Mercedes-Benz SLK200 Kompressor

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The W170-platform SLK230 Kompressor was introduced in 1997 to compete with the Porsche Boxster and BMW Z3.

Setting it apart was the ingenious folding electric hardtop, the balletic operation of which never ceases to delight onlookers. It wasn’t just about posing either – under the bonnet lurked a seriously pokey 2.3-litre supercharged four-cylinder engine that produced a meaty 193bhp. Allied to a five-speed automatic transmission, it endowed the car with a 0-60 time of just 7.2 seconds and a top speed of 149mph.

In early 2000 the SLK received a facelift which included new front and rear bumper designs, body-coloured side skirts and the introduction of new wing mirrors incorporating indicators. The interior was also much more attractive with milled aluminium trim around the centre console, alloy pedals and funky chrome-rimmed dials. The range was expanded to include a new SLK200 Kompressor and a new V6 in the shape of the SLK 320.

But the most important improvements were under the skin, including the addition of sophisticated Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) which let you hurl the car around with impunity, a new 6-speed manual transmission, revised axle ratios and much improved suspension. Together these technical upgrades transformed the driving experience.

Virtually as powerful as the preceding 230 model and just as quick, the supercharged SLK200 was a much sportier car and is judged the ‘best buy’ of the SLK range by the ‘What Car?’ website.

This November 2000 SLK200 has all the technical improvements that so impressed the road testers of the time and comes in a lovely mid-metallic blue with a dark grey leather interior. Although it has covered some 154,000 miles, it is said to drive superbly with an MOT until July 2015.

The vendor only acquired it about four months ago and was not planning on selling it so soon, having recently fitted four new Avon tyres and getting all the wheels refurbished at considerable expense.

However, he has just managed to buy a vintage racing car that he has been lusting after for ages so unfortunately the garage space occupied by the SLK has now been given over to his new toy and he would rather the Merc go to a new home than languish outside over the winter.

Although the car had a substantial service history when acquired, at the time of cataloguing the vendor could not for the life of him remember where he had put it. With any luck it will be located and available for inspection by the time of the sale.