i know this has been discussed before but my gf just picked up her new SLK350 last night and i thought i'd post my thoughts on it.

First off, its probably not fair to compare the two since the SLK is 10k more plus its a 2seat roadster... but I think the G holds its own despite some obvious deficiencies... The SLKs interior is definitely a few grades above the G. The materials are higher quality and the over-all feel is just different from even the new 2005 G interior. She has the entertainment package which comes with a 7inch display for the radio, nav if she had it, phone, etc. The button layout is ok and everything is integrated with each other. Comes with a smartkey that isn't even a traditional key... The headunit even plays mp3s burned on either CDs or DVDs... sound quality i think is a little better than the G so its still not that great compared to aftermarket stuff.

However, what I didn't like were the guages, cruise control lever and seats. The guages were all white and even the needles were white so its hard to read quickly at a glance. The white is ok but i find our amber ones to be a lot easier to see and read. Cruise control lever was in a stupid place right above the turn signal lever. A couple times i accidentally hit it thinking it was the turn signal... The seats, although might look cool, aren't as soft as our seats. They're thinner but I just didn't feel as comfortable for some reason...

Performance wise, my G felt faster. I guess it was because the G is louder and has a meaner growl. I haven't pushed my girls car since she just got it but the test drive one definitely didn't wow me with the performance. The 7 speed auto takes some getting used to with the gear shifts being left and right instead of up and down. Shifting was as fast as my auto G. Suspension isn't as tight as my G but still very responsive.

Driving experience wise, i enjoy the G better... is the SLK worth the 10k extra? personally i don't think so but for the brand, quality, and service you're getting, i suppose it is. But I definitely think its a driver's race against the G...

sorry for the long post... to those that are in the market for a SLK350 or thinking about it, i hope this gives you some helpful insight into the car...

 

Congrats....the car looks great....probably the best looking Mercedes in a long time. Your gf must be doing well for herself. I'd rather have a G Coupe anyday....better performance, looks, value, 2 extra seats, no convertible.

 

holy carp!! that's a nice car!!!

 

Those little buggers move, but threy don't impress me like the G. Plus, it's a total chick-car. I'm SO tired of Benzes.....sorry, but I have a lot of regressive anger from working on so many of them. I hope it's leased. Congrats on her new ride anyways!

 

I test drove the SLK350 at a Mercedes event down at Amelia Island in November. I thought the car kicked ***! Has great pickup and looked unbelievably cool in convertible form. I think the stick would give the G a run for the money.

 

SLK350 is very cool, but it is overprice a little.

 

i dont think it is tha overpriced. like he said the luxury is a few grades above the g and it IS supposed to be faster a notch according to most magazine runs. plus you know the styling is a factor in the price. the front looks like the SLR and is awesome.

 

The SLK and the G are in totally different classes of driving. It's not really fair to compare them. But anyway, congrats on your gf's new ride.

 

thanks for the compliments. I definitely think its a chick car, hence the reason my gf is in love with it lol... but it is in a different class and even the type of service you get from the dealership is a step up... I guess you can't really compare mercedes and infiniti since mercedes has cars costing $100k and up which have to really cater to upper class clients... where Infiniti, although luxury, isn't quite up to that level. One mercedes dealer we went to showed us plans of their new site opening up in a couple months with a cafe and internet lounge for customers waiting for service...

also, the SLK comes standard with Tele-Aid which is pretty much like On-Star... you can get 24 hour emergency assistance, roadside assistance, and concierge services. Comes with a year free subscription... One thing that would have been a good option on the G...

Downside is that even though the SLK has all these cool integrated electronics, it doesn't support bluetooth... it only supports the old Motorola V60 as an integrated phone... i think they need to add bluetooth to their lineup or else they'll definitely get left behind...

but yea can't compare the two cars since the SLK is not an entry level car like the G is... but i'm gonna enjoy driving both hehe... i guess the SLK is my weekend car lol