1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 Kompressor | Roadster or Coupe - Your Choice | In-Depth Review

It was June of 1997. My dad was in the Air Force and we were at the detachment summer picnic. We had already read the January 1997 article in Road & Track magazine, seen the car at various auto shows, and even had several Diecast models of this car. Now, I was going to get to ride in one! I was 15 and just obtained my learner’s permit. A guy my dad worked with had just bought a silver SLK, and we just lowered the top when, to my surprise, and everyone else’s, for that matter, he asked if I wanted to drive it! Heck yeah I do! Here I was; 15 years old, a huge car fan, and I’m about to drive the most talked about roadster of the year! A memory that’s lasted pretty vividly, even to this day, 26 years later.
After two years of glimpses. After three years of intense development. After 111 years of vehicles that have formed the very core of automotive history. After all the sleepless nights, the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK appears. With its hypnotic technology, the supercharged SLK does more than transport people. It transforms itself, before your very eyes. In just 25 seconds, its steel roof retracts and converts the SLK from a hardtop coupe to a sleek roadster. And how does it feel? "The level of confidence it instills in mere mortals," said Motor Trend, "is god like."
Styled to evoke the classic 190SL and 300SL cars of the 1950’s, the R170 and the aforementioned even shared identical 94” wheelbases.
The R170 SLK shares its platform and 80% of its components with the Chrysler Crossfire.
For the time, the SLK came very well equipped, especially for the type of car it was. Standard features included leather seats, dual-zone climate control, side-impact airbags, a premium 6-speaker Bose audio system and more.
The name SLK is an abbreviated term for what the car is designed as: Sportlich, Licht, Kurz, or, Sporty, Light and Short.
Our car was built in Bremen, Germany in February of 1997.
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Base Price: $39,700
Total Options: $2,190
Destination Charge: $595
Total Price When NEW: $42,485
*Price does NOT reflect current local offers, incentives, rebates or any other deal or sale. Please contact the appropriate dealership if applicable that's listed at the beginning of the video for more information.
Exterior Color: Imperial Red
Interior Color: Charcoal/Oyster Leather
Engine: 2.3L DOHC 16V Kompressor I4
Transmission: 5-Speed 5G-Tronic® Automatic
Optional Equipment Shown on Vehicle:
Heated Front Seats - $595
Value-Added Package K2 - $1,595
-Integrated 6-Disc CD Changer
-Integrated Portable Phone
*Please note that I am not employed by any dealership NOR and I selling any vehicle depicted on this page! All dealer info is shown at the beginning of the video along with contact information. If you have questions regarding price or availability, please contact the appropriate dealership tagged in the video!*
Neighborhood Car Reviews gives you an alternative look at the already impressive list of car videos that are online. What we do is a first-person walk-around of the car. We show features and details that are on the particular model being shown. Performance data, safety equipment and the like are usually not shown due to the already enormous amount of videos that cover the aforementioned topics.
We like to cover everything from classics to high-end and everything in between.

[@bnastali]

Love mine after 10 1/2 years. 6.6 seconds to 60 feels FAST in this little car.

[@josemsantiago7524]

Great review thanks for taking the time to show us this beautiful car.

[@user-by4jo7ot7k]

I just bought a 2001 SLK 320.....one of 400 in the US that year. Near perfect shape

[@wolfaja755]

I just bought a 98 slk230. It’s right hand drive from Japan and only has 30k miles on it. Work of art.

[@NeighborhoodCarReviews]

They truly are one of the great roadsters of the 20th century!

[@dave11686]

I always thought these were so cool

[@peter455sd]

Already a classic

[@lukedegoede9132]

Thanks for the in depth review! I’m currently looking at buying this same model. It’s priced at $9,500 usd and has only 32,000 miles on it. Any common issues or advice before pulling the trigger?

[@kingtut5923]

NIce looking at 1998 in Alberta

[@greeniembush4106]

Thanks you so much you helped me so much on the slk.❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@jenniferwesson2507]

Where's the phone .. I have this car .. mine has a phone in the console