Unfortunately, our steering gear developed a strange rubbing sound at the loan's end, howling like a mating Walrus, despite properly topped steering fluid. Equally telling, only a mere 2.2 percent found it to be below average.Ĭommunication from the taut chassis is superb, with the telescoping steering wheel giving a good measure of feedback and balanced control. These criticisms didn't seem to affect surveyed acceleration ratings, which 62.7 percent of owners ranked as above average. Logbook entries draw sonic comparisons to Massey-Ferguson tractors and gripe that highway passing maneuvers cause more engine noise than acceleration. Numerous owners suggested a V-6 engine as the best solution, like the silken unit employed in the M-Class, but Mercedes chose to fit the four-cylinder for weight and packaging reasons. Our staffers were disappointed with the engine's rough aural character and limited output. It is in this higher rpm zone that the SLK becomes lively, with the excitement hitting a 5800-rpm redline wall. As the revolutions climb to 4000 rpm, the supercharger whirs and the engine produces a raspy snarl that increases to a whiskey-voiced banshee scream. The Sunburst Yellow two-door zips to 60 mph in a swift 6.9 seconds, despite initial throttle laziness common on current Mercedes products. Although known only by impersonal initials, the SLK's middle-name is certainly 'Fun.' Under the sloping hood lurks a 2.3-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder engine invigorated by a Roots-type Eaton M62 supercharger and an air-to-air intercooler, producing 185 horsepower.

Slk 230 1999