Discussion
The search function is being it's usual unhelpful self so I was just wondering if any of you had any things to look out for on the SLK 280? Would be looking at a 2007 model for the OH to run about in, although I'd use it now and again, hence the 280.
I keep reading about a facelift in 2008 but for the life of me I can't see what changed apart from some minor tweaks to the front end. What's this pre-wiring thing all about, i'm guessing it just needs some kind of bluetooth adapter to link to the phone?
Cheers
I keep reading about a facelift in 2008 but for the life of me I can't see what changed apart from some minor tweaks to the front end. What's this pre-wiring thing all about, i'm guessing it just needs some kind of bluetooth adapter to link to the phone?
Cheers
My mum has a 57 plate one, seems well built and can't think of any issues she has had in it. The airscarf is lovely!
I've only driven it a few times but it goes well enough, not a fan of the auto box but then again its my only experience of a traditional one so can't compare it against anything.
I've only driven it a few times but it goes well enough, not a fan of the auto box but then again its my only experience of a traditional one so can't compare it against anything.
I have one and I love it! Mines a facelift and I had a pre facelift 200 before. Facelift was in 2008.
Main differences are the reprofiled nose, especially under the bumper, "tuning fork" indicator repeaters in the mirrors, squarer exhausts, stubby radio aerial, tinted rear lights. Subtle, but effective.
Perhaps more relevant, the engine in the facelift is more efficient (economy/emissions) and in auto form sneaks into a much lower road tax bracket. The suspension is also much better, pre facelift is very crashy. Interior loses the cheap looking silver buttons in favour of black and nicer dials.
Sport spec well worth having, rear spoiler, diffuser, sexy 18 inch wheels, black headlight surrounds, black headlining, paddle shifters for the 7 speed auto (get auto), red stitching to black leather seats and wheel and red seatbelts.
Get COMAND, air scarf, leather. Dynamic steer fantastic if you can find one with it (two turns lock to lock).
Brilliant brilliant car, in Sport spec with Dynamic Steer its the thinking man's Boxster.
Main differences are the reprofiled nose, especially under the bumper, "tuning fork" indicator repeaters in the mirrors, squarer exhausts, stubby radio aerial, tinted rear lights. Subtle, but effective.
Perhaps more relevant, the engine in the facelift is more efficient (economy/emissions) and in auto form sneaks into a much lower road tax bracket. The suspension is also much better, pre facelift is very crashy. Interior loses the cheap looking silver buttons in favour of black and nicer dials.
Sport spec well worth having, rear spoiler, diffuser, sexy 18 inch wheels, black headlight surrounds, black headlining, paddle shifters for the 7 speed auto (get auto), red stitching to black leather seats and wheel and red seatbelts.
Get COMAND, air scarf, leather. Dynamic steer fantastic if you can find one with it (two turns lock to lock).
Brilliant brilliant car, in Sport spec with Dynamic Steer its the thinking man's Boxster.
Edited by Ari on Sunday 21st April 11:05
Thanks for the info all.
Sport versions seem to be rare (certainly around me anyway), but I do like the styling on them. The one i've got my eye on is non sport but is on 18s, with command, nav, airscarf and parktronic. As I understand it, pre 2008 autos still creep into the lower tax bracket, but maybe not the sport version?
Sport versions seem to be rare (certainly around me anyway), but I do like the styling on them. The one i've got my eye on is non sport but is on 18s, with command, nav, airscarf and parktronic. As I understand it, pre 2008 autos still creep into the lower tax bracket, but maybe not the sport version?
That rings a bell actually. When I was looking I came across a pre facelift that I thought should have been in the £200ish bracket but was in the £400 bracket because of the wheels. OP, if this is a concern you need to check the V5 as the co2 varies dependent on options.
Also meant to say, all facelift cars have Bluetooth phone connectivity.
Also meant to say, all facelift cars have Bluetooth phone connectivity.
Well it took 5 weeks to find the one I wanted but i'm now the proud owner of a 2008 black facelift SLK 280 
Massive thanks to those who answered some of my questions, in particular to Ari for pointing out the benefits of the facelift model - once I sat in one I knew I had to have it - the ride is superb.
Managed to find the perfect spec eventually - sport, 18" AMG style alloys, COMAND, air scarf, park, heated leather, dynamic steer. The only things it doesn't seem to have are Harman Kardon, paddle shift (it is auto) & no red seatbelts which is odd as it has red stitching etc.
The noise is awesome
Cheers
Massive thanks to those who answered some of my questions, in particular to Ari for pointing out the benefits of the facelift model - once I sat in one I knew I had to have it - the ride is superb.
Managed to find the perfect spec eventually - sport, 18" AMG style alloys, COMAND, air scarf, park, heated leather, dynamic steer. The only things it doesn't seem to have are Harman Kardon, paddle shift (it is auto) & no red seatbelts which is odd as it has red stitching etc.
The noise is awesome
Cheers
Great news and well done! It does look awesome in black doesn't it?
Red seatbelts were a delete option (the colour not the belts) so you could opt for black if you didn't like the red which might explain that.
What is odd though is the lack of paddleshift as that was standard on the Sport spec.
Does it have the rear spoiler, dark (instead of silver) headlight surrounds behind the headlight glass, and the black headlining inside?
Red seatbelts were a delete option (the colour not the belts) so you could opt for black if you didn't like the red which might explain that.
What is odd though is the lack of paddleshift as that was standard on the Sport spec.
Does it have the rear spoiler, dark (instead of silver) headlight surrounds behind the headlight glass, and the black headlining inside?
I'll try and get a picture up soon but yes has black spoiler, surrounds and headlining - I have the options sheet as well which confirms sport spec but no mention of paddle shift, but have found the bit about deleting red seat belts.
Paddles would only confuse the OH anyway, she's already told me some woman starting talking to her when she tried to find the indicator
Paddles would only confuse the OH anyway, she's already told me some woman starting talking to her when she tried to find the indicator
Sure does sound like a Sport spec then, so really odd about the missing paddles. You can manually shift with the stick though (it's left/right, which seems odd to begin with but soon becomes normal).
The talking woman in my car has been christened "Helga". It's a shame she doesn't speak with a strict German accent, I think I'd rather like that...
Have you tried the voice dialling or the voice navigation input yet? Works really well, although mine refuses to acknowledge the existence of Poole for some reason. I can only imagine Helga had a bad experience there in a previous life and has blocked it out.
The talking woman in my car has been christened "Helga". It's a shame she doesn't speak with a strict German accent, I think I'd rather like that...
Have you tried the voice dialling or the voice navigation input yet? Works really well, although mine refuses to acknowledge the existence of Poole for some reason. I can only imagine Helga had a bad experience there in a previous life and has blocked it out.
Had a play around with the manual shift this morning, as you say it will take some getting used to 
I found the six double-spoke alloys a bugger to clean I must admit. One of the first jobs will be to sort the rusty bolts out (a common issue from what i've read).
Slowly getting there with "Helga". She seems to have a cultured taste in music as she refuses to recognize "Kiss 101" or "XFM" and prefers her default "classic FM" instead. She's a whiz with Telephone & Nav though.
Any ideas on the cost of an "A" service at Merc currently? Their website seems to be quoting 2012 prices still.
Nakulan7 - yes it does have the bigger brakes.
I found the six double-spoke alloys a bugger to clean I must admit. One of the first jobs will be to sort the rusty bolts out (a common issue from what i've read).
Slowly getting there with "Helga". She seems to have a cultured taste in music as she refuses to recognize "Kiss 101" or "XFM" and prefers her default "classic FM" instead. She's a whiz with Telephone & Nav though.
Any ideas on the cost of an "A" service at Merc currently? Their website seems to be quoting 2012 prices still.
Nakulan7 - yes it does have the bigger brakes.
I've got rusty nuts on mine...
Regarding servicing, you'll have missed the big one (4 years and/or circa 37,000 miles) which includes the auto transmission fluid changing (check the history and make sure its been done though) and spark plugs, so shouldn't be too bad.
I have a service agreement with my dealer which cost only about £100 more than the big service (which was due) and included that plus the next two plus free MOTs plus free courtesy cars, free software updates and a few other things, so it might be worth checking into this.
However, to answer your question, the actual individual service costs broke down like this:
Service one (the biggie!) - £1,259
Service two (the next one so the one you're facing I suspect) - £329
Service three - £594
Regarding servicing, you'll have missed the big one (4 years and/or circa 37,000 miles) which includes the auto transmission fluid changing (check the history and make sure its been done though) and spark plugs, so shouldn't be too bad.
I have a service agreement with my dealer which cost only about £100 more than the big service (which was due) and included that plus the next two plus free MOTs plus free courtesy cars, free software updates and a few other things, so it might be worth checking into this.
However, to answer your question, the actual individual service costs broke down like this:
Service one (the biggie!) - £1,259
Service two (the next one so the one you're facing I suspect) - £329
Service three - £594
Edited by Ari on Wednesday 29th May 12:00
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