30 post mark so i can respond to some od the classified.......once again thanks all...will let u know how we get on....Steve

I hate to say it but this doesn't bode well for you, a sudden u-turn by your wife after some sound advice from here. Nope there's, something not right ;)...good luck with the car hunt :D
 
I think I might have made those comments about dealers not wanting to sell them - I promise it is true. Mercedes dynamics suit the auto/smooth drive.

My ex-gf has an SLK300 Sport line with the auto. It is fast and smooth and sporty as you want a car to be unless you like track days.

Everyone says you can use the paddles if you want to drive it as a manual..... search the threads on this... nobody ever does except to show new passengers how the paddles work! :)

Once you have gone auto you never go back :)
 

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