Keep thinking of an SLK32 (Again)

[SLacKer]

I got rid of mine nearly a year ago now and having an SL55 I don't need one but I keep thinking I should get one.

This car



is on eBay at the moment and I love the Cubanite Silver (which in SLK32 terms is rare as rocking horse ... ) but it is cat D with a dodgy roof which can be fixed for £45 - yeah right.

The others are not in colours I want (Silver, Black). Guess I will just have to wait for the right one to appear.

It was such a good car........

[anonymous-user]

That car's a dog - there are plenty more out there.

[nickwilcock]

MercScot said:

That car's a dog - there are plenty more out there.

There were only ever 29 2003-model SLK32 AMGs imported into the UK. So finding the right one won't be easy as most of us simply don't want to sell! I'm just about to have the usual boot latch and wheelarch rust problems sorted and paid £600+ for new tyres last November - so mine will be staying with me for a while yet!

But I query the wisdom of anyone trying to sell such a relatively rare care with:

A cracked nearside rear light cover
A faulty roof lock
A missing jacking cap

The seller can't do much about the 'Cat D repair', but fixing those other faults wouldn't cost much and would be more than recouped with a better selling price. I also note that the seller doesn't state whether there's a full service history - with 115000 miles on it, I'd want to know whether it had been properly maintained.....

I often think about a pre-2007 SL500 or SL55 AMG. But the fuel costs are rather high and I suspect that servicing costs would also be high. Oddly enough, it also less roof-up boot volume than the R170 SLK.

Perhaps the SLK32 AMG might one day enjoy 'classic' status, being quite rare and very fast?

Edited by nickwilcock on Thursday 1st March 09:53

[SLacKer]

nickwilcock said:

MercScot said:

That car's a dog - there are plenty more out there.

There were only ever 29 2003-model SLK32 AMGs imported into the UK. So finding the right one won't be easy as most of us simply don't want to sell! I'm just about to have the usual boot latch and wheelarch rust problems sorted and paid £600+ for new tyres last November - so mine will be staying with me for a while yet!

But I query the wisdom of anyone trying to sell such a relatively rare care with:

A cracked nearside rear light cover
A faulty roof lock
A missing jacking cap

The seller can't do much about the 'Cat D repair', but fixing those other faults wouldn't cost much and would be more than recouped with a better selling price. I also note that the seller doesn't state whether there's a full service history - with 115000 miles on it, I'd want to know whether it had been properly maintained.....

I often think about a pre-2007 SL500 or SL55 AMG. But the fuel costs are rather high and I suspect that servicing costs would also be high. Oddly enough, it also less roof-up boot volume than the R170 SLK.

Perhaps the SLK32 AMG might one day enjoy 'classic' status, being quite rare and very fast?

Edited by nickwilcock on Thursday 1st March 09:53

My thoughts exactly on the repairs required. Easy afternoon's work and a bit of effort sourcing the parts. Any issues with the roof could potentially be very expensive so if it is just £45 then why not get it done. Anyhow that car has a lot of bidders so should go. A Cat D car if I was selling one I would explain and document the circumstances and how the repairs were carried out.

The SL55 is a bit of a fuel drinker I must say but is an excellent GT car with the added bonus of a vario roof and mine has Panoramic as well.

[slk 32]

Hi slacker

Did you not see the metallic red / burgundy one in maidstone on e bay? Its up for 8k but has been on for a while so they may be open to offers-think it was the williams group

I got mine MOT'd had the b service and front discs and pads done yesterday at hughes at beaconsfield. What was funny was a lot of technicians were looking at it because most have now fallen out of the main dealer network and it is still in excellent condition

Trade in i was quoted just under 5k so really doesnt make any sense to-i've had it 4 years now and its been pretty much faultless... it seems to be a hidden gem with those who have had them really appreciating them for what they are.

The only issue is that as they get cheaper some people who buy them tend to scrimp on maintenance but that just means you have to be more discerning when buying

I may still be tempted by the v8 itch though but would maybe consider an interior retrim and kleemann cams to make mine mint

Like the cubanite though.

Edited by slk 32 on Saturday 3rd March 10:52

[SLacKer]

Hi

Got rid of mine a year ago. It showed up again for sale in August time and I resisted buying it back but keep thinking about another one. As for the SL55 trust me no performance mods are required it is a total nut case of an engine.

[SLacKer]

Well the Cubanite sold but is now back up as a classified ad

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-MERCEDES-SLK32-AMG-...

Is eBay a little dodgy for cars in auction?

Anyway still wouldn't touch it with the issues, love the colour though.

[Pentoman]

Slacker, if you buy it I'd like to hear about it. I too would avoid that car due to the lacking description more than anything, Good luck finding one! Would a C32 do?

Can I ask about the SL55? I'm interested in them but am worried that due to the weight and being an autobahn kinda car, it will be best at >100mph, and not so much fun at low speeds. Is that a fair comment? The thing is, I like hot hatches with low gearing where it feels like you're going quickly but actually you're not. I can't stand cars that are the opposite way round, or cars with long gearing where 1st gear does 50mph. I tried an SL500 and it was a bit like that - seemed like a Bentley cruiser more than a hot hatch, despite the on-paper performance.

[SLacKer]

Pentoman said:

Slacker, if you buy it I'd like to hear about it. I too would avoid that car due to the lacking description more than anything, Good luck finding one! Would a C32 do?

Can I ask about the SL55? I'm interested in them but am worried that due to the weight and being an autobahn kinda car, it will be best at >100mph, and not so much fun at low speeds. Is that a fair comment? The thing is, I like hot hatches with low gearing where it feels like you're going quickly but actually you're not. I can't stand cars that are the opposite way round, or cars with long gearing where 1st gear does 50mph. I tried an SL500 and it was a bit like that - seemed like a Bentley cruiser more than a hot hatch, despite the on-paper performance.

I owned a C32 as well and loved it but got rid as I ended up with 6 cars.

As for the SL55, yes it is weighty but no it does not damp its performance at all. It is capable at all speeds and is indeed at a point where you have to make sure you have the space to hit the loud pedal. It is a wafty GT car and very comfortable and it feels slow when it is losing you your licence.

[TISPKJ]

We still have ours in our little collection, 8000 miles from new and never missed a beat.

Very underated car imho.

[DapperDanMan]

Holy thread resurrection.

Still looking for an SLK32 anyone thinking of selling?

I think the CATD is for sale again it needs rescuing. Is there any way to find out what the CATD was for other than via the owner/previous owner.

https://www.gumtree.com/p/mercedes-benz/slk32-amg-...

Edited by DapperDanMan on Thursday 29th March 11:33