bpsorrel
MB Enthusiast
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2009
- Messages
- 6,027
- Location
- UK and Russia
- Car
- '21 C300 Coupe, '20 SLC Final Edition, Peugeot 208 (hers!) and a new Ford Kuga in Russia
So, it's exactly a month since I took delivery of my new SLK250cdi AMG Sport and I have to say, it's excellent!! I truly love this little car and despite some negatives which I'll explain later, it was a very good decision I made to get out of the CLS and into this little gem! 
First, let's get the negatives, such as they are, out the way..
The roof, when closed can rattle, sometimes, over bumpy roads. It's not too annoying and probably normal for a tin top roadster. Actually, it's not a rattle as such, just a sound of roof parts knocking together if the road is very bad.
Some of the less visible interior plastics are not that good, in fact, quite cheap and brittle, but on the whole the interior is very nice.
Some negative things such as lack of storage space I knew before I bought it, so don't count really.
Oddly, the biggest negative is not the car itself - but a lot of the people who live in my town clearly take offence at it and I have to say the only time I've received more abuse was when driving a Bentley through the town a couple of years ago. I blame this on the unbelievably low intellect of the majority of people that live in this part of the world!
Now, on to the good stuff!!
It rides very, very well, despite the "AMG" suspension and large wheels. Surprisingly well in fact and even the ****e roads around here don't upset it much. The road holding is excellent and cornering and steering first class. It feels like it's made out of rock and always inspires confidence in corners and high speed bends.
The engine is wonderful. For a 2.2 four pot it's a revelation, not being markedly slower than my previous 3.0 V6 and almost as refined. On start up it does clatter a little, but no where near as much as my neighbour's (4 of them!!) Vauxhall Zafiras with 1.9 CDTis!
And, it's currently showing 48 mpg which is very good. In "S" mode it's incredibly quick off the line and overtaking really is a joy!
I guess because of the twin turbos there really isn't any noticeable turbo lag (which afflicted my Saab Turbo and drove me nuts!). In summary, a great engine and gearbox, perfectly suited to the car.
The looks are excellent (to me) and a real step up from the previous generations of SLK, in fact I think I prefer it's lines now to the SL.
And the interior is very nicely styled and in the main well put together with quality materials (excepting the areas mentioned above). Mine has very comfortable black leather seats with a lot of adjustment. I'm 6'2 and can find a good position, albeit with the seat almost touching the firewall!
With the roof down, windows closed and wind deflector in place there's not too much buffeting and it stays quiet enough even at 70 to be able to talk normally. With the roof up it's as good as any coupe and I particularly like the switch that puts all four windows down when the roof is up - pillarless coupe eh!!
So, overall, I'm very happy with this car and with the deal I got it almost feels like a steal!
Oh yes, one extra thing...
SWMBO LOVES it!!!! How good is that!
First, let's get the negatives, such as they are, out the way..
The roof, when closed can rattle, sometimes, over bumpy roads. It's not too annoying and probably normal for a tin top roadster. Actually, it's not a rattle as such, just a sound of roof parts knocking together if the road is very bad.
Some of the less visible interior plastics are not that good, in fact, quite cheap and brittle, but on the whole the interior is very nice.
Some negative things such as lack of storage space I knew before I bought it, so don't count really.
Oddly, the biggest negative is not the car itself - but a lot of the people who live in my town clearly take offence at it and I have to say the only time I've received more abuse was when driving a Bentley through the town a couple of years ago. I blame this on the unbelievably low intellect of the majority of people that live in this part of the world!
Now, on to the good stuff!!
It rides very, very well, despite the "AMG" suspension and large wheels. Surprisingly well in fact and even the ****e roads around here don't upset it much. The road holding is excellent and cornering and steering first class. It feels like it's made out of rock and always inspires confidence in corners and high speed bends.
The engine is wonderful. For a 2.2 four pot it's a revelation, not being markedly slower than my previous 3.0 V6 and almost as refined. On start up it does clatter a little, but no where near as much as my neighbour's (4 of them!!) Vauxhall Zafiras with 1.9 CDTis!
And, it's currently showing 48 mpg which is very good. In "S" mode it's incredibly quick off the line and overtaking really is a joy! I guess because of the twin turbos there really isn't any noticeable turbo lag (which afflicted my Saab Turbo and drove me nuts!). In summary, a great engine and gearbox, perfectly suited to the car.
The looks are excellent (to me) and a real step up from the previous generations of SLK, in fact I think I prefer it's lines now to the SL.
And the interior is very nicely styled and in the main well put together with quality materials (excepting the areas mentioned above). Mine has very comfortable black leather seats with a lot of adjustment. I'm 6'2 and can find a good position, albeit with the seat almost touching the firewall!
With the roof down, windows closed and wind deflector in place there's not too much buffeting and it stays quiet enough even at 70 to be able to talk normally. With the roof up it's as good as any coupe and I particularly like the switch that puts all four windows down when the roof is up - pillarless coupe eh!!
So, overall, I'm very happy with this car and with the deal I got it almost feels like a steal!
Oh yes, one extra thing...
SWMBO LOVES it!!!! How good is that!
