SLK350. A detailed walk around of this 2nd generation SLK, the R171.

[@peter455sd]

The SLK is the coolest car Mercedes ever made,anybody that have one absolutely loves it,any year,any color,any model

[@allanritchsr.4792]

Yeah indeed, love my 2014 slk 350 convertable with 39000 miles on her, great car and only had to replace the front speed sensors.

[@CNDUK-q8r]

Really lovely review this Davy - I picked up a high-spec 280 on Friday and I'm already in love. Watching videos like yours to find out the basics are way more pleasurable than reading the manual. 👍👍

[@davy-downtheroad]

Glad you enjoyed it, and hope you really enjoy the car.

[@nornibres]

Best video on the SLK350 I have seen, good job.

[@davy-downtheroad]

Thank you very much for that. Hoping to do a few more videos on it before Christmas

[@BikerMooseFromMars]

What a fantastic video, you really know your stuff with these cars

[@ogretmen_efendi]

I've 2007 SLK and I'm in love with it 😍 Thanks for the nice video

[@davy-downtheroad]

Thanks for the comment. Appreciated

[@oliversalmons7416]

Great video. I loved my SLK350. Brilliant daily driver. Plenty of power. Pretty good on fuel tbh. Reliable. Overall, for the money not much comes close. Sold mine for a ropey Porsche 996. Now driving a Cayman. But the urge to try a 55 amg is there like an itch that needs scratching.

[@davy-downtheroad]

Yes, that 55 always seems just out of reach for me, but here is hopeing! Thanks for the nice comment, appreciated.

[@oliversalmons7416]

@@davy-downtheroad me too. But they’re just sneaking under the radar enough to warrant a test drive. A facelift 350 is also in the radar too🙄

[@boerboel7777]

Nice video thanks, I learnt a new trick (double-tap vario button to let windows down coupe style).

[@davy-downtheroad]

Thanks. Only took me 3 years to find out myself 😀

[@BuckSkull]

Thanks so much! I fell into one recently and I felt I was missing the feature details and you are the only video I found that overviews them!

[@davy-downtheroad]

Well thanks for watching fully and commenting. It's the reason I made the video. Thought that, even though I don't have much time to make them, it had to be detailed. Before I purchased, I found the same as you. Either 10 minute road review, or a car salesperson doing it on one for sale, so they don't know the car. Glad it helped.

[@iamalazydog]

Awesome review looking at purchasing one soon.

[@davy-downtheroad]

They are good cars. Thanks for the comment. Appreciate it.

[@Trev5]

Great overview 👍 One advantage space wise with the Face Lift R171, is the navigation box in the boot and the 6 x changer in the glovebox is moved into the COMAND head unit, thus giving more storage space. Also, a wind deflector between the seat role over hoops is very important, hence why the original OEM Perspex one's used on FleeBay still fetch £400+ Because without a fabric or perspex one, the turbulence above ~50mph is not pleasant....

[@davy-downtheroad]

Thanks for watching, and the comment Trev. Always learning something new about these cars. I assume you are talking about the command units which incorporated a memory card slot?

[@kevinmitchell766]

I was lucky I snagged a new Perspex one a couple of years ago. Definitely not cheap.

[@racingblue4722]

Great video. The Tow button in the centre console needs to be activated when using a ferry. It will prevent the alarm sounding when the car is rocked and tilted etc. There was also an ipod connection option instead of the CD changer giving more space.. Apple reversed the connection so an adaptor may be necessary now. Track information for the ipod is visible in the centre console and can be controlled via the steering wheel buttons. Cars with Xenon lights have automatically adjust headlights and the button below the light switch is the manual headlamp wash. I believe it automatically washes after 5 screen wash activations?

[@conradlake2143]

I must say Davy, I have loved these for years. I have been looking at getting one of similar age and spec to yours but couldn’t find a good comprehensive owners review on youtube. Your review is the most informative I have seen so far. Thanks so much for such a great review!!!!! 10/10.

[@davy-downtheroad]

Thanks for watching, hope it helps. Find a good one, rust free, and good history.

[@PhilEvans-h1l]

Great video, thank you

[@stevejones1318]

The facelift was 2009, not 2007. After 10 or so years the R171 inevitably gives hydraulic roof problems - which is an expensive fix. Otherwise a quality build. The 350 is thirsty, but the 200 is surprisingly economical... at 6 litres/100kms (42mpg)

[@vladimirart758]

Is it 200 reliable and how much fuel for 100km per hour ?

[@vladimirart758]

And now i have slk 200 2007, and consumption is 9.6 , its also litlle bit thyrsty for a 1.8 litar engine

[@juniormorrison4873]

Really nice review. My partner and I own a black 280. We were going to sell it, but just it out from storage. We are falling in love with it again. I think they are starting to age really well. Much prefer this version to the newer ones. The only thing I really don’t like is the head unit. I agree with you, it’s really dated! I am going to change it completely to a modern CarPlay / android auto unit. Just going through the models to choose.

[@davy-downtheroad]

I don't blame you changing that, but as I have the 6 cd changer, it's the only place I listed to my CD collection!

[@bendog7311]

Did you end up doing the CarPlay? If so which did you choose

[@hartleyhare99]

Lovely motor👑

[@davy-downtheroad]

Appreciate the comment. Owned over 5 years now and still enjoy driving it.

[@Rocketed12]

Thanks so much for this! I'm going to see a couple next week, I really want one as a second car, as a toy. Either a 280, 300 or 350, trouble is, so very many are without full history and I won't buy unless it's been well maintained. Reasonable expectation, yes 👍😉

[@davy-downtheroad]

If in the UK, early 2004/5 will be half tax of later models like mine. Find a balance of new and good history. Rust is a big issue to look for.

[@vladimirart758]

Noooo, buy a 200, pre face lift. And new belt, and you will have a rocket with mild consumption

[@stevejones1318]

The long nose does take a bit of getting used to. It's longer than most cars. You're effectively sitting in the back seat.

[@WonderHit]

Nice video. I own a R171 SLK350 same as you do, but manual, and in white colour with red seats. Happy to share thoughts if you wish. Greetings from Spain.

[@davy-downtheroad]

Now that is a very rare specification. Only about 5% of 350's were sold in manual, let alone in white. I am assuming it is a face-lift (2008 onwards) car?

[@WonderHit]

@@davy-downtheroadHey there. No, it's a 2006 unit (pre-face-lift). I know it's a very rare one ;)

[@davy-downtheroad]

@@WonderHit well, that sounds a car to keep 👍

[@billreddy7593]

It took me a loooong time for me to find a manual SLK350. It was worth the wait.

[@beverleyshaw136]

I wonder if you can tell me if I can spray anything on my locking wheel nuts to remove rust/corrosion and after some silver spray paint so they look newish again. Mercedes 2005 SLK.

[@ericwright8498]

Cool car. Looks gangster! Do these have tyre pressure monitoring?

[@davy-downtheroad]

Cheers. Yes, low pressure sensor, but it does not give you a specific pressure. Appreciate the comment

[@WilliamJohnstone-j9z]

Hi. Just bought a 56 plate SLK350 (50K miles) All OK, but it has very heavy steering. Any ideas as to what might be causing it? Thanks

[@davy-downtheroad]

@user-bw3kd9xo1o hi there. Steering is heavier than you expect in the SLK. Mine I have been advised by a fellow slk owner, is slightly heavier than his, so I would not worry too much, unless it is causing you issues.

[@WilliamJohnstone-j9z]

@@davy-downtheroad Thanks Davy. Actually, it is causing issues since it takes a lot of effort at low speed to turn the wheels, to the extent that it hurts my hands and fingers! And at lowish speeds like 20 mph, it feels downright dangerous. Should I have it checked out by a Mercedes main dealer?

[@davy-downtheroad]

@user-bw3kd9xo1o wow, what about timing. My slk had been in for service and I mentioned the steering to my mech, and he has just rang me. He said that mine is definitely heavier than last time he drove it. There are 2 joints in the steering column. He has greased them, but said the joints can rust or seize up from the inside, but he thinks steering column not power steering. He spotted that, when you turn right out of a junction, my steering is not returning to center, and I have to actually steer out of the turn, so perhaps look at that. Then I would definitely get it checked out, but at least you can tell the mechanic some information. Hope you get it sorted!

[@WilliamJohnstone-j9z]

Thanks. I've just had my SLK serviced by Mercedes. I asked them to look particularly at the heavy steering. They test drove it and said it's normal and that all SLK350s have heavy steering -- apparently it's usual for this particular model! Looks like I'm stuck with it.

[@giovanninassar]

👍👍👍👍

[@stuartmenzies3928]

I have the "no-rust"version in California

[@davy-downtheroad]

@@stuartmenzies3928 😆

[@michaelrejoinbradford1282]

I bought one from e bay I love the car but some idiot has give it a repay what a mess they made but the car is great apart from that

[@felicebillardello7047]

Have bluetooth the radio ?

[@davy-downtheroad]

I have an optional extra Bluetooth from factory in the armrest for the phone, but not for music like apple play or android auto. I use a fm transmitter in the cigarette lighter for music on my phone. Hope that helps and thanks for the question.

[@felicebillardello7047]

@@davy-downtheroad thanks

[@ianmuir3640]

No

[@billreddy7593]

There's also a small headphone jack-style input in the glove compartment for direct linkage - less hiss than through the FM channel.

[@vladimirart758]

Do you smile ever friend ?

[@kevinmitchell766]

I think the 280 and the 300 have the same power.

[@Trev5]

Correct, the 280 & 300 are both a V6 3.0 litre. Though I'd recommend the Facelift 3.5 litre R171/350 - Mine had flappy paddles and was great 👍