Car comparison

Mercedes-Benz SL (R107) 500 SL V8vsMercedes-Benz SLK (R170) SLK 230 Kompressor

Compare specs, acceleration, fuel consumption, dimensions, practicality, and estimated running costs side by side.

New comparison

Mercedes-Benz SL (R107)

500 SL V8

231 hp4973 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedRoadster1981-1985
VS

Mercedes-Benz SLK (R170)

SLK 230 Kompressor

193 hp2295 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticSuperchargedRoadster1996-2000

Comparison overview

Use the estimates as comparison hints and verify exact figures before making decisions.

Best choices

Mercedes-Benz SLK (R170) SLK 230 Kompressor

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    7.3 s
  • Lightest
    1,250 kg
    2,756 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    154 hp/t
    115 kW/t
    6.5 kg/hp
  • Lowest city consumption
    13.6 L/100 km
    17.3 mpg US
    20.8 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    7.0 L/100 km
    33.6 mpg US
    40.4 mpg UK
  • Best economy score
    81/100

Mercedes-Benz SL (R107) 500 SL V8

  • Fastest top speed
    240 km/h
    149 mph Unrestricted
    220 km/h
    137 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    231 hp
    172 kW
  • Highest torque
    404 Nm
    298 lb-ft
  • Best overall score
    46/100
  • Best performance score
    53/100
  • Best practicality score
    32/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelMercedes-BenzSL (R107)500 SL V8Mercedes-BenzSLK (R170)SLK 230 Kompressor
Power
231hp172kW
193hp144kW
Torque
404Nm298lb-ft
280Nm207lb-ft
Curb weight
1,540kg3,395lb
1,250kg2,756lb
Gross weight
1,960kg4,321lb
1,585kg3,494lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
220 km/h137 mph
Calculated
227 km/h
141 mph
To 99% top speed
95.7s99% target: 238 km/h / 148 mph
Calculated
77.1s99% target: 225 km/h / 140 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
8.1s
7.3s
0-200 km/h
32.3s
Calculated
32.0s
Calculated
0-60 mph
7.7s
Calculated
6.9s
Calculated
Fuel consumption-
9.5L/100 km24.8mpg US29.7mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
15.6L/100 km15.1mpg US18.1mpg UK
13.6L/100 km17.3mpg US20.8mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
9.4L/100 km25mpg US30.1mpg UK
7L/100 km33.6mpg US40.4mpg UK
Quarter mile
15.8s
Calculated
15.2s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
150hp/t112kW/t68hp/1000 lb
Calculated
154hp/t115kW/t70hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
262Nm/t176lb-ft/ton
Calculated
224Nm/t150lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range-
558km347mi
Calculated
Displacement
4,973cc303cu in
2,295cc140cu in
Length
4,390mm173in
3,995mm157in
Width
1,790mm70in
1,715mm68in
Height
1,300mm51in
1,284mm51in
Wheelbase
2,455mm97in
2,400mm94in
Front track
1,452mm57in
1,488mm59in
Rear track
1,440mm57in
1,485mm58in
Trunk volume-
145L
Max trunk volume-
348L
Doors
2
2
Seats
2
2
Fuel tank
85L
53L

Performance charts

Use the estimates as comparison hints and verify exact figures before making decisions.

Dyno simulation

Estimated stock-style power and torque curves by engine speed.

Mercedes-Benz SL (R107) 500 SL V8Mercedes-Benz SLK (R170) SLK 230 KompressorPowerTorque
  • Mercedes-Benz SL (R107) 500 SL V8: Power / Torque
  • Mercedes-Benz SLK (R170) SLK 230 Kompressor: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
Mercedes-BenzSL (R107)500 SL V84,750 rpm3,000 rpm5,000 rpm
Mercedes-BenzSLK (R170)SLK 230 Kompressor5,300 rpm2,500-4,800 rpm5,550 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricMercedes-BenzSL (R107)500 SL V8Mercedes-BenzSLK (R170)SLK 230 Kompressor
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
7.7 s
6.9 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
8.1 s
7.3 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
32.3 s
32.0 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
220 km/h137 mph
Likely limited
227 km/h
141 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.7 s
2.5 s
330 ft
101 m
7.0 s
6.7 s
1/8 mile
201 m
10.4 s
10.0 s
1000 ft
305 m
13.4 s
12.9 s
1/4 mile
402 m
15.8 s
15.2 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
149 km/h
92 mph
152 km/h
95 mph

Power comparison

Bar comparison chart for Power. Higher is better · hp / kW

Chart data table
VehicleValue
Mercedes-BenzSL (R107)500 SL V8
231 hp
172 kW
Mercedes-BenzSLK (R170)SLK 230 Kompressor
193 hp
144 kW

Mercedes-Benz SL (R107) 500 SL V8 has 38 hp more than Mercedes-Benz SLK (R170) SLK 230 Kompressor.

The biggest power difference is between Mercedes-Benz SLK (R170) SLK 230 Kompressor and Mercedes-Benz SL (R107) 500 SL V8: 38 hp (28 kW).

Torque comparison

Bar comparison chart for Torque. Higher is better · Nm / lb-ft

Chart data table
VehicleValue
Mercedes-BenzSL (R107)500 SL V8
404 Nm
298 lb-ft
Mercedes-BenzSLK (R170)SLK 230 Kompressor
280 Nm
207 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Curb weight. Lower is better · kg / lb

Chart data table
VehicleValue
Mercedes-BenzSL (R107)500 SL V8
1,540 kg
3,395 lb
Mercedes-BenzSLK (R170)SLK 230 Kompressor
1,250 kg
2,756 lb

Top speed without limiter comparison

Bar comparison chart for Top speed without limiter. Higher is better · km/h / mph

Chart data table
VehicleValue
Mercedes-BenzSL (R107)500 SL V8
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
220 km/h137 mph
Mercedes-BenzSLK (R170)SLK 230 Kompressor
227 km/h
141 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

Bar comparison chart for 0-100 km/h. Lower is better · seconds

Chart data table
VehicleValue
Mercedes-BenzSL (R107)500 SL V88.1 s
Mercedes-BenzSLK (R170)SLK 230 Kompressor7.3 s

Although Mercedes-Benz SL (R107) 500 SL V8 has more power, Mercedes-Benz SLK (R170) SLK 230 Kompressor is quicker from 0-100 km/h.

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between Mercedes-Benz SLK (R170) SLK 230 Kompressor and Mercedes-Benz SL (R107) 500 SL V8: 0.8 s.

Power-to-weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Power-to-weight. Higher is better · hp/t / kW/t

Chart data table
VehicleValue
Mercedes-BenzSL (R107)500 SL V8
150 hp/t
112 kW/t
6.7 kg/hp
Mercedes-BenzSLK (R170)SLK 230 Kompressor
154 hp/t
115 kW/t
6.5 kg/hp

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
Mercedes-BenzSL (R107)500 SL V8
231 hp
172 kW
8.1 s
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
220 km/h137 mph
Mercedes-BenzSLK (R170)SLK 230 Kompressor
193 hp
144 kW
7.3 s
227 km/h
141 mph

Most attractive quadrant

Scatter chart with performance score on the X axis and practicality score on the Y axis.

Chart data table
VehiclePerformance scorePracticality score
Mercedes-BenzSL (R107)500 SL V8
Power
231 hp
172 kW
0-100 km/h8.1 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
220 km/h137 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk-
Length
4,390 mm
172.8 in
Height
1,300 mm
51.2 in
Mercedes-BenzSLK (R170)SLK 230 Kompressor
Power
193 hp
144 kW
0-100 km/h7.3 s
Top speed
227 km/h
141 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
145 L
5.1 cu ft
Length
3,995 mm
157.3 in
Height
1,284 mm
50.6 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleMercedes-BenzSL (R107)500 SL V8Mercedes-BenzSLK (R170)SLK 230 Kompressor
Power
231 hp
172 kW
193 hp
144 kW
Torque
404 Nm
298 lb-ft
280 Nm
207 lb-ft
Acceleration
8.1 s
7.3 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
240 km/h149 mph
Restricted
220 km/h137 mph
227 km/h
141 mph
Lightness
1,540 kg
3,395 lb
1,250 kg
2,756 lb
Fuel consumption
-
9.5 L/100 km
24.8 mpg US
29.7 mpg UK
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk-
Length
4,390 mm
172.8 in
Height
1,300 mm
51.2 in
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk
145 L
5.1 cu ft
Length
3,995 mm
157.3 in
Height
1,284 mm
50.6 in
Range score
-
558 km
347 mi
Trunk score
-
145 L
5.1 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
150 hp/t
112 kW/t
6.7 kg/hp
154 hp/t
115 kW/t
6.5 kg/hp
Overall
Fixed score
Fixed score

Fuel cost and annual usage

Estimate running costs from combined consumption, your annual distance, and the fuel price in your local currency.

Enter the fuel price in your local currency, for example €/L, $/gal, £/L or any other local currency.

LC = Local Currency

Fuel cost and annual usage
VehicleMercedes-Benz SLK (R170) SLK 230 Kompressor
Consumption9.5 L/100 km24.8 mpg US29.7 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km16.63 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi26.76 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,425 L376 US gal313 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,494 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

Mercedes-Benz SL (R107) 500 SL V8

  • Has 38 hp more
  • Has 124 Nm more
  • Has 13 km/h (8 mph) higher top speed

Pros

  • Highest top speed
  • Most powerful
  • Highest torque

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Heaviest

Mercedes-Benz SLK (R170) SLK 230 Kompressor

  • Is 290 kg lighter
  • Is 0.8 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 4 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Lightest
  • Best power-to-weight ratio

Cons

  • Lowest power
  • Lowest top speed

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
Mercedes-Benz SL (R107) 500 SL V8
Mercedes-Benz SLK (R170) SLK 230 Kompressor
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2 vehicles selected

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