Compare the2004 Nissan 350ZVS 2004 Mercedes SLK

The 350Z Coupe offers available head airbag curtains which act as a forgiving barrier between the driver and passenger’s upper bodies and the window and pillars. Combined with high-strength steel door beams this system increases head protection in broadside collisions. The SLK doesn’t offer side airbag protection for the head.

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the 350Z deploy with different levels of force to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The SLK’s airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

Both the 350Z and the SLK have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four wheel antilock brakes, available front seat side-impact airbags, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

Nissan’s powertrain warranty covers the 350Z 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the SLK. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years and 60,000 miles. Coverage on the SLK ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The 350Z’s corrosion warranty is 1 year and unlimited miles longer than the SLK’s (5/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

There are over 3 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier to get service under the 350Z’s warranty.

The 350Z’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 95 more horsepower (287 vs. 192) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (274 vs. 200) than the SLK230 K’s standard 2.3 supercharged DOHC 4 cyl. The 350Z’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 72 more horsepower (287 vs. 215) and 45 lbs.-ft. more torque (274 vs. 229) than the SLK320’s standard 3.2 SOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Nissan 350Z is faster than the Mercedes SLK (manual transmissions tested):

The Nissan 350Z gets better fuel mileage than the SLK:

The 350Z has 4.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the SLK (20 vs. 15.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the 350Z’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the SLK:

The 350Z’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the SLK230 K are solid, not vented.

The 350Z stops much shorter than the SLK:

For better traction, the 350Z has larger standard tires than the SLK (F:225/50R17 & R:235/50R17 vs. F:205/55R16 & R:225/50R16).

The 350Z’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) which provides a stiffer sidewall than the SLK’s standard 55 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 350Z has standard 17 inch wheels. Smaller 16 inch wheels are standard on the SLK. The 350Z’s optional 18 inch wheels are larger than the 17 inch wheels optional on the SLK.

The 350Z with 18” Tires has a standard tire pressure monitoring system, which will alert the driver to a drop in tire pressure before damage to the tire or an accident might occur. The SLK doesn’t offer a low tire pressure warning system.

For much better steering response and tighter handling the 350Z has rack and pinion steering, like Formula race cars, instead of the recirculating-ball type steering of the SLK.

The 350Z has engine speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The SLK doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 350Z’s wheelbase is 9.8 inches longer than on the SLK (104.3 vs. 94.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 350Z is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 2.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the SLK.

The 350Z Touring Roadster handles at .88 G’s, while the SLK pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The 350Z Touring Roadster goes through Road & Track’s slalom 3.6 MPH faster than the SLK320 (67.2 vs. 63.6 MPH).

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the 350Z Touring Roadster is quieter than the SLK (45 vs. 50 dB).

The 350Z Roadster has 8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the SLK (51.8 vs. 43.8).

The 350Z Roadster has a larger trunk with its top up than the SLK with its top up (4.1 vs. 9.5 cubic feet).

The 350Z’s standard tilting steering column adjusts to different sized drivers and makes entering and exiting easier. Mercedes doesn’t offer tilt steering on the SLK.

The 350Z’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge – which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The SLK does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The 350Z’s front power windows raise and lower automatically with one touch, especially convenient at tollbooths or drive-up windows. The power windows on the SLK don’t raise automatically.

The 350Z’s standard power window controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The SLK’s available power window controls are spread out on the center console where they can’t be seen without the driver completely removing his eyes from the road.

If the windows are left down on the 350Z the driver can raise them all using the key in the outside lock cylinder. On a hot day the driver can lower all the windows from outside the car using the remote. The driver of the SLK can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

To improve comfort and visibility, the 350Z Coupe (late availability) has standard pull-out visor extensions that block glare better. The SLK doesn’t offer any similar feature.

The 350Z’s standard power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The SLK’s standard power mirror controls are on the center console where they can’t be seen without the driver completely removing his eyes from the road.

The 350Z’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The SLK doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

The Nissan 350Z comes in both 2dr hatchback and convertible bodystyles; the Mercedes SLK isn’t available as a 2dr hatchback.