SLK as second (Non daily commuter) car?

Teri De

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Hi,

I’m new to the Forum. I’m not a petrol head or similar, so forgive my simplistic questions here.

I’m considering buying a second car (not a daily commute) for nice occasions, trips to the coast, country rides out etc.

Had considered an Audi TT but read too many stories about unreliability, warning lights forever coming on etc. Plus don’t like the binary options of coupe or ragtop.

I’ve been considering the SLK coz it has the hard top but can covert to a ‘top down’ convertible. But always but Japanese before, never German and certainly know absolutely nothing about Mercedes. With this in mind I have a few questions for you knowledgeable Mercedes people:

1. As a second (luxury) (garaged) car, would the SLK be a good choice?
2. If so, which model?
3. Petrol or diesel? (Been looking at the BlueEfficiency models?)
4. Which is least problematic?
5. Do the SLKs generally have a good reliability record? (Assuming regular servicing etc?)
6. I’m thinking no older than 14/15 regs, with Full Service histories, mileage anything up to about 80,000 (I would anticipate doin less than 5000 p/a). I have a budget up to £11,500.
7. Any common problems to be aware of?
8. Any issues re build quality? (Bodywork, rust etc)?
9. Do all models have a belt or do some have chain? Which is better?
10. Better to buy from main (Mercedes dealer) or elsewhere?
11. What could I expect a service to cost me?
12. Would there be any problems as a result of not using such a car regularly? (I.e not daily). I had a sports car which I used in same way..... garaged and on ‘trickle charge’ when not in use. The SLK would be same.
13. Insurance looks ok coz I’m mid 60’s, but what is lowest tax model?

Sorry for any naivety in my questions. Me being naive is why I need your help lol.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Tim
 

Blobcat

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Hello and welcome

Buy a V6 petrol and use as a daily

I’ve been doing that for 18 months
 

Blobcat

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JBell

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RhodieBill

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Hello and welcome.....

Afraid I cannot advise on the newer SLK's other than they look great! (I have the first generation facelift model).

But I will definitely advise one thing, and that is take some that is familiar with Mercedes with you- absolutely!!!

Good luck! :)
 

vtaylor78

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Hello Tim, welcome to the forum.

1- Yes definitely.
2-I would say petrol all day long, 250/350, 200 a bit under powered.
3- As above.
4- As with any car, as long as it has decent S/H it should be fine.
5-Yes, most definitely.
6- Your budget would give you a Good choice of 172s, with sensible mileage.
7- SWMBO has a 12 plate 172, we are experiencing water Ingres, common apparently on early 172s, so check that well as the “Hot Wax” fix is expensive. Other than that nothing to report.
8-As above on early 172s.
9- Hopefully someone else can help with this one as I’m not 100% sure ?
10- You will pay more at a main agent , but have the back up (Hopefully) of a warranty etc. I wouldn’t discount other non Mercedes garages as long as the vehicle has decent history.
11- Depending on A/B service I’d estimate £200 / £300, extra for things like ATF, break fluid etc.
12- I wouldn’t foresee any issues.
13- I would imagine the lowest tax model would be a 200 CDI .

Good luck in your search, A Good choice imho.
Cheers
Vince.
 
OP
T

Teri De

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Hello Tim, welcome to the forum.

1- Yes definitely.
2-I would say petrol all day long, 250/350, 200 a bit under powered.
3- As above.
4- As with any car, as long as it has decent S/H it should be fine.
5-Yes, most definitely.
6- Your budget would give you a Good choice of 172s, with sensible mileage.
7- SWMBO has a 12 plate 172, we are experiencing water Ingres, common apparently on early 172s, so check that well as the “Hot Wax” fix is expensive. Other than that nothing to report.
8-As above on early 172s.
9- Hopefully someone else can help with this one as I’m not 100% sure ?
10- You will pay more at a main agent , but have the back up (Hopefully) of a warranty etc. I wouldn’t discount other non Mercedes garages as long as the vehicle has decent history.
11- Depending on A/B service I’d estimate £200 / £300, extra for things like ATF, break fluid etc.
12- I wouldn’t foresee any issues.
13- I would imagine the lowest tax model would be a 200 CDI .

Good luck in your search, A Good choice imho.
Cheers
Vince.
Thanks Vince, much appreciate your responses to my individual questions... Thank you.

Tim
 

jp williams

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Thanks Vince, much appreciate your responses to my individual questions... Thank you.

Tim
I would recommend that you look at a Lexus IS C from a Lexus dealer. Very reliable and has a steel roof as does the SLK.
 
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Teri De

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Tha
Hello and welcome.....

Afraid I cannot advise on the newer SLK's other than they look great! (I have the first generation facelift model).

But I will definitely advise one thing, and that is take some that is familiar with Mercedes with you- absolutely!!!

Good luck! :)
Thank you; I’ll do that.
 
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Teri De

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Hello and welcome

Buy a V6 petrol and use as a daily

I’ve been doing that for 18 months
Thank you. I’m happy with my cheap daily car. Just wanted a bit of luxury for leisure purposes really.

Thank you

Tim
 

Blobcat

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Thank you. I’m happy with my cheap daily car. Just wanted a bit of luxury for leisure purposes really.

Thank you

Tim
My point was that they're good enough to do both
 

A.J.

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Hi Tim, welcome to the forum :)
 

Blobcat

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I would recommend that you look at a Lexus IS C from a Lexus dealer. Very reliable and has a steel roof as does the SLK.
I suppose one of the benefits to that option is that when you're sat in it you can't see it :D:p
 

rorywquin

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In Australia I had a R172 SLK350 (and the right weather). It was a daily driver. I did about 45,000km (trouble free) in it and never grew tired of driving it. When we moved back here, I'd intended to replace it with a 55 but my wife insisted on "something bigger" as we do long trips.

Test drive a few and see how you fit - I'm 6'2' and the R171 was too small but the R172 was very comfortable and a super car to own and drive.
 

LostKiwi

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Hmmm. Not a fan of that. The dash looks awful. Still it's a damn site getter looking than the SC range.

OP - as mentioned get a 6 cylinder version - smoother, more refined and not that much worse on fuel. Personally I would avoid a diesel as in my view a diesel doesn't suit the character of the car.
All SLKs use cam chains but historically the 4 cylinder engines have had more issues than y or 8 cylinder variants. That said the R172 versions aren't as troublesome as earlier ones.
 

Chrishazle

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Just arranged to swop my 1993 Porsche 968 tip cab for a 2008 R171 facelift SLK280 in Fire Opal Red (with perfect paintwork!) so I'm biased!! That V6 is lovely, but you have to do your research to make sure the engine number is away from the rpoblem area, which mine is.
 


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