MINI Cooper vs. Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Review

Cost
The destination charge is a standard charge for transporting the vehicle from its point of origin to the dealer. The MINI Cooper is quite a bit cheaper to get to the dealership than the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class. The Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class pales in comparison to the MINI in terms of fuel economy. The MINI Cooper will save you money at the pump compared to the Mercedes-Benz. The MINI is tremendously less costly than the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class in terms of MSRP. The Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class will cost you a bunch of money in gasoline every year compared to the MINI Cooper. The MINI will save you a bunch of money at the pump every year compared to the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class.

Utility
The MINI Cooper is likely a better choice than the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class as far as transporting cargo, especially if you frequently need to carry a lot of loot or massive dogs. The MINI Cooper will most definitely prove handier than the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class for those of you with frequent child-cargo.

Comfort
While the front cabin in the MINI offers a bit more head room than the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class, there frankly isn't much of a difference.

Dimensions
The Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class is significantly more ponderous than the MINI. The Cooper and the SLK-Class compete for the same parking spaces.

Performance
The MINI is likely to feel a tad slow because of its high horsepower-to-weight ratio compared to the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class. When it comes to horsepower, the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class packs quite a punch and will knock the MINI Cooper down a few rungs. On the flip side, note that high horsepower engines often command higher insurance premiums. With its tiny horsepower-to-weight ratio, the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class will knock you back into your seat when you step on the gas.

Handling
With its front-wheel drive layout, the MINI Cooper likely has better traction in rain, snow or ice than the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class; on the other hand, the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class's rear-wheel drive layout likely provides better weight distribution. Really small tires, like the ones on the MINI Cooper, may improve gas mileage but might also be responsible for a somewhat unstable ride. With their comparable turning circles, the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class and the Cooper very likely handle about the same into and out of tight spots.

Drivetrain
The Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class has a larger engine than the MINI Cooper. Note that smaller engines are often cheaper to fix, but a smaller engine usually has to work a little harder. The MINI Cooper could learn a lesson or two from the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class in terms of torque. The Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class packs quite a punch compared to the MINI Cooper in terms of torque, which is the force that lets you accelerate quickly.

Overview
The Mercedes-Benz and the MINI Cooper have the same basic after-sale protection.