only two pluses i see with slk is power hardtop and benz name
stick with the stook

 

James,

Send kuni a PM. He has both an S2K and an SLK (his wifes). He can probably give you a good comparison of the two.

 

I owned a 99 SLK 5-speed for a year and traded it for the S2000. I loved the top and the stereo but the car was not a drivers car. All the 5-speed manual transmission cars shook at idle like one of the plugs was bad. The regional manager, after 4 trips to the dealer let me sit in three other sticks and they all shook too..their answer was to put on the a/c, because when it put a load on the engine it smoothed out the idle. When you start it up it counds like a tractor until the air circulates for a minute. The seats are very non-supportive and the car is nothing like driving the S2000. If you want a drivers car there is no choice. I've had two trouble free years and every time I drive it I just smile. In my opinion there is no choice. Get the S2k if you love to drive.

 

I really wanted the SLK to be a good car, both my wife and I liked the looks of it. Then I drove it. The exhaust sounds like duck farts and shifting the (optional) 5 speed was like strangling a goose. It had no feel what so ever.

Now, I hear the 6 cyl/6 speed is an improvement, but that may be faint praise because I thought the car I drove was just horrible.

And yes, I love the S2K.

 

Thanks for all the responses guys. Very helpful thanks.

Tom717 suggests putting SO-3's on the S2000 to help with wet weather handling.... I know that this has been talked about to death, but what do people with SO-3's have to say on the issue?

Does it make a big difference in the wet?

 

We test drove the SLK when we were looking (along with the Toyota MR2, the Audi TT Roadster Quattro, and the S2000). The SLK was definately not in the same class as any of the others, drove like a family sedan, not a sports car. If you want a nice (ie, luxury) interior and amenities, get the TT; but be sure to get Quatro (ie, all wheel drive) not only for safety but for performance. (the non-Quatro version is just weak).

I really like the SLK hard top; that rules!

 

TJ, I have SO3's on the rear - very pleased (still have SO2's on front). Wet weather performance is much better (although what is sticking in my memory is how bad/dangerous the S02's were in the rain after 10k - had to really modify driving to prevent "surprises" - when tires start to slip the limited slip differential kicks in, which on an interstate is somewhat startling ). If your wife has seen the "bad" side of the SO2's then assure her there is a much better situation with the SO3's IMHO. Maybe others can share their opinions. Tom

 

Car and Driver put it best, "the SLK is a car for IMAGE CONSCIOUS young executives".

Basically if your looking for a sports car stick with the S2000.

If you want a luxury car with a sporty look, go for the SLK.

 

Car and Driver comparo rated the four roadsters in this order:

1. S2000
2. Boxter
3. Z3
4. SLK

 

Do not forget that the SLK and Z3 will be replaced by new models soon.