RE: Shed Of The Week: Mercedes-Benz SLK
Discussion
MrMoonyMan said:
Wouldn't even touch one of these with your mates-cousins-brothers barge pole.
The only redeeming feature I've found was the option of warm air blower for your neck.
Otherwise. Dull. Rusty. Uninspired.
The 'air scarf' or whatever it was called in Merc speak was available on the 171, this is a 170.The only redeeming feature I've found was the option of warm air blower for your neck.
Otherwise. Dull. Rusty. Uninspired.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
loudlashadjuster said:
Spannerski said:
Always found these cars are for people who cut hair.
Great banter!...what's that you say? Oh.
Spannerski said:
Always found these cars are for people who cut hair.
Amazing! Must be a new record for PH, 4 posts before someone mentioned the the perceived affiliation to tonsural engineers!PoopahScoopah said:
CalNaughtonJnr said:
rich23 said:
Made a note of the word 'thrunge'. I want to use it more often in daily conversation.
Hi PH, long time lurker, first time poster!
I just had to look it up - not sure how one would use it in polite conversation though!Hi PH, long time lurker, first time poster!
Worth reading the article for this word alone!
Thrunge. There; just had to use it, and will surely manoeuvre a conversation later today to ensure it is included too.
I'll admit to having always liked the look of these but, of course, they have never had a reputation for being the last word in driving dynamics so have never been a serious consideration.
Until now. Isn't it amazing how you can forgive something it's flaws when it comes in at shed money?!
This is in a classy colour combo and I could live with the electronics issues I think. I've owned 3 MX5s in the past so I can handle the hairdresser comments. If I had the cash to hand I'd go get it.
Great shed!
Until now. Isn't it amazing how you can forgive something it's flaws when it comes in at shed money?!
This is in a classy colour combo and I could live with the electronics issues I think. I've owned 3 MX5s in the past so I can handle the hairdresser comments. If I had the cash to hand I'd go get it.
Great shed!
Richard-390a0 said:
MrMoonyMan said:
Wouldn't even touch one of these with your mates-cousins-brothers barge pole.
The only redeeming feature I've found was the option of warm air blower for your neck.
Otherwise. Dull. Rusty. Uninspired.
The 'air scarf' or whatever it was called in Merc speak was available on the 171, this is a 170.The only redeeming feature I've found was the option of warm air blower for your neck.
Otherwise. Dull. Rusty. Uninspired.
I sadly can speak from a lot of experience of these as my wife has owned an 03 one that is identical to the one in the advert from new. Before that she had another one!
Objectively speaking I loathe it. It is ponderous, wallowy, unresponsive, uncommunicative and makes a woefully uninspiring sound. However!
I have a lot of love for it as well as we've owned it for nearly 14 years and nothing of particular note has gone wrong. A pampered, garage queen example perhaps? Nope, ours has done a six figure mileage, lots of use as an all weathers commuter car, rarely cleaned.
A few bits and bobs have gone awry along the way but none of the horror stories you hear about with electrics etc. It did rust, oh yes. In all the usual places, wheel arches, boot lid up by the number plate lights and bonnet. Some of this was repaired (averagely) by Mercedes while it was still in corrosion warranty. The rest was done despite the fact we have no real use for it anymore. Neither though do we need the money or space it would free up. So, it received a fair bit of cosmetic work to deal with the rot. In doing so the chap who did it for me, who is a classic car specialist, did a fair amount of work to make the repaired parts "better than new". The rot only really affects the bodywork, the structure is fine, even the exhaust is original while none of the wings are!
As such, for us it is probably a keeper which partly makes me smile and partly makes me groan. We've got a massive pond at our place. If the time really does come that it has to go I think I'll just salute it, release the handbrake and let it roll to a watery grave.
Objectively speaking I loathe it. It is ponderous, wallowy, unresponsive, uncommunicative and makes a woefully uninspiring sound. However!
I have a lot of love for it as well as we've owned it for nearly 14 years and nothing of particular note has gone wrong. A pampered, garage queen example perhaps? Nope, ours has done a six figure mileage, lots of use as an all weathers commuter car, rarely cleaned.
A few bits and bobs have gone awry along the way but none of the horror stories you hear about with electrics etc. It did rust, oh yes. In all the usual places, wheel arches, boot lid up by the number plate lights and bonnet. Some of this was repaired (averagely) by Mercedes while it was still in corrosion warranty. The rest was done despite the fact we have no real use for it anymore. Neither though do we need the money or space it would free up. So, it received a fair bit of cosmetic work to deal with the rot. In doing so the chap who did it for me, who is a classic car specialist, did a fair amount of work to make the repaired parts "better than new". The rot only really affects the bodywork, the structure is fine, even the exhaust is original while none of the wings are!
As such, for us it is probably a keeper which partly makes me smile and partly makes me groan. We've got a massive pond at our place. If the time really does come that it has to go I think I'll just salute it, release the handbrake and let it roll to a watery grave.
Blackpuddin said:
Sensible MOT testers will pass a car even though the ABS light is on if their mechanics have previously/regularly attempted to 'solve the problem' at the owner's request, and found that there is no problem.
No they won't, or VOSA will soon come knocking. To those asking how you get a car through an MOT with intermittent warning light appearances, you park up round the corner from the test station, clear off the codes with a £30 eBay code reader, drive it in and pray to a deity of your choice.Leins said:
Another point to mention is that for those of us slightly on the lanky side, the SLK affords much more room in the driving position than most of its rivals. Z3/4, Boxster, MX5, early TT, etc are all a bit of a no-no for me, but I can quite comfortably fit in the Merc
Actually, is an SLK32 now the cheapest way into an AMG? Must go and check the classifieds
A 'cheap' AMG probably isn't the best way to go tbh.Actually, is an SLK32 now the cheapest way into an AMG? Must go and check the classifieds
I remember back when they were new and people were paying well over list price as there was a long waiting list. Think about it, it was basically a scaled down SL with more economical engine and a trick folding roof. Pity the package was a bit poor overall and I think the styling, particularly the slab sides haven't aged very well.
There was an article in Mercedes Enthusiast that tipped the 1st gen SLK as a future classic/values climber but I'm not convinced - perhaps the 32 AMG, and only then as it was quite rare.
They did do a good job with the R171 model though but I'd still want an SL over it.
There was an article in Mercedes Enthusiast that tipped the 1st gen SLK as a future classic/values climber but I'm not convinced - perhaps the 32 AMG, and only then as it was quite rare.
They did do a good job with the R171 model though but I'd still want an SL over it.
MrMoonyMan said:
Wouldn't even touch one of these with your mates-cousins-brothers barge pole.
The only redeeming feature I've found was the option of warm air blower for your neck.
Otherwise. Dull. Rusty. Uninspired.
Which was never on this model. Only on the new current one possibly the pointy nosed one as well. The only redeeming feature I've found was the option of warm air blower for your neck.
Otherwise. Dull. Rusty. Uninspired.
subevo said:
Wife's ran one for 11years. Rust is now evident around the front arches.car cost £24000 when we bought it. It has never broken down.replaced about 3 batteries.broken suspension spring.abs sensor twice.ive never changed spark plugs air filter and only done 2 oil changes and still going strong.wife loves it to bits.i keep saying to get rid as it's £300 road tax and low 20's to the gallon in the town.plus side it's quite quick 0-60 supposed to be 7.2 secs.mercedes tested roof 10 thousand times approx to 10 years frequent use.so roofs are rarely a problem .id say to get one for a grand is a bargain.
You have owned a car for 11yrs and only ever changed the oil twice??? thats nothing to boast about.
CaptainRAVE said:
Leins said:
Another point to mention is that for those of us slightly on the lanky side, the SLK affords much more room in the driving position than most of its rivals. Z3/4, Boxster, MX5, early TT, etc are all a bit of a no-no for me, but I can quite comfortably fit in the Merc
Actually, is an SLK32 now the cheapest way into an AMG? Must go and check the classifieds
A 'cheap' AMG probably isn't the best way to go tbh.Actually, is an SLK32 now the cheapest way into an AMG? Must go and check the classifieds
FWIW I don't really hanker after convertibles myself, but do fancy a C32 Sport Coupe despite being LHD only and a bit on the rare side
The R170 SLK is an utter turd of a car.
Its also the reason why I would rather eat handfuls of my own s
t then own another Mercedes.
Quite literally the sttest car I have ever had the misfortune to own or drive. 8 years ago the OH was set on owning one and I couldn't convince her otherwise. Cant even give it away now.
Stupidly rusty.
Unreliable.
Poorly built.
Expensive to repair (even when buying parts from a scrap yard because mercedes either dont stock it or what your soul in exchange)
Literally no aftermarket support.
Non existent knowledge base within the owners clubs.
Self destructing interior.
Cheap plastics ... everywhere.
Substandard fixings used everywhere (almost every job that requires removing bolts is touch and go as to whether they snap off or round with the lightest of force).
Mind bendingly moronic design of drain channels means means they block and then redirect rain into the cabin or boot
Leaks petrol
Dash is design for LHD cars but adapted for RHD - so the central console is facing away from you.
Creaks and rattles over anything other than polished glass. Huge amount of road noise too.
Terrible ride quality - rock hard suspension that crashes over everything, yet wallows and falls over as soon as you get to a corner.
The steering feedback is comparable to a xbox controller.
It has the most useless 4 speed auto, which cant ever seem to work out what gear you need so just gives you all of them, interspersed with neck snapping gear changes.
The exhaust note is terrible - it sounds like someone trying to play the didgeridoo.
Interior seats are as comfortable as a park bench.
Super sensitive traction control that is so savage in how it cuts power its actually dangerous. Cant be turned off.
Its also crap on fuel.
I dont think I can convey exactly how much I hate this car. Avoid at all costs!
Its also the reason why I would rather eat handfuls of my own s
t then own another Mercedes. Quite literally the s
ttest car I have ever had the misfortune to own or drive. 8 years ago the OH was set on owning one and I couldn't convince her otherwise. Cant even give it away now. Stupidly rusty.
Unreliable.
Poorly built.
Expensive to repair (even when buying parts from a scrap yard because mercedes either dont stock it or what your soul in exchange)
Literally no aftermarket support.
Non existent knowledge base within the owners clubs.
Self destructing interior.
Cheap plastics ... everywhere.
Substandard fixings used everywhere (almost every job that requires removing bolts is touch and go as to whether they snap off or round with the lightest of force).
Mind bendingly moronic design of drain channels means means they block and then redirect rain into the cabin or boot
Leaks petrol
Dash is design for LHD cars but adapted for RHD - so the central console is facing away from you.
Creaks and rattles over anything other than polished glass. Huge amount of road noise too.
Terrible ride quality - rock hard suspension that crashes over everything, yet wallows and falls over as soon as you get to a corner.
The steering feedback is comparable to a xbox controller.
It has the most useless 4 speed auto, which cant ever seem to work out what gear you need so just gives you all of them, interspersed with neck snapping gear changes.
The exhaust note is terrible - it sounds like someone trying to play the didgeridoo.
Interior seats are as comfortable as a park bench.
Super sensitive traction control that is so savage in how it cuts power its actually dangerous. Cant be turned off.
Its also crap on fuel.
I dont think I can convey exactly how much I hate this car. Avoid at all costs!
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