I purchased this from Prestige back in Dec 2008. It's my very first Minichamps model and my very first hard-top-drop-top. This is the second generation SLK by Mercedes-Benz (2004 edition) which came in 4 different engine sizes (1.8L I4, 3.0L V6, 3.5L V6 and 5.4L V8) and either a 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic.
Minichamps has done a great job replicating the 1:1 SLK. The most unique feature is the folding hard-top which can take quite some time to get used to (it even comes with instructions). I'll try to break it down into categories as I do this review.
Exterior
What can I say? It looks like the actual 1:1 SLK! Every curve is replicated with precision. The headlights are well done, doors/engine bonnet cover/trunk close with no problem. My pet peeve for this model are the Benz decals at the rear (on the trunk) and on the centre rims. Because they are decals, they can easily fall off (the one on my rims fell off quite easily), so cleaning/dusting the car can be a challenge.
Here are some exterior shots:
Interior
The seats are leather-like (although not really leather), the floor is carpeted, seatbelts are realistic, and the dashboard and centre console are detailed. You can even see the emergency light button in the middle (you know...that orange triangle button!). Another detail that Minichamps decided to add is an opening/closing centre console, equipped with a cell phone in it (see pictures)!
Engine
I guess a lot of cars in the millenium have a lot of plastic covers that cover the whole engine compartment, so there's a lot of plastic in the engine area, although Minichamps did add a few little details here and there (like labels). Otherwise, good job on the engine!
Paint
I really like the paint that Minichamps used for the SLK. It's a glossy finish and along with its sexy curves, it really brings out the car as a whole (especially in the blue). It's a car that screams "SEX!!" So far I haven't had any issues of scratched/chipped paint and dusting the car is quite easy, because of the gloss.
Hard-Top
Now this is a specific category that only applies to hard-top-drop-top models. Being my first convertible with a retracting hard-top, I can't compare to other models (say, M3 Cabrio by Kyosho). I can tell you though that it is quite a delicate piece of machinery. The screws that fold/hold the trunk together are incredibly detailed and amazing.
With the hard-top down, the roof stores snuggly in the trunk. The roof folds into 2 big, separate parts. The rear glass feels quite flimsy - it sort of swings back and forth - but once the roof snaps into place, the glass is fine.
Speaking of snapping roofs, when the roof is raised, there are 2 tips (shaped like a circle) that you'd have to connect to the top of the windshield - they snap together. It would be easier if they were magnets (like those found on the Carrera GT by AUTOart), but I guess the snapping would make the roof more secure. However, because they are plastic, they could easily break - especially if you like to raise/lower the roof frequently. As a model collector, the best thing to do is to leave it in one position - either have the roof up or down. Or if you display your cars in a display case, you could leave it in the transition form (refer to picture #3 below), but it's best not to play around with it too much as it may break.
Here are some shots of the trunk area:
And here is the sequence of the roof going up:
1
2
3
4
5
6
PRO
-incredible detail
-light-weight
-hard top feature
-glossy paint
-it's sexy
CON
-hard top can be a challenge, especially with its delicacy
-the car doesn't quite sit on all 4 wheels properly (I guess there's some issue with the suspension on mine since it came like that)
-decals can fall off easily
In conclusion, Minichamps did a superb job with the SLK. The details are there, the folding hard-top is unique, the glossy paint is great and it's not too heavy. For all the collectors out there, it's a must have (especially if you're looking for something unique in your collection).
