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

[cb1965]

Are you still here Natalie? Don't let Statler and Waldorf put you off the forums, if we can get a word in edgeways you'll find answers to most of your questions

LOL! Fair comment. Which one am I btw?

 

[Piff]

Lease?

 

[natalie.]

Yep I'm still here! trying to fathom out 1 in 4 hills and such but it's all a learning curve! lots to think about and ever so grateful for all the help and good advice.
who knew snow could be so contentious

the only question I really have left is how well does an SLK hold its value? I'm a saleswoman by day so numbers and wise investments are what I'm all about

 

[st13phil]

the only question I really have left is how well does an SLK hold its value?

They used to have really strong residuals, but I suspect that the silly price lease deals that have been available in the last year or so will see to it that they're not the low depreciation car they used to be.

 

[Stratman]

LOL! Fair comment. Which one am I btw?

Neither

A spin through this (or any other) thread should tell you


"I went UP a ski jump with bald tyres"

"Huh. I drove up Kilimanjaro backwards at 120mph on slicks"

Repeat ad nauseam.

 

[cb1965]

They used to have really strong residuals, but I suspect that the silly price lease deals that have been available in the last year or so will see to it that they're not the low depreciation car they used to be.

Still better than most though! Let's face it not much is holding its value these days!

 

[cb1965]

Neither

A spin through this (or any other) thread should tell you


"I went UP a ski jump with bald tyres"

"Huh. I drove up Kilimanjaro backwards at 120mph on slicks"

Repeat ad nauseam.

Ah yes I get you LOL!

 

[gaz_l]

Unless you can afford something rare and exotic, you're pretty much guaranteed to lose money on a car. That said, if you're looking at a 9/10 year old SLK it will have lost most of its money and if you look after it well it should depreciate gently.

If you're looking to spend about £5K as you posted initially, and pick up a well maintained car that doesn't come with surprise expenses, over a couple of years you'd be looking at (rough figures) £500 servicing, £600 tax, maybe £1000 depreciation. Insurance, obviously, and a bit for consumables. A set of tyres on a 200K could be £400-500 depending on what wheels are fitted.

I don't want to put you off, but best to go in with your eyes open. Cars get cheaper to buy as they get older, but the running costs don't..

Cheers,

GAz

 

[Dieselman]

Back to SLK.

The early version was model version R170 from 1996 to 2004.

The next version is R171 from 2004 to 2011.

Go for a R171 as they are a more finished car and rust less.

 

[stevieb15]

Lease?

So, £1800 upfront plus £300 per month for 23 months, total cost over two years of £8700 for a £40k car...it really is incredible value.

 

[bpsorrel]

It certainly is! I wouldn't have an MB any other way now.

If I was spending around £5 I'd got for one of these 2003(03) MERCEDES SLK230 KOMPRESSOR CONVERTIBLE AUTO DESIGNO SILVER - Mercland

But, if you want worry free, fully warranted fun and can go to around £300 a month, get a new R172 on lease. I have a 250 CDi and it really is a great car. Funnily enough the Lease company I deal with is based in Reading...

As for snow, where I live, when it does come, the worst problem is getting out of the drive! Even my FWD car struggles there!

 

[joecash]

So, £1800 upfront plus £300 per month for 23 months, total cost over two years of £8700 for a £40k car...it really is incredible value.

+1 good deal with no worries

 

[Ian Donkin]

It certainly is! I wouldn't have an MB any other way now.

If I was spending around £5 I'd got for one of these 2003(03) MERCEDES SLK230 KOMPRESSOR CONVERTIBLE AUTO DESIGNO SILVER - Mercland

But, if you want worry free, fully warranted fun and can go to around £300 a month, get a new R172 on lease. I have a 250 CDi and it really is a great car. Funnily enough the Lease company I deal with is based in Reading...

As for snow, where I live, when it does come, the worst problem is getting out of the drive! Even my FWD car struggles there!

My F-in-Law has an earlier one of these as his summer runabout and they are a really relaxing mode of transport. Well maintained and good condition examples shouldn't depreciate from here.

Leasing is attractive, but in 3 years there 's nothing to show for it... Really does depend on whether Nat will want to change car frequently, or just buy a good one and keep it.

Lots of options!

 

[Deleted member 65149]

I totally agree that the R171 is the model to aim for. Not only does it look a far more modern car (the same up to 2011) I think it's also far nicer to drive. I always felt that the R170 was OK but nothing special, just like driving an ordinary saloon most of the time. But the R171 not only looks much more like a sports car, it drives more like one too.

As for whether or not to go for a new one on lease, I'd only agree if that's what Natalie can afford and wants to spend her money on. Yes the running costs would be far lower, but Stevie's example would write off all Natalie's max budget and more, so she'd be left with nothing at the end of the 2 years. On a used car bought for £6-7k she'd still have a nice car after 2 years, albeit worth a couple of thousand less. As attractive as the new car lease sounds, it's still way more expensive than buying used.

 

[Ian Donkin]

... countering for the R170, they are a pretty solidly built bit of kit, rather like the C-class of the time; admittedly the later car has better dynamics, but if my F-in-L's example is anything to go by, tin worm is not as bad in these as their contemporary C-Class counterparts.

I'd happily have either!

 

[Deleted member 65149]

A 1 in 4 driveway in Reading?

Did you do geography at skool?

Most of my driveway when I lived in Pinner (not far from Reading and nearer central London) was about 1 in 4. We Southern Softies know what mountains are all about!

During the 18 years I lived there I owned various cars with all drive configurations. My Audi Coupe 4WD was admittedly best in the snow, with the ex SWMBO's Mini a close second. But only once in those 18 years did I have to clear snow from the steep drive to get up - and that was in a Jaguar XJ6. Other than that one incident I never had any trouble getting up my drive, or anywhere else, in numerous rear-wheel drive cars, none of which ever had winter tyres. Yes, there were times when progress would have been easier on winter tyres, but it's just like driving anywhere at any time: you just have to drive for the conditions. Except in extreme conditions that we rarely if ever have in most of England, winter tyres are only essential for those who are too impatient to drive with more care and/or lack the ability to do so. Winter tyres don't stop another idiot running in to you!

 

[Deleted member 65149]

Natalie, you may have already read this owner's review on Autotrader:

A Girls Dream

MERCEDES-BENZ SLK 200K 2dr Tip Auto (Review date: 22nd July '12)
4.8
I have only just bought this car so can only give comments on what I have found so far.
Firstly I felt daunted by the car - it's nothing like I have owned before. But I really shouldn't of. It is a wonderful car to drive. When the roof is down and it is a gorgeous sunny day, I do think that it has been one of the best buys I have ever had.
Mine is white with red leather seats and it does get the looks everytime I drive it around town, but especially when the roof is down.
I absolutely love the auto headlights along with the windscreen wipers. It has everything I could wish for including the heated seats which will be very welcome no doubt in winter!
I have found it surprisingly good on the petrol, after reading the reviews on the car I thought that it would be a drinker, but I check the mpg quite regularly and it is always around the 29 to 32 mpg which I am more than happy with. Yes the tax is nearer the £300 mark, but I do feel that it is worth it. I look on it as £30 a month!!
The weekly shop fits comfortably in the boot and am consistently surprised just how much I can fit in, even my sons precious guitar has plenty of room which he is happy with.
The drive is lovely, especially on the motorway. When you put your foot down the pull of the car does make you smile. Up to now I love this car and can't wait for more sunny days to be able to drive it with the roof down. But even with the roof up, the car feels fabulous.
If you want a car to turn heads, or just to feel special - this is the car for you. I haven't stopped smiling since buying it.

 

[st13phil]

The next version is R171 from 2004 to 2011.

Go for a R171 as they are a more finished car and rust less.

I second that, and the facelift R171 (MY2009-on, easily identified as it has the F1-style nose as in the piccy) is the best of that series - if you're prepared to spend a little more than your £7.5k. However, as others have said, if you are comfortable making the longer term commitment for a lease then a new R172 with its 3-year warranty is an attractive proposition.

My wife has an R171 (350 with Sport Pack) which I've driven extensively and it's a very easy car to drive with the exception that the extremities are impossible to see from the driver's seat so you may want to seek out an example with parking sensors (parktronic). There's lots of equipment on these cars that was optional, so be careful when comparing examples that they are like-for-like and that they have all the options you are expecting. One that I absolutely would not countenance an SLK without is Airscarf (which means you get heated seats too) as it makes it usable with the top down many more days of the year.

Regarding usability in slippery conditions, my wife's car is on 18-inch wheels with wide Michelin Pilot Sport 2's and it's fine until it snows at which point it has the directional stability of a tea trolley. Don't let that put you off though as there are relatively few days of the year when you'll encounter those conditions and you can either blag a lift from someone with a FWD econobox, or get the bus

Talking of tyres, due to the suspension geometry the front tyres tend to scrub the edges rather than wearing evenly, so don't forget to check the inner portion of the tread if you want to avoid unexpectedly having to replace them soon after purchase. Also check for any dampness in the boot or the car itself as blocked drains or damaged seals can cause leaks. Unless you're certain of the cause of any dampness walk away and find another example.

Lots of SLK's (especially the 200k) get bought as second / occasional use cars, so there are lots of low-mileage well cared for examples available. Take your time choosing and you'll get one with the spec you want for a good price and you'll enjoy every minute of ownership.

 

[Godfrey]

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

And my other half has filled up all the cubby holes with lipstick and other non essentials too

 

[IanA2]

I had an SLK320 great car, terrible in snow/ice, really bad. It's a summer car. How about a G Wagen