But you don’t feel much of anything in the
SLK32, whether you’re ambling through town
or stroking it along at a lick. In contrast to the
BMW’s TR-style, elbow-on-the-door driving
position, the AMG has you hunkered right down
below the window line. You ought to feel more
connected to the car, but the steering doesn’t
deliver the sort of communication you crave
from a sports car, even a luxury-biased one such
as this, and you don’t feel the hunger to push it.
Which isn’t to say that the little AMG isn’t
capable. With so much torque available, it’s easy
to set the traction-control light strobing, but the
handling feels secure through corners – both fast
and slow – and the stiff-legged ride is marginally
less jarring than the BMW’s.
As is the interior. It’s the usual sober 1990s
Merc stuff: acres of sturdy black plastic; lashings
of shiny wood trim; steering wheel so big you
feel like Vitruvian Man. But while it might lack
excitement, it does feel suitably expensive. The
clever folding roof that kick-started the coupé-
cabrio craze is beautifully lined, helps the SLK
pull off a perfect impression of a tin-top when
up, and glides into the boot at the flick of a switch
without the driver having to do so much as undo
a latch on the header rail.
The M Roadster’s soft-top is electric, too, but
the exposed hood frame visible from the driver’s
seat, the two header-rail catches you have to
unclip before the roof can retract, and the fiddly
tonneau cover you have to wrestle with when
you do, underline just how different these cars
are in both character and proposition.
When Autocar pitted them against each other
on the AMG’s arrival in 2001, it was the SLK
that triumphed. But today, when you’re far more
likely to be buying either to use on high days and
holidays, it’s hard to side against the BMW.
Despite its wobbly structure and the slightly
disappointing steering, there’s a raw, TVR-like
excitement to the way the BMW goes that just
encourages you to drive it harder and longer.
The SLK is just as fast, and certainly as capa-
ble, but doesn’t invite the same kind of driving.
Its urge is for longer journeys at a more meas-
ured – but still mighty – pace. It’s the kind of car
you could persuade your significant other to take
for a weekend away without having to promise
the earth in return. And of the two, it’s the one
you’d ended up doing more miles in because it’s
a more versatile, more rounded car. The M was
a throwback to the past; the SLK was an indica-
tor of where convertibles were heading.
But not all convertibles. Handing back the
keys, it’s impossible to resist taking another look
at that Boxster in the corner of the showroom:
59,000 miles, stunning paint and only £10,000.
The SLK32 is up for £12,500 and the Z3 for
£16k. You can make a case for either the BMW
or the Mercedes over its rival. But today, just as
back in 2001, rationalising choosing one over
thePorscheis anothermatter.Thanks to James Paul Car Sales for the BMW
(01403 822651; jamespaul.co.uk); Performance
Car Company for the Mercedes (02392 478800;
performancecarcompany.com)September 2019 Classic & Sports Car 145Clockwise from left: AMG
shared the 320’s V6, but
added a supercharger; few
external clues give away
the SLK flagship’s potency;
349bhp motor outmuscles
the BMW, but lacks the
Munich straight-six’s
urgency; comfortable
yet sober cabin feels the
perfect place to sit for
a cross-continental blastMERCEDES-BENZ SLK32 AMG
Sold/number built 2001-’04/4333
Construction steel monocoque
Engine all-alloy, sohc-per-bank 3199cc V6,
with electronic fuel injection and supercharger
Max power 349bhp @ 6100rpm
Max torque 332lb ft @ 4400rpm
Transmission five-speed automatic, RWD
Suspension independent, at front by double
wishbones rear multi-link; coil springs
telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar f/r
Steering power-assisted recirculating ball
Brakes discs, with servo and anti-lock
Length 13ft 1in (3995mm)
Width 5ft 8in (1715mm)
Height 4ft 3in (1289mm)
Wheelbase 7ft 10in (2400mm)
Weight 3296lb (1495kg)
0-60mph 4.9 secs
Top speed 155mph Mpg 18.2
Price new £43,000
Price now £13,000