2000 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Review
2000 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Review
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Used SLK-Class for sale
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Trick folding hardtop, great styling, tight handling.
Cons
- Low on power, flatulent exhaust note, steep price.
What’s new
Designo editions debut and include special paint and trim in either Copper or Electric Green hues.
Edmunds says
The SLK is a fun car that needs and deserves more power to keep pace with increasingly stronger competition.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2000 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class SLK230 Kompressor 2dr Convertible and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.26 per gallon for regular unleaded in Minnesota.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Minnesota
$177/mo for SLK-Class SLK230 Kompressor
SLK-Class SLK230 Kompressor
vs
$166/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
A few years ago, the gang at the three-pointed star decided that it was time to ditch their dowdy image and begin attracting younger buyers. The result of that decision is the SLK-Class roadster, introduced in 1997 to instant critical acclaim. The SLK-Class's big selling point is its exclusive retractable steel roof that, when raised, makes the car seem as tight and insulated as a Benz sedan. In less than 30 seconds, you can convert the SLK-Class from a closed coupe to a cool convertible without leaving the driver seat.
Mercedes got the recipe almost right the first time. The original was available only with an automatic transmission, which sent sports car purists packing. Last year, Mercedes equipped the car with a manual transmission as standard equipment, making the slushbox optional. While not appreciably quicker, the manual at least offers buyers the option of selecting their own gears, which is fun when combined with the SLK-Class's precise steering, willing supercharged powerplant, and wonderfully damped suspension.
The 185-horsepower SLK-Class's 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine provides 200 pound-feet of torque, available between 2,500 and 4,800 rpm, making it a choice convertible for carving through traffic or up a spiraling mountain road. The SLK-Class races to 60 mph in about seven seconds, but some think the exhaust note sounds more flatulent than fiery.
An optional sport package doesn't cure the exhaust blat, but does include a muscular-looking body kit and thick 17-inch treads mounted to AMG Monoblock wheels. Designo editions with special paint and trim are also available this year. The Copper and Electric Green models include plenty of interior and exterior trim in those colors.
Front and side airbags are standard, along with ABS and automatic slip control. The SLK-Class also has a super-reinforced A-pillar, integrated roll bars behind each seat and emergency tensioning seatbelt retractors for enhanced rollover protection. BrakeAssist applies full braking force before you can. A BabySmart system allows owners to use a special car seat sold by Benz dealers that keeps the passenger airbag from deploying in an accident. Here's our question: Why no cutoff switch like Mazda and other manufacturers offer?
Inside, the SLK-Class charms with retro gauges and polished aluminum bezels. Stainless steel, chrome and carbon-fiber accents, along with available two-tone leather, complete the look. Bose audio and automatic dual-zone climate controls are standard. Metallic paint and heated seats are not.
Roadsters are plentiful these days. Many makers are introducing them, and others are infusing existing models with more power and equipment. The SLK-Class is aging rapidly in this quickly changing segment, but is still the only one to offer the convenience of a hardtop and the benefits of top-down cruising in a single, easy-to-use package. That might be all it needs to ensure continued success. But we'd like more power to make the price palatable.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2000 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class.
5 star(72%)
4 star(23%)
3 star(3%)
2 star(2%)
1 star(0%)
64 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
1999 SLK230
Mick, 10/01/2009
1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class SLK230 Kompressor 2dr Convertible
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!
3.75 out of 5 stars
Fun car, troublesome power top. 5 speed manual.
carguy2021, 07/25/2012
1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class SLK230 Kompressor 2dr Convertible
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.
5 out of 5 stars
Small, Simple and Fun!
johnnylee123, 12/31/2011
1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class SLK230 Sport 2dr Convertible
This car is great. After I bought this car, I looked at many reviews on the SLK and it got a lot of scorn and bad reviews about bad handling and mediocre performance ect. But the SLK230 is honestly a fantastic car to own. I have the one with the sport AMG package which adds the AMG body kit and wheels, but not a suspension upgrade as I assumed until I looked it up. This car is built … solidly, when Mercedes was good and not overly complicated with computers, and for that reason I believe its so reliable. The reliability for me could rival a Toyota, no problems at all. The handling is excellent. It stays flat in the corners and is extremely nimble with good steering feel.
5 out of 5 stars
SLK230 Longterm Owner
texcarman, 05/30/2014
1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class SLK230 Kompressor 2dr Convertible
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.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2000 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class, so we've included reviews for other years of the SLK-Class since its last redesign.
2000 SLK-Class Highlights
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 22 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $177/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 9.5 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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