First shape SLK: Any good?

[J4CKO]

Can a mod intervene please, I mentioned the Chrysler Crossfire some time around lunch time and nobody has made the "Squatting Dog" ((C) J Clarkson 2003) comment.

[kambites]

OutOfSync said:

I don't think it's particularly controversial to say that the SLK is not a very butch car...

Wanting a butch car always struck me as rather like wanting a butch girlfriend. It's perfectly natural for men to find effeminate looking things attractive.

[ZesPak]

OutOfSync said:

His argument for being a hairdresser was that he got to talk to women all day? Did he then enjoy his evenings watching musical theatre and drinking white wine spritzers?

But seriously, on the looks thing, it is of course a matter of personal taste but I don't think it's particularly controversial to say that the SLK is not a very butch car...

What exactly is a "butch" car? Maybe some huge Detroit metal?
Every car can be a "hairdressers" car.
Example :

[OutOfSync]

kambites said:

Wanting a butch car always struck me as rather like wanting a butch girlfriend. It's perfectly natural for men to find effeminate looking things attractive.

I think that we should distinguish between being elegant (eg Ferrari 250 California) and effeminate (being soft and delicate).

I want some things to be purposeful and therefore have a certain look about them. The stance afforded by slightly flared arches and a more "butch" appearance makes for a much better looking car IMO.

The SLK is, in my driving experience, neither elegant nor purposeful. Perhaps "wet and uninspiring" rather than effeminate would be a better way of describing it.

[kambites]

OutOfSync said:

The SLK is, in my driving experience, neither elegant nor purposeful. Perhaps "wet and uninspiring" rather than effeminate would be a better way of describing it.

Yes, that's probably fair.

It's still a better car than the Z3, though.

[Monkeylegend]

Veeayt said:

Monkeylegend said:

monamimate said:

Monkeylegend said:

Rust, and rust.

Weird. Mine had none, even though it sat out in Belgian weather all that time...

They were built during the "dark" period for Mercedes when general quality and particularly rust were major issues. Mercedes spent millions with warranty repairs so many would have been sorted, but a lot that were not.

Check the wheelarches.

Sounds like a typical keyboard warrior stuff, or from experience? Had one myself for a short while, then sold it to my cousin. Rust was never an issue.

Keyboard warrior stuff indeed. Just stating the truth based on experience and a bit of internet research, and a very clued up Mercedes head technician with no axe to grind.

I am pleased for you that you bought a rustless SLK. Not everybody has been so fortunate as this thread has shown.

None taken by the way

[Baryonyx]

callywally18 said:

Thanks for all the responses guys.

Another factor in favour for them is they are pretty cheap to insure at my age as well(20).

I know its not the most exciting car in the world but they look good, can drop the roof and there's enough poke there to make light work of a long trip.

Would most people recommend them as a pose to a z3 of that era and price?

My daily drive consists of 5 miles getting on the motorway then a quick 10 minute blast on the motorway.

Currently have an rx8, which I love, but having already crashed my previous one, I feel like I am one wet roundabout away from a write off!

Perhaps some driver training would be a better idea?

[TREMAiNE]

callywally18 said:

Would most people recommend them as a pose to a z3 of that era and price?

• as opposed to, not "as a pose to"

callywally18 said:

Currently have an rx8, which I love, but having already crashed my previous one

I remember a post a while ago about someone who got an RX8 and then a few days after wrapped it around a lamp post? Was that you?! Nice to see you bought another!

[life in france]

Everybodies opinions are different,ive had a 320auto very good,a 350 auto excellent but too many gears.
A boxster 3.2 s which was great on a sunny day roof down when in the mood, but with roof up ,miserable weather and just wanting to get somewhere for me was claustrophobic dark and tiring.
Sold it and bought slk 32 ,effortless power, uprated amg auto box ,superb in tiptronic and a great place to be to cover long distances and the mountains.
non of the slk,s had rust issues and never missed a beat ,while the boxster with full history was always fragile

Edited by life in france on Tuesday 27th January 18:12

Edited by life in france on Tuesday 27th January 18:13

[EskimoArapaho]

The SLK is a bit unloved. Doesn't help that it's from the 'mopey face' era of MB car design (like that poor old SEC).

I also wondered about getting one of these a while back. I think I even asked in relevant MB forums if any tuner had come up with a suspension upgrade to make them a bit more fun in the twisties (a la MX5). Consensus was "no, buy the SLK 32 for fun in a straight line".

But at these prices, they definitely look like a real bargain.

[life in france]

My slk32, Sorry should have been on previos post first time trying to put photos on

Edited by life in france on Tuesday 27th January 18:24

[life in france]

And the boxster ,but would take the slk 32 any day, just my opinion

[callywally18]

TREMAiNE said:

I remember a post a while ago about someone who got an RX8 and then a few days after wrapped it around a lamp post? Was that you?! Nice to see you bought another!

yes it was !

crashed a 192 model, so did the sensible thing and bought the 231 model!

thankfully lasted more than 4 days...

[TREMAiNE]

callywally18 said:

TREMAiNE said:

I remember a post a while ago about someone who got an RX8 and then a few days after wrapped it around a lamp post? Was that you?! Nice to see you bought another!

yes it was !

crashed a 192 model, so did the sensible thing and bought the 231 model!

thankfully lasted more than 4 days...

Good to hear this ones lasted! Awesome cars! Shame they're so costly to run! I'll be swapping mine for a Boxster later this year, I did consider an SLK too but think the Boxster will be a wiser purchase.