Faults:

After 6000 miles it needed new catalytic converters, done under warranty.

Chrome wheel bolts keep going rusty - now on third set in 2 years (replaced under warranty). May be due to the wheel cleaner!

General Comments:

This is a fantastic car - the V6 sounds just right, its very quick and handles very well.

Steering could have more feedback, but an after market rack could fix that.

I cannot fault the build quality - 50,000 miles on the original pads and disks and still within tolerance isn't bad.

The dealerships are the problem - my car has been in the shop 8 times, each time to fix something they broke the last time -

-they scratched the paintwork and windows polishing car.

-they fitted new glass incorrectly damaging trim and paint 3 times.

-they cracked an alloy wheel (test driving it...)

-new paint had runs in and scratches before I even picked car up...

If anything is wrong with Mercedes its the after sales service. Would I buy another Mercedes - definately - looking at the AMG32 right now. Would I ever use a Mercedes main dealer for servicing - no way, find a Mercedes specialist instead.

Faults:

* coolant problems - in 3 times to the dealer - water and most lately the oil light coming on. They replaced a oil level valve - that seemed to do the trick.

* automatic logic sensor 'box' - the car was slamming me in the back in 2nd gear on fast starts from the freeway meter light - after an order from Stuttgart to replace the the 'box' all is well.

General Comments:

I love this car. Once she (yes she) hit 45,000, she really hit her stride. She loves climbing hills, eating corners and MAN my advice is to invest in a good set of tires. My first pair were cheap - I received the car at 20K - I wore out the first cheap pair in 19K miles. OUCH - When I put a set of zrated pirrelli's with 40,000 warranty - OMG - NEW CAR - Put nice tires on her - and premium gas - and this is the finest - most smooth riding car ever.

Faults:

The front tyres needed replacing at 8,000 miles, as they were worn on the outside edge. I was told by the dealership that this a common problem with the vehicle.

Again at the first 10,000 mile service I was advised that the front brake pads needed replaceing.

General Comments:

I bought the car as I expected quality with the Mercedes name. I would have expected the tyres and brakes to have lasted a lot longer.

Faults:

Boot lid failed to close after shutting roof

Excessive engine noise (clattering)

Squeaks from roof

Squeaks from seat

Rattles from center console

Reverberation from road surface

Dent added in side panel by dealer

Massive depreciation

Excessive wind noise

All problems acknowledged by dealer, but took ages to fix or not fixed at all.

General Comments:

Worst car I have ever owned, with the exception of the one I swapped it for, which was a C320 estate.

Faults:

The current SLK (Nov 2002) - nothing so far.

My previous SLK (pre 1999) - side indicator relay became faulty at 36,000 miles

Also central locking failed at 42,000 miles

Both faults repaired under warranty by local dealership.

General Comments:

Post 1999 models are superior.

Mercedes revised the roll bar settings on the new SLK, which have improved the road holding noticeably. The seats on the newer models have much more lateral support. The newer models have a better (tiptronic) auto transmission, which I think is one of the best on the market.

The 230K is quick and has plenty of torque. The steel folding roof is like magic.

I wouldn't consider a 200K model. I feel that the 230K offers the best compromise of value for money for performance. The 230K is practically as quick as the 320, albeit not so smooth as the V6 engine. I love the raw power of the supercharger on the 230K.

The build quality and materials are of a high standard.

Residual values are excellent.

Rear tyres last 10,000 miles, and fronts about 12,000 miles.

Averages 23-25 miles per gallon. Servicing surprisingly reasonable- the most expensive service having been about £300 on my previous SLK (55,000 miles when sold)

I would highly recommend a post 1999 SLK.