Just placed at deposit on a SLK-280 (2008) advice please.

[True romance]

Hi guys,
Just placed a deposit down on a SLK-280 (2008 update) and would like to know what you all think, are there any issues that are a concern? What's fuel economy like in the real world (not that I do many miles anyway) and with the snow recently how did the car performed? Anything else you can think of that might help would be appreciated.

This is my first Mercedes so I'm hoping for good things, so far the buying process as been very good. Got a good price (well I'm happy with it) and the dealer has been excellent, couldn't do enough for us. The question is....what are they like after they have taken your money?

Cheers,
TR.

 

[st4]

Nice cars, but I wouldn't expect much of it in the snow. Have you driven the car or one like it yet, what rivals did you look @ (Boxster, Z4 etc)

Depends on the dealer once the money is taken, some are better than others.

Welcome BTW

 

[True romance]

Yes gave it a good test drive, the weather was dry so lots of grip, not sure how it will handle in slippery conditions. Did look at Z4's but they look pants inside and the running cost on a Porsche would be to much for me. The SLK I've ordered is fully loaded with almost every extra...list price would have been £40k+!! The only thing not upgraded is the wheels! still got the standard 16" on. I will run the tyres down and then swap to some 18" or 19" rims.

TR.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

The only thing not upgraded is the wheels! still got the standard 16" on. I will run the tyres down and then swap to some 18" or 19" rims.
TR.

Hello and welcome - you lucky person.

Although it is a decision you don't need to make for some time, it would be worth having a ride in a similar car with larger rims before committing.

There are some threads on this forum which include the effects of rim size, and the risk of rim damage which seems to be a possibility with lower profile tyres (pot holes, kerb damage). (use the "search" facility in the menu bar above the topics box) They may also make the ride much harder. Worth a thought before progressing the idea.

 

[st4]

Yes gave it a good test drive, the weather was dry so lots of grip, not sure how it will handle in slippery conditions. Did look at Z4's but they look pants inside and the running cost on a Porsche would be to much for me. The SLK I've ordered is fully loaded with almost every extra...list price would have been £40k+!! The only thing not upgraded is the wheels! still got the standard 16" on. I will run the tyres down and then swap to some 18" or 19" rims.

TR.

An MB main dealer servicing ain't cheap, and is much higher than a BMW. Still its the only 2 seat convertible (bar the SL) with a folding roof and it has good all season practicality.

With 16" wheels it will be better in the ice/snow etc than if it had larger rims. I'd add to Alex's advice that if you do go for the larger wheels, that you keep the 16's and put winter tyres on them, and keep them for weather thats sh*tty.

 

[True romance]

Hello and welcome - you lucky person.

Although it is a decision you don't need to make for some time, it would be worth having a ride in a similar car with larger rims before committing.

There are some threads on this forum which include the effects of rim size, and the risk of rim damage which seems to be a possibility with lower profile tyres (pot holes, kerb damage). (use the "search" facility in the menu bar above the topics box) They may also make the ride much harder. Worth a thought before progressing the idea.

Hi thanks for the reply. I'm P/X my civic type R so know all about hard rides!!! Just think the car looks lost with the 16" rims on...need the arches filling. but that's going to be next year now. providing I'm not divorced and living in a council flat, the wife not to please with my choice of car as we have a small child so it means I will be cruising on my own (lol)

 

[True romance]

An MB main dealer servicing ain't cheap, and is much higher than a BMW. Still its the only 2 seat convertible (bar the SL) with a folding roof and it has good all season practicality.

With 16" wheels it will be better in the ice/snow etc than if it had larger rims. I'd add to Alex's advice that if you do go for the larger wheels, that you keep the 16's and put winter tyres on them, and keep them for weather thats sh*tty.

Thanks, that's a good idea to keep the old 16" wheels for the winter, was just thinking what I was going to do with them.
TR.

 

[television]

Hello and welcome,,pleased that you are buying such a nice car, I too only buy a car that has everything.

Re the wheels, as you increase the diameter, so the side wall has to drop to compensatethe 16" wheels could have 205 x 55 or 225 x 45 and these give a sidewall height of 10.1cm if you went up to 18" the tyres would be 225 x 40 and the side wall will have dropped to 9cm, 19" with 225 x 35 gives you 7.8cm, So you have lost almost an inch, and the ride can get hard

 

[True romance]

Hello and welcome,,pleased that you are buying such a nice car, I too only buy a car that has everything.

Re the wheels, as you increase the diameter, so the side wall has to drop to compensatethe 16" wheels could have 205 x 55 or 225 x 45 and these give a sidewall height of 10.1cm if you went up to 18" the tyres would be 225 x 40 and the side wall will have dropped to 9cm, 19" with 225 x 35 gives you 7.8cm, So you have lost almost an inch, and the ride can get hard

yes all very true......but 16" wheels as standard is imo just way to get new buyers to upgrade. My car is ex Mercedes hence the reason it still has the 16" wheels on.

Cheers,
TR.

 

[television]

I think that the right style 17" would be OK, maybe 18" but not 19" they have to be over inflated to stop rim damage

I am putting 19" on my SL500 this week, but I have changed the tyres size to keep a decent ride.

when you are in your MB dealers, pick up the alloy wheel book (free) they have all of the styles in them

 

[Dave's E55 AMG]

Hi guys,
Just placed a deposit down on a SLK-280 (2008 update) and would like to know what you all think, are there any issues that are a concern? What's fuel economy like in the real world (not that I do many miles anyway) and with the snow recently how did the car performed? Anything else you can think of that might help would be appreciated.

This is my first Mercedes so I'm hoping for good things, so far the buying process as been very good. Got a good price (well I'm happy with it) and the dealer has been excellent, couldn't do enough for us. The question is....what are they like after they have taken your money?

Cheers,
TR.

It's a bit late now, your supposed to ask before you commit.

Should be a great little car

 

[True romance]

It's a bit late now, your supposed to ask before you commit.

Should be a great little car

yes I know but got caught up in the moment....this is a dream car for me so just went for it before I changed my mind.

 

[dava]

Hi and welcome. Like you I have a R171, in black, when I bought mine there was only the 200 or the 350 option available and I really weighed up the options of both and the 200 won. However, when I change it, it will be the 280, or a boxster, waiting to see what the new model looks like, the only option I dont have is command and to be honest, I thought it was over priced for what it was at the time. The thing that puts me off Porsche is the luggage space, virtually non existant, where as the SLK has a totally acceptable boot space even with the roof down. As for the snow, leave it at home, it's a sunny day car.

 

[st4]

Hi and welcome. Like you I have a R171, in black, when I bought mine there was only the 200 or the 350 option available and I really weighed up the options of both and the 200 won. However, when I change it, it will be the 280, or a boxster, waiting to see what the new model looks like, the only option I dont have is command and to be honest, I thought it was over priced for what it was at the time. The thing that puts me off Porsche is the luggage space, virtually non existant, where as the SLK has a totally acceptable boot space even with the roof down. As for the snow, leave it at home, it's a sunny day car.

You're not Candy from the "other place" are you? If you're not then there was this poster who went through the exact same buying process as you and went for a 200. She seemed to love the car.

With SL values plummeting I might advise that they are worth a look for someone going for a medium to high end SLK.

 

[dava]

You're not Candy from the "other place" are you? If you're not then there was this poster who went through the exact same buying process as you and went for a 200. She seemed to love the car.

With SL values plummeting I might advise that they are worth a look for someone going for a medium to high end SLK.

Nope, Dava on there as well and every where else. The other thing was the 350 was 10k more, group 18 insurance, 200 12, 142 top speed 350 155, MPG 200 about 30, 350 18/20, which realy means nothing in that I've only done 20k in four years, but I decided to up the spec as opposed to the engine. A few things I felt were value for money, heated seats, a dream, sports suspension, auto wipers, although I had a huge issue with them when it came, they wernt fitted??? Parking sensors, would not be with out them now, key that makes the roof come down, waste of £90, no more than a gimick you show your freinds once and feel a prat. Save some cash and buy the plastic wind sheild the cloth one is all but useless.

 

[True romance]

OK guys finally got my car today, the DVLA messed up my plate transfer hence the delay! anyway my thoughts so far...........LOVE IT. gave it 3 coats of wax this morning, had a few hours driving and have been sat in it for the last 3 hours playing with all the toys. Will try and get some pic's up soon. Roll on summer......oh scrub that, got air scarf fitted so can use it open top all year

 

[power-steering]

Love the car.. .never driven so can't comment much but it looks TOP!

Congratz & Welcome to ****

 

[power-steering]

you've filted "M B O C" aka mercedes-benz owners club?? lol

 

[television]

, had a few hours driving and have been sat in it for the last 3 hours playing with all the toys. Will try and get some pic's up soon. Roll on summer......oh scrub that, got air scarf fitted so can use it open top all year

Many of have sat in their cars for hours on the first day, I spent the night in mine

 

[True romance]

Many of have sat in their cars for hours on the first day, I spent the night in mine

wow that's some problem you have there.....have you sought medical help???