Slk 280 or 350

[lesstatt]

Looking to buy one of the above in the next few weeks, budget of around 9-10k up to 60k on miles, must be in very good condition and have history, airscarf, and auto. We have seen some right dogs so far at dealers near Nottingham all say immaculate etc and are very far from it when you arrive. One even had a very bad front bumper with splits in it and what looked like sand in the low mounted fog lights. Which is the best all rounder the 280 or the 350, very similar on performance and the ved is the same as long as it before 2006, any tips appreciated, thanks

[ZX10R NIN]

Why restrict yourself to just local cars? I've bought cars from Scotland & then enjoyed the drive home on the flip side I've traveled & it's been a dog I'd booked a return flight so it wasn't a problem yes I was pi**ed off but you don't know if you don't look.

I'd always look for the 350 the extra grunt is always nice but should you find a 280 that meets your spec then get it, also remember that anything after a 55 plate will be in the £500 VED bracket.

350
http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

280
http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[lesstatt]

I would travel up to 100 miles to see a car but that's it, seen too many dogs to travel any further than that, one of the ones you highlighted I went to see yesterday. Sketchy history with none of it present, fag burns on passenger seat. And a portakabin office on a dusty car lot, I walked away as it just didn't feel right to me

[ZX10R NIN]

I agree if you gut reaction says no then go, the funny thing is I've found private buyers to be more honest as they don't want someone turning up & getting pissed off at the not as described condition.

I hope you find one soon

[lesstatt]

Thanks, so do I. No great hurry but if the right car comes along its mine

[CaptainRAVE]

lesstatt said:

Looking to buy one of the above in the next few weeks, budget of around 9-10k up to 60k on miles, must be in very good condition and have history, airscarf, and auto. We have seen some right dogs so far at dealers near Nottingham all say immaculate etc and are very far from it when you arrive. One even had a very bad front bumper with splits in it and what looked like sand in the low mounted fog lights. Which is the best all rounder the 280 or the 350, very similar on performance and the ved is the same as long as it before 2006, any tips appreciated, thanks

The sand will actually be the backing of the foglights deteriorating and coming off - the seal has gone letting in water. Easy and cheap to replace on the 55 AMG, but not sure about the others. The 350 is considered by many to be a significantly better car in many ways, it is worth the additional cost.

[The devil]

i bought a 350 in october last year with 78K on the clock for £8500 and it was fully loaded, the only extra it didn't have was hands free, its brilliant, the guy paid £43K new
what a car

[MX-5 Lazza]

I live in Wokingham and bought my C Class from Rochdale. To make sure it was in good condition I put a post on here asking for someone local to take a look and someone volunteered straight away. They took a look the following weekend then gave me a call to tell me that it was in exactly the condition the seller described so I made the trip up and bought it. Well worth it. I wouldn't have got a similar condition car at that price locally.

[Miglia 888]

Even faster 2008 onwards facelifted 350 has 300bhp and £290 tax.
Well worth travelling if you can find one, imho.

Have you considered one similar to this? Air scarf & heated seats.
http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Edited by Miglia 888 on Tuesday 11th August 01:28

[lesstatt]

Miglia 888 said:

Even faster 2008 onwards facelifted 350 has 300bhp and £290 tax.
Well worth travelling if you can find one, imho.

Have you considered one similar to this? Air scarf & heated seats.
http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Edited by Miglia 888 on Tuesday 11th August 01:28

Well I didn't know that about the tax, I though they were all £490 after 55 plates, trouble is the 2008 ones in my range are very high mileage, ie 90k plus. I am looking for a well cared for up to 55 plate 60k max. Thanks for the tip though

[Dodsy]

Firstly go here http://www.slkworld.com/slk-r171-general-discussio... and look at the balance shaft sprocket sticky. Note down the affected chassis numbers and make sure you check it. If you test drive it and are any problems at all with the gearbox then walk away.

I ended up with a 300 (which is a 280 they just renamed it) but still wish I had the 350 as its not quite pokey enough for my Mrs.

Dont go for one with the sports pack (stiffer suspension, bigger wheels, flappy paddle gears, bigger brakes) if you are going to do any sort of miles. Mine has it and its a lot of fun but if I drive more than an hour it gets very tiresome. SLKs already have the worlds hardest most uncomfortable seats, the sports pack just makes it horrible. But if like me you just having fun in it then its ok.

Must haves for me - COMAND (Satnav , CD changer etc), AIrscarf , Heated Seats. I drove it mid winter with the roof down with just a t shirt and fleece on and had to turn the heating down as I was cooking !

[Monkeylegend]

lesstatt said:

Well I didn't know that about the tax, I though they were all £490 after 55 plates, trouble is the 2008 ones in my range are very high mileage, ie 90k plus. I am looking for a well cared for up to 55 plate 60k max. Thanks for the tip though

Do a google on balancer shaft issues with this engine, happens round the 100k mark. A very cheap parts fix but involves quite a few labour hours, so could lump you with a big bill.