The new shape MB SLK?

Regular readers will know that I sold my S about 4 weeks ago and the intention was to get a 4 seat drop top after selling/trading in Colleens Type R. That way we were going to get the best of both worlds.

We looked at a number of cars but whilst in the Mercedes Benz showroom (to look at a CLK) Colleen took a shine to an SLK. To cut a long story short we will now be using her lease car as the 4 seat work horse and will get a two seat roadster as our car.

We did briefly talk about another S but much as I loved mine at my age it is probably time to move to something else and the SLK certainly looks good and even the 280 has 231bhp with a 0-60 of 6.3secs. The 350 is even faster.

We have had a test drive and we both liked it a lot but didn't get on with the automatic box, having driven manuals for more years than I care to remember.

MB owners seem to speak as one in saying don't get a manual, the automatic is fantastic and resale will be difficult with a manual box.

Any thoughts anyone?

 

Probably an excellent design, a bit overstyled.

But I wouldn't touch such an unreliable, overpriced PoS.

I'd end up being bound over after a violent outburst at teh dealership.

 

I haven't driven one Kelvin, although I've driven most Mercs made in the last 30 years, but I'll ramble....

MB have a poor record when it comes to manuals, so those comments have some history

I think the SLK still has a golf club/wife's car image, which again fits with the auto being preferred by most buyers

it will doubtless be fast enough, but only you can answer whether it will be involving enough. it's a personal thing, no right or wrong answer

I would be concerned about the reliability aspect. there can't be any serious argument about whether MB have gone downhill in this regard over recent years

so what if there is a warranty? that is only financial compensation, and does nothing for the frustration caused by regular trips to the dealership, and a succession of niggles

maybe this model is better, I don't know, but I would do my research carefully

I think the car will hold its value well, but again, you buy a car to drive (I think!) not derive satisfaction from its residual value

last of all, why not go a little left-field - either a classic convertible for high days and holidays, or a more modern and unusual s/h alternative

Saab comes to mind (in the latter case; a late high spec 9-3 convertible can be cheaply bought)

shell out say

 

I take it that no Merc would not be at the top of your list then Nick

Thanks for you well reasoned post, as always, Pete. I will certainly not be rushing into any deal, especially as the car with must have accessories is rapidly approaching

 

I saw a VW thing with a hard drop top, looked a bit like a passat, but it had a different name, yesterday on the M1. I thought about you Kelvin when I saw it

 

The sales girl I work with has one of the new ones of these. Nice enough car, quite pleasant inside. Hers has the auto box and seems to drive comfortably. It was expensive though and hers is the 200 kompressor. It looks good and doesn't really go, but she doesn't need it to. Neither does she care how it drives or if the drive is involving.

I wouldn't want one but for some people they are perfect. Hers has been fine since she's had it (3 months, 8000 miles)

 

The VW Eos I think Ian.

I had a 200 SLK as a loan car when my S was being repaired.

I had a couple of problems with it - within 2 miles of setting off for the first time I had an ESP system malfunction warning come up - I ignored it and by the time I was going home in the evening it had cleared, so not all bad.

That night, on my way to the Surrey meet I had an SRS system malfunction get to MB dealer warning come up.

I phoned the hire car company and they said if I was happy to drive it as is that's fine.

I did as I didn't have the time to mess around getting it sorted.

This was a brand new car, it only had about 400 miles on the clock when it was delivered to me.

Another thing didn't like was the positioning of the indicator stalk, instead of being at 9 o'clock as you get in most cars, it was round at 8 o'clock - a bit odd, but I'm sure it would be something you get used to.

For what was a

 

The only one I'd have would be the 55. Problem with that is it's expensive and the auto gearbox is apparently horrid.

 

The roof goes down by remote which was a neat gimmick.

 

general build quality as much as anything else. cheaper materials used etc


key is not to rely on your own judgement (unless a peanuts purchase)


I know my cars but I still get more expensive tackle checked over by main dealers/specialist/bodyshop - and it isn't expensive

ask yourself how well your S was cared for

there are other people out there like you