Help with Options

[donaldc]

Hi Folks,

My first post! :grin:

I ordered a SLK350 last April 2004 for delivery March 2005, but had to cancel in Feb because of serious ill health. Local dealer was very understanding and I got my deposit back. Anyway, most of my health problems are now being treated and I was hoping to order a new SLK 280. Local dealer has lead times of over a year, but I have found a dealer that has a slot in October if I order this week. I am trying to finalise the options on the car and I'm trying to pick the options that I will enjoy and will give me a good resale value in 3 or 4 years time. I am also trying to keep the cost of the car realistice as the options are very expensive! I am amazed that leather is not standard!!

Anyway, here's my initial spec:-
SLK 280, Black Leather, Silver Iridium Metallic, Heated Seats, Airscarf, Remote Roof Operation, Upgrade to 17" Alloys and Wind Deflector.

Biggest question is:-
Do I need to get the 7 speed auto for future residuals and is it worth an extra
£1900 (approx) or should I stick with the 6 speed manual?

Should I also go for the Bi-Xenon? Also expensive.

Is the 6 disc CD Changer worth it? (Can it be retro-fitted?)

Is the rain sensor worth an extra £90?

Any other advice or comments about options would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Donald

 

[Geezer]

Don't bother with the key remote for the roof as it is pretty useless IMO.

 

[DC_insider]

I would opt for:

Metallic
Leather
Auto
Airscarf
Heated seats
17" alloys
Wind deflector
CD Changer


I wouldn't opt for the bi-xenons.

 

[littlebrooklyn]

I have no idea what a lot of those things are, but from what I have read on here I would definately go for leather and auto too :grin:

 

[Tony]

The only way to choose between the auto (be it 7 speed or otherwise) and manual is to test drive one. The only advice you'll ever get on the various forums and from dealers is to buy an auto because you can't sell a manual. Not many of the people giving this advice have ever driven a manual. I have a manual SLK (R170) and while it's not the best manual in the world it's better than the auto IMO. The manual on the new version is said to be better because of the rod linkage (instead of cable) and all the reviews I've read are very favourable. Clarkson absolutely panned the 7 speed auto because it just spent all its time slurring between gears. VBH on 5th gear also said it was useless. But it's your choice - don't let someone else choose for you. The main problem you'll have is finding a manual to test drive because most of the dealers think it's just a figment of the marketing men's imagination so that they can quote a lower list price. The dealers aren't really aware that Mercedes actually build manual cars. I personally think a 2 seater sports car with a torque convertor is something of a joke. Now DSG is another matter.

 

[pascal]

First on my list AUTO

Heated Leather second

These two would be a must for most buyers when you go to sell it on.

Silver is Safe for resale.

Personally I think at 90 quid, the rain sensor is great value, especially for the drizley rain we get in western Europe. (I use it all the time, and the only people who seem to critizie it is those who do not have it)

Any of the other options you choose or not, should not make too much difference when its time to sell. Comand may make a difference, but it is so expensive in the first place, I would omit it unless I really wanted it for myself.

Pascal

PS: If money is no object get everything.

 

[Myros]

I wish

they had done a manual box for my 500SL. I have one on the C280 and I think it rocks. I can change gear better than any auto, I've had more practice. Having said that, autos are nice in traffic.

 

[The Editor]

Also bear in mind that more and more luxury/sports vehicles are now being fitted with sat nav as standard.

When it comes to someone looking around to buy a secondhand vehicle - if it doesn't have satnav people are walking away !!

Just something to consider......................

 

[pascal]

I don't know about them walking away (some probably).

But I know that most people would not go to see the car in the first place if it was a manual.

Of course my paticular car was not even made in manual.
Am driving autos for 10 years now (3 MBs) dad 9 years (3 MBs) mum 2 years (non MB), and would even consider a manual, even if it was 3k less. I wouldn't pay any more than a grand (probably less) for comand in a newish car, if all other things were equal.

Drove someone elses manual in and out of the city centre last week. Got caught in 'stop-start' traffic on way out. What an uncomfortable drive.

That is why statistics state that few auto drivers ever go back to manual.
Autoboxes have come a long way since petrol loving 3 speeds of the 70s. In actual fact the SL280 V6 which was available in manual, had worse MPG figuires than the equivalent 5speed auto.

...........Just something to consider

Pascal

 

[donaldc]

Thanks for the good advice and comments folks.
I always like to ask and listen to other people's opinions and insights before making a decision. I'm really pushing the boat out to get this car and I want to make sure I get value for money when it comes to options. :-D


I'm absolutely set on the silver metallic, black heated leather, 6CD, airscarf, 17" alloys and wind deflector.

I'm close to being persuaded on the rain sensors - partly out of curiosity and partly because they are only £90.

I'm veering away from the remote roof control because I've read it's useless unless only 2ft away from the car with the key pointing at the sensor.

Tony I'm coming from an Audi TT and would love to have a DSG enabled SLK :grin:

I have driven a manual SLK200 and a 7spd SLK350 last year for a short test drive and I thought both were good. Didn't have chance to push them because of the rush hour traffic. Local dealer doesn't have more demos for a while. I enjoy driving and I live on the edge of the countryside and go for drives around Loch Lomond and the Trossachs regularly so I'm sure I would be happy with 6speeder - it's just this mindset with MB owners and autos that has me worried about future resale! In 3 years, people won't remember what VBH and Clarkson said about the auto. Sportcars should be manual but I'm worried this is THE exception! What a dilemna :?

Are the standard headlamps good enough to forego Bi-Xenon? This would save me quite a bit of money and may push me towards an Auto.

Keep the comments coming....
Cheers
Donald

 

[SLinKyjoe]

forget the lamps...standard good enough....

auto manual. you choose...neither will affect resale...the roof remote wiilll for some reason the 2nd hand market needs to have this pointless gadget...£90 so put it on....same as rain sensing wipers...needless but the follow on buyers want it...

the rest is okay....

one way to find out which option is second hand value is to look at the balloon payment finance package quote..they take into consideration for final payment, the options...the options that sell..not the ones that dont...

 

[davidsl500]

Sportcars should be manual but I'm worried this is THE exception! What a dilemna :?

Keep the comments coming....
Cheers
Donald

tut tut Donaldc ! The SLK (and the SL) are Roadsters not Sports cars and thats why you should go for the automatic !! At the end of the day the 7spd is both - fully auto mode for lazing around and the traffic jams and switch to tip when you want to re-live your boy racing days......

 

[littlebrooklyn]

First on my list AUTO

Heated Leather second

These two would be a must for most buyers when you go to sell it on.

Silver is Safe for resale.

Personally I think at 90 quid, the rain sensor is great value, especially for the drizley rain we get in western Europe. (I use it all the time, and the only people who seem to critizie it is those who do not have it)

Any of the other options you choose or not, should not make too much difference when its time to sell. Comand may make a difference, but it is so expensive in the first place, I would omit it unless I really wanted it for myself.

Pascal

PS: If money is no object get everything.

I agree with most of that, but I still don't like silver, sorry but everyone seems to have silver these days :lol:

 

[pascal]

EM,

Lyn, I said silver was safe. That does not mean I would buy the silver car, but the SLK (R171) does look 'nice' in silver.

 

[fernar]

While silver is nice and safe - I think black looks better. Also Xenon lights are very good if you drive a lot on unlit roads in the dark - otherwise dont bother. If you do a lot of driving to places you are not familar with I would really recomend that you opt for COMMAND

 

[littlebrooklyn]

EM,

Lyn, I said silver was safe. That does not mean I would buy the silver car, but the SLK (R171) does look 'nice' in silver.

Well as we all know safe isn't always best. We went down to our Dealership today and it was like a tide of silver, soooooo boring. The blues and the blacks do stand out far more. I guess a few years ago before every tom, dick and harry suddenly went out and bought a silver car, a silver mercedes stood out, but I don't think they do now.

 

[SLinKyjoe]

EM,

Lyn, I said silver was safe. That does not mean I would buy the silver car, but the SLK (R171) does look 'nice' in silver.

It looks nice in BLACK was what you meant to say.....

 

[littlebrooklyn]

It looks nice in BLACK was what you meant to say.....

I take it yours is black then Joe....your car that is

 

[donaldc]

Well I've gone and done it! :grin:

Here's the order - you might find some of your advice and comments within my order!

Silver Iridium SLK 280 with AUTO
Black Leather Heated Seats
17" Alloys
Airscarf
Rain Sensors
Remote Roof Operation
Wind Deflector
6 CD Changer
Cupholders

Arrives mid-September delivered to my door.

Thanks for all the help and advice - I'm sure you'll see and hear more from menow on!

To tie up some loose thoughts in my head..
Does the standard light pod look the same as the Xenon light pod? If different does enyone have pics comparing them?
The (607) 17" alloys are the standard ones from the SLK 350, but I REALLY like the diamond cut (639) ones which come with sports suspension, BUT I don't want lowered suspension. There are too many speed humps around where I stay and I have a sloped kerb in front of my driveway. Does anyone know if the these alloys are available instead of the ones I've ordered.
Probably the most important question - does anyone know much about this new 3.0 (280 model) litre engine? Is it a good one - any reviews?

Thanks again
Donald

 

[SLinKyjoe]

well done...both options on wheels should be available without sports suspension...go see your dealer...

the lights look the same...but the fog lamp comes on when you turn a corner with the bi-xenon jobs......comepletly pointless unless, as a previous posts suggests, you drive on unlit roads....and even then......

not heated seats? cant wait till winter.....


and mines black....my car thats is..(For Lyn)