Merc SLK donor

[Kentmagpie]

I dont know if this has been discussed already but I was carrying out an MOT on one yesterday and thought it could make a good donor car for kit base. GKD has done it BMW's with success so I can't see why not. I can see a couple of issues though, most are auto and there still quite pricey. I think the cheapest one for sale is 2700 but you would recoup a bit with selling of parts etc. 2.0, 2.3 supercharged units or 3.2 v6 would produce quick kit cars it wouldn't necessarily have to stop with the SLK either as they make c200k etc so there wouldn't be a shortfall in vehicles. Maybe I've overlooked an engineering issue or there's another reason why the merc path is no good?? But the ingredients are there with front engine rear drive with powerful standard units. Being the fact I'm a mechanic and MOT tester I get to see a lot of cars and im constantly looking at what cars would make good future donors and this for me ticks a few boxes.

[niva441]

With all the problems that occur with them could be a good idea. I think problems generally aren't with the running gear.

[Dreamspeed]

I was thinking the same thing; there are hundreds of big old Merc’s going for peanuts; generally the running gear is bullet proof.

Once you’ve sold on all the leather interior/doors/lights/satnav/ etc….etc….etc…. you’ll probably get the engine/gearbox/running gear for very little money.

After a very quick flick over eBay, I found this. I’d like to do some sort of retro-futuristic AC Cobra twist, with the running gear of this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MERCEDES-BENZ-S-CLASS-S6...

But the auto box isn’t for everyone, I’d have to come up with some sort of Camaro 6 speed T56 conversion, which would be tricky and expensive to engineer, but do-able.

Think of the performance, light weight “AC cobra” with 6 speed/Merc V12! Wow!

[Kentmagpie]

Good idea i dunno why no-one has gone down this route yet!! More investigating needs to be done

[v8will]

C-Class would be a possibility as well, pretty much the same running gear as the SLK IIRC. Good selection of engines etc as well although manual boxes tend to be rare and aren't the best shifter generally. I had a fault free C180 and an almost fault free SLK 230 (only a faulty abs sensor during ownership) so have plenty of time for Merc oily gubbins.

The W210 E-Class would be worth a look as well, rust is really killing those and lots more 6 and 8cyl motors to be had. E55 anyone?

[Kentmagpie]

The problem is could the merc concept be based on a 7 style car like GKD or a complete new project??? Personally I know a lot of people moan but I have visions of a 7 esque car with slk running gear.