2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Consumer Reviews

Topless Performer

Written by: V of CS on 06/02/2007

Vehicle

2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class SLK55 AMG 2dr Roadster (5.4L 8cyl 7A)

Review

This car offers outstanding performance with great looks. It can serve as your Summer car - top down, 0- 60 sprints in 4.8 seconds - or daily driver averaging 20-22 MPG. The sport seats and interior are superb. The AMG exterior styling is masculine but not over the top. Fuel economy is an "8" when compared against other V8 automobiles in this performance range - you want 30 MPG buy a Civic. Options: Iridium Silver, Premium 3 Package, Lighting package, Heating Package, Sadachiba multipiece wheels, illuminated door sills and clear front stone and chip guard.

Favorite Features

Blistering performance with exclusivity. Stands out from the crowd. Industrial brakes. Roomy for its size. Convertible hardtop is a marvel, and that exhaust note!

Suggested Improvements

Location of the cupholders is high on the center of the dash and above all the electronics. Cruise control stalk is where the turn signal arm should be and take the CD changer out of the glove compartment for more storage.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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The perfect car

Written by: Lon on 05/19/2007

Vehicle

2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class SLK350 2dr Roadster (3.5L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I drove a few different convertibles, and was impressed with the folding hardtop (less unique than it used to be), heating system (airscarf), the performance, and great looks. I have had a good experience with the reliability of this car. I've driven 10,000 miles in 15 months, I have not experienced any problems. I have gotten as much as 28 mpg, though it's around 20 in the city.

Favorite Features

Airscarf and the heated seats (mutliple settings - max is really warm) makes it possible to drive in pretty cold temparates. In a short sleeve shirt I've been out lots of times in the 50's at night. With a coat I comfortably have driven in the 30's at night. Great for driving in the mountains.

Suggested Improvements

None.

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Some Problems

Written by: KD on 04/10/2007

Vehicle

2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class SLK350 2dr Roadster (3.5L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I agree this car is fun, however, this car has been in the shop so many times for what appears to be a fuel purge release, consent popping in the right rear of the car. Mercedes does not stand behind their loaners and they can't figure out what the problem is. Does anyone? The car other than that is nice, fun. But when you pay that much for a car You expect it to be perfect. No more Mercedes for me. I will stick to my old BMW M3 I had before.

Favorite Features

The top down on a Sunday. The gas mileage.

Suggested Improvements

Mercedes to stand behind their vehicles. Brighter stereo, Fades out!

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Nice wrapper on a German beer can

Written by: petemac on 01/02/2007

Vehicle

2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class SLK350 2dr Roadster (3.5L 6cyl 6M)

Review

The car looked beautiful in the showroom, and the it still does. However, the compliments on its apperance in no way makes up for the lackluster performance and the slipshod engineering. I have back problems driving the car any longer than 2 hours. It runs like it is an out of breath patient. My Z4 (2004) could have run rings around this nanny goat. The car burns oil like it doesn't have rings and the dealer wants in brought in to monitor oil consumption since many have had engines replaced. If it was placed on a dynometer in the US there is no way it would produce the listed 268 HP. At 36K it had to have a transmission replaced. Overall it is a dog. Don't buy one, worst car I've owned!

Favorite Features

None. The car is a dog! Save your money and buy from a car company that stands by its products since MB doesn't.

Suggested Improvements

The only good points are its looks. Otherwise start over. The engine should be scrapped and the tranny is a joke. Worst car I have ever owned.

1 out 10 people found this review helpful

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Fun to drive

Written by: nappy on 12/10/2006

Vehicle

2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class SLK350 2dr Roadster (3.5L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I look forward to driving to work everyday now. This is my first Mercedes and I love it. The service you get from the dealer is awesome, you would never get that from a domestic company. I got the car with the AMG sports package, and it is a very nice option to have, makes the car look a lot better and sportier.

Favorite Features

Convertible hard top. Fast, fast car. The way the car feel composed at high speeds.

Suggested Improvements

Use more technology, keyless start button, bluetooth phone option that's standard, not dealer installed option. Wireless key that opens the top should be able to work from far away rather than close to the car.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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The Most Underated Roadster

Written by: visimap on 11/10/2006

Vehicle

2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class SLK350 2dr Roadster (3.5L 6cyl 6M)

Review

Despite the fact that US car magazines give this great roadster no credit, it is a fun to drive real sports car. I test drove a Boxter S, a Z4 and a TT and I liked the SLK best - especially since it is the only premium roadster with a retractable hard top. My SLK is a 6 speed manual with the AMG sports package. The way the manual tranny is mated to the engine is a thing of beauty. And, it is so beautiful that people think I paid $100,000 for it!

Favorite Features

Handling. Torque. Hard top convertible styling. Fun to drive. Visibility. Trunk space (for a small roadster)

Suggested Improvements

Sharper steering, 18" lightweight wheels

11 out 11 people found this review helpful

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Pretty Great Car

Written by: Bill Pierce on 10/21/2006

Vehicle

2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class SLK350 2dr Roadster (3.5L 6cyl 6M)

Review

What a car. People stare at all the time. It is very comfortable, and I am not a small person. Leg room is exceptional. Driving position is perfect. I drive this car around just because I want to, and the destination is unimportant.

Favorite Features

The 'vario-roof'--nav system---sound system--flexibility of the seat positions.--very comfortable with the top down, even in cold weather.

Suggested Improvements

Absolutely must change the gearing in the 6-speed. The car is geared too low, especially first gear. The second one lets the clutch out, it is time to shift.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Just Awesome!

Written by: JP on 08/11/2006

Vehicle

2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class SLK55 AMG 2dr Roadster (5.4L 8cyl 7A)

Review

I traded in my 2003 Audi TT for a SLK 55AMG with all possible options, which I chose to buy over a 2006 SLK 350. This car is incredibly fast. The roar of the engine is music to enthusiasts' ears. The cockpit although somewhat "enclosing", is comfortable, well designed, built with nice materials, and complements the sport look of the exterior. The audio system is a blast. The air scarf, although unpractical for Florida, is very different amenity to have in your car. The exterior attracts lots of attention on the road and while parked. I prefer the top up. Acceleration is a thrill, and gas mileage is not that bad for 8 cylinders.

Favorite Features

Acceleration. Style/looks. Audio system. Navigation system. Sport AMG seats. Dashboard

Suggested Improvements

Either eliminate or relocate cup holders. More intuitive navigation system. Lock for gas cap. More visible alarm lights (e.g., such as Audi's). Bigger asthray. Add storage space in the cockpit (e.g., puches, pop-open hiden storage space) to make up for the usless glove compartment.

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It's Too Much Fun

Written by: Richard on 07/24/2006

Vehicle

2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class SLK350 2dr Roadster (3.5L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I just purchased my first roadster - a pre-owned 2005 Launch Edition. I have never had so much fun driving a car before. I am in awe of all the attention received by just driving down the street. There is a feeling of such exhilaration every time I'm behind the steering wheel. All I can say is that it's too much fun.

Favorite Features

The Airscarf coupled with the heated seats is a feature that I just can't live without. I am also impressed with the excellent steering and handling. Also, the styling is quite eye catching. And, last but not least, the retractable hardtop.

Suggested Improvements

The cup holders need to be repositioned so that they are in a useful place. I also would like the stereo system to be able to fade (from front to back) and not just balance (from side to side).

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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SLK Always being Repaired - Stay Away

Written by: M Davis on 07/14/2006

Vehicle

2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class SLK350 2dr Roadster (3.5L 6cyl 6M)

Review

This car is always in the shop, the oil light came on in the first 1000 miles and was in the shop 4 times before the car had 5000 miles on it, Dealer actually suggested I had to put oil in the car. SRS system went out and electronics are flakey as well as the convertable top. Mercedes quality has gone way down hill, as well as their customer service. They tell you when you buy, that you will get a like kind loaner when your in for warranty repair. But you get whatever rental car the the in house rental agency (currently Enterprise) has for you. So after paying for a Mercedes, I find myself in a Ford Taurus quite a lot. Plastic pieces seem to break on the body very easily. Dont buy.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

Make the car reliable and take care of customers, This is starting to feel like GM where all they care about is the bottom line.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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