Mercedes SLK - first car for a more mature driver - opinoins?

[natalie.]

Hi All,

I'm after some advice on my first car choice.
Little bit of background - i am 25 and having spent my teens and early twenties living in London, didn't ever feel the need to drive. Having moved back to Berkshire and living the suburban life, i've decided its time to get back behind the wheel.
I have had a license since i was 17 but have barely driven a full 6 months in that time. Ive taken some refresher lessons and consider myself a cautious but safe driver.

I waited to turn 25 for hope of having my insurance knocked down a bit so i am now in the position to buy my first proper car.
Being that little bit older and a professional, i really don't want to go for the typical first time car - Corsa, Polo etc and have my heart set on an SLK.
Ive been looking around and think my best bet price wise is 2000-2004 reg - erring more towards the newer end of the spectrum. I have a maximum budget of £7,500 but would prefer more around the £5k price.

I know running costs are relatively high - road tax seems to be around the £300-500 mark and i know Mercedes services from Authorised dealers come in around £400 - £500. Is my research right? Is this the right kind of ballpark running costs?

Most of all, i'd like some impartial opinoins...be honest with me, is an SLK as a first car a complete waste of time?
I dont particularly want to drive long distances - just the 3 miles to and from work daily and then use it to potter about on the weekends. I trust myself not to do anything too stupid to it. BUT, is this kind of car really too powerful for an inexperienced driver to handle?
As much as i do want a good looking car, i also want a safe and reliable car..i love Mercedes as a brand but would really appreciate any advice you Merc experts can offer before i take a plunge on this beauty of a car!

Thanks
Nat

 

[Dieselman]

An SLK will be fine, they are very easy to drive.

Avoid high power variants unless you want proper performance, but anything with a 2 at the front should be adequate without being too lively. A 3 at the front is nicer though due to being brisker and more refined.

 

[Charles Morgan]

Just remember that if you haven't driven between passing your test and eight years later you won't have built up any no claims bonus, so you may find insurance expensive on a higher group car like an SLK.

 

[cb1965]

The first thing to say is that the fact you've even asked shows to me you have a sensible and cautious head on your shoulders and IMO that is the only real obstacle to ownership no matter what age you are.

Counterbalancing that the other thing to mention is that SLKs are of course rear wheel drive and all things being equal this means that if you overcook it on a bend you will get the back end coming round and as your natural reaction is to brake if you do you will then spin and... well you get the picture! Front wheel drive is ostensibly safer for an inexpereinced driver.

However the SLK isn't a particularly tail happy car and the above would be a very rare exception rather than the norm so if you drive sensibly and learn the car there is no reason why an SLK should be any more of a handful than any other car and in fact better than quite a few I could mention.

In terms of power a 200 or 230 isn't overly powerful so you will have no problems there and if you just want to enjoy your driving and have the top down experience when you want it is a great choice.

The only thing to be mindful of is that greater than 10 year old SLKs can have issues with things like the electrics that can be costly. Buy the very best you can afford and buy on condition rather than mileage and you should be fine!

 

[Dieselman]

Counterbalancing that the other thing to mention is that SLKs are of course rear wheel drive and all things being equal this means that if you overcook it on a bend you will get the back end coming round and as your natural reaction is to brake if you do you will then spin and...

I didn't realise that SLK didn't have traction control, ABS and stability control like all other Mercedes do.

Learn something every day.

Natalie has already said she is a cautious driver who will be pottering about. She is unlikely to be hanging the back out on bends, but if she did the car is rammed with safety aids to stop it going wrong.



[YOUTUBE]WWnAdB-vkXo[/YOUTUBE]

 

[itaintemeyouno]

I didn't realise that SLK didn't have traction control, ABS and stability control like all other Mercedes do.

Learn something every day.

I'm new, so not sure whether you are being serious or sarcastic.

Anyone who drives silly and allows a car to loose shape on bend and just wants to wait for ESP or ABS to save them will be in a box quite quickly, so if you are trying to say to inexperienced drivers that ESP will save their lives then that strikes me as rather foolhardy. It won't just be the OP that reads this post, so you should form your reply for less sensible readers also.

But then, I'm new.

 

[natalie.]

Hi All - thanks so much for your replies - really appreciated.
Like i say, impartial opinions are really valued - people are too quick to appease and just say "ah lovely" when you mention which car you have your eye on!

The rear wheel drive is a slight concern - mainly because that is what put me off a Mazda MX-5, though i suppose MX-5's are lighter and more flimsy in general so i wont bunch them together with SLKs as SLKs have a lot more bulk to them
On that note though - how to SLK's perform in the snow/ice?
I only live in Reading so it's not like it gets arctic down here, but i am cautious of spinning if we have another hard winter - any thoughts on that one?

To be really honest with you i will genuinely treat this as my runaround car - no hard bends or really any motorway driving so as long as the concensus is they are safe and easy to manage cars i think my mind is pretty made up!

As far as insurance premiums go, i know i need to suck it up for a couple of years, which is okay seeing as i have no kids or other responsibilities apart from paying the mortgage and bills. Best quote so far has been £1200 which i know is a fair chunk of change, but a lot better than i initially expected and, hopefully, i can half this in the next couple of years!

 

[Deleted member 65149]

I didn't realise that SLK didn't have traction control, ABS and stability control like all other Mercedes do.

Don't worry Nat, Dieselman was just being facetious with that comment.

Don't go for anything larger than a 230 and make condition a higher priority than age. All SLKs look nice so take someone with you who is less interested in the shiny bits. Some parts can be expensive if they go wrong so get a good warranty too.

 

[cb1965]

I'm new, so not sure whether you are being serious or sarcastic.

Anyone who drives silly and allows a car to loose shape on bend and just wants to wait for ESP or ABS to save them will be in a box quite quickly, so if you are trying to say to inexperienced drivers that ESP will save their lives then that strikes me as rather foolhardy. It won't just be the OP that reads this post, so you should form your reply for less sensible readers also.

But then, I'm new.

Don't worry some of the posters here are like the dealers....

Anyway I have learned today that Mercedes SLK driver aids are the laws of physics defeating ones. Just my SL must be fitted with the old type that can't do that as I got the tail out quite deliberately and convincingly on my favourite drift road a month or so ago, but then I'm relatively new to these Mercs so what do I know

 

[Charles Morgan]

My sister drove an MX5 for 10 years on country lanes and roads all over Devon and Cornwall without any problems, heavy snow generally she avoided. I honestly wouldn't give it even a second of your concern, as Dieselman says, these cars are loaded up with so many safety devices they can cope with everything except totally extreme conditions. I have driven an SLK55 on a day organised by AMG and that is one to avoid switching off the ESP. The rest, just fine.

If you are worried then get a set of all seasons or winter tyres (just to wind DM up!) and snow won't be an issue, other lousy drivers will though - if snowy, stay off the road, it's the loons who drive badly who will get you.

Enjoy the hunt!

 

[Deleted member 65149]

As far as RWD on ice/snow is concerned, just drive with lighter feet. It really is a simple as that. I spent over 10 years close to Reading whilst driving Mercedes and never had any problems with slipping and sliding.

 

[Harrythedog]

As Charles has stated the insurance may be a bit of a shock so I'd ring around for a few quotes first before you decide on a particular model.

 

[cb1965]

The rear wheel drive is a slight concern - mainly because that is what put me off a Mazda MX-5, though i suppose MX-5's are lighter and more flimsy in general so i wont bunch them together with SLKs as SLKs have a lot more bulk to them
On that note though - how to SLK's perform in the snow/ice?
I only live in Reading so it's not like it gets arctic down here, but i am cautious of spinning if we have another hard winter - any thoughts on that one?

The MX-5 is way lighter and less aided so yes that would be a bit more of handful. You will be fine withan SLK, I just wanted to make you aware of the default RWD behaviour. Better than you coming baclk in a month or two and asking why nobody told you.

Sadly RWD is not great in the snow despite what some will tell you, but given you live in Reading I wouldn't worry about it. If you get a bit of snow leave the car at home and use the bus for the couple of days where the roads are bad.

 

[Deleted member 65149]

Anyway I have learned today that Mercedes SLK driver aids are the laws of physics defeating ones. Just my SL must be fitted with the old type that can't do that as I got the tail out quite deliberately and convincingly on my favourite drift road a month or so ago, but then I'm relatively new to these Mercs so what do I know

Sounds like that quote should be added to DM's video that he posted earlier!

 

[cb1965]

Sounds like that quote should be added to DM's video that he posted earlier!

I wouldn't know as I can't be ar5ed watching it

 

[Stratman]

..............

The rear wheel drive is a slight concern - mainly because that is what put me off a Mazda MX-5, though i suppose MX-5's are lighter and more flimsy in general so i wont bunch them together with SLKs as SLKs have a lot more bulk to them
On that note though - how to SLK's perform in the snow/ice?
I only live in Reading so it's not like it gets arctic down here, but i am cautious of spinning if we have another hard winter - any thoughts on that one?

....................

Rear wheel drive + fashionably wide tyres = going nowhere in snow.

Have a read of this year's winter tyres thread in the Wheels and Suspension forum, and if it's still a concern get some all season tyres on it.

SLKs can rust a bit in places hidden from view, so have any prospective purchase checked over by someone who knows where to look. Make sure the roof works flawlessly and that there are no traces of dampness in the boot.

 

[natalie.]

Really good advice here guys - keep it coming!

I know this is probably controversial (and no offence to lady drivers!), but i am a typical girl when it comes to cars - wouldnt have even thought about half the points raised here!

Thanks again

 

[Deleted member 65149]

Rear wheel drive + fashionably wide tyres = going nowhere in snow.

Have a read of this year's winter tyres thread in the Wheels and Suspension forum, and if it's still a concern get some all season tyres on it.

SLKs can rust a bit in places hidden from view, so have any prospective purchase checked over by someone who knows where to look. Make sure the roof works flawlessly and that there are no traces of dampness in the boot.

Good points about what to look out for, but I disagree with your initial totally negative point about RWD. The vast majority of my cars have been RWD but I've never had anything other than very minor problems on ice or snow. All that's needed is a more sensitive right foot that feeds power in gently, and then allows you to slow down safely. A lot of respect for the road conditions goes a very long way. It doesn't bother me when Johnny comes past in his Fiesta on a snow-covered road - invariably I'll see him in a ditch further down the road! I certainly had no trouble on the snow in the Alps earlier this year, despite the 306hp I had available for the 18" 255/35 rear summer boots. But then I'm not a hoon.

 

[Dieselman]

Really good advice here guys - keep it coming!

I know this is probably controversial (and no offence to lady drivers!), but i am a typical girl when it comes to cars - wouldnt have even thought about half the points raised here!

Thanks again

Ahh, now we get what you are after...Yes, Mercedes cars do have makeup mirrors in both sunvisors...

 

[natalie.]

RWD does seem a contentious issue - my views are skewed like i say by MX-5's and 3 people at work telling me not to use them in the snow unless i fancied spinning around!

For me personally, i am a really, really cautious driver (probably too cautious to some people) so zipping up and down and being silly with something that is a. costing at least £5k of my hard earned money and b) could take my life, really doesnt appeal!

Realistically, i will intermittently trot down the M4 but only need to use A roads to get to and from work so obviously, the logical thing for me is if road conditions are bad - take it steady and avoid the motorway!

More importantly, and apologies for the novice question, RWD doesnt impair/add any risks to day-to-day driving in normal or rainy conditions, does it?