tom1981
Active Member
Dear Mercedes All-knowing/All-seeing forum members,
I stumbled across some very helpful and interesting forum posts on here regarding Mk1 SLKs and problems with rust. I was hoping for some advice on approaching buying a second hand mk1 (06-2004) SLK. Specifically the facelift version. I'm looking for a R170 2002-2004 model. I am aware I need to be on the look out for rust problems.
I'm looking to buy a MK1 as I always loved the lean, simple shape of the late 90s SL and SLK class (before the rounded merc headlights and shape came) in when I was younger as a teen and think its aged beautifully. Asking around and reading user reviews on Auto Trader, the car has a generally pretty great write up as a second hand buy. I live in central-east london too and if I'm going to have a convertible, its going to need a metal roof, as my manor isn't particularly safe and it'll be parked on the street. I'm also looking at the 2 litre model as insurance for me is high and as my last car was a 1.4 VW polo, I'm not exactly the worlds biggest adrenalin junky and think the step up from my last car will be sufficient! All in all, I'm very excited to get out there and find the right car before the summer hits (read two days on sunshine in 3 months of drizzle)
It seems my choices appear to be varied, from one or two 45k miles SLK year 2000 models at £3-4k to year 2002-2004 models with 70-80k on the clock for £4-£5k.
My two questions are:
- Is there much difference in the cars produced over those years (I know there was a facelift in 2000) i.e. better to get a newer model even if more miles? Or little difference?
- This problem with rust which seems to plague many cars (judging by these forums) but far from all... What should I look for when at dealers/viewing private sales? What are the easiest found tell tales with hidden rust problems? I'm not the most knowledgeable man in the automotive sense and was hoping someone might be able to tell me what to look for and avoid when buying (hopefully) a lovely old SLK.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Tom.
I stumbled across some very helpful and interesting forum posts on here regarding Mk1 SLKs and problems with rust. I was hoping for some advice on approaching buying a second hand mk1 (06-2004) SLK. Specifically the facelift version. I'm looking for a R170 2002-2004 model. I am aware I need to be on the look out for rust problems.
I'm looking to buy a MK1 as I always loved the lean, simple shape of the late 90s SL and SLK class (before the rounded merc headlights and shape came) in when I was younger as a teen and think its aged beautifully. Asking around and reading user reviews on Auto Trader, the car has a generally pretty great write up as a second hand buy. I live in central-east london too and if I'm going to have a convertible, its going to need a metal roof, as my manor isn't particularly safe and it'll be parked on the street. I'm also looking at the 2 litre model as insurance for me is high and as my last car was a 1.4 VW polo, I'm not exactly the worlds biggest adrenalin junky and think the step up from my last car will be sufficient! All in all, I'm very excited to get out there and find the right car before the summer hits (read two days on sunshine in 3 months of drizzle)
It seems my choices appear to be varied, from one or two 45k miles SLK year 2000 models at £3-4k to year 2002-2004 models with 70-80k on the clock for £4-£5k.
My two questions are:
- Is there much difference in the cars produced over those years (I know there was a facelift in 2000) i.e. better to get a newer model even if more miles? Or little difference?
- This problem with rust which seems to plague many cars (judging by these forums) but far from all... What should I look for when at dealers/viewing private sales? What are the easiest found tell tales with hidden rust problems? I'm not the most knowledgeable man in the automotive sense and was hoping someone might be able to tell me what to look for and avoid when buying (hopefully) a lovely old SLK.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Tom.