SLK - Maybe? New here, old everywhere else..

[EdF]

Hi All, I've owned a couple of Mercs before, ordinary stuff years ago, but I'm hoping to buy a particular low mileage SLK soon (mid-life crisis??). It's going to be much cheaper than 'street price' but it's a 200K with the 6 speed manual 'box. I've read elsewhere that they are not popular, but I don't really have the money to go and get an auto of the same year on the open market which would probably cost very much more. It would be a second summer car for us anyway. Our main car is a Passat V6 TDi Tip and I did vow I would never go back to a manual. However...
I'd appreciate some opinions on the SLK.. I take it there's nothing suspect about the manual box, just that owners generally prefer more power and an auto? Being somewhat 'steadier' than most, I feel the performance would be more than adequate for us. I got an estimate from my local dealer of servicing costs (£250 & £350) but feel they are a little unrealistic! I can do most maintenance myself anyway, but my last Merc. (a 1984 190D - I said it was a while ago) stopped me dead as special tools were required for almost everything, such as for changing the handbrake shoes....
I'd appreciate comments from owners of the same or similar cars as to what to look for and expect.. Many thanks!

 

[Blobcat]

One reason auto's are more popular is the 'age profile' of the owners . Also the SLK is not built as an out and out sports car (excluding SLinKyjoe's SLK55 of course).
As for servicing costs they are about right for a standard A or B, however I can't remember the last time I only had a service done. There is always something else, usually increasing the service cost by 50 to 100%.

 

[SLinKyjoe]

you dont say which model version you are looking at. the R170 or the R171!

The R171 are from 2004 onwards. they are alot more sporyt in handling than the older variant.

but i had a r170 200 with the 6 speed manual. I liked it. until the gearstick came off in my hand.

 

[brakes508]

I have just placed a deposit on a 230k manual and to be honest the manual was a hoot! I guess it's horses for courses but if your budget could stretch to the 230 I'd say it was well worth it for the sound of the supercharger alone good solid feel to the manual typically german a bit more "notchy" than the passat but a solid feel all the same. I'm sure you'll love it, I've to wait 6 weeks before I pick mine up this could well be the longest period of my life:roll:

 

[blassberg]

she has a 200k 6sp - loves it

 

[EdF]

Thanks to all so far. It's a 2002 200K.. Surely it also has a supercharger, Brakes...? Is the sound you like made by petrol going in to the fuel injectors?? (joke). The Passat is a Tiptronic, not a manual, which is why I'm not that keen on going backwards (IMHO) to a manual.. My wife has a dicky left leg so she loves the Passat. I guess getting a manual is one way of her letting me drive all the time.. I'm not in to blatting around anyway so the extra for a 230 and an auto is not so important. Is there much room in the boot with the roof up? Will it take a suitcase? I can't find one locally of the same age (there's a new model, though) to examine or drive and the one I hope to buy is in Wales, so not down the road.. SlinkyJoe, did it go back?? I've heard of that happening with several makes, though. I had a Moggy Minor in my youth and the steering wheel came off, which was fun for a while...

 

[television]

Thanks to all so far. It's a 2002 200K.. Surely it also has a supercharger, Brakes...? Is the sound you like made by petrol going in to the fuel injectors?? (joke). The Passat is a Tiptronic, not a manual, which is why I'm not that keen on going backwards (IMHO) to a manual.. My wife has a dicky left leg so she loves the Passat. I guess getting a manual is one way of her letting me drive all the time.. I'm not in to blatting around anyway so the extra for a 230 and an auto is not so important. Is there much room in the boot with the roof up? Will it take a suitcase? I can't find one locally of the same age (there's a new model, though) to examine or drive and the one I hope to buy is in Wales, so not down the road.. SlinkyJoe, did it go back?? I've heard of that happening with several makes, though. I had a Moggy Minor in my youth and the steering wheel came off, which was fun for a while...

The K means supercharger, with roof up, plenty of room, with the roof down, it takes one Tesco shopping bag. Re the Moggy, the worst was when they sat down at the front with both wheels going out sideways.

malcolm

 

[SLinKyjoe]

the gearstick went back on in 30secs at the dealers. was an ill fitting clip.

the boot in that versions will take several suitases with the roof up. a lot more than the latest version will.

but if you fancy touring and having some sunshine, you need a standard suticase and you can also get in a holdall type bag in the boot. then you need to learn how to pack behind the seats. the latest versions has more room behind the seats and more with the roof in the boot too. but we are talking 2 extra shirts and a coat room.

to be honest, i think the R170 version you are after with the 2ltr supercharged engine will be okay. that what i had and i liked it. the newer one has a 1.8ltr with the same performance but slightly better fuel economy.

oh the days of getting 33mpg!!!! been out in mine today, roof off.....19,6mpg.


oh. if the aftermarket stereo is a Sony, thats the standard fitment. the MB audio 10 was an extra £50.

 

[EdF]

Thanks again for replies..I found on a Google site that the pre-2004 model has a 'slow' (changing) gearbox compared to the new model, but I guess it will do! My own thoughts re luggage is of driving on holiday with the roof up with the cases in the boot and then once at the destination and the boot emptied the roof will come down. Not much fun on motorways and autoroutes with the roof down anyway, I guess.. But I just can't figure out where the skis will fit.. Maybe I could fit hinges in the middle of them..

 

[television]

-. Not much fun on motorways and autoroutes with the roof down anyway, I guess.. But I just can't figure out where the skis will fit.. Maybe I could fit hinges in the middle of them..

Quite a good point, roof down on motorways is not that much fun,as the ambiant noise level is high from other trafic, great though once you are there.
Why not put the skis under the car better than hinges

malcolm

 

[SLinKyjoe]

you can get ski carriers for SLK's. they attached to points on the roof. Cost £50 to get your car adapted. MB dealers will do that. but you need to roof up for it when you have them attached.

i dont mind driving motorways with the roof down. its not too bad when you are driving with the traffic. you just get sun burnt. just make sure the car you buy has AirCon. if it hasnt, it gets a bit stuffy in the car.

 

[EdF]

Maybe on retractable outriggers?? Hmmm, seems familiar... Driving down motorways is no fun in ANYTHING, and as we got from Edinburgh to the Wengen/Murren area so quickly, cheaply and easily last March using a budget airline and Swiss trains, then I wouldn't consider taking any car in winter (it's 1100 miles each way). We LOVE Swiss trains, that's what I CALL an integrated transport system! There's a rail station in Geneva airport, get your luggage, turn left and get a train. It took three trains, we waited no more than 13 minutes between connections, the middle train from Bern to Interlaken was a double-decker with unbelieveable facilities compared to the UK. The last local cog railway train came to a halt in Lauterbrunnen and we were 200 yards from the hotel and a courtesy estate was waiting to take the luggage. Cost for flights and trains - £111 return inc. taxes and it took one afternoon. Nuts to cars!

 

[SLinKyjoe]

http://www.allroadster.com/mall/Luggage_Rack.asp

http://www.mbnz.org/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1185181&start=1&posts=6&fid=27