Overview Mercedes-Benz had something different on tap for 1998: a 2-passenger sports car with a supercharged 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine. Instead of a soft top, however, the SLK230 had a metal roof that powered down into the trunk for stowage, at the touch of a button. The trunklid opened forward for cargo, and tilted from the rear to raise or lower the top–a task that took about 25 seconds. This was Mercedes’s answer to the “retro roadster” craze that began with the Mazda Miata and was later picked up by the BMW Z3 and Porsche Boxster.

In German, SLK stands for sporty, light, and compact. Surprisingly, design work on the SLK stemmed from the compact C-Class sedan. A “Kompressor” badge on the front fenders indicated the presence of the supercharged engine.

Only a 5-speed automatic transmission was offered. Standard features included door-mounted side airbags, antilock brakes, and traction control. A “BabySmart” feature automatically deactivated the right-side airbags when a special Mercedes child seat was installed. Rivals included the BMW Z3, Chevrolet Corvette, and Porsche Boxster. Yearly Updates 1999 SLK A 5-speed manual transmission became standard this year, and the previously standard automatic transmission was now an option.

A Sport package also joined the options list, including “aero” lower-body cladding and performance tires on 17-inch wheels instead of the usual 16-inchers. Mercedes’ “Brake Assist” feature became standard, automatically providing full braking force in emergency stops. 2000 SLK Except for the addition of free scheduled maintenance to the SLK’s warranty coverage, nothing was new this year. 2001 SLK The SLK320 with a 215-hp V6 engine was added to the lineup in 2001. The SLK230 gained 5 horsepower and standard 6-speed manual transmission this year. 2002 SLK A new SLK32 AMG had a supercharged version of the V6, plus modifications to suspension, transmission, bodywork, and interior by Mercedes’ AMG performance team. The Sport package option for the SLK230 and 320 now mimicked the SLK32’s lower-body aero trim, wheels, and projector-beam fog lamps.

JP020 August 1, 2010. It is nearly impossible to keep up with all of the transmission and transfer. (Featured in 4Wheel Parts Off-Road Adventure.

2003 SLK Unchanged for 2003. 2004 SLK A special-edition package was made available in 2004 for the SLK230 and the SLK320. It includes 17-inch wheels, Nappa leather sport seats and roll bar, exterior chrome accents, and a body-colored grille.

Acceleration off the line is a bit leisurely, but speed gathers quickly once the supercharger hits full puff, at about 3000 rpm. Test manual SLK320 ran 0-60 mph in brisk 7.4 sec. The SLK230 takes 8.4 and can feel sleepy, though it goes well once its supercharger starts delivering.

Midrange power is strong and satisfying, but in some situations, you get a lag between flooring the throttle and feeling extra thrust–a delay that can be frustrating in city driving. The automatic transmission furnishes the right gear for most occasions, and smooth, generally prompt shift action. It also helps fuel economy. We averaged nearly 24 mpg in fast highway driving. Expect 17-18 mpg in city/suburban driving with a light right foot. Despite having a long first-to-second shift “throw” and a rubbery feel, the manual gearbox made available in 1999 gives the SLK stronger sports-car credibility. Even if that 5-speed does not shift as crisply as some, it does make the car feel more sporty.

Though smooth for a four, the engine emits an unbecoming, coarse growl when worked hard. Exhaust sound is audible too, but things settle down to a low hum at cruising speeds. Wind noise is modest, with the top and windows raised. Road rumble is prominent, except on glassy asphalt–a penalty of the car’s aggressive tires. Those tires also make for a thumpy roar over expansion joints and broken pavement, but big ruts and bumps are smothered quite well. Entry/exit is tricky, with the low-slung build.

The driving position is snug. Even so, 6-footers won’t complain in either seat, both of which are firm and comfortable for long drives.

Gauges are “retro” stylish, informative, and very readable. Controls are conveniently laid out, but we’ve been dismayed by door windows that don’t quite lower all the way, leaving a half-inch ridge of glass. The hardtop lowers in a trice, but cuts trunk space by two-thirds, to little more than three cubic feet below a pull-out vinyl cover. That cover must be deployed to operate the top, because it’s actually a safety switch to prevent the roof from accidentally crushing luggage. Top up, the trunk’s 9.5 cubic feet will carry soft baggage for two on a long weekend, but the space is very oddly shaped.

Some minor body tremors may be noticed with the top down, but only on very rough roads. Descargar Roxio Creator Plus Dell Edition Hotels here. Too bad the dashboard’s pop-out cupholder is so rickety, and the radio reception can be surprisingly mediocre. 2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Pricing Effective: Model Pricing Retail Price Dealer Price Destination 230 2-door convertible $ 38,900 $ 36,177 $ 645 320 2-door convertible 43,900 40,827 645 Price Note: SLK32 prices and equipment not available at time of publication.

This 2002 Aston Martin Vanquish is one of 1,492 first-generation cars built–an additional 1,086 updated S-spec cars were made between 2004 and 2007, one of which was the last to roll out of Aston’s traditional Newport Pagnell factory. Primarily constructed of aluminum and carbon fiber, these cars were generally very well reviewed when new, though the standard roboticized 6-speed “flappy paddle” transmission garnered plenty of criticism–fortunately this one was converted to a three-pedal setup by some of the same Newport Pagnell staff that are likely to have been involved in its initial construction. Find it in Huntington Station, New York for $117,500. Special thanks to BaT reader Tom P. For this submission.

Says the seller: “This Vanquish has been converted by a specialist team at Aston Martin Works Service. The existing, original paddle shift type F1 transmission has been converted to 6-speed manual. These specialists are the same gentlemen who produced the Vanquish model when new at the Works in Newport Pagnell. This conversion truly brings supercar status to the Vanquish, the last proper old school Aston produced at Newport Pagnell prior to the end of Vanquish production.” The interior looks to remain fully standard, excluding the third pedal, gearshift lever, and missing paddles behind the steering wheel. Don’t let the rather uninspiring cabin fool you, these were exotic cars built from lightweight composites, capable of close to (and over, in the case of the S2 S-spec models) 200 MPH. Thje six-liter, quad cam, 48-valve V12 used in these cars made 450 HP and 400 lb.

Of torque, figures which would rise by 70 and 25, respectively, in S-spec followup models. They’re arguably one of the best-sounding modern era V12’s out there, and this one should be a lot more fun to use since it’s been freed from the slow-witted paddle-operated gearbox setup it was born with. The seller says it includes full books and records from new, as well as tools.

We’d love to read through the factory modification documentation, though we’re even more interested to feel how it drives.