SLK v CLK

[Jakal]

Hi Everybody, new to this forum, not had the joy of a Mercedes yet but am looking to indulge myself.

I'm considering to start with either a SLK or a CLK, about 8/9 years old (prefer the old style) about £10k.
Can anyone give me some pro's and con's, best models to get, things to look for.
I'm particularly interested to know if there is much difference in road noise between the hard and soft top?

Thanks in advance,

Jon

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome,

How many seats do you need? I can recommend an R171 in V6 form

 

[Trev1964]

Hello and welcome,

How many seats do you need? I can recommend an R171 in V6 form

I can also recommend these.
I had a SLK 350, a 2006 model.
Hell of a car. I loved it.

 

[sonic]

We have had two of each all great cars. SLK is a sports cars 2 seats, not a lot of space if touring. CLK 4 seats loads of space, & a very good long distance tourer. I have done several 700 miles in a day drives in the CLK, no problem at all. Only had the CLK in a coupe hardtop version.
Think about your type of journeys short round town then petrol, long distance loads of miles then diesel.
The V6 petrol is very nice in the SLK & only uses slightly more fuel than the 4 cylinder 1800.
The V6 petrol is also nice in the CLK. I had a CLK270CDI might be a bit old for your spec but they go for ever.

 

[grahamcol]

Hi and welcome. I have both, although my SLK is older as it's a first generation facelift R170. Both are great cars. The CLK l have is a coupe and they're very nice, well built comfortable cars in my opinion. If looking for a CLK l would definately go for a facelift version (from around late 05 l believe) and watch out for electrical / electronic glitches. Mercs don't like a bad battery, although l have to say the original battery on my CLK lasted around 13 years!

 

[dry run]

Welcome

 

[JBell]

I would look at something like this

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Although this look nice and going by the description it has been VERY well maintained

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

 

[antijam]

I've had a 2003 R170 SLK320 for the past 14 years and despite subsequently acquiring a Mustang GT and a C3 Corvette, I can't bring myself to part with it. The M112 V6 engine is one of Mercedes best and despite its configuration is both powerful and turbine smooth. The R170 is probably older than you want but now they're cheap as chips and with plenty around a good one should be easy to find. The smaller supercharged SLK200 and SLK230 are only marginally less powerful but that power delivery is less refined. Boot space with that wonderful top down is limited but I've toured the Continent in mine with careful packing.
Despite being built during Mercedes 'quality hiatus' build standard is good although rust can be a problem - wheel arches and a patch on the boot lid are common areas.
Whichever SLK you go for that convertible 'tin top' gives you cabrio comfort or fresh air at the touch of a button and cabin noise in both configurations is minimal (make sure if you buy one it comes with the wind deflector) - brilliant!

 

[coxyhog]

My previous car was a CLK 320CDI Sport & I can thoroughly recommend it.I drove it to Sweden via Calais & when I got home it'd averaged around 37mpg for the trip & I wasn't hanging around,had 155mph indicated on the autobahn & it was still accelerating when I had to slow down for traffic.

 

[A.J.]

Hi and welcome to the forum

The folding Tin Top is the quieter of the two certainly, I have had both and with the Rag Top you do get a some movement which creates a buffeting sound. However the Rag Top is often more water tight, people have had issues with the Tin Top leaking water.

Different car I know but I had a VW Eos that was so bad I just had to get rid of it, it just drove me crazy there didn’t seem to be any solution to it

 

[Blobcat]

Hi and welcome to the forum

The folding Tin Top is the quieter of the two certainly, I have had both and with the Rag Top you do get a some movement which creates a buffeting sound. However the Rag Top is often more water tight, people have had issues with the Tin Top leaking water.

Different car I know but I had a VW Eos that was so bad I just had to get rid of it, it just drove me crazy there didn’t seem to be any solution to it

Good thing is SLK's don't leak, just lubricate and feed the seals and they stay nice and dry

 

[Mark A]

Depends on what you want the car for.

I have had SLK350 and CLK430 convertibles in the past. If you want spirited short drives the SLK is great, but if you want to do long runs in comfort CLK every time.

 

[A.J.]

Good thing is SLK's don't leak, just lubricate and feed the seals and they stay nice and dry

I did that constantly on the Eos but it made no difference at all

I am at the moment looking at a 2018 SLC, I will be very disappointed if that turns out to leak

 

[Blobcat]

Depends on what you want the car for.

I have had SLK350 and CLK430 convertibles in the past. If you want spirited short drives the SLK is great, but if you want to do long runs in comfort CLK every time.

I used to drive Aberdeen to Portsmouth in my SLK - no comfort issues at all - 16" wheels with a decent sidewall helps... (I might have mentioned that before on the forum... once or twice...)