Slk vs sl

[Terryrussell1952]

Hi all

I've a 59 reg slk350 and did look at the sl at the time but glad I got this one. Its brilliant, gearbox is 7 speed auto and ok but not quite as good as my dsg Vw. Mine is the facelift and has over 300 Bhp and still regularly returns 30 mpg.

Prior to the slk I had a 55 boxster s and like one of the posts earlier, I want an auto out of choice and the slk is light years of the 5 speed auto boxster. I've had a couple of boxster sand they are great cars but nowhere near as good value as the slk.

[Dog Star]

cb1965 said:

The R230 SL can be a money pit and down at that sort of mainly money it will be.

Get the best SLK you can afford.... a much better proposition.

And I own an SL!!

I've had 3 SLKs (an R170 230 and a pair of R172 250CDi) and an SL500 (R230).

At 6K you are running a huge risk with an SL and I would seriously advise against it. SLKs are another prospect entirely and much more reliable with less stuff to go wrong.

I know everything about what goes wrong with R230s, mainly because everything (except fuel tank baffles) went wrong with mine. Bought with 52K on the clock and FMBSH, it still cost me 18K (that's EIGHTEEN THOUSAND POUNDS!) in repairs in the 3 years I had it. If you've got a budget of 6K for an R230 then, seriously, you can't afford an R230.

Steer clear!

The SLKs are fantastic, the only drawback being the interior space.

[Derek Smith]

A lighting relay went in my SLK. Replacement part cost? £280. It is common to C203 C-Class Mercs. That said, it was easy enough to replace, if a little fiddly.

A known weakness I was told, but that is a positive as it means Merc will continue to produce them for years to come.

[Ali_D]

Dog Star said:

I've had 3 SLKs (an R170 230 and a pair of R172 250CDi) and an SL500 (R230).

At 6K you are running a huge risk with an SL and I would seriously advise against it. SLKs are another prospect entirely and much more reliable with less stuff to go wrong.

I know everything about what goes wrong with R230s, mainly because everything (except fuel tank baffles) went wrong with mine. Bought with 52K on the clock and FMBSH, it still cost me 18K (that's EIGHTEEN THOUSAND POUNDS!) in repairs in the 3 years I had it. If you've got a budget of 6K for an R230 then, seriously, you can't afford an R230.

Steer clear!

The SLKs are fantastic, the only drawback being the interior space.

Whilst I'm happy to admit the 6k buying budget is low to be wife friendly and high running costs could be tolerated, 18k over 3 years is very much outside of my acceptable range for a toy.

[mikal83]

Resurrecting this thread.

Had a look at an 2004 slk today but it just didnt feel right as there was a rumble from somehwere. So I said no. 2004350 for 3500 pounds!
Mrs said it felt small and she had a slk320!

So am now thinking of an sl350.

Theres a cpl on fleabay near me. Also a cpl of 500's but I think thats too big

[Monkeylegend]

Had my 2004 SL350 for 3 1/2 years now and have had to replace the starter battery and it had a Crankshaft position sensor last year. Other than that it has been faultless.

Mine is on standard springs so no ABC issues to worry about. SBC pumps are no longer as expensive as they used to be either.

Lovely cruising cars and with the 3.7 engine which is very smooth, you have no balancer shaft issues to worry about and the benefit of lower VED which is a bonus.

Buy carefully and you should be ok, fingers crossed

[mikal83]

Monkeylegend said:

Had my 2004 SL350 for 3 1/2 years now and have had to replace the starter battery and it had a Crankshaft position sensor last year. Other than that it has been faultless.

Mine is on standard springs so no ABC issues to worry about. SBC pumps are no longer as expensive as they used to be either.

Lovely cruising cars and with the 3.7 engine which is very smooth, you have no balancer shaft issues to worry about and the benefit of lower VED which is a bonus.

Buy carefully and you should be ok, fingers crossed

I've read summit about the ABC, so I guess a car that DOESNT have that is the one? Also wondering now that we are in sept, and I'm on hols all of Oct if its worth getting a rag top and should wait til say March/april.

[Candellara]

Dog Star said:

I know everything about what goes wrong with R230s, mainly because everything (except fuel tank baffles) went wrong with mine. Bought with 52K on the clock and FMBSH, it still cost me 18K (that's EIGHTEEN THOUSAND POUNDS!) in repairs in the 3 years I had it. If you've got a budget of 6K for an R230 then, seriously, you can't afford an R230.

Just to counter this, my SL55 flew through the MOT again this year with no advisories and is in Mercedes Chichester as we speak for it's major annual service - again, no fault found with the car in any area

I guess it really is luck of the draw. SL's are fine but as with all cars - buy on condition and history. Also, to add to this. Annual Service (A) at MB Main Dealer is less than £300

Edited by Candellara on Tuesday 3rd September 14:41

Edited by Candellara on Tuesday 3rd September 14:42

[mikal83]

Candellara said:

Dog Star said:

I know everything about what goes wrong with R230s, mainly because everything (except fuel tank baffles) went wrong with mine. Bought with 52K on the clock and FMBSH, it still cost me 18K (that's EIGHTEEN THOUSAND POUNDS!) in repairs in the 3 years I had it. If you've got a budget of 6K for an R230 then, seriously, you can't afford an R230.

Just to counter this, my SL55 flew through the MOT again this year with no advisories and is in Mercedes Chichester as we speak for it's major annual service - again, no fault found with the car in any area

I guess it really is luck of the draw. SL's are fine but as with all cars - buy on condition and history. Also, to add to this. Annual Service (A) at MB Main Dealer is less than £300

Edited by Candellara on Tuesday 3rd September 14:41

Edited by Candellara on Tuesday 3rd September 14:42

The guy who tried to flog e his car said it had a FSH
, well it did if you do it yourself and just tick the relevant boxes, as did the previous owner to him. What could possibly go wrong!

[Monkeylegend]

mikal83 said:

Monkeylegend said:

Had my 2004 SL350 for 3 1/2 years now and have had to replace the starter battery and it had a Crankshaft position sensor last year. Other than that it has been faultless.

Mine is on standard springs so no ABC issues to worry about. SBC pumps are no longer as expensive as they used to be either.

Lovely cruising cars and with the 3.7 engine which is very smooth, you have no balancer shaft issues to worry about and the benefit of lower VED which is a bonus.

Buy carefully and you should be ok, fingers crossed

I've read summit about the ABC, so I guess a car that DOESNT have that is the one? Also wondering now that we are in sept, and I'm on hols all of Oct if its worth getting a rag top and should wait til say March/april.

ABC is active body control, and can cause expensive issues, a quick google will tell you all you need to know. It was standard on the SL500 but an option on the 350 which had conventional springs and shocks as standard.

If you wish to avoid the issues of ABC that's the one to go for.

The SL is not a rag top, it has a retracting hard top which when up is no different to a coupe, you would not know you were driving a convertible

[Candellara]

Monkeylegend said:

ABC is active body control, and can cause expensive issues, a quick google will tell you all you need to know. It was standard on the SL500 but an option on the 350 which had conventional springs and shocks as standard.

If you wish to avoid the issues of ABC that's the one to go for.

The SL is not a rag top, it has a retracting hard top which when up is no different to a coupe, you would not know you were driving a convertible

Worth pointing out here that the SL500's, 55's and 63's were very expensive cars new and maintenance costs are in keeping with any car that cost that much new. If you've ever run Ferrari's and any exotica, you'll find the servicing and repair costs very reasonable. The ABC "issue" is grossly exaggerated in my opinion and is actually a great system and works very well. Many Ferrari's and high end GT cars had hydraulic suspension in this era. Also, Audi TT, RS4 suspension struts can be deemed as equally expensive (RS4, TTS and R8 struts are nearly £2000 a corner and prone to issues?)

I wouldn't let ABC suspension put anyone off - you just need to be aware of any potential costs. It's a bit akin to buying an old Ferrari 348 and then complaining about engine out cam belt services. ABC pumps are circa £1000 and strut ball joints etc are now easily replaced.

I still consider R230 SL's to be relative bargains when you consider the original purchase price of Mercedes flagship cars, the refinement, pace and how these car's have really awesome road presence. Not belittling SLK's but SL's are a different proposition and if you buy carefully - a wonderful car to own and enjoy.

Sorry for another edit but worth adding, I wouldn't want to buy an SL for £6000 as I don't think it'd buy a nice example with a very nice history. £10k upwards for a late 350, £15k for a nice 500 and £20k upwards for a 55.

Also, allow a couple of thousand per year for servicing and repairs and that should see you ok. Famous last words but my 55 has cost less than £300 per year servicing over the last few years but in fairness did require a new ABC pump just after I got it - £1200 fitted at MB Main Dealer - but that was under warranty. I can't think of another car that has over 500bhp, goes like an absolute train and commands such admiration for such little cost. You'll need a Porsche 996 / 997 Turbo or AMV8 and the purchase price and running costs of those are in excess of the 55's and 63's. Clarkson's original Top Gear video of why he purchased his SL55 pretty much sums it up.

Edited by Candellara on Tuesday 3rd September 19:14

Edited by Candellara on Tuesday 3rd September 19:17

[Candellara]

Good Article worth a read in a back issue of Modern Classics magazine. They pitched the SL55 against the Ferrari 360 Spyder and rated the SL the better car

[mikal83]

Cheers for the above. i think I'm gonna hold on buying a fun summer car til next spring now as we are away til the end of Oct and plan on a 2/3 month campervan trip, (if we buy one) in Feb/march down to "sunny" Espana, oh fecking le.

[mikal83]

Then of course is the CLK 2 door convertible, but how much longer is it to the SL equivalent?

[twizellb]

mikal83 said:

Then of course is the CLK 2 door convertible, but how much longer is it to the SL equivalent?

I've had both and they are about the same length wise, I remember checking as its tight to get in my garage.
Driven a slk and now run a sl500, the sl is a league above.

[mikal83]

twizellb said:

mikal83 said:

Then of course is the CLK 2 door convertible, but how much longer is it to the SL equivalent?

I've had both and they are about the same length wise, I remember checking as its tight to get in my garage.
Driven a slk and now run a sl500, the sl is a league above.

There seems to be more 500's than 350's, are they worth it. Prices seem quite similar. I'm talking higher insurance, tax, petrol etc.

[swisstoni]

Things were improved during the run of the R230. Sometime around 2006 they completely redesigned the boot seal to cure the water ingress issues.

If I was to go for the most bork avoidance I would be looking for a non-ABC, late model.

Whether these are available within budget I’m not sure.

[mikal83]

swisstoni said:

Things were improved during the run of the R230. Sometime around 2006 they completely redesigned the boot seal to cure the water ingress issues.

If I was to go for the most bork avoidance I would be looking for a non-ABC, late model.

Whether these are available within budget I’m not sure.

I can play with c7000 squids, more than that I'll have to have a conversation with her Ladyship.

[Monkeylegend]

You will probably get a better SLK for £7k than an SL.

[mikal83]

Monkeylegend said:

You will probably get a better SLK for £7k than an SL.

True BUT, the wife felt cramped and uncomfortable