looking for advice on buying an SLK.

[thinkingofbuyinganslk]

Hi

I'm thinking of buying an SLK roadster first generation.

can anyone advise me on the good points and bad points of buying an SLK please. I have had Lotus's in the past and wish i'd looked into them before i bought it.

any help, advise or comments positive or negative will be gladly received.

Thanks

 

[television]

Hello and welcome to the MB forum,,hopefuly you should get a few answers ,,I have a good check list somewhere and I will try and find it and post back

 

[antijam]

Honest John gives a fair summary of the pros and cons
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=239

From personal experience I would say make sure you know what you're looking for in a two seater. Never mind what the figures might say, you are not going to burn off Porsche Boxsters, BMW Z4's or even Audi TT's in any of the variants - the recirculating ball steering militates against that. It's not exactly dead, but it's certainly numb....
As a touring roadster rather than an out and out sportscar it's superb, and that tin roof is brilliant up or down - do check it works reliably as microswitches are known to fail with lack of use, and time it, it should take around 25 seconds to stow.
I'd advise treating 'overwheeled' cars with caution. Mine came with 18" AMG lookalikes instead of the standard 16's. These look superb but tramline horribly with the Pirelli's fitted.
I followed the old M-B rule of 'never buy a Mercedes with cloth trim or a manual box' . Most people either love or hate Tiptronic transmission - I'm among the former and matched with the V6 320 it's effortless and very fast in 'manual' mode.
Many first generation SLK's fall within the now postponed increased road tax charges. I've just retaxed mine at £210 instead of the £400 the chancellor had threatened. This Draconian increase is likely to depress prices further in the already parlous financial climate, so you ought to have quite a choice of a super car at very reasonable price with a build quality that puts B*W to shame...

 

[antijam]

...I've just remembered there was a brief (and not very informative) piece on buying the R170 SLK230 in 'Mercedes Enthusiast' magazine for August '08.
The same mag is promising an article on the SLK320 in the Feb '09 issue - out next week.

 

[dava]

230 is the best all rounder, some had garish interiors and check for the roof operating ok.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

Hi
I'm thinking of buying an SLK roadster first generation.

Hello and welcome.

I don't have an SLK but one concern I have heard voiced is on the integrity (reliability, weatherproofness) of the earlier folding hardtops. This may or may not be an issue, but I suspect member comments from the forum might be the best source of experience on this point?

 

[Stu_CDX]

Save some more pennies and get a more reliable Mercedes 300SL. Lol.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

Save some more pennies and get a more reliable Mercedes 300SL. Lol.

Not a bad idea. There are lots about at present (R129s, late 1990s, up to the end of the model run). Many with low miles and good provenance and at less money than SLKs, or comparable. Folding softtop is excellent, especially if you can find a car with a new one. Hardtop is easy to fit/remove and is very snug and quiet. Just requires a bit of space for storage when off. Mechanically they are well thought of.

 

[Stu_CDX]

You'll get more toys on an SL too. More refined, more "MERC" like and they have more presence on the road.

I don't really like the SLK as they were one of the first Merc's to get the bad treatment of the design team when they were told that they were over engineering.

 

[TKM]

SLK

According to dealer warranty stats produced by MB, the SLK W170 is one of the most reliable cars they have built.

Whilst every model of vehicle has issues through time, pound for pound you can get a lot of fun for your money buying an SLK.

Most of the posts are useful
DO try and buy post 2000 facelist model
DONT buy manual unless you have to
DO buy with leather and it would be wise to stay away from some of the adventerious interior designs for resell purposes.

I have a 08 plate E Class 280 Sport, a 08 plate C220 CLK with sport pack and (52) plate SLK32 AMG and all I would say is, if you are driver and realy enjoy driving a nice car that will give you hours of fun and enjoyment all year round - then you wont be dissapointed with an SLK.
If I had to choose one out the three cars to keep then I would sell the others and keep my SLK without question.

 

[television]

The running cost of a SL can be huge compared to the SLK in more ways than one, and by this I mean the 230

 

[thinkingofbuyinganslk]

WOW

Thanks for the warm welcome and huge response. I'll buy that mag next week with the article in.

And i'll keep you posted on what i decide to do!

Thanks

Steph x

 

[owenrich]

Hi, interesting comments. A great site for learning about what you have just bought! I have just got a 2003 SLK200K in black with black & cream interior. Lovely looking and a dream with roof down, apart from the sunburn!! It's a six speed manual!!! It seems some don't like these, why? At 68 I'm not against automatics, but just don't feel that "I'm" driving without the pleasure of a good, fast and effective gear change! Bought it fairly cheap (£7.5K), but have had to spend a little to get it right. But with your help it's working out ok. Cheers guys and look forward to your comments!

 

[Uncle Benz]

The running cost of a SL can be huge compared to the SLK in more ways than one, and by this I mean the 230

This man speaketh the truth.

 

[tony2311]

Test the 230 then the 320. for the little price difference you have a higher up the range car with more equiment and the smoothness of a v6 instead of a super charge staight 4.i regrat selling my slk 320 as it was lovely reliable machine

 

[Alex M Grieve]

Test the 230 then the 320. for the little price difference you have a higher up the range car with more equipment and the smoothness of a v6 instead of a super charge straight 4.i regret selling my slk 320 as it was lovely reliable machine

Tony is quite right. "There's no substitute for litres", and normally aspirated is less complicated.

As with many cars, the larger engine dawdling will use very little more fuel than the smaller engine working harder.

 

[television]

Tony is quite right. "There's no substitute for litres", and normally aspirated is less complicated.

As with many cars, the larger engine dawdling will use very little more fuel than the smaller engine working harder.

Very true when comparing small hot engines with big lazy ones. My SL500 is far more economical on the motorway than my V70R 2,3 engined car

 

[PanzerMcGrory]

SLK

According to dealer warranty stats produced by MB, the SLK W170 is one of the most reliable cars they have built.

Whilst every model of vehicle has issues through time, pound for pound you can get a lot of fun for your money buying an SLK.

Most of the posts are useful
DO try and buy post 2000 facelist model
DONT buy manual unless you have to
DO buy with leather and it would be wise to stay away from some of the adventerious interior designs for resell purposes.

I have a 08 plate E Class 280 Sport, a 08 plate C220 CLK with sport pack and (52) plate SLK32 AMG and all I would say is, if you are driver and realy enjoy driving a nice car that will give you hours of fun and enjoyment all year round - then you wont be dissapointed with an SLK.
If I had to choose one out the three cars to keep then I would sell the others and keep my SLK without question.

Do they stats only deal with the mechanics? as they do tend to rust especially around the rear boot release.

 

[owenrich]

Yeh got to admit mine is rusting under the boot release catch and at the bottom of the o/s headlight! Small patches, but rust none the less!! Car only six years old and Mercedes should be ashamed!!! I've emailed HQ and have started the "run around" to test their thirty year promise. Will be intersting to see how far I get!