RE: Mercedes SLK 320 | Shed of the Week
Discussion
el romeral said:
GeniusOfLove said:
I had one of these as a shed last year, a lot of them weep hydraulic fluid from the latching cylinder in the roof (and all the other cylinders really) so look for marks and oiliness on the headliner. They're also all rusty now to a greater or lesser extent.
My strongest memory is that the steering is awful and about 400 turns lock to lock, the whole thing felt like what it is really: a C class minicab roadster based on the worst C class they ever made. Mine was £900 with a long ticket and not too much rust, and even then I felt like I'd overpaid.
The oiliness on the headliner, which you refer to, could just be Shed’s Brylcreem???My strongest memory is that the steering is awful and about 400 turns lock to lock, the whole thing felt like what it is really: a C class minicab roadster based on the worst C class they ever made. Mine was £900 with a long ticket and not too much rust, and even then I felt like I'd overpaid.
Back in 2005 I pat exd the only brand new car I've ever bought for an SLK 230 compressor on a 51 plate, loved the Mk4 Golf PD150 GT TDI just never jelled with the SLK.
With the Aircon on it was horrendous on fuel also it was a manual, not even a year I sold it and bought another GTD TDi but a PD130.
Always love a convertible but a propper non metal, I adored a P reg Saab 900 2.0Turbo & a 55 plate 93 vector 2.0Turbo , just don't like SLks maybe if had been an auto things might have been different .
With the Aircon on it was horrendous on fuel also it was a manual, not even a year I sold it and bought another GTD TDi but a PD130.
Always love a convertible but a propper non metal, I adored a P reg Saab 900 2.0Turbo & a 55 plate 93 vector 2.0Turbo , just don't like SLks maybe if had been an auto things might have been different .
Owned a 230k for 2 yrs and 30k miles. As a car never let me down, performance with auto fine and nice car. But push it on anything twisty and it falls apart. On motorways and sweeping roads very good.
But rust was issue and when repaired the new paint would react with the old stuff which caused further issues. Other posters right about iceberg. Wing bubbling might seem sad, but when the tires guys replaced the front tyres they said it was grim underneath in parts. Not sure how it passed mots tbh.
Have also had a manual z4 also. They are night and day. As an analogy, the Slk feels like a Sainsbury’s Prosecco. The z4 feels like the most basic champagne a premium maker sells. In other words more show than anything verses entry level into a proper driving experience.
But rust was issue and when repaired the new paint would react with the old stuff which caused further issues. Other posters right about iceberg. Wing bubbling might seem sad, but when the tires guys replaced the front tyres they said it was grim underneath in parts. Not sure how it passed mots tbh.
Have also had a manual z4 also. They are night and day. As an analogy, the Slk feels like a Sainsbury’s Prosecco. The z4 feels like the most basic champagne a premium maker sells. In other words more show than anything verses entry level into a proper driving experience.
Edited by cluckcluck on Friday 9th February 18:45
Nicolas Lazar said:
SLKs are nice little runabouts (double wishbone front suspension!) and open-top GTs for people who can survive a week on a carry-on only. The R172 is the version to get.
Only this version, the R170, has double wishbone front suspension; the others have struts. Please tell us why the electric-power-steered R172 is the version to get?trevalvole said:
Nicolas Lazar said:
SLKs are nice little runabouts (double wishbone front suspension!) and open-top GTs for people who can survive a week on a carry-on only. The R172 is the version to get.
Only this version, the R170, has double wishbone front suspension; the others have struts. Please tell us why the electric-power-steered R172 is the version to get?I would categorise the R170 as an outright poor car to drive even without the rust, the R171 as mediocre but potentially made more interesting by good 6/8 cylinder engines, whereas the R172 is actually quite good in that dull Mercedes way and unless you're shopping for shed money I'd agree unequivocally that it's the one to get. R171s are also showing a propensity for bodywork rust (front corner of the front wings, wheel arches, subframes) which is a pain. Only real advantage of the R171 over R172 is the availability of a manual gearbox, which isn't a very good manual gearbox.
Just don't confuse any of them for an upmarket MX5 or Boxster alternative, they're very much their own mini sports GT thing.
Edited by GeniusOfLove on Saturday 10th February 11:35
GeniusOfLove said:
The steering in the R171 is so mediocre, even with the variable rack fitted, that ePAS was no downgrade at all. I had a unicorn spec 2008 300bhp SLK350 with a manual gearbox and the steering was still much more C class than sportscar and probably the weakest point of the car. It only seemed good in comparison to the joke steering setup in the R170.
I would categorise the R170 as an outright poor car to drive even without the rust, the R171 as mediocre but potentially made more interesting by good 6/8 cylinder engines, whereas the R172 is actually quite good in that dull Mercedes way and unless you're shopping for shed money I'd agree unequivocally that it's the one to get. R171s are also showing a propensity for bodywork rust (front corner of the front wings, wheel arches, subframes) which is a pain. Only real advantage of the R171 over R172 is the availability of a manual gearbox, which isn't a very good manual gearbox.
Just don't confuse any of them for an upmarket MX5 or Boxster alternative, they're very much their own mini sports GT thing.
Thanks for that. While noting the downsides of the R171, I'm not yet ready to dismiss them as my experience/preference is that I don't get on with electrically-assisted steering, plus I suspect that the lateral support that the seats in the R171 give to the shoulder area would suit me. Also, I need an auto, and I'm not sure that a high-revving na engine in an MX-5 would be a good match for a torque converter auto.I would categorise the R170 as an outright poor car to drive even without the rust, the R171 as mediocre but potentially made more interesting by good 6/8 cylinder engines, whereas the R172 is actually quite good in that dull Mercedes way and unless you're shopping for shed money I'd agree unequivocally that it's the one to get. R171s are also showing a propensity for bodywork rust (front corner of the front wings, wheel arches, subframes) which is a pain. Only real advantage of the R171 over R172 is the availability of a manual gearbox, which isn't a very good manual gearbox.
Just don't confuse any of them for an upmarket MX5 or Boxster alternative, they're very much their own mini sports GT thing.
Edited by GeniusOfLove on Saturday 10th February 11:35
Edited by trevalvole on Saturday 10th February 12:13
trevalvole said:
GeniusOfLove said:
The steering in the R171 is so mediocre, even with the variable rack fitted, that ePAS was no downgrade at all. I had a unicorn spec 2008 300bhp SLK350 with a manual gearbox and the steering was still much more C class than sportscar and probably the weakest point of the car. It only seemed good in comparison to the joke steering setup in the R170.
I would categorise the R170 as an outright poor car to drive even without the rust, the R171 as mediocre but potentially made more interesting by good 6/8 cylinder engines, whereas the R172 is actually quite good in that dull Mercedes way and unless you're shopping for shed money I'd agree unequivocally that it's the one to get. R171s are also showing a propensity for bodywork rust (front corner of the front wings, wheel arches, subframes) which is a pain. Only real advantage of the R171 over R172 is the availability of a manual gearbox, which isn't a very good manual gearbox.
Just don't confuse any of them for an upmarket MX5 or Boxster alternative, they're very much their own mini sports GT thing.
Thanks for that. While noting the downsides of the R171, I'm not yet ready to dismiss them as my experience/preference is that I don't get on with electrically-assisted steering, plus I suspect that the lateral support that the seats in the R171 give to the shoulder area would suit me. Also, I need an auto, and I'm not sure that a high-revving na engine in an MX-5 would be a good match for a torque converter auto.I would categorise the R170 as an outright poor car to drive even without the rust, the R171 as mediocre but potentially made more interesting by good 6/8 cylinder engines, whereas the R172 is actually quite good in that dull Mercedes way and unless you're shopping for shed money I'd agree unequivocally that it's the one to get. R171s are also showing a propensity for bodywork rust (front corner of the front wings, wheel arches, subframes) which is a pain. Only real advantage of the R171 over R172 is the availability of a manual gearbox, which isn't a very good manual gearbox.
Just don't confuse any of them for an upmarket MX5 or Boxster alternative, they're very much their own mini sports GT thing.
Edited by GeniusOfLove on Saturday 10th February 11:35
Edited by trevalvole on Saturday 10th February 12:13
If you're big on steering feel they're all crap though.
GeniusOfLove said:
If you're big on steering feel they're all crap though.
It also depends on what the individual really values about "steering feel". Is it the ability to map the surface of the road, or is it the immediate weighting-up of the steering when turning into a corner, indicating that the car is gripping? If the latter, then I struggle to see how sensors picking up data including that the steering wheel has been turned, which is then sent to a processor to work out the required force/torque to apply, which is then sent to a motor controller that applies voltage to ramp up the motor current against the opposition of the inductance and then the motor applies the assistance force/torque, can be immediate?
My dad had one of these, a minter too. It was referred to as 'Vivian' because it was (I think) a colour called Vivianite Green? It sounded great but one day coming back from Buxton he tried to drop me in my Impreza WR1. I'm fairly sure I was on my second brew when he finally got home and I think that put the nail in the coffin as far as his sports car aspirations went. He used to wear a flat cap, too. I remember it feeling very solid. I think he got rid and had a Mk1 Audi TT convertible then immediately realised his mistake and bought a Lexus IS250C (The convertible one) which he loved and kept for years.
We thought about buying one as a fun car perspective.
After having driven one: nah, sitting too upright is no option, so we bought a 2002 916 Alfa Spider TS and are happy.
Also with a power hood btw...
If it would ever fail I can pull out the key and fold it myself...
Dunno if that's an option on the SLK.
The second gen SLK is a better car > toptip is to find one now, before they have all gone.
After having driven one: nah, sitting too upright is no option, so we bought a 2002 916 Alfa Spider TS and are happy.
Also with a power hood btw...
If it would ever fail I can pull out the key and fold it myself...
Dunno if that's an option on the SLK.
The second gen SLK is a better car > toptip is to find one now, before they have all gone.
I had a '99 230. Mechanically really tough but once it began rusting it more or less dissolved over a couple of winters. At £1200 bought it wasn't worth even fixing or replacing panels. What a actually killed it was the immobilier ECU dying, which is hooked into just about everything else.
Funny engine behaviour can often be tracked down to a module/relay called a 'K40', which typically just needs re-soldering.
I grew quite fond of it and was sad when it went (got £400 for scrap). It felt nice and analogue compared to new cars, albeit the recirculating ball steering was a bit weird feeling.
Funny engine behaviour can often be tracked down to a module/relay called a 'K40', which typically just needs re-soldering.
I grew quite fond of it and was sad when it went (got £400 for scrap). It felt nice and analogue compared to new cars, albeit the recirculating ball steering was a bit weird feeling.
I bought a nearly new one for my other half 20 years ago. We still have it, just taxed for summer and been garaged all that time, so no rust. Every year we think of selling it, but market values seems so low for our one, which is an immaculate low mileage version, so we keep it as it doesn't cost much to run. Sunny days on country roads are wonderful in a convertible, even if it is an old SLK. Main problem is the space it takes.
I've had a few SLK's since 2011
Living with an R170 SLK230 6 speed Manual - Clicky
It was std but had a few rusty areas so I had it repainted - no harm in being different right
Eventually electrical issues killed it (the traction/stability control module shat itself and it decided to brake individual wheels on it's own - was quite fun when it did it -NOT
So I parted it out (or that was the intention) and I sold a load of bits off it but it still ran - someone from the blue forum bought it as a donor for another car.
Next I had an R171 - was a cheap buy
Cheap R171 SLK200 6 speed manual - Clicky
It was cosmetically challenged
Soon sorted that out
But it was way down on power compared to the previous one - it wasn't slow but it wasn't as lively but it fitted the requirements and didn't cost a lot of coin to run
Then it failed an MOT on rear subframe corrosion
Luckily those nice people at a Mercedes dealership fixed it for free
With a new subframe and fresh MOT it was an easy sell and I debated on going for the V6 version in 280, 300 or 350 flavour for a while as you could get them with a manual box
However hunting around found none with a manual box....................
Man maths took over and if I can't find a manual v6 and I've got to have an auto - might as well get a bigger engine and as I have champagne tastes and beer money budget I bought the cheapest one I could find with this under the hood
R171 SLK55 AMG - Clicky
Soon de-tatted it and as I had a spare set of wheels with good tyres - they went on
Proper pocket rocket...........
I still miss my first R170 - nice gearbox (pay no attention to those who say Mercedes can't make a decent manual it's not MX5 Rifle bolt but it's pretty good. They are a good steer OK not a sports car but a good pocket sized GT. The folding hardtop means you are never likely to come back to your car with a slice out of the roof and someone helping themselves to the contents of your car.
Never had a single issue with the roof - rust will probably kill most of them which is a shame because they deserved to have a longer life.
Living with an R170 SLK230 6 speed Manual - Clicky
It was std but had a few rusty areas so I had it repainted - no harm in being different right
Eventually electrical issues killed it (the traction/stability control module shat itself and it decided to brake individual wheels on it's own - was quite fun when it did it -NOT
So I parted it out (or that was the intention) and I sold a load of bits off it but it still ran - someone from the blue forum bought it as a donor for another car.
Next I had an R171 - was a cheap buy
Cheap R171 SLK200 6 speed manual - Clicky
It was cosmetically challenged
Soon sorted that out
But it was way down on power compared to the previous one - it wasn't slow but it wasn't as lively but it fitted the requirements and didn't cost a lot of coin to run
Then it failed an MOT on rear subframe corrosion
Luckily those nice people at a Mercedes dealership fixed it for free
With a new subframe and fresh MOT it was an easy sell and I debated on going for the V6 version in 280, 300 or 350 flavour for a while as you could get them with a manual box
However hunting around found none with a manual box....................
Man maths took over and if I can't find a manual v6 and I've got to have an auto - might as well get a bigger engine and as I have champagne tastes and beer money budget I bought the cheapest one I could find with this under the hood
R171 SLK55 AMG - Clicky
Soon de-tatted it and as I had a spare set of wheels with good tyres - they went on
Proper pocket rocket...........
I still miss my first R170 - nice gearbox (pay no attention to those who say Mercedes can't make a decent manual it's not MX5 Rifle bolt but it's pretty good. They are a good steer OK not a sports car but a good pocket sized GT. The folding hardtop means you are never likely to come back to your car with a slice out of the roof and someone helping themselves to the contents of your car.
Never had a single issue with the roof - rust will probably kill most of them which is a shame because they deserved to have a longer life.
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