Defying the doom-mongers - the SLK R170

[paulyv]

I love these cars and have since launch. I still see quite a lot about which means they don't all rot into the ground, and whenever I do see them the drivers look pretty happy be they hairdressers or otherwise (a comment I never really understood and am surprised when I hear it these days - I think it's heading the way of the Skoda joke).

The roof still makes me smile and I think of them as interesting looking vehicles. I really enjoyed reading this, thank you.

[Mr Tidy]

That's a great ownership history, and your 230 has to be in the best colour.

I remember when they were first around early ones were selling above list price because there was a waiting list! Probably because folding metal roofs were pretty unique then.

The AMG one sounds like fun.

[B'stard Child]

I like SLK's I'm on my 3rd one all black

2001 R170 230K 6 speed Man (great fun and quite vocal if you remove the supercharger silencer)
2006 R171 200K 6 Speed Man (Not so much fun and a lot slower than the earlier 230K)
2005 R171 55 AMG several speeds Auto (Bat st crazy mental)

they aren't a sports car sure but that doesn't mean they aren't or can't be fun - my favorite is the manuals are awful Mercedes can't make a manual box - they can and they are fine

[Mr Tidy]

B'stard Child said:

they aren't a sports car sure but that doesn't mean they aren't or can't be fun - my favorite is the manuals are awful Mercedes can't make a manual box - they can and they are fine

I read all about manual Mercs being hopeless years ago. Then I bought a manual 190e and realised it was all a load of bks, the manual was fine!

[JJJ.]

Mr Tidy said:

I read all about manual Mercs being hopeless years ago. Then I bought a manual 190e and realised it was all a load of bks, the manual was fine!

It is, you're spot on correct.

I've had several 5 speeds (W201,W202 & W210) and a Dogleg (W201). If it's not right i.e worn, then it's time to overhaul the shifter mechanism which Mercedes offers a kit for.

[glenrobbo]

What a splendidly well-written piece, Dicky, you certainly have the knack.
Your laconic style incorporates a degree of intimacy such that I almost feel as if I know you.

Well done for having the determination to keep a faithful family member in a decent state of preservation for the foreseeable (and the SLK 230 as well).

I have often thought about trading mine in for a younger sleeker model, but I fear that it would would be very high maintenance and all end in tears.

Nice cars, by the way. The SLK32 is astonishing!
Well done.

Poddington 24/6?

Edited by glenrobbo on Saturday 14th January 11:59

[DickyC]

glenrobbo said:

What a splendidly well-written piece, Dicky, you certainly have the knack.
Your laconic style incorporates a degree of intimacy such that I almost feel as if I know you.

Well done for having the determination to keep a faithful family member in a decent state of preservation for the foreseeable (and the SLK 230 as well).

I have often thought about trading mine in for a younger sleeker model, but I fear that it would would be very high maintenance and all end in tears.

Nice cars, by the way. The SLK32 is astonishing!
Well done.

Poddington 24/6?

Senna Pod 24/6?

But the SLK32 may have gone by then. I'd have to let someone else win.

[Unreal]

Sounds like you were lucky with rust - especially that rear subframe. Keep an eye on that though. They can go really badly. Well done on keeping the car going. In a disposable world it's a nice thing to see.

[B'stard Child]

Unreal said:

Sounds like you were lucky with rust - especially that rear subframe. Keep an eye on that though. They can go really badly. Well done on keeping the car going. In a disposable world it's a nice thing to see.

R170 rear subframes seem a lot better than later R171 ones

My 2001 R170 was fine after 20 years of daily use

My 2006 R170 with similar miles failed an MOT for subframe corrosion a couple of years back

[DickyC]

Unreal said:

Sounds like you were lucky with rust - especially that rear subframe. Keep an eye on that though. They can go really badly. Well done on keeping the car going. In a disposable world it's a nice thing to see.

Thanks, and regarding the rear subframe, an annual inspection will be added to my regular maintenance list. I assumed it would have to be done this time. We were either lucky or using the car wash underbody spray periodically has paid dividends.

My SLK breaking venture wasn't very successful, but I've wondered about doing one more and salvaging the rear subframe to restore separately. They're unobtainable now, so a half decent secondhand one renovated and put by would seem sensible. Breaking two, selling some parts and keeping some 'in case' seemed like a good idea but wasn't. With limited resources at home I found I was offering for sale the same parts as every other DIY SLK salvage wannabe. Seats, bumpers... all the easily removable parts. If I'm going to do it, I'll have to get on with it. If I leave it, the prices will unexpectedly rally.

[DuncanM]

Really enjoyed reading that, I have always really liked them, but I love the newer shape one more, and will likely end up buying one for my Mrs one day.

[DickyC]

DuncanM said:

Really enjoyed reading that, I have always really liked them, but I love the newer shape one more, and will likely end up buying one for my Mrs one day.

They're getting to the point where owners wave at one another. I haven't experienced that since having an MGB in the late 70s.

[Unreal]

DickyC said:

Unreal said:

Sounds like you were lucky with rust - especially that rear subframe. Keep an eye on that though. They can go really badly. Well done on keeping the car going. In a disposable world it's a nice thing to see.

Thanks, and regarding the rear subframe, an annual inspection will be added to my regular maintenance list. I assumed it would have to be done this time. We were either lucky or using the car wash underbody spray periodically has paid dividends.

My SLK breaking venture wasn't very successful, but I've wondered about doing one more and salvaging the rear subframe to restore separately. They're unobtainable now, so a half decent secondhand one renovated and put by would seem sensible. Breaking two, selling some parts and keeping some 'in case' seemed like a good idea but wasn't. With limited resources at home I found I was offering for sale the same parts as every other DIY SLK salvage wannabe. Seats, bumpers... all the easily removable parts. If I'm going to do it, I'll have to get on with it. If I leave it, the prices will unexpectedly rally.

Breaking cars can be very difficult for a private seller. I've found the main problem to be space and storage. A broken car takes up two to three times the space of an intact one. After that you find that there are a limited number of small parts that you could sell four or five times over but you are stuck forever with bonnets, doors, various brackets, etc. I've ended up taking loads of bits to the scrappy as I gave up hoping they would ever sell.

Probably better just buying a subframe to refurb?

Your post reminded me I have a standard storage box of old E36 parts. I need to drag that out now that the cars are becoming rarer. It's ridiculous really. That box has been taking up space for a decade or so but it does feel criminal just chucking good stuff away.

[Bobberoo]

A fabulous write up that Dicky, thoroughly enjoyed it!!!

[DickyC]

This was the SLK32 at Santa Pod in 2021 running 13.55.



I ran four times, two were 13.55, and the other two a bit slower. For the Run What You Brung there are just two start lights, not a Christmas Tree. It's just Ready and Go. Go on the first light and your reaction time will look presentable Unlike I did here.

Click the picture to see the clip. You don't get the sound unfortunately. It sounded good.

Thanks to PHer White Stiletto for the clip and permission to use it.

[Doofus]

I have a 2001 CLK 430 cab, and it's odd to think that the R170 SLKs predate the W208 CLKs.

[DickyC]

Doofus said:

I have a 2001 CLK 430 cab, and it's odd to think that the R170 SLKs predate the W208 CLKs.

1996 it was introduced. Right first time. A neat and tidy design.

[EdmondDantes]

Excellent write up.

[DickyC]

While I'm busy criticising MB, I should add that their Parts Dept have been brilliant. Very helpful and genuinely interested in what I was doing with both cars.

[DS129]

I don't know how I missed this one ( must pay more attention), but glad I found it.
All I can say is What a superb write up, you clearly have an ability to convey a story and make it amusing.
Well done sir.