USED Mercedes-Benz SLK Open (04 - 11)

My car

This is a superb car. I would never have considered the previous model but this is so far removed it's not worth comparing.

The power is excellent and the road-handling crisp. I've gone for the automatic gearbox, the world's first seven-speed box, and I don't feel I've lost anything over the manual.

The looks are superb and top-down motoring is achievable right up to motorway speeds...

My car

The new SLK is a resfreshing change from Mercedes.

The build quality is like the Mercedes that were built 15 years ago, with the car feeling very solid and well bolted together.

The SLK200 has enough power to be fun and, living in London, it is nippy enough to cope with town traffic. The exhaust note is sweet, the feel-good factor is great. With the roof up or down, the car gets so many looks from onlookers, as it really is a beautiful car.

The dealers that I used were excellent (I know some can be a waste of time) .

Basically, if you are thinking about this car over the BMW Z4 or the Porsche Boxter, the SLK does win overall.

My car

A significant improvement over the old SLK, I owned an SLK 200 for 3 years before.

Mercedes have addressed all of the points which owners mentioned about the original model. New engine is brilliant providing great performance and reasonable economy, 26 mpg over the first 4,000 miles. I can't imagine why you would want the V8, this is a very quick motor car.

In the cabin the car feels like a much bigger car with a huge improvement over the old car. Seats are comfortable and fully adjustable to cope with my 6 ft 4 ins frame.

Roof down the car changes from feeling like a large saloon to become the sports car you always wanted. The drive to work is now something to which I look forward!!

Minus points - Airscarf is interesting but not really powerful enough to be highly effective when there is more than a chill in the air. Why oh why don't MB UK provide you with the traffic information which you can get on the Continent (I picked up the car from the factory in Bremen). Apart from that and the sometimes fussy instructions the COMMAND system is very useful.

I waited 2 years for this car and it was well worth the wait. What will I buy in 3 years time. Probably another one, that's how good it is.

My car

Having paid a premium back in November 2004 for the 350SLK, I was not disappointed with the car. It handles and drives effortlessly. I also own a 1990 SL 300 and there is obviously no comparison, but the SLK is an easy car to drive. The roof is obviously a dream.

All in all, a very good car and extremely well put together - no faults to date!