SLK/R171 Drove the SLK350 @ the LoveMercedesTour

Aug 16, 2004 | 06:30 PM

jumpman23

Thread Starter

Newbie

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Drove the SLK350 @ the LoveMercedesTour

Not a bad car at all... drives and handles much better than my current SLK320. The power increase seems nominal, but definitely noticeable. Too bad they didn't have any 6-speed manuals. All the cars were automatic. Blah.

Drove the E320 CDI (Diesel) as well. Definitely an upgrade from any diesels mbz has ever put out in the past.

Anyone else get a chance to attend the tour???

Aug 17, 2004 | 12:36 AM

GearHead

Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 349

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From: Southern California

Some MBs & Bimmers

Quote:

Originally Posted by jumpman23

Anyone else get a chance to attend the tour???

I too had the opportunity. The handling was pretty good but I did experience a little bit of "torque steer" like symptom. Needed to make sure both hands gripped the steering wheel while driving around the course.

Following two pics were taken at the track

These were taken at the parking lot. Must be a MBUSA distributor demo unit

Hope you guys like these

Last edited by GearHead; Aug 17, 2004 at 11:27 AM.

Aug 17, 2004 | 07:44 AM

SLK55AMG

Super Member

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 518

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From: UK

987S

Quote:

Originally Posted by GearHead

The handling was pretty good but I did experience a little bit of torque steer. Needed to make sure both hands gripped the steering wheel while driving around the course.

Sorry to be picky but torque steer is only possible in a front wheel drive car..... the SLK is rear wheel drive.

Aug 17, 2004 | 09:14 AM

jyg e500 maybe

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Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 127

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From: Bloomfield .CT

2000 528BMW 5sp

agreed, maybe wheel balance/ brake rotor

problem would cause wheel to act strangely,

Aug 17, 2004 | 09:48 AM

GearHead

Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 349

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From: Southern California

Some MBs & Bimmers

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLK55AMG

Sorry to be picky but torque steer is only possible in a front wheel drive car..... the SLK is rear wheel drive.

Thanks for the clarification. What I was trying to relate was that it gave the symptom of torque steer. I had just my left hand on the steering and when I floored the gas pedal, the steering wheel appeared to have its own direction.

Needed both hands to grip on especially when I drove it aggressively.

In summary. it was fun to drive.

Last edited by GearHead; Aug 17, 2004 at 01:31 PM.

Aug 17, 2004 | 09:53 AM

sinbat

Member

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 77

Likes: 1

From: Northern Virginia

'13 SL550 '15 C400 4MATIC and a really old Honda Accord

Hi,
I was wondering if the trunk space noticeably larger than the older version SLK?
Thank you

Aug 17, 2004 | 12:09 PM

jumpman23

Thread Starter

Newbie

Joined: Feb 2004

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Quote:

Originally Posted by sinbat

Hi,
I was wondering if the trunk space noticeably larger than the older version SLK?
Thank you

HA! I was too busy lining up to drive the cars that I didn't even bother to look! Great question though... maybe Gearhead got a chance to look???

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Aug 17, 2004 | 01:40 PM

dinko

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 1,458

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From: Orlando

CLS55

Quote:

Originally Posted by sinbat

Hi,
I was wondering if the trunk space noticeably larger than the older version SLK?
Thank you

Yes it is.

Aug 17, 2004 | 01:51 PM

#10

GearHead

Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 349

Likes: 0

From: Southern California

Some MBs & Bimmers

Quote:

Originally Posted by sinbat

MBUSA didn't give us the opportunity to check out the features such as trunk size. As far as I can recall, there were 3 SLKs as part of this event and they were all on the track.

One of the 'presenters' actually indicated that they didn't want us to play around the controls (such as the folding roof and others) because they wanted the line to move.

Two preliminary observations:
1) Seat controls are located on the side of the seat (not on door panel) -- different from the other MBs
2) A lot more plastic content. I test drove the CLK500 cab after the SLK350 and found that the CLK had a richer interior.

As for the event, there were 3 test tracks; where cabs, offroaders and 4matics were offered for testing.

There were 5 - 6 cars on static display including the CLS500, S600 and others. Within the hospitality suite, there were displays from Canon, Wilson, Saks and even Ritz-Calton Spa

Pretty interesting event. Wished I could spend more time.

Hv fun