230 SLK, What to look for

[hobbes40]

Hi,

Ive been driving one of these for the past 2 weeks, and am serously hooked, ive seen a couple of good private sale examples with around 40K on the clock for 12K.

First things first do you all think that this is a fair price for a 98 - 2000 model.

Secondly what should i be looking out for when buying. Any specifics would be a great help.

Finally, anything else out there thats just as much fun (convertable) for the same price?

Cheers

[Hughesie2]

hobbes40 said:

Finally, anything else out there thats just as much fun (convertable) for the same price? Cheers

A good well sorted Chimaera will be had for that kinda money, we have a 320 SLK and a 500 Chimaera, side by side keys in hand i ALWAYS go for the Chim !!

[nickwilcock]

Don't bother with a pre-facelift (pre-Spring 2000) SLK unless it's in immaculate condition and going for a song. The improvements of the facelift model transformed the SLK.

As for comparison with some plastic neo-kit car....I don't think so! Quality will tell!

[blueyes]

nickwilcock said:

As for comparison with some plastic neo-kit car....I don't think so! Quality will tell!

Now now! Don't knock Merc build quality, it's not that bad.

Anyway, depends what you want: fun and excitement or boring reliability.

[Hughesie2]

nickwilcock said:

As for comparison with some plastic neo-kit car....I don't think so! Quality will tell!

have you seen a recent JD power survey, Mercedes are way down the list fella...

Echo the comments of the above poster as well...

[steve-p]

Actually Mercedes-Benz are in sixth place in the 2005 US J.D. Power survey, after Lexus, Jaguar, BMW, Buick and Cadillac. Not so bad after all, then.

[V8Smith]

steve-p said:

Actually Mercedes-Benz are in sixth place in the 2005 US J.D. Power survey, after Lexus, Jaguar, BMW, Buick and Cadillac. Not so bad after all, then.

Sorry Steve but thats comparing them to the US cars which we all know are very bad quality in terms of build???

The only way to compare is the UK JD power survey and Merc have been on the slide for the past few years. Ive owned an E-class and am thinking of buying the wife an SLK hence why I looked at this thread so am not biased in any way. The SLK is really a poor sports car, they look OK in a girlie kind of way (although the new ones look good IMHO) but have never been a sports car in a way that a Boxster is, new SLK55 AMG aside!!!

I also own a TVR and I must say it depends what you are after, I certainly would never drive the SLK if I buy one, the TVR would always be first choice......?

Mike

>> Edited by V8Smith on Friday 2nd December 09:08

[YamR1,V64motion]

i think the old SLK is girlie, sure its a good little car but i wouldnt drive one i much prefer the CLK i have now, the new SLK though i think looks really nice and ive heard its a huge improvment in terms of drivability although im yet to find out for myself.
for the guy tha recomended the Chim, ive never been the hugest fan always loved the Griff and Tuscan myself but i agree with you 100% i would take the Chim over the SLK any day.

[nickwilcock]

Girlie? There's nothing girlie about the 0-60 in 4.8 seconds which my SLK32 AMG achieves!

SLK230 is a pretty nice, classic looking car. But if you can afford the extra cost, go for a SLK320! The engine characteristics match the 5-speed auto and I would recommend that combination to you rather than the manual gearbox.

The new R171 SLK looks quite nice from the outside (apart from that antenna), but certain aspects of the interior are very cheap looking and have an unpleasant texture. Undoubtedly it has sharper steering than any R170 model SLK.

SLK55 AMG is pretty darn quick though! But the styling is a bit 'in your face' and it takes 2 extra cylinders and 2.3 extra litres to achieve only a few more BHP than the SLK32 AMG. Plus it needs a diet of Optimax or similar, whereas the '32 makes do with bog standard unleaded.

>> Edited by nickwilcock on Wednesday 7th December 17:00

>> Edited by nickwilcock on Wednesday 7th December 17:01

[YamR1,V64motion]

im sure the AMG performs very well, the looks just arnt to my taste,many people consider them to be more a girls car that doesnt mean that thier a bad car its just what you like the look of