Thanks. I agree, there is something about the R170. Perhaps it's the rose tinted goggles with it being the original. The R171 is more specious inside and has a more rigid body structure but there are little details in the R170 like the instruments for example that have a certain charm. Both represent great value used roadsters though.

Even the R170 SLK 200 compression that I've previously driven was very smooth (almost as smooth as a six cylinder) but must admit that 350 makes a great sound both from the drivers seat and at the side of the road. It's really down to how much you want it to pay the premium for road tax. I expect the 55 must sound even better but again it's a big premium to pay. Certainly the more modest spec of R171 and R170 are a real bargain these days all things considered.

Thanks, I did have a little help on the videography with this one from Davyd who owns the car. The V6 did sound very impressive, even the four pots sound pretty creamy but the V6 is on another level.

Thank you. It really does sound incredible when unleashed.

Thank You, great to hear you are enjoying the car. I don't think that this example had the cup holder but a small draw that pulls out instead. The R170 had something similar, perhaps the cup holder was an optional extra or something that was added to the standard spec at a later date? Mercedes along with some other German car manufacturers often charges extra for items you may expect as standard.

I can't say that I've noticed many in the US when I last visited but I suppose European imports will be comparatively expensive next to US models or even the many Japanese cars in sale there. The 350 isn't all.that common a choice in the UK with many going for the four cylinder super charged model. You typically find manufacturers offer smaller engines here that may not be available stateside.

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it There is an ever playlist of car reviews and if you go back a while there is one in this cars predecessor too.

Thank you.

Thanks. Yes they are surprisingly affordable though early Boxter can also be had for relatively little money still I'm hoping to film one at some point. The R170 SLK seem to be the real bargain models whereas the R171'areca little more expensive.

No doubt the full fat SLK AMG 55 is an impressive car but it would need to be, I just think for anyone buying one new back in the day would have really want one to justify the substantial.difference in price. I'm not sure if the used price would be as eye watering. The 359 I reviewed was the 7 speed without the optional padel shift. Though I believe the SLK were available with a manual gearbox they really are not all that common a sight. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to review both the R171 350 and the R170 200 Kompressor. The 350 does produce a most agreeable exhaust note. The R171 is certainly has more rigid body construction as well as a more spacious cabin though the original has a certain charm and I think the dash and instrument feel more as I expect a modern/classic mercedes to feel. Thanks for your comment.

Thanks Mark, fun fact, the M113 amg engine has 16 spark plugs... and yes the car is bonkers, but somehow in a good way. I recently brought a Z4M, now that is a manual, with the S54 engine in it, quite a contrast to big Merc cruiser. I'm now saving my dollars now for a manual Boxster, I guess I will be able to find and afford one just after I'm six foot under. We can only dream, that's why I like watching people like you drive stuff I find as a car person on my wish list that I could never attain. You are living my dream, enjoy it!

I would very much like to try the Z3 at some point and hopefully may have access to a Boxter next year. We didn't have much money growing up (we had a few years without a car).and I remember many of the entry level sports cars being unveiled. I doubt that I'll ever have one of my own so I'm very grateful to those who offer cars for review. I'm very happy to have my MK1 Mégane Coupe which though not especially powerful is a great drive and extremely rare these days.

Funny, I started out with British cars, then Italian, now mostly German. French cars never really made it over here. I do have a couple of Fiat 20VT Coupe's and a Toyota IQ100G, and a few more... I have learnt that power is not everything, you can drive a lower powered car almost flat out and have fun, but I always wanted the smallest car I could find with the biggest engine, thus the 55. I know I'm nuts, but you only live once.

@kevinjekyll1521 Couldn't agree more. I'd love a Fiat Coupe, it's a design that gets better with age. I know the French brands haven't always been available in some markets. For example Renault and Peugeot pulled out of the US in the 1980's, Renault had a spell in the 90's where they were not on sale in Australia but later returned.

You are not the first to mention this and I've seen one in both the R171 and R170 but I don't think that it was standard fit in all cars. Both the cars I've driven had a small draw just about big enough for a smaller size smart phone.

@@markonmotoring The location of the cup holder is actually very convenient as the temperature of the drinks are regulated by the vent above the radio. When the air conditioner is on, the vent does a good job of keeping your drink quite cold. I don't drive the SLK in our Canadian winters, so I'm not sure if it also does the job of keeping your coffee warm when the heat is turned on.

Do you mean the MK4 Mégane Signature? I've had that car over a year now but plan to film a long term review of the car over winter. The mk1 Mégane was reviewed a few years ago on the channel. A 2020 Captur may also be appearing on the channel in the near future too.

@@markonmotoring yes mark

The mark4

Sadly I've not yet driven the Mazda but they have a reputation for being one of the best handling small roadsters. I've driven both the R170 and R171 generation of SLK now and to be honest rather than a sports car I think of them more as a shrunk down SL.The R171 is definitely a much more rigid body construction than it's predecessor though. It's a very satisfying car to cruise around in but not as sharp as say a hot hatch or my MK1 Renault Mégane Coupe. I strongly suspect the Miata or something with its engine mid mounted will be a sportier drive.

I'm not sure. I only had access to the car for a few hours.