2012 BMW Z4 vs 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK Class

2012 BMW Z4

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK Class

Select style

2-Door Roadster sDrive28i

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Z4 2-Door Roadster sDrive28i	23	34	$44,760	$48,650
Z4 2-Door Roadster sDrive35i	19	26	$50,740	$55,150
Z4 2-Door Roadster sDrive35is	17	24	$59,065	$64,200

Select style

2-Door Roadster SLK 250

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
SLK-Class 2-Door Roadster SLK 250	22	32	$39,525	$42,500
SLK-Class 2-Door Roadster SLK 350	20	29	$50,964	$54,800
SLK-Class 2-Door Roadster SLK 55 AMG	19	28	$62,775	$67,500

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$44,760

$39,525

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$48,650

$42,500

Monthly Payment Estimate

$811 / month

$708 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.8

Read Our Full Review

8.4

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2012 BMW Z4 is a great option for the driver seeking a balance of fun and comfort, making it a great light tourer, but it can quickly become expensive with added options.

It may be the most pragmatic roadster of its kind, but the SLK 350 dares you to doubt its partying skills.

TCC Likes

Quiet, well-fitted retractable hardtop
Efficient turbo four-cylinder engine available
Excellent dual-clutch automatic

Handling keeps getting better
Four, six, or eight cylinders--an SLK for any displacement
AIRSCARF! Magic Sky Roof!

TCC Dislikes

Minimal cabin space
Less-than-ideal steering feedback
Expensive options

Can be tight for tall drivers
Reflexes not quite as sharp as Boxster, Z4
Tall front end

Fuel Economy

City

23 mpg

22 mpg

Highway

34 mpg

32 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Two Seaters

2 Seater

Interior Dimensions

Front Shoulder Room (in)

53.3

52.2

Passenger Volume (ft³)

- TBD -

49.0

Front Leg Room (in)

42.2

42.5

Passenger Capacity

Front Hip Room (in)

- TBD -

Front Head Room (in)

39.1

38.0

Exterior Dimensions

Height, Overall (in)

50.8

51.2

Track Width, Rear (in)

61.4

61.6

Wheelbase (in)

98.3

95.7

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

70.5

71.5

Track Width, Front (in)

59.5

61.4

Min Ground Clearance (in)

5.1

- TBD -

Length, Overall (in)

167.0

162.8

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

10.9/6.4

10.1 (6.4 w/top down)

Brakes

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.8 x 0.8

11.8 x 0.4

Brake Type

Pwr

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

13.0 x 0.9

12.7 x 1.3

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

14.5

15.9

Steering

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

14.4

- TBD -

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

35.1

34.5

Steering Type

Electric Rack & Pinion

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

3.0

- TBD -

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Tires

Rear Tire Order Code

- TBD -

Front Tire Size

P225/45R17

Spare Tire Size

- TBD -

Front Tire Order Code

- TBD -

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P225/45R17

P245/40R17

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3307

3308

Wheels

Front Wheel Size (in)

17 x 8

17 x 7.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

- TBD -

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

17 x 8

17 x 8.5

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

- TBD -

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

8.7

- TBD -

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

170

- TBD -

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

260 @ 1250 - 4800

229 @ 2000 - 4300

Engine Order Code

Displacement

2.0L/122

1.8L/110

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

240 @ 5000

201 @ 5500

Engine Type

Turbocharged Gas I4

Gas I4

Fuel System

Direct Injection

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

Transmission

Clutch Size (in)

- TBD -

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.31

1.72

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Rear Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.81

1.00

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.35

4.06

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.06

2.61

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

Trans Order Code

411

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.08

3.07

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

1.25

Trans Description Cont.

Manual

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.68

0.84

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.68

4.46

Summary

Vehicle Name

BMW Z4

Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class

Body Style

Convertible

2 Door Roadster

Suspension

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

Suspension Type - Rear

Independent

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

Independent

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Emissions

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

- TBD -

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

6.7

7.1

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