According to reviewers, the Mercedes-Benz SLK line, launched in 1996, has sold more than a half-million luxury coupe-roadsters. For 2009, rather than messing with a good thing, Mercedes has only slightly refreshed its SLK class.
Externally, the biggest changes are to the nose, which now takes on a slightly more aggressive look, with a split lower front air dam/bumper for more Formula 1 racecar sportiness and a larger Mercedes star on the grille. In addition, larger side mirrors that incorporate arrow-like directional signals help with the lack of rear-view vision when the power hardtop deploys. In the rear, larger tail pipes are divided by a faux diffuser box.
Inside, changes are even subtler, with the most obvious being the three-spoke steering wheel brought over from the C-class sedan. The steering wheel is connected to Mercedes' new "direct steer" variable-ratio steering rack, which produces a 25% quicker steering ratio to provide a more direct, sports car-like feel. Reviewers found the steering feel close to, but still not the equal of, a Porsche Boxster, a direct competitor to the SLK class.
The 2009 lineup features the same three trims as last year with few changes.
SLK300
The entry-level SLK300 was previously badged as the SLK280. It keeps the same 3.0-liter V6, which produces 228 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. Either a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic with manual shift control is available at this base level. Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, leather upholstery, a premium audio system with an in-dash six-CD changer, and dual-zone climate control.
SLK350
The big news in the SLK lineup is at this trim level, with significant engine modifications to the 3.5-liter V6, which now produces 300 hp (32 more than last year) and 265 lb-ft of torque (a 7 lb-ft gain). The V6's extra punch was the result of lighter pistons, stronger valves, a redesigned intake, higher compression, and a bit of cam tuning. Available only with the seven-speed automatic, the SLK350 makes the 0-60 jump in a very respectable 5.4 seconds. Larger, upgraded brakes are standard. One reviewer was impressed with the SLK350's gas mileage when he recorded an average 29 mpg on a 150-mile highway trip. The EPA estimates 18/26 mpg city/highway.
SLK55 AMG
With the AMG logo, we reach the pinnacle of SLK performance. A 5.4-liter V8 producing 355 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque rockets this roadster across the 0-60 gap in 4.9 seconds. Additional equipment in the AMG includes further upgraded brakes, 18-inch wheels clad with high-performance tires, a sport-tuned suspension, upgraded leather, power heated sports seats with driver-side memory, unique interior and exterior AMG trim, and a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel.
Across the line various options are available, including bi-xenon headlamps, satellite radio, a navigation system, an iPod integration kit, an upgraded surround-sound audio system, and Mercedes' Airscarf system, which directs heated air onto passengers’ necks to extend the top-down driving season. (This is, after all, a luxury sports car.)
For tuner fans, non-AMG models can opt for a "Sport Package" consisting of 18-inch AMG wheels, steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles, a sport-tuned suspension, and some exterior styling additions.
The usual Mercedes care for safety is evident in the SLK line, with ABS disc brakes with brake assist, traction control, stability control, a driver's knee airbag, side and front airbags, and the TeleAid emergency call system all included as standard equipment.
With a metal, foldable hardtop that takes only 22 seconds to drop and let the wind tussle your hair, the SLK line is an all-weather, luxury sports car that has proven extremely successful for Mercedes-Benz.
Trying to figure out where the cabin air filter is on my 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SLK. I think it is behind the glove box but Im not sure how to get to it. Already have the filter & ready to install. Any helpful answers would be greatly appreciated.
What exactly would be involved with schedule B maintenance on a MercedesBenz 300 SLK?
On my 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK my cup holder doesn't want to come out. I can pry on it a little to get it out. But that is truly a hassle. Any suggestions to free it up? Thanks
TO KNOW THE MEANING OF ROADSTER
I forgot to take out my car keys from the ignition
Air Conditioning
Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags
Audio System
MP3 auxiliary audio input · 6 disc in-dash CD · Premium Brand: Harman-Kardon · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: Sirius ready
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.8 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.9 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Dash trim: alloy · Door sill trim: illuminated scuff plate · Door trim: wood · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: stainless steel · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 2 · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Manual adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.27
Exterior Features
Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlight cleaners: heated · Headlights: Xenon · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 8
Roof
Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: power retractable hard top · Sunroof: remote operation
Safety
Active head restraints: driver
Seatbelts
Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Heated: front seats · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Upholstery: leather
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: multi-link · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: TeleAid
Tires
Type: performance
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 6
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Power windows: remote operation
Air Conditioning
Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags
Audio System
MP3 auxiliary audio input · 6 disc in-dash CD · Premium Brand: Harman-Kardon · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: Sirius ready
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 13.0 · Front brake width: 1.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.4 · Rear brake width: 0.4 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Dash trim: leather · Door sill trim: illuminated scuff plate · Door trim: leather · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: stainless steel · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: steering wheel · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 2 · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: multi-function screen controls · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Manual adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.27
Exterior Features
Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlight cleaners: heated · Headlights: Xenon · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 8
Roof
Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: power retractable hard top · Sunroof: remote operation
Safety
Active head restraints: driver
Seatbelts
Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Heated: front seats · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Upholstery: leather
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: multi-link · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: TeleAid
Tires
Type: performance
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Power windows: remote operation
Air Conditioning
Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags
Audio System
6 disc in-dash CD · Premium Brand: Harman-Kardon · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 13.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.8 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Dash trim: wood · Door sill trim: illuminated scuff plate · Door trim: alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: stainless steel · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: passenger seat · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 2 · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.06
Exterior Features
Exhaust: quad exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlight cleaners: heated · Headlights: Auto on
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Roof
Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: power retractable hard top
Safety
Active head restraints: driver
Seatbelts
Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Heated: front seats · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Upholstery: premium leather
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: multi-link · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: TeleAid
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheels: alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent · Power windows: remote operation