SLK Concerns

[StuartHall]

I am thinking of purchasing an SLK 230, most of the models I have seen are automatic, how good a driving experience does the automatic give you. I kind of feel that a sports car should have a manual gearbox.

 

[42852]

Stuart Hi
In my view it's a Mercedes, so first of all it's safe and comfortable.
The auto box is great for stop / start traffic and the cruise control is a joy on Motorways etc; but if you like to keep it on it's toes and have some fun (if you can find the right road in the UK? ) you can turn the ASR off and use the sequential bit to drop down one or two cogs: not as fast as a manual granted but still good for the odd brown trouser corner!!!
If you need a unreliable rag top that feels every matchstick/pothole in the road and drive like a hooligan most of the time, revving the nuts off it, it's probably not the car for you.
If on the other hand you want some of both worlds i.e. safe, secure, practical, open top motoring without the unwanted draughts, zips and poppers the SLK will still turn heads, keep it's value better than most, and 190 BHP is still exciting :lol:
P.S.
Some big girls blouses have said the seats are poor on the pre -face lift but having got out after a lot of miles in my 99 230K I can honestly say that I've always been comfortable : not limb stiff or tired. QED.
Hope this helps
Good Luck
Peter

 

[StuartHall]

Hi Peter
Thanks for the reply. I think I want it for the same reasons as yourself, I live in Workington and work in Penrith so I have a daily commute of some 40 miles (about 50 minutes) each way along the A66 through some of the most scenic areas of the Lake District. I drive a Mondeo Zetec S TDCi every day (as I am doing about 400 miles a week) but am looking for a car to drive to work in about once a week on a nice summers day and for me and the wife to use at weekends to take advantage of the Lake District in summer. By the way what does ASR stand for and is it on all models, forgive my ignorance I have only started looking and am unfamiliar with all the technical details.
Cheers
Stuart

 

[42852]

ASR?

Stuart
ASR according to my MB owner drivers manual stands for "Acceleration skid control".
Traction control I suppose in English.
As well as ABS (stops the wheels locking up under braking) all models I think have ASR and BAS (Brake Assist System) these last two share the same lamp in the instrument cluster, it flashes when the limit of the tyre grip is going and is lit all the time, if you switch it off. Don't worry about asking questions, It's a pleasure.
Regards
Peter

 

[StuartHall]

Thanks for the reply Peter.
If I have any further questions I will post them.
Stuart