Thinking of buying an SLK320 - need advice

[tasman]

Hello all. This is my first post here and I was hoping I could get some advice on my next car purchase.

Currently I own an A160, which I use for commuting to work, and a C180 estate which my wife uses for ferrying our 2 kids around. We bought them about a year ago and they were the first Mercedes we have ever had (We are from Australia now living in UK and could never afford even used ones in Oz). I have been generally very happy with both of the cars, especially the C180.

Anyway I have got a bit bored with the A160 and wanted something with a bit more "poke", so I was originally looking at a 2005 Subaru Impreza WRX (29,000 miles for 11k) but while in the local dealer I use I spotted an SLK320. It is a 2001 model with 39000 miles going for 13k (which btw is all I am allowed to spend). Neither my wife or me has ever owned a convertible before however I have ridden motorcycles for 20 odd years so certainly enjoy the open air feeling. Only drawback I can see with the car is that it is green (not quite lime green but not dark green either). Didn't grab me at first but I can see how it would grow on you. I like the black leather interior though.

To cut a long post short just wondering what people thought of the SLK320. I like a big V6 and the wide rear tyres look great. It drives nice and while not as quick as the Impreza it's a lot more comfortable and I guess it suits a middle aged accountant better than a boy racer car.

Sorry for the long post.

Cheers

tasman.

 

[Blobcat]

Hi & Welcome

IMHO just buy it

 

[Speedmaster]

It is a good engine and nice miles for the age. If it is decent spec, should be a nice machine. Colour sounds a bit odd. Could it be Mineral green?

 

[EUREST]

slk

Hi,
I have just got a slk 320 manual, had it about a week.The car is excellent performance superb.I have just sold a car ........ as you were looking at suburu impreza, this was 450 bhp very rapid, but was been hauled by police every time i was out, and every boy racer trying to out accelerate it.
Anyway have now the slk 320 and would reccomend you go for it.
Cheers
Murray.

 

[tasman]

Not sure what Mineral Green looks like Speedmaster. Here is a picture so someone might know what this colour is. Oh and I got the mileage wrong. It has done 36,000 miles.

 

[Speedmaster]

Not sure what that colour is, I think it could be one of the Designo colours. Not my cup of tea but it is a personal choice.

 

[television]

Do take care if buying that colour, you may never be able to pass it on

 

[tasman]

Do take care if buying that colour, you may never be able to pass it on

That is a very good point however as I am only likely to sell to a dealer when exchanging for a higher priced car, I figure that they aren't going to worry about what colour it is.

 

[Speedmaster]

I agree with Malcolm. That is a v v individual colour and not likely to sell vey quickly. If you do like it, am sure you would get a good deal on it as he wont have many takers for it

 

[tasman]

I agree with Malcolm. That is a v v individual colour and not likely to sell vey quickly. If you do like it, am sure you would get a good deal on it as he wont have many takers for it

The 13k is his lowest price. He is giving me a good price on my A160. I know I could get more for it privately but I can't be bothered trying to sell it that way.

He is a small local dealer near my village which my family here uses for all there cars so I know he won't be ripping me off and he looked after me very well when I got the A class and C class.

I must admit that I don't mind the colour (I did look at a red one but thought that was a bit garish for me, especially with a red leather interior) but am now concerned about selling it on later. Would the colour affect the decision of say an MB dealership to exchange it when comes time to upgrade?

 

[television]

You ask a hard question as what ever car that I have owned, its always the wrong model, wrong time of the year, wrong colour, when it comes to PX

 

[Speedmaster]

I would be surprised if a main dealer would stock it. My local Edinburgh dealer had a Designo Yellow/Gold CLK Cabriolet they cannot sell. I even see they have tried to e-bay it to get shot of it.

If you like it that is the main reason to buy it but do expect to get much less than a silver/black one when you sell it on

 

[tasman]

Thankyou all for your comments. The colour thing has got me a bit concerned re resale value so I am still weighing up whether to get the car or not.

I have one further question and it is going to sound really silly. Why does everyone I speak to about the car (at work, etc) say that the SLK is a girl's car. I would have thought a 3.2ltr V6 was considered fairly macho . Anyway sorry for the dumb question but I don't know why people think that.

Cheers