I've got no idea what I'm looking for...

JDSLK

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Hi everyone!

I've just registered on the forum as I'm looking at buying an old SLK but, as soon as I start looking at cars I go cross eyed and pass out. If I could pick some brains that would be great!

First of all I'm looking at the slk 230 for around £6500 (ish) and I was wondering what the gear box options are. Ideally I would like an auto with the option of taking control of the gears if I wanted to be more interactive. Whats the best option/is it possible?

Are there many faults with the folding roofs? Do I have to sell a kidney if it goes wrong?

What are they like to live with as an every day car?

I guess what I'm asking is can you guys and gals educate me with enough info not to get completely stitched up when I buy this car :)

Thanks

Jon
 

Miffy

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CLK 320 CAB Elegance C208
Welcome to the forum. I am sure you will get many replies to this as we have quite a few loyal slk owners here
 

television

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Welcome Jon to the forum :D:D

For the year of car that you are buying there should be no roof problems this went away on the early cars after they were modified.

A tiptronic box would let you have control of the gears, for the rest lets hope that some owners reply
 
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JDSLK

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Wow! Thanks for the welcome and the speedy replies! This is gonna sounds silly but how does the tiptronic box work? It is just a sequential option on the box?

J
 

television

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Wow! Thanks for the welcome and the speedy replies! This is gonna sounds silly but how does the tiptronic box work? It is just a sequential option on the box?

J

I would not go for the sequencial box,,its only an manual box automated.

With the tiptronic, you just knock the shift lever to the left, and it will change down, to go down 2 gears, knock it twice, and the same goes for changing up, just knock it to the right
 
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JDSLK

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That sounds just the ticket! Thanks for the info!

J
 

hawk20

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ML250 BlueTEC Sport
MB website has useful search engine and if you buy MB approved used you get a full 12 month warranty. Plenty of time for any problems you find to be put right.
 

teddycatkin

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W107-SL W124-220te W123-230e W201 2.0
Take a lot of time before buying-seach all advertising sales and as much advice as you can --to get a good car that you can be pleased with should take 6-12 months of searching --do not buy the 1st one you see !--see at least 10 that way you will begin to know whats a good standard to expect.--Everyone selling will tell you its a great car but you need to judge for yourself.
The sequencial--this is a nice toy if you like changing gear yourself a lot-not really needed during normal driving--and you can do the same on any auto by moving gearshift up and down instead of nudging it left and right.
 
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antijam

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2003 SLK320
Buy the August issue of Mercedes Enthusiast

Go for a post 2000 'face-lift' car. This sorted out quite a few problems with the earlier cars. You can tell these by the indicator repeaters in the wing mirrors.

Good Luck.
 

Lisa Jayne

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1998 SLK 230K & 2003 ML270 CDI Inspiration
Hi everyone!

I've just registered on the forum as I'm looking at buying an old SLK but, as soon as I start looking at cars I go cross eyed and pass out. If I could pick some brains that would be great!

First of all I'm looking at the slk 230 for around £6500 (ish) and I was wondering what the gear box options are. Ideally I would like an auto with the option of taking control of the gears if I wanted to be more interactive. Whats the best option/is it possible?

Are there many faults with the folding roofs? Do I have to sell a kidney if it goes wrong?

What are they like to live with as an every day car?

I guess what I'm asking is can you guys and gals educate me with enough info not to get completely stitched up when I buy this car :)

Thanks

Jon

Hi Jon and welcome,

I have had my '98 SLK now for 4 months and love it :D

As an every day car it's perfect - not too juicy on petrol, the choice of roof on or off at a touch of a button and I can still get shopping in the boot with the roof down! If you drop the roof often like I do, you shouldn't have too much trouble with it, I think its when it is not used often that the switches can play up...........make sure you check that the roof operates quietly and smoothly (about 25 secs open/close) before parting with your pennies. Also worth checking the spare wheel area for water ingress as this can upset the board that operates the roof and can prove costly, but there is a simple preventative fix that I am sure someone can explain better than me.......
 
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JDSLK

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Perfect! Thanks for all the replies! I will keep you all posted and I'm sure there will be hundreds more questions!

Jon
 

coventryslk

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W204 CDI Sport
buy a 2000 onwards. 2002 for £6500. Great cars. Manual is good once you get used to it
 
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JDSLK

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Thanks for the info guys! I have been driving a manual 2.0 litre diesel for the last few years so I'm used to the gearbox. Just being a lazy git to be honest :)
 

wiltsandy

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2001 230K SLK
I've only just spotted this thread but to add my two-penneth....

If you're looking at the facelift model with the 230 engine, have a good check for oil in the engine loom. I didn't and ended up spending quite a bit of time trying to sort it out. There are lots of threads on here about it.

Make sure the roof and all the electrics work correctly. I believe the PSE unit was turned over on the facelift model so that shouldn't cause problems.

Mine's not my everyday car but it is really easy to live with. On average I get about 30mpg with up to 34 on a good run.

It's a great car so good luck in your search.

HTH
 
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JDSLK

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Thanks everyone! Still looking for my new baby but will keep you all posted.

:cool:
 


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