Put me off buying an SLK
Discussion
Another day, another car I inexplicably find myself taking a liking to and scouring the classifieds for a good one on the cheap. Today it's the R170 Mercedes SLK (the first generation). Despite the slightly girly image, I've always quite fancied these things, parents have always hated them and mum even shunned the newer model for a TT Roadster, however this hasn't put me off (as a rule parents never liked Mercedes, but I do). Looks like they start at around £2.5k, I'm guessing at this price point it'll be a bit ropey though. Theoretical budget is around £3k though (as this is what I got for the Panda). I wouldn't be doing much mileage, as my flat is quite close to uni and work, but a love of cars and driving means that I find myself going mad on those evenings where I've played the PS3 to death, the OH is away and I'm stuck in the flat by myself, when in the old days I'd go for a drive.
There is one thing that bothers me; the cars I'm looking at are all from that period where Mercedes build quality started to decline. So my first question is, are there major niggles I should know about? And secondly, if this becomes more than my weekly wish and isn't replaced by something more ridiculous next week, if I go to look at one, what should I be looking out for?
There is one thing that bothers me; the cars I'm looking at are all from that period where Mercedes build quality started to decline. So my first question is, are there major niggles I should know about? And secondly, if this becomes more than my weekly wish and isn't replaced by something more ridiculous next week, if I go to look at one, what should I be looking out for?
I had a 2002 230 compressor model for a couple of years. Merc dealers were crap and it suffered from annoying engine management niggles as well as a very expensive driveshaft failure that was attributed to a poor earlier repair. Shame, as it was a great wafter, good looking, roomy inside for a roadster (much nicer place to spend time than my wife's current Z4) and the roof is a great party trick. The handling is a bit wooden and the 200 and 230s sound like hair dryers but don't let that put you off.
Check the roof works, avoid manuals (the box is horrid), nasty colour combos and the merc rot. Thankfully the SLK was designed before Merc ran off the
cliff in quality terms so it should still feel solid.
Check the roof works, avoid manuals (the box is horrid), nasty colour combos and the merc rot. Thankfully the SLK was designed before Merc ran off the
cliff in quality terms so it should still feel solid.
I've just got rid of my 1998 230K, it wasn't faultless but nothing major needed. The car had previously had some paintwork but being garaged most of the time certainly helped it's condition, SLKs do rust and i've seen quite a few with scabby doors, arches etc. Some of the interior trim can wear quite badly as well.
They don't drive any better than a C-Class of similar vintage so they are definately not 'sporty' More of a wafter and although the engines don't have much character the 230K went well enough in a straight line. The 200K is gutless in comparison.
Not without their faults but I'd have one again over the usual Z3, MX-5 competition.
They don't drive any better than a C-Class of similar vintage so they are definately not 'sporty' More of a wafter and although the engines don't have much character the 230K went well enough in a straight line. The 200K is gutless in comparison.
Not without their faults but I'd have one again over the usual Z3, MX-5 competition.
Cheers guys much appreciated. Would be more for cruising than all out rally driver style attacks on the country roads, although occasionally I may want to go a bit mad, on a closed circuit of course officer! But it just sounds appealing in the summer to cruise down back home (a 500 mile drive) with the OH, roof down, sun shining (although living in Scotland, this is a rare occurrence, making it even more special). Insurance ain't too bad either, I'm 21 and can get most quotes sub £900 which is bloody good, as I can't insure a Mk1 Golf GTi for anything less than £1200. I won't mind if the 200/230 have much less performance, they're realistically the only ones in my budget. Will be sure not to get a manual if I do decide to take this random thought a bit further.
Haven't driven a 170 but have a 171 manual and it's a lovely gear change. And I had two MX5's before, so I know what a really good gear change is like.
Maybe the 170 is totally different and is rubbish, but a few people said that of the 171 and it's so not the case.
Drive one, make your own mind up. Less to go wrong with manual and more economical too.
My only reservation with your plan is that if you only have £3,000 to spend on the car, how will you be fixed when it goes wrong? They can be a bit dear to fix, and there's plenty to go awry.
Maybe the 170 is totally different and is rubbish, but a few people said that of the 171 and it's so not the case.
Drive one, make your own mind up. Less to go wrong with manual and more economical too.
My only reservation with your plan is that if you only have £3,000 to spend on the car, how will you be fixed when it goes wrong? They can be a bit dear to fix, and there's plenty to go awry.
Well (coming out of the closet 
) I purchased one of these in May this year (2001 93K 1 owner from new and pretty much full Benz history - just last service was MB specialist)
Manual 6 speeder 230K
It was mainly as a result of her specific requirements (hard folding roof rather than soft top) and I can't speak about the earlier 5 speeders but the 6 speed between motive force and rear wheels is a smidge agricultural when cold but I'm way used to that and it's a nice thing to use when properly warmed up (certainly nothing like the "merc can't make manuals that's why they are all autos" comments that get thrown around every time manual tans is mentioned)
I've been very impressed with pretty much most aspects of the car - it's averaged over 30 mpg since May and hit 45mpg on one run at motorway speeds, You can't chuck it around like a true sports car but it can be hustled along thro the twisties provided to decide on a line and stick to it (Picture is from prescot hill climb)
Nothing has gone wrong I've refurbished a few parts, serviced it and sorted out a few niggles and changed the tunes for one that "likes" her ipod and that's about it.
Roof should be down in 30 secs and up in same - several I looked at were slow and one decided to stop half way - owner said it had never done that before bit I walked away
) I purchased one of these in May this year (2001 93K 1 owner from new and pretty much full Benz history - just last service was MB specialist)Manual 6 speeder 230K
It was mainly as a result of her specific requirements (hard folding roof rather than soft top) and I can't speak about the earlier 5 speeders but the 6 speed between motive force and rear wheels is a smidge agricultural when cold but I'm way used to that and it's a nice thing to use when properly warmed up (certainly nothing like the "merc can't make manuals that's why they are all autos" comments that get thrown around every time manual tans is mentioned)
I've been very impressed with pretty much most aspects of the car - it's averaged over 30 mpg since May and hit 45mpg on one run at motorway speeds, You can't chuck it around like a true sports car but it can be hustled along thro the twisties provided to decide on a line and stick to it (Picture is from prescot hill climb)
Nothing has gone wrong I've refurbished a few parts, serviced it and sorted out a few niggles and changed the tunes for one that "likes" her ipod and that's about it.
Roof should be down in 30 secs and up in same - several I looked at were slow and one decided to stop half way - owner said it had never done that before bit I walked away
Nice cars - my wife had 2000 model year 320 for 4 years.
Issues: air con compressor, corrosion (boot lock, underneath of bonnet leading edge and rear arches (had these repaired 3 times) but paint lifted and rust came back) + alloys became very badly corroded after a couple of winters.
And for a reason I never understood, her car went through brake lights with annoying regularity.
I think the shape has aged well - decent alloys help and coloured coded skirts/new rear and front bumper/winf mirrors of the facelift help (2000 model year).
Aged well and she would be happy to own another.
Issues: air con compressor, corrosion (boot lock, underneath of bonnet leading edge and rear arches (had these repaired 3 times) but paint lifted and rust came back) + alloys became very badly corroded after a couple of winters.
And for a reason I never understood, her car went through brake lights with annoying regularity.
I think the shape has aged well - decent alloys help and coloured coded skirts/new rear and front bumper/winf mirrors of the facelift help (2000 model year).
Aged well and she would be happy to own another.
Edited by RESSE on Monday 28th November 23:01
This might help - more info so to speak - I asked in the Merc specific area
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Ari said:
My only reservation with your plan is that if you only have £3,000 to spend on the car, how will you be fixed when it goes wrong? They can be a bit dear to fix, and there's plenty to go awry.
Yeah, that's the big problem. That's all my budget for a car, and at that price, let's face it something is bound to go wrong. But I'm still trying to justify one to myself, for no real reason. Have also looked at the Z3 but I like the idea of the folding hard top, seeing as I can't afford an SLDanB7290 said:
Ari said:
My only reservation with your plan is that if you only have £3,000 to spend on the car, how will you be fixed when it goes wrong? They can be a bit dear to fix, and there's plenty to go awry.
Yeah, that's the big problem. That's all my budget for a car, and at that price, let's face it something is bound to go wrong. But I'm still trying to justify one to myself, for no real reason. Have also looked at the Z3 but I like the idea of the folding hard top, seeing as I can't afford an SL That's what I did.More pics
Amd another from the hill
B'stard Child said:
Theflyer said:
One car that is genuinely reserved for the females.
yeah we've done that in other threads Theflyer said:
Also, why would you buy something knowing it was in a period of where the company was utter garbage.
£3K budget PS you are such a bundle of fun
By the way B'stard Child, nice pic!
I had one - possibly the best car I've ever had (got an R230 SL now, but its hard work and very very dear). Parts very reasonable. They are more "old skool" in quality than the newer 2002 onward stuff. 230k pretty rapid. IMO look better now (aged better) than the early 171 model. Not a sports car, but so what? Look at the roof.
100% thumbs up from me.
100% thumbs up from me.
This may not suit your situation, BUT there are the newest models available on a 2 year lease for £250 per month. I realise that your budget is £3k overall and not £3k per year but I thought I should mention it anyway, just in case. If you are interested then I am happy to find the details and forward them on to you.
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