Mercedes-Benz SLK 280 2007 Review

Road Test

When Mercedes-Benz launched its second generation SLK in late 2004, the car was a marked improvement with dramatically sharpened styling and dynamics that turned what was a clever coupe-convertible into a true driver's car.

Among the changes that helped with the transition was a raft of new engines mated to seven-speed auto transmissions including the superb 200kW 3.5-litre V6. However, with this engine pitching the car beyond $110,000, Mercedes was keen to fill the $25,000 gap between it and the entry-level supercharged four-cylinder SLK 200K. A year later the SLK 280 arrived...

Despite the numerical badge, the 280 uses a 3.0-litre V6 that is good for 170kW and 300Nm -- 30kW and 50Nm less than the SLK 350. Like its bigger-engined brother the 280 drives through a seven-speed tiptronic-style 7G-Tronic automatic transmission but features the lowered sports suspension as standard.

And like the 350 with which it shares familial engine technology, the 3.0-litre V6 is a pearler of an engine. Used sedately it slinks off the line in a very refined and smooth manner belying the amount of urge available to get the 1435kg SLK motivating. You'll notice that the slick seven-speed automatic is well calibrated to make the most of the broad torque curve and shifts seamlessly through the ratios.

Get serious and the transmission adapts to driver input holding gears with the engine delivering its all right through to the 6250rpm redline. With the roof up, there is little in the way of noise but roof down it can get a bit raucous at the top end of the rev band. It's no Alfa V6, but nor is it the most unpleasant of engine notes.

Mercedes claims a 0-100kmh time of 6.3sec -- plenty quick enough and substantially quicker than the 8.3sec the 200K takes for the same sprint. This compares to 5.9sec for the latest all-wheel drive V6 Audi TT Roadster and 6.2sec for BMW's auto Z4 3.0is. The 280 Benz's claimed fuel economy is 9.4lt/100km.

Head off on a winding country tarmac and the sports styling is reflected in the drive experience. The steering is delightfully responsive and communicative. Pushed solidly through corners the SLK sits flat and secure on the road with an abundance of grip from the 225/45 front and 245/40 rear 17-inch rubber.

With the roof up the car feels very solid and well composed and while the body offers plenty of stiffness, there is a little more flex once you have dropped the folding hardtop. It's not enough to adversely affect the car's handling but it is there.

What it does affect though is ride quality. Even with the roof locked into place, the sports suspension produces a very firm ride that gets a little jittery over uneven surfaces. Drop the top and this becomes more pronounced, especially at slower urban speeds, and is accentuated by a certain amount of 'bump and grind' from the suspension.

Inside, the SLK 280 shares its style and design with the rest of the range which means that although the cabin is reasonably spacious for a small two-seater it lacks storage capacity. For example the door bins are lucky to hold a couple of CDs.

It is also a bit spartan when it comes to standard equipment. Priced from $101,400, the 280 features climate control, leather trim and cruise control but only manual seats and a single slot CD player. As was evident in our test car, it can obviously be optioned up -- an extra $10K bought power driver's seat, heated seats and the very effective 'Airscarf' neck warmer system as well as metallic paint and parking assist as some minor items.

Alas when you do the maths, there is a question over the value of the 280. The auto 350 starts at just short of $115,000 but when you add up the extra kit over the 280 (including heated power seats, a six-stack CD, Comand satnav system and metallic paint) the value it delivers is closer to $18,000 extra. And that's before you factor into account the extra grunt from the 3.5-litre V6.

Admittedly, the 280 offers a more appealing sticker price and an entry into the driving appeal of the V6/7G-Tronic combination but at this price level you expect more for your money. Our advice therefore... Spend the extra and opt for the 350.

To comment on this article click