5 WAYS TO MAKE IT BETTER

1 IMPROVE THE LOOKS

These are a matter of personal taste, but if you prefer a more aggressive appearance, then a trawl of the internet and forums might unearth some parts. The body kit from the AMG model is one possibility, or you might find spoilers and bigger wheels from tuners such as Brabus.

2 MAKE IT QUICKER

Upgrade parts for these aren’t really being made now, but you might still find companies offering ECU chips and induction kits. A freer-flowing air filter won’t do any harm and will release a few extra bhp when paired with a custom exhaust, although expect to pay around £600 for the latter. All that said, diligent maintenance is key, so spending money on regular servicing might be the wiser move.

3 SHARPEN UP THE WAY THE SLK DRIVES

The standard underpinnings are up to the job, but it’s easy enough to improve it with uprated damper and spring kits costing £600-700. As for the brakes, the SLK doesn’t lack stopping power in standard form but swapping the pads for upgraded items like EBC’s Green Stuff costs around £60 a set. Don’t skimp on tyres, either.

4 TACKLE THE ROT

Arguably the most important aspect of SLK ownership is ensuring that you tackle any surface corrosion as soon as it raises its ugly head; allowing it to fester is asking for expensive trouble further down the line. If you’ve found a rot-free example, then rust-proofing products and cavity wax will be time and money well spent.

5 CURE THE ELECTRICS

We’ve already highlighted a propensity for electrical hassles that the Owners Club’s SLK Register and the many Mercedes specialists are well aware of. Chances are there’s a fix or preventative measure available, so it’s well worth taking the time to chat with experts and get ahead of any problems before they start to become too expensive.