Finally found the car I've been looking for
Discussion
I’ve just bought a 320 SLK R170. I’ve spent ages looking but there’s an awful lot of tat out there. I accept that any car that age is probably going to have some dings and scrapes or minor rust, but when I opened the bonnet of one, rust fell on my head. That’s not a good sign according to all the books.
I wanted a 32AMG. I reckon it would be cheaper to own over a few years with the lack of depreciation, but the ride was just too harsh, even for me, let alone my wife. This from a bloke who has owned a Chimaera and a Ginetta G32.
Mind you, the one I drove really went well. A tremendous car.
Due to some duff examples I even considered, and looked at, 230Ks but the few I saw were all well rusty. One even had overspray on the tyre.
I still get irritated by brazen lies. A parking ‘ding’ required a new door yet on the phone it sounded like a paint scratch. I reckon the photo had been retouched. That was 120 miles for nothing.
I phoned a 320 advertised by a dealer that was near to a private 230K I was going to look at yesterday. The dealer mentioned a few faults - condensation in one headlamp, door pull on driver’s side worn, and a rust patch on the boot - so I went to see the ‘lovely condition’ 230 first. That turned out to have poorly repaired, probably amateur, rust patches on the rear arches, boot and front wings, the door bottoms were perforated and the bonnet might have been beyond saving.
On then to the 320 and everything the dealer said was there. Nothing massive, but nothing more either. The doors were solid and everything worked. It has the best sealing of any SLK I've known, even my old R171 350. With the roof up and all windows closed, the driver's door would't shut without a lot of force. Open the passenger window a little and it shut easily. Same for the passenger door.
So tomorrow I’ll pick up a very nice condition, 2004, 50k 320 in ubiquitous silver with black on black interior. It goes nicely, the only downside being the tremendous drop in power from the 32AMG. My 320 is on 16” wheels and after driving lots of 17” and bigger wheeled SLKs, I reckon the 16s are best for our roads.
So don’t give up looking. Don’t believe the rubbish you are told over the phone by private sellers and most dealers alike. Accept that you’ll drive a long distance to view a car that was not the same as the one described. Eventually you’ll find one at a reasonable price in the condition you want.
Mind you, a bloke drove out with his, new to him, 6.3 AMG SL as I was looking over my SLK.
Ah, well, the 320 is probably better suited to my needs.
I wanted a 32AMG. I reckon it would be cheaper to own over a few years with the lack of depreciation, but the ride was just too harsh, even for me, let alone my wife. This from a bloke who has owned a Chimaera and a Ginetta G32.
Mind you, the one I drove really went well. A tremendous car.
Due to some duff examples I even considered, and looked at, 230Ks but the few I saw were all well rusty. One even had overspray on the tyre.
I still get irritated by brazen lies. A parking ‘ding’ required a new door yet on the phone it sounded like a paint scratch. I reckon the photo had been retouched. That was 120 miles for nothing.
I phoned a 320 advertised by a dealer that was near to a private 230K I was going to look at yesterday. The dealer mentioned a few faults - condensation in one headlamp, door pull on driver’s side worn, and a rust patch on the boot - so I went to see the ‘lovely condition’ 230 first. That turned out to have poorly repaired, probably amateur, rust patches on the rear arches, boot and front wings, the door bottoms were perforated and the bonnet might have been beyond saving.
On then to the 320 and everything the dealer said was there. Nothing massive, but nothing more either. The doors were solid and everything worked. It has the best sealing of any SLK I've known, even my old R171 350. With the roof up and all windows closed, the driver's door would't shut without a lot of force. Open the passenger window a little and it shut easily. Same for the passenger door.
So tomorrow I’ll pick up a very nice condition, 2004, 50k 320 in ubiquitous silver with black on black interior. It goes nicely, the only downside being the tremendous drop in power from the 32AMG. My 320 is on 16” wheels and after driving lots of 17” and bigger wheeled SLKs, I reckon the 16s are best for our roads.
So don’t give up looking. Don’t believe the rubbish you are told over the phone by private sellers and most dealers alike. Accept that you’ll drive a long distance to view a car that was not the same as the one described. Eventually you’ll find one at a reasonable price in the condition you want.
Mind you, a bloke drove out with his, new to him, 6.3 AMG SL as I was looking over my SLK.
Ah, well, the 320 is probably better suited to my needs.
Wise words Derek. I'm still playing catch up after buying my SLK 55 from a very shadey dealer near to me. Supposedly dealing in cars but god knows what else. They shall of course remain nameless. With hindsight and posts like yours I would have waited and spent another 3k but it's getting there.
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