CHARLIEBROWN

hello roadsters,

i love the slk. i drive the c-coupe 2002 but...
i wonder if you guys could post your picks of the sweetness, that might get the r170 gang going. post any picks of your nice cars, and put the coments on that you feel are appropriate.

thanks,

charlie
p.s.
I don't own an slk but I think that vicarious living ain't so bad!

Nektopoli

Ok it's dark out, 40 degrees, I've got the seat heat set on 1, windows up and the dash heat is set just below the deforst on both sides the fan is set to 3 or 4, I'm doing 65 to 75 on the highway and the top is down there's a nice breeze in the cabin and people are looking at me like I'm crazy(including 2 girl in a convt, Cavalier, I wanted to just tell them, Heated Seats ) but I'm not cold and I'm in a SLK and their not......

NP

CHARLIEBROWN

LOL!!!!!


charlie

beantownrich

I was doing the same thing the other day. The snow had just stopped and the sun was out. I left work early, say 4pm, while it was still light. I dropped the roof, put the wind-deflector on and set the heat controls.... surprisingly the heaters were SO efficient that I didn't need to set them too high (showing a little blue - EC mode - and the blowers on 3). I find that on the highest setting the a$$-warmers burn you up after a few minutes so those had to go down to the first position.

Driving home, only the very top of my head was cold, so I donned my baseball cap and drove home. The looks I was getting as I drove up the highway were priceless. In slow traffic, one guy yelled from his truck: "Aren't you cold in there?". I shouted back "I'd put the roof up if I was!"

Well, I'm glad to see that there are others who share my philosophy that says you only put the roof up if it's absolutely necessary.

I salute my fellow hardcore winter drivers!

beantownrich

My friend, let me tell you.... the SLK is an experience. I just cannot describe the fun I have in mine. Some basic joys that most SLK drivers probably share in:

(1) Comments.... from everyone, everywhere. I am always getting questioned about my car. Whether I'm at a store, at the gas station, parking somewhere, whatever... so many questions! Most of the time, I love it. I've had girls calling out from taxis, kids pointing and calling to their other friends when I drive past, and then the serious questions usually from Camry/Altima drivers who just are fascinated with the car.

(2) Other SLK drivers.... nicest bunch of folk around. When ever we pass, we invariably wave at each other (or flash the brights). I go down to a car wash on saturday mornings and spend hours cleaning the car and there's another SLK owner down there and we've become pretty tight.

(3) The car. Comfortable, fast, fun, there's nothing like it. Although it's no supercar (save for the AMG), all models are FAST! Handling is great; it just glues itself to the road. The styling is gorgeous... my g/f described it once: "It looks like it was designed by the wind". The SLK320 engine note is so beautiful, that often times, I will lower the roof and switch off my stereo just so that I can hear it. It's a great great car to drive.

(4) Knowing you have one.

Seriously, for me, the last 8 months have been the most fun I've had on 4 wheels! If you ever get the chance to have one, do it. Toss praticality and reason out of the window... you'll be glad you did!

I need an SLK fix... see you l8r!

ChristopherSLK

I had ordered one of the first standard transmission SLK230's and have been driving my 1999 since September of 1998. Very enjoyable, no top problems at all. Have had A/C system replaced under warranty when compressor seized. Noted that at cold start vehicle idles very low then idles normally. Was driving 1988 911 and traded for this vehicle. Has never let me down. The first generation of standard transmissions did not have cruise control, only draw back. Color of choice- Sunburst Yellow

Nektopoli

ChristopherSLK:

Are you over from BenzSport ?

Also

Talk to me about the 5sp Man tannie, In about 3 years I'm going to trade my SLK230(Auto) in for a SLK320 with a 6sp or a ///AMG C32, BUT I'd like some input from people who own the Man tannie.

NP

CHARLIEBROWN

i want an slk more now than ever before guys,


i think it's gotta be a 5 or 6 speed though!!!!!!!!!1


charlie

Tai230K

I remember reading somewhere that the SLK manuals were slower than the automatics.....

CHARLIEBROWN

I remember reading somewhere that the SLK manuals were slower than the automatics.....


__________________
------- 2002 Black C230k ------ 2001 Silver SLK 230k --------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

what about the tiptronic?

Tai230K

haha what?????

CHARLIEBROWN

ISN'T THERE THE SHIFTER IN THE 6 SPEED SLK THAT IS SIMILAR TO THE C CLASS AND THE CLK'S?

beantownrich

Nope, a good driver will be a couple of 10ths to 60mph faster than the Auto.

Still, it's not about speed, it's about control and feedback. And you just dont get it from an auto box.

Nektopoli

The MAN has and even shorter final drive but taller gears, then the Auto, I don't like that 2nd shift before 60 with the Auto.

NP

Brian_R170

The manual used to have a lower axle ratio in the manual, but that was in pre-facelift SLKs. The auto and manual have the same axle ratios since March 2000.

The auto is actually slightly quicker than the manual, even with a perfect driver. The torque converter is what give's the auto the advantage from a standing start, believe it or not.

The new automatic is called Touchshift (not Tiptronic, which is Porsche's trademark). Touchshift doesn't improve maximum acceleration. The auto will hold gears like you want it to when you floor it.

The new AMG Speedshift is another story, it shifts faster and allows the torque converter to lock up in 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th gears.

Personally, I like driving a manual, I just didn't really like driving my SLK230's 5-speed manual. I do still I miss it sometimes though.

Nektopoli

Looks like the 2000 SLK 5sp manual got the Auto's gearing. Anyone have the gearing for the 6sp manual ?

NP

CHARLIEBROWN

good info brian


charlie

Keng1

I have a 99 5 speed and I think personally that I should have gone auto. The automatic trans in the SLK probably shifts better than most people in a 5 or 6 speed.

I am glad I am not the only crazy one that has the top down in winter. Not yet this winter though. Its hardly hits 35 during the day here and single digits at night.

Brrrrr

Oh by the way, I love the SLK and am looking forward to the new one coming out in a couple of years.

ChristopherSLK

Top down, heated seats on, baseball cap intact, windows up, 28 degrees going to work, why not, it really is like a cocoon inside.
Transmission quandries, I feel the standard transmission is what you make out of it, I've learned to shift later in this vehicle to make up the power. Rarely shift into fifth for intown commute on expressway, driving around 55- 60 due to traffic.
Touch shift transmission doesn't translate the clutch / gas relationship.

Tai230K

hmmm baseball cap on... is your cap backwards or forwards?

Brian_R170

Not sure what you mean by that.

Here are the transmission gear ratios

'98-'03 SLK230, SLK320, and SLK32 AMG with 5-speed automatic
1 - 3.93:1
2 - 2.41:1
3 - 1.49:1
4 - 1.00:1
5 - 0.83:1
R - 3.10:1

For '99-'00 SLK230 with 5-speed manual
1 - 3.86:1
2 - 2.18:1
3 - 1.38:1
4 - 1.00:1
5 - 0.80:1
R - 4.22:1

For '01-'03 SLK230 and SLK320 with 6-speed manual
1 - 4.46:1
2 - 2.61:1
3 - 1.72:1
4 - 1.25:1
5 - 1.00:1
6 - 0.84:1
R - 4.06:1

Here are the differential gear ratios

'98-'03 SLK230 and SLK320 with 5-speed automatic - 3.27:1
'99-'00 SLK230 with 5-speed manual - 3.46:1
'01-'03 SLK230 and SLK320 with 6-speed manual - 3.27:1
'02'-03 SLK32 AMG - 3.07:1

ChristopherSLK

forward, the reverse is not possible without constant annoyance of hitting the bill againest the back of the seat, and besides, wouldn't anyway. A tight fit is needed on windy days!

Nektopoli

Brian_R170:

YES, Thanks you I've been looking for the 6sp gearing everywhere, where did you find it ?

4.46x3.27=14.58:1 man that's short.
28.5MPH at redline in first.

ChristopherSLK:

hehe

NP

Brian_R170

http://www.mercedes-benz.de/mbd/t40/...3_4FD,00.html?