SLK 230 Compressor 2000 Model
Discussion
Just bought a December 1999 registered example and im Very very pleased with it. In fact im shocked at just how nice a car they are and what fantastic value for money they are now. The build quality is exceptional, its very well equiped and drives really well ( even though i loathe Autos ) despite being 12 years old.
If anyone is thinking of taking the plunge i would say go for it, i dont think you will be disapointed.
I hadnt been looking to buy one, but my Partners early MX5 is just too nice to use in this weather ( and the Griff likewise and also an accident waiting to happen on a wet road ) so when i visited another good Trader Pal last week and saw it sitting on his forecourt looking a bit sad for itself i just couldnt say no.
Its certainly no Griff thats for sure, its way too heavy and the auto box really saps the power.
I would far rather have a conventional hood as the weight and space that the folding roof takes up is just ridiculous. The lack of a rear deck and any space behind the seats is a real pain.
The power steering although just the right weight for me, is lifeless in the straight ahead position but does give reasonable feedback when entering a roundabout.
Our one has an all Black interior, which is too gloomy for us, so im on the lookout for a Red interior, or perhaps just Red carpets etc.
But what it does really need is a sports exhaust or tailpipe as the standard system must be very restrictive and is too quiet for me. Anyone know if any Sports exhaust systems are available and if any performance upgrades are possible ?
If anyone is thinking of taking the plunge i would say go for it, i dont think you will be disapointed.
I hadnt been looking to buy one, but my Partners early MX5 is just too nice to use in this weather ( and the Griff likewise and also an accident waiting to happen on a wet road ) so when i visited another good Trader Pal last week and saw it sitting on his forecourt looking a bit sad for itself i just couldnt say no.
Its certainly no Griff thats for sure, its way too heavy and the auto box really saps the power.
I would far rather have a conventional hood as the weight and space that the folding roof takes up is just ridiculous. The lack of a rear deck and any space behind the seats is a real pain.
The power steering although just the right weight for me, is lifeless in the straight ahead position but does give reasonable feedback when entering a roundabout.
Our one has an all Black interior, which is too gloomy for us, so im on the lookout for a Red interior, or perhaps just Red carpets etc.
But what it does really need is a sports exhaust or tailpipe as the standard system must be very restrictive and is too quiet for me. Anyone know if any Sports exhaust systems are available and if any performance upgrades are possible ?
I agree that the little r170 is a much underrated car. It is also something of a design classic. My mother has had her 1999 car since new and has done 150,000miles in it. The build quality is not perfect: look out for rust. There are all sorts of upgrades available. Easy power comes from a pulley upgrade kit. There are exhausts and suspension and brakes, too. Try the usual German tuner suspects. You may have most luck finding stuff on ebay.de.
Yes, Definately a design classic.
Interesting that your Mother still has her one after all those years, but what else for the money can touch it and i can well understand her getting atached to it.
I'm getting very attached to our one , but if Only it was a Manual !
Anyone have any tyre recommendations ? On the front we have Pirrelis and the rear are Avons. I'm thinking of Avons All round as I have allways been happy with them in the past and the Mx5 has them.
Interesting that your Mother still has her one after all those years, but what else for the money can touch it and i can well understand her getting atached to it.
I'm getting very attached to our one , but if Only it was a Manual !
Anyone have any tyre recommendations ? On the front we have Pirrelis and the rear are Avons. I'm thinking of Avons All round as I have allways been happy with them in the past and the Mx5 has them.
Will check out the price of Contis, ( I know they are good ) but the rear Avons have lots of life left so i will prob go for those for the front as well.
We saw a sad sight on Boxing Day eve. Returning from my partners parents back up the M 2 , the weather was awfull with lots of surface water running across the road, on one down hill stretch a dark coloured SLK appeared to have aquaplaned and was parked on the hard shoulder with front end damage. Fortunately no one speared to have been hurt.
I can well understand you hanging on to your Mothers one, I'm really enjoying driving our one. 2 things I need to sort though are the drivers seat, it's gone a bit saggy and I fancy a Sport type seat. ( Were spoerts seats optional ) ?
I suspect that the shocks and suspension bushes are a bit tired as well, so they on the to look at list.
Any idea what Options were available for a late 1999 car ? As I havnt a clue what the spec of our one is.
Also, what is the Silver colour called ( Polar Silver ) ? and the paint code also.
We saw a sad sight on Boxing Day eve. Returning from my partners parents back up the M 2 , the weather was awfull with lots of surface water running across the road, on one down hill stretch a dark coloured SLK appeared to have aquaplaned and was parked on the hard shoulder with front end damage. Fortunately no one speared to have been hurt.
I can well understand you hanging on to your Mothers one, I'm really enjoying driving our one. 2 things I need to sort though are the drivers seat, it's gone a bit saggy and I fancy a Sport type seat. ( Were spoerts seats optional ) ?
I suspect that the shocks and suspension bushes are a bit tired as well, so they on the to look at list.
Any idea what Options were available for a late 1999 car ? As I havnt a clue what the spec of our one is.
Also, what is the Silver colour called ( Polar Silver ) ? and the paint code also.
I agree the SLK is a terrific car. I bought a 320 less than a year ago, but as have a XJ8 Jaguar and have just bought a 1984 Ferrari GTS 308 I have had my Mercedes SLK320 advertised for about the last 6 weeks with only 2 lukewarm responses, but having driven it a litle in the meantime, I'm not sure I want to sell it. it really is a fabulous car and mine is in perfect condition. I put new tyres on it sell , and at Mercedes recommendation fitted Hankook....but don't know if they if they are available in the UK. I love in Australia.All I can say is the price was very very reasonable and the car peforms beautifully. They previously had Pirellis which Mercedes dealer thought were too soft. The only reason I was selling the car is because it's difficult to house and drive 3 cars , but I think unless I can get top price for my beloved SLK, I think I'll keep it........it;s too good to sell !!!!
744 brilliant silver.
Main options were leather, heated seats, headlamp wash wipe, AMG body styling, AMG wheels, cup holder, audio equipment, xenons. Not much!
My mum had her rear suspension rebuilt and new shocks all round this year. Transformed the car, which is my experience of similar work on my own vehicles. The bits are not that expensive and a confident DIYer could do most of it. There are loads of bits of rubber in the suspension and it's worth replacing them.
Main options were leather, heated seats, headlamp wash wipe, AMG body styling, AMG wheels, cup holder, audio equipment, xenons. Not much!
My mum had her rear suspension rebuilt and new shocks all round this year. Transformed the car, which is my experience of similar work on my own vehicles. The bits are not that expensive and a confident DIYer could do most of it. There are loads of bits of rubber in the suspension and it's worth replacing them.
I got my 1999 SLK 230 for shed money and although its a bit slug like I absolutely love it - use it everyday for the work run and so far its been a great (1 year ownership)
I'm thinking about getting some lowered springs to try and get it to go round corners and make it look better and get rid of large gap in wheel arches any one tried it ?
I'm thinking about getting some lowered springs to try and get it to go round corners and make it look better and get rid of large gap in wheel arches any one tried it ?
Some interesting replys and great to see that the little SLK is apreciated down under !
Re making one handle, I'm guessing that the Original fitment shocks would have been low spec units and after 40,000 miles knackered. if your budget will allow go for Bilstein ( Yellow ) Sport units, ( assuming Bilstein make them ) they really are the biz.
Re making one handle, I'm guessing that the Original fitment shocks would have been low spec units and after 40,000 miles knackered. if your budget will allow go for Bilstein ( Yellow ) Sport units, ( assuming Bilstein make them ) they really are the biz.
Mine is blue. Blue and blk inside. I like it. The Kompressor is currently borked, but you know what? I cant really be arsed to fix it that quickly. I think its the old K40 board, etc. thing and Ill get it looked at sometime. I bought it for shed money out here from an English colleague who needed to offload it. So I trundle to work and back in it and in the spring, summer and autumn put the roof down to enjoy panoramic Alpine scenary. Not a bad way to get to work.
When looking for an SLK I drove both 170s and 171s. The steering in the latter is much improved I think, and the brakes seem a lot better, although only when pressing hard. But apart from that, the cars are very similar.
Despite buying a 171 I have to say that I reckon the 170 is a much prettier car.
I saw little difference in performance between the 230 and the 320 but the latter felt smoother although there was a couple of weeks' gap between driving the cars.
I've got the 7-speed auto (I had problems depressing the clutch on my Chimaera, which the 171 replaced - very depressing) and I've got to say I really like it. I can go fully manual at the click of a paddle or let the gearbox do its own thing.
Despite buying a 171 I have to say that I reckon the 170 is a much prettier car.
I saw little difference in performance between the 230 and the 320 but the latter felt smoother although there was a couple of weeks' gap between driving the cars.
I've got the 7-speed auto (I had problems depressing the clutch on my Chimaera, which the 171 replaced - very depressing) and I've got to say I really like it. I can go fully manual at the click of a paddle or let the gearbox do its own thing.
neutral 3 said:
Must be great driving one in Switzerland. What are repair costs like out there ?
Fooking expensive, which is why I havent bothered. Cars are expensive out here, esp perceived premium makes such as a Merc. Even an "old" one like my 98. It would cost times to buy the equivalent lhd version out here compared to what I paid for my rhd. I treat it as a POS runabout.Hi Jim, yes great meeting you both and chatting too. Great you had the roof down, but didn't it get cold very quickly !!
Also did you see that lovely White 911 3.2 Careera parked on the left as you came out of the carpark ?
Re " that place " , I'm sure you will really like it there. It's a good drive down and plenty to see and do when you get there. I go there lots, it used to be a great early morning ride down on my R1 ( RIP ) and the Griff as well.
Also did you see that lovely White 911 3.2 Careera parked on the left as you came out of the carpark ?
Re " that place " , I'm sure you will really like it there. It's a good drive down and plenty to see and do when you get there. I go there lots, it used to be a great early morning ride down on my R1 ( RIP ) and the Griff as well.
neutral 3 said:
Hi Derek, what model ( and year ) is the 171 ? As I'm very out of touch with modern cars !
Sorry for the late reply.My 171 is 2005 (55). Being a 350 meant that if I went one month newer I'd have to pay twice as much tax pa.
Very nice. The performance is very good and with the traction control it is very comforting in the wet. I lost the back end a couple of times in the Chim when it was damp.
I was going for another German make of sportscar, but one with a rear engine, but the auto box was inferior to the Merc's.
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