SLK 230 Purchase

[Hastatii]

Hi all,

First post here - been slowly reading through the threads related to 230 SLKs (got 500 hits on a search using 'SLK' in here) and was wondering if you can help.

We're after an older one (P through to V plate) as a second car (ok, fun car when not using the Landrover - so it'd only do c. 5000 miles/year) and I was wondering what sort of mileage the 230 engines would return before major items come up or fail? ......and what the major service items are at the higher mileages?

There are a couple of nice examples we might go and see - one with 77k and a really nice one with 97k.

Thanks for any help.

 

[jibcl500]

Personally wouldnt bother, better off investing in a mid 90's SL, SLK poor build quality, rust, poor interior wear, not very refined, OR buy a Boxster.

jib

 

[jibcl500]

Oh and the gearboxes fall out on the M25................................


Sorry only joking about the gearbox falling out, but the gearboxes have issues.

jib

 

[mlc]

Not sure that I recognise the cars described by the last two posts.

SLK is recognised as one of the most beautiful cars available, they also drive well and in our limited experience of 2 examples over the last 4 years they are reliable and as for rust, not seen that on either.

I wouldnt be looking at high mileage examples, because you dont need to. SLK's are often second cars and you should be able to find good examples with 5k per year on the clock. Look carefully at the interior, it is very easy to damage the trim with "bling", especially around the centre console going for the handbrake and seat belt release. Again if you put the effort in then perfect examples are available.

We have three MB's, S, SL and SLK. given the choice and of course not needing the extra seets the SLK is always first off the drive

Mark

 

[Shambolic]

They can have rust problems at rear arches sides of bonnet at front on nose, and at the door handle for the tailgate. Make sure this is all ok as it is known problem area.
Also baffle problems in exhausts
This is for the old shape no known probs on new ones yet post '04!
Still a very good car mate bought one a couple of months ago and loves it although fighting with MB about rust and fair deal/10 year warranty for aformentioned problems.

 

[MIW615]

My wife's SLK is getting on for 9 years old, had it from new, done 33,000 miles, no rust whatsoever, apart from service items and one set of tyres the only expense was replacing the driver's side window (the bracket that stops the glass going too high fell off)

Previous cars were MGB and Porsche, but have found this far superior

Good luck with your search

 

[gary350]

My R170 I bought sep 17 1998 got less than 30K on it and only fault (my fault power hosing the car) was the PSE went, no rust everything sweet and better looking than my 350 (my opinion).

gary

 

[MIW615]

My R170 I bought sep 17 1998 got less than 30K on it and only fault (my fault power hosing the car) was the PSE went, no rust everything sweet and better looking than my 350 (my opinion).

gary

So that's two happy owners then :-D:-D:-D

 

[television]

So that's two happy owners then :-D:-D:-D

So he drives the 350 and Mrs Gary has the little one

 

[MIW615]

So he drives the 350 and Mrs Gary has the little one

Sounds good to me

We use to have a 350 - great car

 

[johnoc]

Don't think I'd describe SLK 230 as a 'fun' car. Ok for a gentle cruise, but the term 'fun' car is usually used to cover driving enjoyment and the like. Old SLK doesn't give you this, but new one does. I'm not knocking the old shape, 'cos it is a pleasant and relaxing drive - New shape (and my apologies for not using the appropriate r/w/e/c etc reference is fun and a very rewarding drive. Nice in the cruise but also great for pushing on - can't say that about the old model. Kompressors also sound like a powerful hairdryer with the top down!

 

[jibcl500]

Don't think I'd describe SLK 230 as a 'fun' car. Ok for a gentle cruise, but the term 'fun' car is usually used to cover driving enjoyment and the like. Old SLK doesn't give you this, but new one does. I'm not knocking the old shape, 'cos it is a pleasant and relaxing drive - New shape (and my apologies for not using the appropriate r/w/e/c etc reference is fun and a very rewarding drive. Nice in the cruise but also great for pushing on - can't say that about the old model. Kompressors also sound like a powerful hairdryer with the top down!

Johnoc

I dont think I could have put this better myself, My wife loves her SLK, I hate it, I can't believe MB launched it, ok it looks good enough but the drive is terrible. I tried to get the wife into a boxster, I should have insisted.

jib

 

[mlc]

Don't think I'd describe SLK 230 as a 'fun' car. Ok for a gentle cruise, but the term 'fun' car is usually used to cover driving enjoyment and the like. Old SLK doesn't give you this, but new one does. I'm not knocking the old shape, 'cos it is a pleasant and relaxing drive - New shape (and my apologies for not using the appropriate r/w/e/c etc reference is fun and a very rewarding drive. Nice in the cruise but also great for pushing on - can't say that about the old model. Kompressors also sound like a powerful hairdryer with the top down!

I dont think I could have put this better myself, My wife loves her SLK, I hate it, I can't believe MB launched it, ok it looks good enough but the drive is terrible. I tried to get the wife into a boxster, I should have insisted.

I really cant agree with you two gentlemen. You must both live in an alternative world to me. Agree that an SLK isnt a "drivers car" in the way that a Porsche is, but the vast majority of people dont want to put up with a Boxer. I would also suggest that the SLK is most definately a girlie car, but that doesnt stop me wanting to drive it.

Finally 170 v 171. All you have to do is look at used prices, the buyers clearly rate a late 170 highly against an early 171, and I concur.

Mark

 

[syd harris]

slk

Cant believe what I am hearing. The old SLK is fun to drive and if people think it sounds like a hair dryer with the roof down, well They must have a big hair dryer. It is a fab car, you get rust on any car, you get faults on any car. but this car is Bullit proof. Its a cracker. Mine is a 1996 and I love it.

 

[Hastatii]

Went and bought one......

......took one out for a test drive and the grin factor on both our faces meant that yes, we would definitely be getting one. A 1998 silver 230SLK (black / red interior) was the winner, which we hope to collect tomorrow post MB service, MoT and wotnot. Noted the comments here on where they rust (none), wear on interior (some, but this can be touched in but hey, its 9 years old). Thanks for the help guys!

Hope I'm not back in a technical section though....

 

[mlc]

......took one out for a test drive and the grin factor on both our faces meant that yes, we would definitely be getting one. A 1998 silver 230SLK (black / red interior) was the winner, which we hope to collect tomorrow post MB service, MoT and wotnot. Noted the comments here on where they rust (none), wear on interior (some, but this can be touched in but hey, its 9 years old). Thanks for the help guys!

Hope I'm not back in a technical section though....

Welcome to SLK ownership, where the grin never slips

Your selection of model / colour / interior is perfect, we are on our second SLK230 both in Silver with black / red leather. Enjoy.

Mark.

 

[television]

...
Hope I'm not back in a technical section though....

Don't you like me

 

[MIW615]

......took one out for a test drive and the grin factor on both our faces meant that yes, we would definitely be getting one. A 1998 silver 230SLK (black / red interior) was the winner, which we hope to collect tomorrow post MB service, MoT and wotnot. Noted the comments here on where they rust (none), wear on interior (some, but this can be touched in but hey, its 9 years old). Thanks for the help guys!

Hope I'm not back in a technical section though....

Enjoy, we've had ours for 9 years and what a great car - especially with the summer (supposedly) comming.

 

[Hastatii]

No offence Television! Told the garage the same thing. Ownership nearly lasted a mere 3 hours. Took the old man for a drive (he asked nicely), and at a r/b on a dual carriageway decided not to pull away like I had at the previous 2 r/bs -)) Lights go green, large artic to our left lurches forward, we pull away and a blue Corsa shoots from left to right about 3 feet from our nose and has to screech to a halt at the next set of lights on the r/b. Didn't know whether to swerve over and get physical or look at my watch and see what a short ownership it would have been! Did the latter........ muppet.

 

[television]

No offence Television! Told the garage the same thing. Ownership nearly lasted a mere 3 hours. Took the old man for a drive (he asked nicely), and at a r/b on a dual carriageway decided not to pull away like I had at the previous 2 r/bs -)) Lights go green, large artic to our left lurches forward, we pull away and a blue Corsa shoots from left to right about 3 feet from our nose and has to screech to a halt at the next set of lights on the r/b. Didn't know whether to swerve over and get physical or look at my watch and see what a short ownership it would have been! Did the latter........ muppet.

So you have not bought it