My previous foray into roadster ownership with the Audi TT Roadster was, admittedly, a bit of an experiment. I wasn’t entirely sure how much it would be used or if my partner, Kristen, would even enjoy it. At a modest $6,000 investment, it felt like a worthwhile gamble, and if things didn’t pan out, I knew I could likely sell it without significant loss. However, my worries were unfounded. “The Roadster,” as we affectionately called it, became a constant companion throughout the summer we had it.
While the TT Roadster was a fun car, its budget-friendly price tag meant it wasn’t without its drawbacks. Some of these were inherent to the first-generation TT design, which I’ve discussed in detail in my previous article. However, many issues were specific to that particular high-mileage (120,000 miles) example. The convertible top was showing its age, with the glass beginning to separate, leading to occasional leaks and wind noise. The tires were nearing the end of their life, and the front suspension emitted concerning sounds, particularly around the tie rods.
Beyond these issues, the TT Roadster lacked some of the creature comforts I had grown accustomed to in my other vehicles. Despite being fully loaded with options like a Bose sound system, heated seats, HID headlights, and automatic climate control, it missed features I appreciated, such as power seats, dual-zone climate control, auto-dimming mirrors, and a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel.
But the biggest challenge, by far, was the six-speed manual transmission. My optimistic plan to teach Kristen to drive stick shift proved unsuccessful. Suddenly, I had two “toy” cars – the TT and my Mark III – neither of which she could drive. Understandably, this was a point of frustration. Coupled with the TT’s sporty nature when I was seeking something more aligned with grand touring, I began exploring options to replace it in August 2015.
The success of my TT Roadster experiment gave me the confidence to increase my budget for the next purchase, aiming for something newer and more refined. My search parameters remained similar – a two-seat roadster – but this time, an automatic transmission was a must. I also prioritized a quieter, more practical, and more secure convertible top. What I truly desired was a retractable hardtop. While the BMW Z4 and Mazda Miata (or MX-5, if you prefer) both offered retractable hardtops, my sights were set on a Mercedes-Benz SLK.
Finding a reasonably priced, well-maintained used SLK in a northern climate like Ohio presented a unique challenge, almost akin to searching for snowmobiles in Florida. Owners of new SLKs tend to hold onto their vehicles for extended periods. According to a Cars.com article, the SLK ranks fourth among cars with the longest original ownership, averaging 9 years. (For those curious, the Toyota Land Cruiser tops the list at 10.6 years). Combine this with Cleveland’s limited convertible market, and the scarcity of available SLKs became apparent. At the time of my search, only 14 SLKs were listed on Cars.com within a 100-mile radius of my location. Of these, a mere three were the second-generation R171 body style I was after. The rest were either the older first-generation R170 (too dated) or the newer third-generation R172 (too expensive). To put this in perspective, there were 1,661 Camrys and 4,886 F-150s for sale within the same radius, highlighting the magnitude of my search challenge for a specific 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK 280.
Undeterred, I broadened my search area, eventually locating a 2006 SLK 280 at a Volvo dealership in Annapolis, Maryland, approximately 400 miles away. This particular car ticked all the boxes. While not fully loaded, it was better equipped than the TT and had a desirable level of features for my needs. It was finished in black with a striking red leather interior – a color combination I had always admired. I negotiated the price and trade-in value of the TT via email and phone, essentially agreeing to purchase their car based on photographs, and they, in turn, agreed to accept the TT as a trade-in in the same manner. It’s worth noting that at this stage, I had never actually driven an SLK, and I was about to buy a 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK 280 sight unseen.
Kristen and I decided to make a Labor Day weekend trip to Annapolis. The plan was to drive the TT, test drive the 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK 280, and, assuming we liked it and it was in good condition, drive the SLK back to Cleveland before I had to return to work on Tuesday.
Fortunately, upon arriving at the dealership and test driving the car, it surpassed our expectations. The 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK 280 was noticeably smoother, more comfortable, more powerful, and generally more refined than the TT Roadster. It had a few minor issues – a broken passenger power seat switch and a malfunctioning passenger-side dash vent – but these seemed easily addressed. Otherwise, all features functioned perfectly. We confidently drove the SLK the 400 miles back to Cleveland without any problems.
The SLK proves to be significantly more practical than the TT, both with the top up and down. The retractable hardtop provides much larger rear and side windows compared to a traditional soft-top (and even includes small rear quarter windows), creating a much less claustrophobic cabin feel when the top is raised. Indeed, the design requirements of a retractable roof necessitate maximizing glass area to minimize the roof section’s storage space. The hardtop also offers superior temperature and sound insulation, making the 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK 280 nearly as quiet as a conventional coupe on the highway.
The retractable top stows neatly beneath the trunk lid when lowered, eliminating the need for a separate tonneau cover. While this does reduce the already modest trunk space by roughly half when the top is down, it’s not a major concern as we typically only carry overnight bags. The windshield of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK 280 is raked at a much steeper angle than the TT’s, extending almost to your forehead, providing significantly better wind protection when driving with the top down. And while it lacks a powered wind blocker like the TT, the higher rear deck and beltline negate the necessity for one to manage backdrafts. Furthermore, a remarkably powerful air conditioning system allows for comfortable top-down driving even in temperatures exceeding 80 degrees Fahrenheit without overheating.
Nifty red leather interior
My only minor criticisms of this 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK 280 are twofold. Firstly, the 16-inch wheels that came standard with the SLK 280 seem slightly undersized visually. I plan to address this in the coming years when the current tires need replacing by upgrading to a set of 17 or 18-inch wheels and tires from an SLK 350 or SLK 55 model.
Secondly, owning a used German car, even a well-maintained 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK 280, inevitably comes with maintenance considerations. Over the past year and a half, I’ve addressed a list of items, including engine mounts, intake manifold air lever, and transmission conductor plate – all known weak points for this model. However, these are simply the costs associated with enjoying a vehicle in this class.
An homage to the TT RDSTR plate on our previous roadster.
As we embark on our second summer with our 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK 280, it continues to be an exceptional vehicle. It has become our fifth family member, reminiscent of how my family’s 1971 Buick convertible was a generation prior. This 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK 280 is definitely a keeper.
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