Used 1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class SLK230 Kompressor 2dr Convertible Consumer Reviews
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1999 SLK230
Mick, 10/01/2009
Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class SLK230 Kompressor 2dr Convertible
41 of 41 people found this review helpful
I bought my 1999 SLK used in September 2008 with only 25,000 miles on the odometer, which is very low miles for a 9 year old car. This model has a timeless style that still looks new....everyone who see's it cannot believe its not just a couple years old instead of 9. It's definitely an attention getter, mine is black on black. I now have 38,000 miles on it and all I've had maintenance wise is oil changes and tires. At 52, I plan on this being the last car I own, I'd never get rid of it!
Fun car, troublesome power top. 5 speed manual.
carguy2021, Waterford, MI, 07/25/2012
Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class SLK230 Kompressor 2dr Convertible
52 of 53 people found this review helpful
Cool car, but the top can be very troublesome (and expensive to fix). If you are considering buying, make sure top is in good working order. Fun to drive, but 4 cylinder is a little weak and doesn't sound great. Bose stereo is terrific. Ride is harsh, but to be expected. No mechanical problems in the 10k miles I've had the car (90k-100k), seems reliable. Also, be careful you don't close the top on something rigid - you will shatter the rear window glass. Ask me how I know.
SLK230 Longterm Owner
texcarman, Pensacola, FL, 05/30/2014
updated 12/01/2016
Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class SLK230 Kompressor 2dr Convertible
67 of 70 people found this review helpful
I bought my '99 SLK230 new. It is the base model and my favorite commuting car. I now have over 110K on it and it has been a very good car. I have had what seems to be pattern failures on the vehicle. MAF sensor right around 70K miles, K40 Relay failed at 78K and I found and re-soldered the melted connection and it has been good ever since. one could simply buy a new one, for under $100 and replace it quite easily. I did encounter a noisy camshaft variable timing unit which was the most expensive part I've replaced, part cost was close to $400. and I'm a Euro car tech so fixed it myself. The electrical connector on the transmissions leak fluid about every 5 year/50K miles. I've replaced one plastic shift bushing and think the second one is now due, the parts cost is about $1.00. They are a little tricky to replace but can be done even without a special tool with a little patience, but the special tool is great. Even though I have other MB's to drive, such as a CLK cabriolet, if I am running errands and such this is my "go to" car. It is just fun to drive. They are a bit noisy or more so than most MB's so I think they got a bad rap early on, as I recall many being for sale shortly after being purchased with very low miles many years ago. One thing that contributes to higher noise levels in this vehicle is when the rear tires get some miles on them. One might think there is a problem with the rear differential, the noise is so pronounced. With the staggered tire sizes on this vehicle, rotating front to back is not an option, so the tires do acquire some pattern wear. This is exacerbated if one purchases cheaper tires with a large block tread, so beware. As far as mileage goes, in normal commuting, I conservatively get 24.5 mpg and have achieved 28 mpg on long highway trips with the A/C off and 70-80mph cruising speeds. Short drives of 2-3 miles with lots of starts might drop the mileage down to 22.5 or so, but this is rather unusual. The color of my car is white and it still looks fantastic after all these years. I have used the factory touch-up paint to fill in some paint chips and the car polishes out very nicely. Recently, we drive the vehicle down to vote and was stopped by some admirers who thought the car was new. Clearly not an MB person, but reflects positively on the condition and the enduring style of this original SLK.
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
I luv my bumble bee!
sherri83, 09/09/2005
Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class SLK230 Kompressor 2dr Convertible
13 of 13 people found this review helpful
I bought this car about 3 months ago with 70,000 miles on it, and it has been nothing but a complete joy to drive for me. I am one of the few that took the plunge and bought the yellow, and this car stands out in the crowd and definitely draws a compliment everywhere I go. It is fun to dirve, but definitely has the Mercedes feeling to it, sexy with a lot of luxury and style!
Fun and Practical
mirth, 03/06/2002
Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class SLK230 Kompressor 2dr Convertible
23 of 25 people found this review helpful
Of all the roadsters out there under $50k, this one is the easiest to live with every day without giving up the fun. The retractable hard-top means you have a coupe with the top up. The trunk is 9 cubic ft, better than any other roadster. Power is great from a dead stop, but it does hesistate a little when accelerating at speed. Reliability has been great.
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