Track Day with the SLK 350 : Between The Wheels - Episode 8

[@hsmith9752]

I'm glad you chose MB SLK 350 to test the track. Now, I'm keeping my SLK. Anytime your in my neighborhood, you can fine tune my car .. you're the best. Thank you .. be Well ..Hugs

[@brennanholmes6803]

Pity about the SLK it was a lovely car,and you seem to be a real gentleman....

[@ballaratevil6048]

Seen The SLK in shopping center car parks and 2 months ago saw A Manual for sale so bought it same day as rare in Australia great power and like the SLR look but not that cheap here as in USA or Europe but still a good deal. 2007 Model.

[@JayMaverick]

Love the car, love the video, even tolerate the music choice. But could you check the volume levels next time? Almost blew my ears out clicking play on this. Thanks for the content, this was a great insight into an everyman's experience of the SLK's performance pros and cons.

[@BetweenTheWheels]

+Rat Race Maverick thanks for the love (s). Interesting feedback on the audio gain, I mix to broadcast levels (well below distortion and several dB into the safe audio levels) so I’ll have to see what KZbin’s upload settings may be doing to the final product. Appreciate the call out.

[@Hitech82]

I love watching these videos. However, I cant help state the obvious. Weight, weight, weight, tires. Starting from there you will know what the car has..Be safe..Have fun. Thats a really nice car to learn with. Maybe you can buy a cheap old race car and save that beautiful car for the road.

[@BetweenTheWheels]

Thanks for watching. Yes, indeed, tires and weight management (without stripping the car) will be my focus for quite some time. As mentioned in some other episodes, I could have done a cheaper, high mile car and I’m sure would have had a great learning experience. Not wanting something which would be prone to age/mileage related issues from early on, my choices and price range became such that this car was really a good pick for me. Added to that, I wanted a weekender and stable car for highway trips to the track. I’ve grown to enjoy it more with each track day and year of ownership.

[@TJRTravels]

Hey I came across your channel recently and you've got some really great content! What tires are you running right now or plan on running in the future?

[@BetweenTheWheels]

TJR190 thanks for watching and the kind words! Right now the car has Kumho tires, a brand I never heard of until I saw them on this car. Some research showed me they are kind of the 'dealer go-to' tire for inexpensive performance tires on their pre owned cars. I'm looking at Hankook Ventus V12 Evo 2's for my new rubber. Probably bump up to an 18 inch wheel from the OEM 17s. I'll keep the 17s for switching in winter months. Any recommendations!?

[@jyalpert]

I'd recommend doing the following personally: #1 hire a coach. This is the best place to spend your money, bar none. Better bang for the buck than any upgrade to the car. #2 keep the tires you have right now until you kill them. Learning to drive on lower-limit tires with predictable breakaway is great. Don't look at lap times, don't worry about getting passed. The speed will come eventually if you focus on technique. #3 replace the Kumhos with something that will be a good wet track and also daily tire, like a Michelin PSS, Bridgestone S04, etc. #4 this is a dedicated track car, so get a set of track wheels and tires (r specs). Maybe Nitto NT01, etc. Now you'll have a set of drys and a set of rains/dailies. But do not drive the r-specs until you've had substantial coaching. #5 upgrade safety gear when you get the new tires. Roll bar, seats, harnesses, HANS. As you go faster, the danger increases. This thing is a convertible and you need upgraded roll protection. #6 learn to drive the car with lots of body roll and underdamped suspension. Slow hands. Initiate the corner slightly early and allow the car to settle. Slow hands in transition. Concentrate on being smooth. #7 never upgrade anything on the car until your skill has outgrown the car's limitations #8 do some rainy track days #9 better dampers and sways to counteract the stickier tires, but only after you learn to drive it as is. Great suspension can mask your driving issues. (Though you may need at least sways and better brake pads right when you put r-spec tires on).

[@TJRTravels]

Between The Wheels I actually had hankook's on my last car (e92 335i) and they were a step up from the stock run flats and good value for the money but once you exceeded their limits, there was no coming back. So I would go with the Michelin PSS's or even a more dedicated track tire.

[@BetweenTheWheels]

Jeffery, your guidance is awesome and I've taken your call outs to heart as I've continued my education. I really appreciate your suggestions!

[@INDIGOBLUE555]

Is your 350 a six speed manual shiftgear or is it fitted with the autom. gearbox ? Just curious,not so important though. Here follow my two cents ...I'm italian,and in the 2005 / 2010 years I've been a happy owner of two preowned slk models r170 serie : a 200K 192hp 5speed manual which ended up traded in for a 320 218 hp 6 speed,manual g.box as well. I was wondering about a further upgrade to a slk 350 manual 6speed 272 hp but a few things did turn me down about the slk project main philosophy. The slk are delightful daydrivers in all respects and they are greatly enjoyable "sporty" cars. They were not intended to be true "sport" cars. I wanted to have my 320 slightly tuned for daily use (couldn't afford a city car in addition) and I did some researches (being an enthusiast and with previous driving training experience on singleseaters). Basically a few tuners gave me confirmation of what I was honestly thinking: if you really like the car some enhancement can be worth the money albeit if you are looking for remarkable benefits keep in mind that an slk 200=320=350 will never be running as a boxter or a Z4. (in fewest words the outcome wouldn't be worth the money).So, in my humble opinion, let your beautiful slk as it is....If ever you'll be needing major service then you could take into account more performing tyres or a sport exhaust/sport kat system coupled with an after market airbox in addition, and if needed you'll have your shock absorbers refilled and hardened).Being an slk a daydriver that's what I suggest: replace a few items so as you'll get more fun at the wheel letting the comfort virtually unchanged ,at reasonable money.My advice is not to go any further with mechanical upgrades. Thanks for sharing your trackday !

[@BetweenTheWheels]

Thanks, and well said! If you watch a few more episodes you’ll see what happens with my SLK.... :(. I agree with you, as I discovered after owning it, it’s not the most upgradable car. There are also limitations that keep it from being a super track toy, including simple things like poor placement of the pedals which make heel/toe driving nearly impossible. That said, I loved it and at a track day this weekend actually met another SLK350 driver who has been tracking his for years.

[@INDIGOBLUE555]

@@BetweenTheWheels Have fun !

[@AmericanConstellation]

There's a guy in my area that has one of these cars....He wrapped it in mirror. I mean mirror! The rest is blacked out!

[@BetweenTheWheels]

Hmm... not sure I’ve ever seen mirror wrap that looked good IMHO.

[@AmericanConstellation]

@@BetweenTheWheels Man...It looked good...I'm down here in Florida. My friends have seen the car as well...It's nice. I will say...I would not want to keep super clean like it needs to be. I have a white one. Good enough..

[@katiasady2075]

Beautiful Car , But , for cruising not racing and should be treated with tender . Get a cheaper car for track.

[@chrissturgess4323]

He needs to learn to drive !!

[@clubhonda]

His drive lines are a little too conservative and he isn't maintaining the revs properly around corners, which loses him a lot of speed. A couple drive days with racing instructors can be quite helpful to fix these habits and learn new ones to achieve a faster speed. :)