BMW Z3 vs Mercedes SLK - 90s Roadsters Battle! (1999 Z3 1.8 & 2002 SLK230 Kompressor Road Test)
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- čas přidán 29. 06. 2024
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The Mazda MX5 started a small roadster revolution in the 1990s, with everyone from Fiat to MG entering the fight. The Germans also took part, BMW with the Z3 and Mercedes Benz with the SLK. But which of these modern classic premium roadsters makes the better buy?
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Chapters
0:00 Premium Small Roadsters
0:50 BMW Z3
5:01 Mercedes SLK
8:12 Which Is Best? - Auta a dopravní prostředky
I bought a 320 SLK in 2000 and still enjoying it.
you got any issues with it? im planing on trading my saab 9-5 for one
SLK all the way. I hope to acquire one in the next couple of years.
Plz get one the 320 is so much fun and in the summer omg the best sports car I have ever had
Go for an R171 on v6 engine. Dude its worthy!
I bought my partner (73 years) a used SLK of the second generation. Someone in these comments said it has the image of a granddad in cap . Fair enough because he is and wears one . But although he loved his MGB V8 back in the day , and has had big motorcycles , reality is that an auto with A/c and that easy to live with folding hardtop is just so easy to live with .
For me it would have to be the SLK. Recently developed a bit of an obsession for this car, would love to get myself one of these at some point.
You won't regret it!
Do it!
Do it! I got one, awesome car. Permagrin when driving it.
@@andyyoung6574 Yep! Drove mine 1500 France to Yorkshire and back last month, loved it and got so many positive comments
Grab one! Theyre a hidden gem. The supercharger sure wakes it up. Decent handling too. Plus you cant beat a conv!
Own 3 R170 now. One month ago, drove my Final Edition 230 from Germany to Portugal. 2300km in two days. Bet the Z3 would have been more fun on the hilly bits, but the SLK's fine handling was quite pleasurable on its own (efficient) way. But managing such a long drive with reasonable fuel economy (7,2 L/100km), arriving fresh both days and being absolutely secure in two hellish downpours really shows what the R170 is made out of. In my opinion: the Z3 is a great toy. The SLK is a great car.
Thanks for the accurate video!
I took mine on a 500 mile round trip and its as smooth as buttter on the hwy with the cruise set. The factory stereo is quite nice too.
the last car of the german kalitat era
SLK every time for me - I still think the interior in particular, looks great.
Agreed, it's aged far better than most people think!
@@ClassicsWorldUK It didn't!
Crumbles
Z3 for me. My first was a 97 1.9 in Artic Silver. Current one is a 2000 with the 2.5l in Pistachio with the hardtop. At 362,000 miles I think I can safely say these cars are bullet proof. Love this car, it is not going anywhere until I leave this earth.
Love my SLK230, I feel like the iridium silver (same as in video) reflects light so nicely. I also get a lot of looks when I'm on the road, it truly is a beautiful looking car.
My SLK makes me happy
These being the only starting cars for Need for Speed high stakes was a staple of my childhood. My parents have 2 slk now!
We have 2 R170 SLK's in my family too. My parents have an 02 SLK 230 while mine is a 98 SLK 230 with sport package sometimes go on weekend drives with them together. High Stakes was why I had to own an R170 SLK one day :)
Oh man this exactly my experience as well
I chose the SLK. It's parked outside next to my ML.
Not just because I am a massive Merc fanboy but I have always found BMW clinical and soulless. There is nothing wrong with them and in general they go really hard out but I just prefer the pleasantness of Mercedes.
To each there own and when it's your own money, its your choice.
I bought my Z3 M 5 years ago with 35.000 Km on the clock. It has the 2.0 l engine, manual 5-speed and the full M package with the wide back and M suspension. I live in Mallorca and it is the perfect car for the island. I drive it as a roadster is to be driven: top down summer and winter, we don‘t have snow (except in the Tramuntana mountains) and it has a very effective heater. And AC for the summer. With a general speed limit of 120 Km/h on our motorways the only thing that bugs me is that I have never had a chance to really push it to the limit! Being German (and 76 y/o) I have regularly driven the Autobahn at 220 Km/h (with cars that can handle that) and I might go on the local race-course one day just to really drive my little Z3!
I have owned both of these and agree with the comments. Z3 better fun but SLK feels more premium. My SLK is a 98 but I have no issues with the build quality.
I love them both. I settled on the R170 SLK230 as I wanted a more refined cruiser. Way better car than the MK2.5 MX5 I had, however, the most fun was a little 1.8 VVC MGF. A real happy, feel-good car in which I did over 160,000 with no issues. The Mercedes has been uber reliable over the five years we've had him. Heart rules the head with these types of cars, you won't regret owning any of them.
I have a 1998 1st gen Z3 1.9l. have owned it near 8 years and still love it. it is always a pleasure to look at and to get into and drive with the roof down. Z3 all the way for me
I love my r170 slk 320 which is definitely better than the 230. Slk all day for me! Best blend of style, smoothness and sportiness next to an Aston Martin or Maserati Grand turismo
The slk every time. Has much better lines, a 2.3 supercharged lump and the metal folding roof plus I'm a badge snob.
Better lines? Are you High? The SLK is and always was ugly. The Z3 looks a lot more modern, and beat the design of the SLK any day
Mate your blind if you think a Z3 has better lines than an SLK maybe it's a black tin bro
Just picked up a slightly run down 2002 Z3 1.9. I absolutely love it, and can't wait to bring it back up to scratch!
Enjoy it, Ryan!
I love the look of the Z3, it has it all for me.
What's great is seeing two different manufacturers take on nimble wee sports car. Both worth contenders if you are in the market for something other than an MX5 👍🏻
Yeah SLK all the way!
The colour of the BMW is gorgeous. I've always preferred the SLK, but I just couldn't turn down this particular Z3 in that shade. It's won me over completely.
We agree, Matthew!
I own a 1999 slk 230 it is so fun it doesn’t have the power or handling but there is just such a joy to the little car!
Zed 3. Love the Impala Brown one you tested! Nice job on the video.
Awesome video!
Purchased my first Miata in 95- limited edition fell in love- sold it- was sick … bought my 2nd on in 2000- still have her- she now sits next to my SLK350!
I love them both-
Always wanted to drive a BMW- beautiful car!
Maybe one day
But for now…. The SLK
Has changed my outlook on life-
I’ve never had so much fun …pure joy to drive -
ive got an early 97 230k..61000 miles on it..fab car...you can reset the autobox....foot to the floor put ignition on keep it there for 15 seconds then ignition off....then drive it how you like to drive and it rememebers your driving stile...they are proper rapid...but deffo more a gt type than a sportscar
I actually bought my mother a manual slk200 kompressor just over a year ago cause after i bought my eunos she wanted something like that too and she absolutely loves it
Had my SLK230 for over a year now - it's solid af. If you're buying one look for oil under the gearbox, whining from the supercharger and general rust / the state of the underside of the car like the exhaust before buying. Owned a BMW before this and the interiors of Mercs are so much nicer. If you drive long distances and want something that's luxurious and relaxing but also puts a smile on your face when you plant it with the roof down, SLK all the way (I notice they didn't have it in 'Sport mode' in the video). I've even had a custom subwoofer installed in the passenger footwell. I love it 👍👍
I’ve just picked up a lovely Z3 and I must say I can’t stop smiling. Never owned or drove slk.
Z3 I have a 2001 2L roadster straight 6 automatic transmission + sport. Its not only good looking its also practical. Down under NZ
Z3 of course! Better sensations, better quality, better performance, better resale value... in 1 Word à better car! And, cherry on the cake, it s a James bond.
For me I feel the Z3 is the better looking car, the bonnet with those side grills just looks great, I am currently looking for a six cylinder one, but they get expensive fast. Having said that I still love my Mercs, so in my garage at the moment I have a R171 SLK 55 AMG and a BMW Z4M... the MX5's have gotten into the silly money range now, I'd love one, but I don't think they are good value for the money any more. Thanks for the review, just made me want a Z3 even more... heading into summer here now, so you know I will be out there having a fantastic time...
I used to find the z3 ugly back in the days but the design grew on me so much that i find it beautiful and now it’s parked in my garage with a 2.8 black and red interior(super fun) ❤
Enjoy it, Ralph! Glad you've come round :D
I wondered how many times the Z3 needed the convertible roof changed ?
The canvas tops are actually quite robust if taken care of. Main thing that goes bad is the plastic window. Luckily they have zippers so they're easily replaced. I replaced the original 24 year old top on mine only because I didn't like the colour. But the top itself was still in decent condition with a minor wear on it.
one of the best choices on the bmw z3 would be the 2.8i. You can tune the hell out of the engine if you want, and if you dont, you just get a bullet proof, nicely reving engine with a moderate fuel consumption.
I went for neither - bought a TT (225bhp) instead (before upgrading again to a Boxster S a couple of years later). The SLK was ground-breaking in it's day, and I did like my mates black SLK230 (though he had the red leather interior, which I could definitely have done with out!), but never like the Z3: thought it was ugly then - and hasn't improved since.
Massive image problem with Audis though! Audi = smug, arrogant, selfish drivers.
SLK 230 - we’ve toured France four times in ours with our dog too - great car.
I have the best of all worlds with my 98 Mercedes slk230, 61 Chevy Apache, 91 Toyota pickup 4x4 and 2016 wr250r!
Great video! Got a 986 Boxter, a Spider 2.0 TS, a SLK 230, and an A4 3.2 Quattro, all convertibles, and each car is completely different but totally enjoyable. Probably should get a Z3 but more tempted on a 335.
Z3 comes out on top every time. It’s ageing incredibly well.
Having just bought the R171 SLK, I would have to go with the Mercedes. But the BMW, what a fantastic colour.
I have both. I drive the SLK when I don't really feel like driving while I drive the Z3 when I actually do want to Drive with a capital D.
SLK has it's merits but the steering and handling isn't like the Z3, let alone a Boxster.
The Z3 has just enough handling and just enough fun to be rowdy while a Boxster is all neat and surgical and would be better off compared to an S2000.
Overall, depends on your personality, which these cars had at the time.
You have both ? A Z3 AAAAANND an SLK ??? I'm well jelly.........
@@tandm86 SLK230, Z3M USDM and then moved to the Euro Z3M. The SLK and the Z3M are used differently for different days.
Mercedes SLK for me, I have owned 3 R170's including an SLK 32 AMG in obsidian black which I regrettably sold my current one is a 1998 SLK 230 AMG Sport Package in Imperial Red with two tone red and black interior which I absolutely love. The AMG Sport package really transforms the already good looks into something special. I have loved both of these since Need for Speed High Stakes in 1999 where you could pick a Z3 2.8 or an SLK 230 as your first car in the game. Personally I preferred the looks of the SLK though I respect why people choose the Z3 and think they look much nicer proportioned than the Z4 that came after it same with the R171 SLK the R170 has more of a pure sleek design while the R171 is more aggressive looking and less elegant. Both are great and respect either choice they won't be cheap and as easy to buy forever.
Before the video I would have chosen SLK However now I think Z3. It has aged so well and the colour really suits it. Great video as always!
Thanks Patrick, we loved the Z3 too!
I've had a 1.9 Z3 for a few months now, and I absolutely love it. I think it's a beautiful design, and I fit in it so much better than the Miata at my 6' 3" stature.
@Alexander Politi Very occasionally. The 4-pot definitely won't wow you with power, but it's not as woeful as people claim. It even sounds pretty decent when the exhaust is fiddled with. The only reason I'd go for the six over the four is if you were doing a good bit of highway driving, cause the four does vibrate alot more than the six at higher revs. Other than that it honestly feels perfectly appropriate for the car.
Always thought the SLK was a neater package, the Z3 has some odd lines on it and looks a little frumpy from some angles. Both still look pretty good though.
that is an opinion not shared by many. The design of the z3 roadster is almost universially acclaimed and aged far better than the SLK. The SLK just screems 90s the z3 doesn't it is far more timeless in Design!
The SLK is so lumpy. I can’t believe you think the SLK looks better. That’s just crazy 😂 z3 Lines Are as clean as it gets
Just got the SLK 320, a pleasure to drive. Not sure why everyone down plays the steering and handling. Mine steers and handles curves great!!! Super fun to drive. To check out my car check out my channel.
I’ve had a 98’ z3 since 2010 love it
I found a low milage gem of an SLK 320 here in the states. Going from 4 cylenders to 6 makes all the difference. You get the buttery smooth Mercedes ride with an engine that is always asking for more. Oh, and the muted growl when you lean into the accelerator will make you smile.
The pre FL Z3 as 2.8 l inline six with wide rear fenders is very very cool. This is THE Roadster for me and legit 508 successor.
I owned a Z3 2.8 from 2002 until 2016, loved it. Go with the 6 cil. Z3 and you won’t regret it
why you gave it away man??
@@carhawara3394 Because i wanted something else, bit more practical and modern after all those yrs. My current F33 gives me at least as much pleasure as the Z did.
I'm in Australia and in 2018 I bought a SLK320, the 6 cylinder example. Lovely in silver low ks. I loved it, but it cost so much in repairs. In the end when the computer blew up , cost $7000 to replace the computer with a repaired second hand one. No new ones available. I then sold it. So sad, loved it, never a problem with the roof. No rust, just crap oil seals everywhere and the computer thingy. Interior was beautiful but the entire dash was plastic, coated in soft touch skin. The skin lasted a couple of years. It would have been lovely with a body coloured metal dash like the old 230sl.
Owned a widebody Z3 2.8 and a SLK230K. Overall, it's a close one for me. The Z3 had better handling by far, but even the 2.8 engine wasn't particularly inspiring (190hp) and lacked torque. The 230K engine had bags of torque and was a more reliable car, but definitely more of a cruiser than a sports car. For me, the Z3 won on handling and looks (widebody only, the narrowbodies look so weedy!). The SLK won on everything else; performance, reliability, comfort, economy and of course, the roof.
The reliability of a Z3 is fenomenal.
I’d choose the z3 it’s got a bit more character but I like both of them
Absolutely the SLK. It's after all a Merc and it looks better. And even if it do not handle as well on a winding road as the Z3 the raw performance of the 2.3 Kompressor engine outrun an Z3 1,9 anytime!
The Z3 is Impala brown (418), a lovely colour but not popular then. The '1.8' is really a 1.9 but the lower powered SOHC unit. They are quite good and work well with the Z3's old fashioned chassis. Get into the 2.8 and 3.0 and they are - for some bizarre reason - Boxster money but without the ability. The big engines just highlight the Z3's deficiencies too much.
i dont own an z3, bit i owned several bmw with m52b28 engine, and this engine is pretty close to 2jz! You can slap a turbo or supercharger on it, change the air intake to a M50b25, Decent exhaust system and a little bit of remapping and you get 350 hp AT LEAST, you can go over 400 with a mid 1.2 psi turbo! And the only problems you will get are with the parts you slapped on. Thats why the are and will go up in price, its a hidden gem enigine.
Wonderful copper colour that Z3 and it's the one for me; more stylish and elegant than aggresive, like the E46 was as well.
We loved the colour too!
I just bought a 2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK 230 Kompressor last month
Enjoy it!
Mercedes for me chaps, nice wee video.
I've got a 2005 SLK 350. It's got 42,000 miles on it. When I drive it, people think it's a new model car. It gets a lot of looks.
awww I am in love with that Z3 specially with the Brown metallic paint work...
Hello Shirl, hope you’re good 😌👋
SLk 🔝
Wow a brown Z3.....And it looks cool!
230 everyday. Add some new pulleys on it and it's so much fun to drive.
Nice cars 🚘🚙🚗👍👍👍👍
I had driven the SLK witch was a nice car but i ended up with a Z3 1.9 dove it for about 3 years changed up to the Z3 M series with the 3.2 I6 that i still have today, the 1.9 was reliable and fantastic on gas!
The drive I choose Z3, but the engine the SLK, looks also the SLK
You really think the SLK looks better? 😂 look at it man. Are we watching the same video?
@@Aikaramba12you like the looks of z3, good for you🤣🤣🤣
I have a Z3 2.8 and a mk1 Mx5 and as much as I like my Z3 it definitely doesn't drive as well as the Mx5. There's a big deference in agility and handling. Mainly thanks to the extra 300kg weight of the BMW and its less sophisticated suspension. Z3 is more refined with less rattles though and in my eyes looks fantastic nowadays.
Congratulations! If its a shifter than you straight up got art money in the future after new petrol cars are banned
Had my Z3 2.2 Auto for over eight years. Great car. Wanted one since I first saw them back in the day! Wins over the Mercedes for me
I have both. I have a Z4 2.5i Sport a more refined version of the Z3. I had a Z3 with a 4 cylinder but quickly got rid of it for the Z4 6 cylinder motor. The Z3 with a 4 cylinder engine should not even be compared to the SLK230 because of the huge power difference. It's true if you want a sportier car get the BMW, it sits lower and handles better. I've had both cars for quite a while. The SLK230 is built like a tank with better more durable interior than the flimsy Z3/Z4 interior with door handle covers that falls apart. You don't have to wind up the Supercharged 4 on the SLK like you do with the BMW. A closer comparison to the SLK230 would be the Z3/Z4 with 2.8 or 3.0 motor. A Z3 with a 1.8L engine is just straight up gutless and a waste of time unless you're in the canyons. The SLK230 is just a more premium car overall with adequate power on tap.
MX5 NA
I love my Z3 1.9, to me there's only 1 clear choice 😍
The SLK was available in auto or manual, had the incredible roof and the SLK 32 AMG.
look around you and see the numbers of SLKs still on the road….easy choice.
I think if you’re only going to have one car and it needs to be your daily driver it has to be the SLK. Apart from the paint the build quality is great - even in recent heavy downpours not a single drop comes through the roof of my 19 year old R170. If you were looking at one of these as your second car then the BMW becomes more of an option, otherwise SLK all day long!
I just picked up a 98 SLK 230 for $2000. I like it.
SLK - the design and proportions of it are so beautiful! And it must be 320 for sure.
I never really liked the 4cyl z3 but my dad had a 2.8 for 16years which was my wedding car that was great and incredibly was very similar on fuel to the 4cyl car.
But choice I would have the z3 but with the cylinder
which one to choose depends on the engine you choose.
I have a slk230 firemistic red. It’s has hard top feeling more safe then bmw. After 21 years still catching eyes. That’s my “baby”
definitely Z3
i love both. but the z3 aged better and more power when you put foot down.
my 2.8i is standing in the garage as I speak, and boy ohh bky is it a fun and smart car.
I have a 2003 SLK 114k perfect condition or close to it. Would like 7k.
I live in France and have the SLK 200, "only" 136 HP but it's more than enough to cruise all day at motorway speeds. I looked into the Z3 but I often do 500-mile journeys back to Britain or down to the south of France (retirement's a bitch 😃) and the SLK is perfect for that.
Side note: I've now got a Z4 roadster to go with the SLK and it's great BUT if I only kept one it would be the Merc.
Feel like its driver mod when it comes to the nag about "handling" i own a z3 and a z4 and find the handling in windies to be solid.
Just picked up exactly the same SLK in the Review.... 80k with Full Servo for less than £2000
Should have included the Porsche Boxster
I drove these quite a lot back in the day when they were new and I still think they are very different cars. None of them felt sporty, but the Merc felt more refined. The BMW was the better looking car for me and when Goldeneye was still fresh in the memory, it had that special feeling.
How does the Z3 not feel sporty to you?
@@robertschneider8808 the sixes, yes, butbteh first ones that came, the 1.8, didn’t. Saying that, it was still good to drive.
@@GentilsGarage I guess it depends on how you define sporty. For me sporty isn't really about Power but more about handling.
I drove a bunch of z3s and they all did great around the bends.
Engine wise I think the only real bummer is the M43B18, it felt lifeless. The M43B19 has only 3 hp more but felt a lot more alive, that car sure isn't fast and will never win any acceleration test but due to it's handling I'd still call it sporty.
The M44B19 is in some ways even preferable to the smaller sixes, it has decent power and due to the shorter engine it has a better weight balance than the sixes. That car is definetly sporty in my book.
And well the sixes are all great eventhough, the 2.0 (it's my car so I'm still quite fond of it) has some disadvantages over the 138hp M44B19.
So yeah I get your point, but I disagree. All Z3s have great stearing/ stearing weight, and a nice sporty suspension, so in my book they are all sporty no matter the engine.
They aren't all fast. Sporty is about feel not about numbers.
@@robertschneider8808 i think they are great cars and handle well, but compared to all the other BMWs I had it wasn’t as sporty as I expected.
Also, the period MX5 and Boxster felt more sporty. Anyway, as a long time BmW owner and fan, I know which one I would chose.
They didn't fix the rust on the slk, mine is from 2002 and it is rusty on the side panels.
Same here
Z3 🧐
Hello 👋
Hope you’re doing good 😌
I want a Z3 so bad, I found a 97' on craigslist and it was a 4cyl rwd manual all for 1,120$ and the guy flaked out on the deal.
Z3 all the way
Mercedes Benz every time.
Das Beste oder nichts😂; SLK ofcourse.
Should have added the Porsche Boxter
I have had both. Different. The 320 SLK smooth as silk -Solid Roof = 2 cars in 1. BMW 3.0 = nicer sound - sit too high
Not sure why you would ever option the 1.8 Z3 when you could get the 2.8/3.0 straight six instead with much more power. Even the 2.0 i6 would be better then the 1.8.
The six-pot wasn't available from launch, also the 1.8 was much cheaper and more economical even when it was :)
230 KOMPRESSOR much car for less money
Whats sad is the slk never get put in racing games. and its the single sexiest small hardtop convertible.
It's certainly a looker!
Damn the SLK aged badly. I looks like it is 10-15 years older than the Z3
Finde den Vergleich schon etwas schräg.
Ich fahre eine SLK. Mein Nachbar einen Z3!
As much as I love Mercedes I had to buy a Z3. (In red, but I don't think it looks like a clown shoe. Think it's pretty sexy) I kinda dig canvas a whole lot more than metal folding roof(I have the hardtop too). And fancied something more sporty. For something more relaxed I will have my W123 (when it's finished 😅)
I dont own any of these cars, but i can’t believe anyone here thinks the SLK looks better than the Z3.. Must be SLK owners for sure