SLK 350 R172 (2011 on) opinions?

[logit]

Hi chaps, so in my search for a suitable convertible that my wife and I can take on our 3 week european road trip next summer, my attention has been caught by the SLK 350. I think there is 'just' enough boot space with the roof down if we use soft bags and I tell the wife not to bring her normal shoe collection I've always hankered after an SLK55 AMG but sadly the budget doesn't stretch to an R172 model (and would prefer something more modern than an R171).

Maybe it was a sign, but I just happened to walk past a 2013 SLK 350 stopped in traffic the other day and I was pleasantly surprised by the nice growl from the V6 unit as the driver accelerated away. Looking around the internet this looks like a good all round choice with no serious issues reported (unless my google skills are crap lol). I've had a search on here and couldn't find many posts about the R172 model so thought I'd see if there were any owners on PH? Can anyone comment on reliability or issues or point me to a buyers guide?

I've looked on AT, ebay etc and it seems I can get a 2012 model with approx 30k miles for £18,000. Are there any 'must have' options to look for? I'd like one with the COMAND Sat Nav unit at the very least. But it seems most cars at this price level are fairly low spec (still can't believe parking sensors are an option on a car of this value!)

Many thanks for any thoughts!

[logit]

Oh I was also wondering if Xenon/HID lights were standard on the SLK 350?

[anonymous-user]

My wife has one. It's OK. Handling OK but let down a bit by slightly wooly steering, not an issue most of the time.

Similarly, gearbox more suited to cruising than sporty driving. Changes up very early and down slowly, even using paddles; seems to improve if you drive enthusiastically for a while using paddles but soon returns to lazy mode. Again not an issue most of the time.

Xenons not standard and standard headlights pretty poor. I keep meaning to try upgraded bulbs but we don't use that often in the dark so keep forgetting how bad they are.

On the other hand not bad on fuel for what it is; mid to high 30s possible on a run, comfortable over distance roof up or down and quicker than it feels.

We've had it just over 2 years. Had one weird fault where it would randomly start to use fuel at an alarming rate whilst cruising along. That was fixed by a software update to fuel pump. Nothing else but only done 12k or so miles.

[niva441]

You don't need to get too hung up on having COMAND, I wasn't impressed with it in my W204 C Class. If you want built in navigation they were prewired so that a Becker unit plugs in and be controlled similar to COMAND.

[anonymous-user]

niva441 said:

You don't need to get too hung up on having COMAND, I wasn't impressed with it in my W204 C Class. If you want built in navigation they were prewired so that a Becker unit plugs in and be controlled similar to COMAND.

I would agree with this. Ours has COMAND but it's nothing special. The system in my 5 series is streets ahead of it.

[Dog Star]

niva441 said:

You don't need to get too hung up on having COMAND, I wasn't impressed with it in my W204 C Class. If you want built in navigation they were prewired so that a Becker unit plugs in and be controlled similar to COMAND.

I was going to say this; my new E coupe has COMAND and compared to the Becker Map Pilot module I used in my two SLKs it's pants. The Becker is just so much more intuitive, shows speed limits, has speed cameras, hazards etc and is much easier to use. Get one off Ebay and they're cheap as chips. I sold mine for a mere 110 quid.

[Dog Star]

I forgot to add....

How tall are you and your wife? I and my OH are both 6'2" (she has longer legs though at 37" inside leg) and we had two R172 SLKs (250 diesels) on the bounce. There are serious issues around passenger legroon (the bulkhead intrudes and there's a good 3 inches or so less on the passenger side. The driver would be fine but I and especially the OH weren't too great on longer journeys; you had to sit with legs at an angle. It was one of the main reasons I went for the E class.

[logit]

Many thanks for all the thoughts chaps, especially about COMAND not being necessary. Annoyingly most of the cars for sale at my budget seem to have COMAND, but they don't all seem to have parking sensors (a must for my wife) and hardly any seem to have xenons (a big shame for me). On the plus side they all seem to have air scarf specced.

I've also noticed that there hardly seem to be many SLK350s for sale. Not sure if they weren't very popular compared to the other engines. Loads of choice if I wanted an SLK 250 diesel, they seem to outnumber the V6 petrol 10:1!

Ha I don't think height will be an issue for us... I'm only 5'10 and my wife is a shorty at 5'2

[anonymous-user]

logit said:

Many thanks for all the thoughts chaps, especially about COMAND not being necessary. Annoyingly most of the cars for sale at my budget seem to have COMAND, but they don't all seem to have parking sensors (a must for my wife) and hardly any seem to have xenons (a big shame for me). On the plus side they all seem to have air scarf specced.

I've also noticed that there hardly seem to be many SLK350s for sale. Not sure if they weren't very popular compared to the other engines. Loads of choice if I wanted an SLK 250 diesel, they seem to outnumber the V6 petrol 10:1!

Ha I don't think height will be an issue for us... I'm only 5'10 and my wife is a shorty at 5'2

Our car was one that the dealer had ordered in, so not as we would have specced it. It has COMAND and air scarfs but no xenons or parking sensors, which would be useful extras. Air scarfs are good.

We drove all three engine options. The small petrol and the diesel aren't nearly as nice as the V6, though presumably less expensive to buy and fuel.