As an ex-Boxter S driver, I agree with both articles (Yap and Williams). I have now moved on to a M-B SLK350, which I been driving for the second winter here (northern Ontario) and find that with all the safety and comfort features of this car, it's great fun to drive even in the winter.
The SLK's windows are like the Boxter's in terms of the slight pre-opening requirement before the doors can open/close... I am thinking a remote starter to warm up and de-ice the windows might solve the issue of freezing rain as the car has a fantastic heating system. I haven't heard of any remote starters for this model though - any ideas?
Regarding rubber, I drive on a set of four Pirelli winter tires using a minus 1 size concept (205/50x17 instead of the normally recommended 225/45x17 winter tire size), which maintains stock overall rolling dimensions. This smaller-width tire contact patch, coupled with the car's standard dynamic systems (antislip, stablity control, ABS, brake assist, etc.) have handled the snow and ice here easily. This car has a cool feature which allows the owner to set the winter tire's speed rating in the intrument display's computer settings so that the car never exceeds the maximum speed for the tires, which is another incentive to drive it in the winter without worry.
Regarding sandblasting, all cars and not just sports cars are subject to this. I approached this with a professionally installed 3M clear skin bra custom made for this model (covers the lower front hood and sidebody section and the side mirrors). For the rocker panels and rear flank protection, a set of dealer-installed mud flaps specifically made for this model are working really well.
Since the car is a hardtop retractable convertible, the interior cabin is as quiet as a normal coupe, and the coldest and snowiest days so far have been just a normal thing for this car, particularly since unlike the Boxter the windshield and rear visibility are not a restriction. Judging from my experience, and the fact the car is guaranteed for 30 years against body corrosion in Europe, I believe that I can minimize salt damage through regular visits to the touchless carwash. Mercedes now uses nanopaint technology for this car's paint, which they claim contributes to a much longer lasting paintwork.
My wife loves the SLK350 and is one of the strongest proponents of wanting to drive it all year round - she insists winter hibernation is for bears, not the car! By observing defensive driving practices that also respect the road and winter conditions, including reduced road clearance on snow-packed roads, there is no doubt this modern sports car is meant to be driven all the time, even in Canada's winters.
