Mercedes-Benz SLK 250 CDI: Does A Diesel Sports Car Really Work?

Mercedes-Benz SLK 250 CDI: Does A Diesel Sports Car Really Work? - XCAR

Рет қаралды 118,374

11 жыл бұрын

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Mercedes-Benz has form when it comes to automotive innovation. Karl Benz himself innovated the motorcar. The Benz Patent Motorwagen is widely regarded as the first proper car but between its inception and now quite a bit has changed.
Now cars have roofs, decent tyres, stereos, more than 1bhp and very different fuels to power them. Petrol, the motion lotion of choice, offers a lovely noise, plenty of power and some pretty decent economy; diesel was, for a long time, seen a smelly, slow and for penny pinchers, however after hefty advances in engineering it's become almost just as quick as petrol, clean and hyper-economical. Ideal, then, for a saloon or SUV. But what about for a sports car?
A sports car is supposed to exude elegance and cool while emitting a smooth, slinky noise. Now, diesel still isn't associated with aural joy, is it? So you'll have to excuse my confusion as to why Mercedes has put a diesel motor in its SLK sports car...
The specs show that it's got a fair bit of shove, Mercedes' engineering prowess means it's a really good steer and, while I'll fully concede beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I think it's a bit of a looker.
The SLK's evolution is an interesting one. It started off as a blocky wee thing, then evolved in to a far smoother affair. Now it's far more purposeful, aggressive even.
SLK, in case you're wondering stands for 'Sportlich', 'Leight' and 'Kurtz' -- sporty, light and short. It was supposed to be Merc's small sports car, sitting beneath the SL. It's not all that 'kurtz' any more though.
Anyway, marrying a diesel engine and a sports car together... will it work? It's something I really can't get my head around. I don't see how the rumbly, penny pinching nature of a diesel can possibly compliment something as entertaining as a sports car. So I set about finding out...
Mercedes SLK 250 CDI
Engine: 2.1-litre four cyl turbodiesel
Power: 201bhp
Torque: 368lb ft
0-60mph: 6.7seconds
Top speed: 151mph
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Пікірлер: 105

@a.silverbird1674 2 жыл бұрын

bought this car 6 months ago.....best option of my life,....

@epcotte 11 жыл бұрын

The SLK was never a sportcars. It's a cruiser. So diesel is just fine for it.

@julianbatcheler9970 Жыл бұрын

Totally agree. I need a car soon for a fair bit of mileage. A diesel makes sense and an SLK will be a nice choice over something totally bland.

@malcolmcurtis9786 7 ай бұрын

@@julianbatcheler9970I have had one 3 years 9 speed 250 d slk probably the the cheapest car to run I have ever had. The guy is giving us BS about putting his foot down and not going anywhere. Road tax £35 per year and 55 mpg and a car that handles round corners like it’s on rails ,with a 150+ top speed what’s not like. I could sell it tomorrow for what I paid for it. 👍👍👍👍🇬🇧

@Moncs70 3 жыл бұрын

Useable Torque and great economy plus the wafting. It's perfect for your average driver.

@drchrisdavies2941 2 жыл бұрын

Agreed, that is it’s selling feature the economy makes everyday sense, particularly with the current fuel prices 65mpg on a run and 46 round town is pretty good, far better than the petrol versions!

@banpowel9784 5 жыл бұрын

Sounds like a bus? It's awesome and no way dose it sound like a bus

@JohnInSale 10 жыл бұрын

Normally like your reviews and have subscribed, but this was last generation diesel biased twaddle, man up !!! Well I've driven one and I really like it's relaxing drive and waft, doesn't even sound like a diesel and if you don't want to rev the bollox out of it, put the radio on D'oh !! Gonna buy a nicely specified second hand one and save £20k !!!

@JohnThornley 7 жыл бұрын

Sale_Shark just collected mine yesterday. agrees beautiful and drives like Dream. get it.

@1234514 11 жыл бұрын

The production value is so high for KZfaq standards. amazing! Keep it up!

@robbae9307 5 жыл бұрын

1:36 careful lb/ft is closer to a pressure measurement. It’s lb foot as you time force by distance for torque, not divide

@jonscoupe 5 жыл бұрын

These are now becoming very good value second hand! Mmmmm, I'm tempted ☺.

@Narrowcros 10 жыл бұрын

Fully agree with him on this review, man I wish I got this new SLK. Thats what my heart wanted, but instead I went with my head and got an A6 S-line. When it comes to cars, go with your heart

@michaelvickers89 11 жыл бұрын

I love a honest review good job !

@gg56279 11 жыл бұрын

Awesome review!

@joonapuro8055 2 жыл бұрын

I hate old diesel stereotypes… and it sounds just fine compared to a 4 pot gas engine when you put your foot down

@branot89 10 жыл бұрын

This cal looks much better in person. It's so low, wide, and the hood is very very long

@dave1ization683 8 жыл бұрын

I really want to get one of these and tune it. i think you could knock 2 seconds of its 0-62 time easy. you lose a second just by remapping. changing the induction and exhaust I think will lose you another second but not 100% sure and as its a diesel the car will last twice as long as a petrol which ticks all my boxes.

@fredsalfa 8 күн бұрын

Sport Light Short SLK is in relation to the SL. It’s a shorter version of the SL. It’s not referring to its own self as a short car

@boxz1984 5 ай бұрын

I bought this instead of my audi quattro tts 3rd gen. I love this. Audi made me go always very fast while this is such a relaxing cruiser, this car brings joy back to me in driving all day long and listening to music, amd dont have to worry if there is a fuel station close by. love it in diesel ❤️

@viklod5888 2 жыл бұрын

The Audi R10 TDI, usually abbreviated to R10, is a diesel-powered racing car from the German car manufacturer Audi. The car dominated Le Mans, winning each year from its 2006 introduction until it was replaced by the R15 in 2009. ... It was the first diesel to win either of those events.

@camilo94011500042 10 жыл бұрын

You should try the M550d from BMW

@kevinleavy8565 4 жыл бұрын

I don't think diesel that bad it got good fuel economy and also diesel have more torque. For diesel it is pretty quick.

@wenzo2541 11 жыл бұрын

I love your videos and alex's vocabulary but could you do a video on a car that you really hate :)

@MaccakeCrysis 10 жыл бұрын

i like the sound of a sporty diesel engine. I think most people don't like it mainly because they are not used to it in sports cars/ associate it with busses and tractors

@georgianwindow 3 жыл бұрын

It's nice the diesel sound

@otabash 11 жыл бұрын

I agree, diesel engines don't match sports cars today, but certainly they have improved a lot over the last decade. For sure they will become much better and you never know, maybe we may see a quiter and faster diesel engine in a proper sports car in the future. Great video!!

@fredsalfa 8 күн бұрын

I have the SLK350 V6 3.5L it’s has plenty of power and the right sound. I would have bought the SLK200 but it sounded terrible. And the only reason I didn’t buy the SLK200

@chrisyoon8153 10 жыл бұрын

i gotta cop me one of these

@KroK013 11 жыл бұрын

I think this is your best review yet! I'm glad you threw in the engine sound near the end; I couldn't help laughing when Alex said, "Just have a listen," and then spoke right afterward. Also, I second wenzo2541's idea. You should review a car you can't stand, just for laughs.

@simonfreeserve 11 жыл бұрын

What's the music from 54 secs in to 110 secs when he talks over again? any-one !

@blakebias9515 8 жыл бұрын

I don't mind diesel at probably ant like the old mb diesel of w123 or w126

@Manoo62 11 жыл бұрын

At no point during the video did the engine sound like a diesel!!

@RussellRobinson77 11 жыл бұрын

I honestly dont think it sounds horrible. Ofcourse its nothing compared to the music of a high performance petrol engine but it certainly sounds better than a lot of cars I hear on the roads today.

@ijustinw 10 жыл бұрын

can u explain a little bit please?

@adrianwaterman133 9 күн бұрын

The 171 is the best looking SLK of them all.....

@gurumeditation8911 8 күн бұрын

171 is the Hairdressers Edition. 172 is the only way to go if SLK. 172 also has optimized aero resulting in improved drag coefficient compared to 171, better chassis and routes wind over the windshield better than the 171 when the roof is down.

@Paul_Y_T 11 жыл бұрын

It's not trying to be the ultimate sports car. This car trades noise for economy *and* performance - 6.7s 0-62mph with 56.5 combined mpg. None of the petrols come close to that balance: 200: 7.3s/41.5mpg - 250: 6.5s/40.9mpg - 350: 5.6s/39.8mpg. There are plenty of people willing to trade the noise for that - especially as many will only really drive their slk in a manner that suits the massive diesel torque advantage (500Nm @ just 1,600rpm vs the 370Nm peak of the 350).

@NambininaRAKOTOMANDIMBY 3 ай бұрын

Did you ever heard of Audi winning Le Mans 24h with a diesel engine ? How do you dare telling that diesel is not for sport ? Sport is about strenght and reliability... sound is just a bonus

@lilpattman 9 жыл бұрын

I think your forgetting the market that will actually buy these Audi, BMW and Mercedes diesel "sports cars". My guess is that they are going to be business types who want good looks, economy and the ease to extract accelerating performance or a shove in the back of the seat not all people are as enthusiastic as many of us. The 123d TT TDI and MB SLK 250 CDI are all cheap to run (not to buy) , good looking flex your toe and go cars.This category of people is probably not necessarily looking for and out and out sports car justifying this "Diesel sports car class" that so confuses you i hope this was of some help and understanding Keep up the vids Pat

@georgianwindow 3 жыл бұрын

You say 7 speed How about the 2015-16 model with the 9 speed box

@peruface 11 жыл бұрын

what year is that car??

@weed46 11 жыл бұрын

A 4 cylinder volvo or fiat coupe from the 90's, without gimicks like special induction or exhaust to make noise, sounds way better than any diesel of today with all those tricks... so that say's something... Yeah, it doesn't sound as much as a tractor as diesels did back then, but still isn't a nice sound... if you would get off all the sound deadning material new diesel cars have, people would be amazed how not so different they sound compared to older engines

@spccaldwellbretw.2701 4 жыл бұрын

SOLD!!

@wsc31 11 жыл бұрын

A sports car is not only about what a car can do but how it makes you feel when you are driving it. A diesel is great for "wafting" along in your sedan or hauling with your truck or SUV. To me a sports car requires competence and the sound and sensation of an engine screaming its way to the red line. I would not turn down an SLK 250 CDI but it would not be my first, or second, or third choice.

@HesteBremse 11 жыл бұрын

Seams like BMW are the only ones that can make Diesels that sounds okay atm. It´s nice the SLK but I think I would take a different car if I had to buy a diesel, could be another Merc, BMW, AUDI or VW - possibly something with a less sporty profile.

@FREEDOOOOM 9 жыл бұрын

You said it, "one just can´t get his head around it."

@SLR-722 7 ай бұрын

K&N air filter will improve sound and torque.

@thebitmovies 11 жыл бұрын

Well why is it named sporty, light and short?

@stevengensert8814 11 жыл бұрын

point really well made in my opinion. nice job! also, credit where credit is due and it certainly is for your attempt of speaking german.. actually not bad at all for a brit, I've heard far worse. ;-)

@julianbatcheler9970 Жыл бұрын

Turn the stereo up and relish the savings in fuel costs…

@jasoncarpp7742 11 жыл бұрын

I believe a sports car with a diesel engine can be possible if executed properly. A sports car is expected to be light weight so that it can accelerate quickly, handle the corners, and brake quickly and safely. A diesel, on the other hand, is expected to be heavy in order to withstand the compression and torque diesels are known for. The question is "how the hell is one to balance the two?"

@aquaphoenixx 10 жыл бұрын

The problem with diesel engine in a convertible is the noise of the engine at idle with the top down. I am a big fan of diesels but at idle it does sound like a tractor! Unless you want the sportiest version, diesel is the way to go.

@erikpannemans2865 4 жыл бұрын

It is a ( economical ) car with great comfort. And cheap tot drive.

@waelcartech 7 жыл бұрын

tune it to deliver *2 power ! And U will Be amazed !!!! Try to do that in a petrol engine !

@Technicolortrenchcoa 11 жыл бұрын

Answer: Yes. Question answered, Question staying answered.

@wolterh6 11 жыл бұрын

or was really perceivable at all! They should've recorded the sound with the hood open to at least demonstrate the point

@bb3xhrhj 11 жыл бұрын

I'm a Porschehead, but i still love diesel.

@JonathanSmith87 11 жыл бұрын

I have a Vauxhall Corsa 1.7cdti SRi. Very rare car. Actually have yet to see another on the road (there all 1.4 or the odd older detained VCR engine 1.6). I think it's great! 0-60 in 8seconds. I get 55mpg in mixed driving. Only issue is list price is 17.5k. But the Golf GTD is a great example of how diesel cars are getting better every year. However I have to agree with previous comments...don't put it in a convertible!

@Deeky76 3 жыл бұрын

Only thing is if anything goes wrong, You better have deep pockets.

@zkljaja 9 жыл бұрын

put a straight pipe exhaust on it and enjoy :)

@zkljaja 9 жыл бұрын

because?

@Deeky76 3 жыл бұрын

@@zkljaja It gives out more BHP, That's why.

@Horton094 11 жыл бұрын

This guy should replace Richard Hammond.

@ellenorbjornsdottir1166 7 жыл бұрын

The last hurrah of Diesel.

@16000revs 10 жыл бұрын

Do more reviews of cars you dislike like this one.

@edgarpaul001 2 жыл бұрын

"The first generation was designed entirely using a rule" 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂... Nice review though

@Saif0412 9 жыл бұрын

I know what you mean, Even the best of diesel engines struggle to sound sporty/good Plus the short rev band ...

@tommytee8387 5 жыл бұрын

All those saying Diesels don't go with a sports car...Please remind us how many Times a Diesel has one LeMans..and is there anything sportier than that....

@signalchef 10 жыл бұрын

how many L/100km?

@erikpannemans2865 4 жыл бұрын

About 6L on normal Roads. 5 on a highway at 70mph.

@MercSLRFan 11 жыл бұрын

Question revoked. Posed again.

@jonny5777 11 жыл бұрын

Diesels can be brilliant take the BMW 640d makes the petrol redundant but the one car you should never have a diesel is a convertible sports car! Be a man order the petrol

@nbrigdan 11 жыл бұрын

I really hate the square nose from the profile, looks horrible. SL has the same problem. They need to copy the CLS nose or the C63 one.

@JonathanSmith87 11 жыл бұрын

*detuned VXR (Silly autocorrect!)

@EyrthWyrmJym 11 жыл бұрын

Yes, get with the times you old grandpas.

@pedrozalves 2 жыл бұрын

You will make 70mpg instead 20mpg lol

@VonCoco1944 7 жыл бұрын

Buy a true sports car and you'll be welcomed on to paranoia boulevard; speed cameras and the plethora of sneaky revenue earning devices working under the guise of saving lives but designed just to fuck up your so-called enjoyment. This Mercedes is a throughly sensible solution to several problems: major economies such as £30 road tax and extraordinary fuel consumption 70mpg! And to the fuckwits out there who want 'more power' ask yourself how many times you can actually enjoy something with say, 300 bhp per tonne, and then add that to your illusionary masturbatory fantasies. Well done Mercedes!

@AdamKellar 11 жыл бұрын

Too bad they can't all sound like the R18 e-trons lol

@MikePhilbin1966 4 ай бұрын

I'd rather drive a diesel that purrs that a petrol engine that whines :)

@udontseemebutiseeyou 11 жыл бұрын

The slk is a GT not a sports car

@Steve-gc5nt Жыл бұрын

Funny looking back at diesel snobbery.

@MsTokies 10 жыл бұрын

dude two words Bio Diesel

@RussellRobinson77 11 жыл бұрын

so basically its a good sports car with bucket loads of torque and good fuel economy but it says diesel so its shit? people need to get over the old stigma that diesel is only good for farm equipment and trucks

@weed46 11 жыл бұрын

do you realy want to drive a convertible, and have fun? or you don't mind the poor sound and just want to park the car in front of the caffe?

@craig1553 4 жыл бұрын

I would like to see this presenter design and build a better car. This is quite a passive aggressive review, why the anger with Mercedes? This car is marketed at more mature owners who just want to put the car in D and go, whilst getting reliability and the assurance of Mercedes engineering.

@redmile999 Жыл бұрын

Presenter has jumped on the anti diesel bandwagon. Very pc

@gurumeditation8911 6 ай бұрын

Getting a diesel version of the SLK is a major mistake.

@the1beard 8 ай бұрын

who cares about the noise? if it goes like stink

@Technicolortrenchcoa 11 жыл бұрын

Rangers Lead the Way

@thomaspowell3739 5 жыл бұрын

It’s not a great success, as buyers prefer the petrols, as the sound and performance is way, way, better, and still very good economy, the awful low hum diesel sound when the roof is down, simply spoils the whole experience.

@EzzyMo 11 жыл бұрын

I simple am made to feel sick when ever I see the front end of this and the sl. It looks like the nose of a future pickup truck. No thanks. BMW Z4 please.

@animalmcburger 10 жыл бұрын

I've driven all kind of high end cars and nothing handles like a Porsche. BMW and Audi are decent but OMG Mercs handle like shit. They look like shit (ESPECIALLY interiors). The functionality of their tech is always a let down. They have one thing going for them which is nice ride quality but even Lexus does that better. Have you seen the interior/dashboard of a S class? LOL luxury. Can't even hold a toothpick to it's direct competitors which cost way less like a 7 series or A8.