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2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK Class Quality Review

July 28, 2008

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

A quieter cabin than its competitors' soft tops
Edmunds

Good shoulder width and head clearance
ConsumerGuide

Supportive bucket seats
Kelley Blue Book

Build and materials quality are, as you would expect, quite high on the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class. A pleasant surprise is also found in the SLK's overall comfort, which in a small car can sometimes be sacrificed in the name of aesthetics.

The two-door, two-seat 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class is outfitted with a pair of bucket seats that offer both good support and commendable comfort levels. Edmunds writes that the "soft and supportive seats remain comfortable even after several hours of driving," while ConsumerGuide adds that the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK's dimensions provide "good shoulder width and head clearance, but tall drivers may want more legroom." Car and Driver describes the interior simply as "comfy." In accordance with the increased emphasis on sporty handling, Kelley Blue Book says that for 2008 Mercedes-Benz has installed "supportive bucket seats" for both front occupants.

Storage space on the 2008 Mercedes-Benz isn't ideal, though it still offers more room than many of its competitors. ConsumerGuide testers find that, with the top lowered, there is "just enough space for a couple of soft suitcases," while "raising the roof frees sufficient trunk volume for a long weekend." Cars.com offers some dimensions to go along with their impressions, listing the trunk volume in the Mercedes-Benz 2008 SLK-Class as "6.5 cubic feet with the top down and 9.8 cubic feet with the top up."

Materials and assembly quality is outstanding on the Mercedes-Benz 2008 SLK-Class, a reflection of both the badge on the front and the sticker price in the window. Edmunds praises the interior for its "handsome, soft-touch materials" and notes that "even the plastics used exhibit the same high quality." ConsumerGuide notes that "cabin materials are top-notch," though in one of the few complaints read by TheCarConnection.com concerning materials, they find themselves wishing that "the dressy aluminum trim were available on more models than just the top-end SLK55." That aluminum trim is essentially the only change in materials between the SLK55 and the less-expensive SLK280 and SLK350.

Interior noise is usually above average in convertibles, but the folding hardtop on the Mercedes-Benz 2008 SLK-Class does an admirable job of providing a comfortable decibel level inside the cabin with the top up. Kelley Blue Book says that, with the top up, the 2008 Mercedes-Benz boasts a "cozy but quiet environment" in the cabin. Top down, ConsumerGuide says, "wind noise is modest," and they note that the "SLK's sport-tuned exhaust note is prominent, but it never annoys."

Conclusion

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class offers an exceptionally well-crafted interior and comfortable seats, but unsurprisingly, cargo space isn't exactly ample.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:A quieter cabin than its competitors' soft topsEdmundsGood shoulder width and head clearanceConsumerGuideSupportive bucket seatsKelley Blue Book Build and materials quality are, as you would expect, quite high on the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class. A pleasant surprise is also found in the SLK's overall comfort, which in a small car can sometimes be sacrificed in the name of aesthetics. The two-door, two-seat 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class is outfitted with a pair of bucket seats that offer both good support and commendable comfort levels. Edmunds writes that the "soft and supportive seats remain comfortable even after several hours of driving," while ConsumerGuide adds that the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK's dimensions provide "good shoulder width and head clearance, but tall drivers may want more legroom." Car and Driver describes the interior simply as "comfy." In accordance with the increased emphasis on sporty handling, Kelley Blue Book says that for 2008 Mercedes-Benz has installed "supportive bucket seats" for both front occupants. Storage space on the 2008 Mercedes-Benz isn't ideal, though it still offers more room than many of its competitors. ConsumerGuide testers find that, with the top lowered, there is "just enough space for a couple of soft suitcases," while "raising the roof frees sufficient trunk volume for a long weekend." Cars.com offers some dimensions to go along with their impressions, listing the trunk volume in the Mercedes-Benz 2008 SLK-Class as "6.5 cubic feet with the top down and 9.8 cubic feet with the top up." Materials and assembly quality is outstanding on the Mercedes-Benz 2008 SLK-Class, a reflection of both the badge on the front and the sticker price in the window. Edmunds praises the interior for its "handsome, soft-touch materials" and notes that "even the plastics used exhibit the same high quality." ConsumerGuide notes that "cabin materials are top-notch," though in one of the few complaints read by TheCarConnection.com concerning materials, they find themselves wishing that "the dressy aluminum trim were available on more models than just the top-end SLK55." That aluminum trim is essentially the only change in materials between the SLK55 and the less-expensive SLK280 and SLK350. Interior noise is usually above average in convertibles, but the folding hardtop on the Mercedes-Benz 2008 SLK-Class does an admirable job of providing a comfortable decibel level inside the cabin with the top up. Kelley Blue Book says that, with the top up, the 2008 Mercedes-Benz boasts a "cozy but quiet environment" in the cabin. Top down, ConsumerGuide says, "wind noise is modest," and they note that the "SLK's sport-tuned exhaust note is prominent, but it never annoys." ConclusionThe 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class offers an exceptionally well-crafted interior and comfortable seats, but unsurprisingly, cargo space isn't exactly ample.  2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK-CLASS STYLING | [8 out of 10] Edmunds: "Redesigned dashboard with its cleaner layout and higher-quality interior" Car and Driver: "Arguably one of the best-looking two-seaters on the road" ForbesAutos: "Goes from a small and sleek coupe to an open-topped roadster ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

Though the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class has racy good looks, it's one of the most mature and isolated of the small roadsters on the inside--with more of the spirit of a big grand-touring convertible than a perky roadster. If you plan to drive the SLK daily on the commute, you might think that's a good idea, but if you're looking for a weekend plaything, one of the more spirited sportscars might be more likely to give you goose bumps. The Audi TT is smooth and refined, with a light, nimble feel that makes it the more city-friendly choice; its interior stands out as being well styled. The BMW Z4's curvaceous styling may look feminine, but it has assertive, satisfying performance; however, its cabin is cramped. For driving enthusiasts who might even go to the track on the weekend, it's hard to beat the Boxster, which doesn't have as good a ride as the SLK or TT, but elicits precise, communicative steering, impressive handling, and a great sound from its flat-six engine. Lastly, at about half the price of the other choices, the Mazda Miata still makes a compelling case for those who want to keep it simple and go top-down on sunny fair-weather days.

Next Steps:

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See the Mercedes-Benz SLK Class in Other Years:

2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998

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