SLK 230 vs 320

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Vickster

Active Member
Joined
Aug 26, 2007
Messages
68
Location
Sutton, Surrey
Car
Red 1999 SLK 230
I have had my 1999 SLK 230 for a few months now and I am rather disappointed with the power given it has 193bhp and eats petrol with abandon! Also, having come from 5 pot Italian, it just sounds rather feeble, mainly the whine of the supercharger, but just no growl at all when accelerating. I have toyed with the idea of a full service (it had one less than a year ago) and an SS exhaust but am just not sure whether I will get what I want despite spending the cash :(

Thus, I am seriously considering changing it for something that looks on paper like it should be quicker or at least more fun.

The SLK is very comfortable for me to drive and I love the looks and size, so am considering a step up to the 320 (I wanted one before but they were that much more money and I didn't know the 230 would fail to impress).

Can anyone who has experience of both tell me whether the V6 320 will meet my acceleration and growl needs? There is a manual for sale at a good price - what are they like compared to the autos?

Other non-Merc options of possible interest are an Audi TT 225 (more grunt), a Mini Cooper S (fun and great handling but common) or a Focus ST170 (again a great handler supposedly, respectable oomph and a much lower price tag). I will also look at a Puma just because everyone rates them so highly! Any other smallish options around the 8k mark, that are no older than the SLK?

Thanks for any advice / you can offer
 
Hello

My Dad had the 230K for 8 years always seemed to go quite well, he would get over 30 mpg out of it (but then he gets 28mpg out of his SL500 he has now)

The 320 I shoudl imagine is a smoother engine so again probably not growly...

I have a friend with a 32.V6 TT DSG and that sounds like an electric car, its quick but no sound.

The focus?..... cannot really compare to a SLK and TT ?

I saw a Boxster at a local garage 2.7 Tiptronic with the sports pack and bosy kit (90K miles) but £8300 with a private it would look superb and although not 'that' quick do sound nice.


If your after a convertible then

How about a BMW 3.0i Z3 ? S2000 ?
 
The V6 320 is a fabulous, smooth, fast engine.

Like A210 I would not describe it as growly though, so I would expect it to meet your acceleration needs, but not necessarily your aural ones.

Only way to make sure is to test drive it:)
 
Thanks :)

I realise the Focus is not the same as an SLK or TT but probably 3-4k cheaper for a newer car! It just seems like an option

I had a look at an ST170 today, seems like a nice car, although not really sporty (was a 3 door so better) - didn't get to drive it which was a shame.

Was chatting to the dealer - he warned me about the high costs of Audi parts, which given I will only be able to afford a cheaper / old one is a little concerning.

I do like the Boxster too, but I'd want the 3.2 I think and again money won't stretch.

Mini-wise, he said I may struggle as I have long legs and they are not especially big! I looked at Z3s before, but they have a really bizarre pedal position, which was not for me!

A dealer at the top of my road has a TT in, may try to have a drive in the morning and I will try to track down a 320 SLK. What are thoughts on the manual box? Rubbish? I've not found the auto box in mine to be fantastic, and certainly not compared to an Alpina's according to my brother who has one :devil:
 
Was chatting to the dealer - he warned me about the high costs of Audi parts, which given I will only be able to afford a cheaper / old one is a little concerning.
The Ford dealer..;) I supect you mean Salesman...well, there you go...next week he'll probably be working at Audi..
Not expensive if it doesn't need them..
Mini-wise, he said I may struggle as I have long legs and they are not especially big! I looked at Z3s before, but they have a really bizarre pedal position, which was not for me!

Z3 is a bit pase now and the pedal position is pants.
Can't fit in a MINI..err how tall are you.? In reality that may be doing you a favour.
 
I'm 5'9, 32" inside leg and not the slimmest :rolleyes:

Trader I guess, not Ford dealer (used car place). For example, he said that he paid £450 for a new clutch for a 225 TT and that was through his mechanic (mate's rate)!

Example of Audi specialist TT costs, not cheap! http://www.audigarage.co.uk/service-price.asp More than Merc?
 
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I had a TTC 225 and considered a SLK 320 until I drove one! I was so disappointed it doesn't compare to the TT at all! Its a lovely car but the TT comes with loads more kit and is a lot better to drive!

If your cruising along at say 60 in 6th on a hill you can just put your foot down and it will pull! The SLK just couldn't compare to this at all!

Holden hill between exeter and plymouth is a huge hill that average cars struggle to do 70 up in top gear. I excelerated in 6th at the bottom from 70 and three quarters of the way up my mrs told me off. I had reached 100 by this time and it was still pulling!

For £300 you can visit P-Torque and increase your TT 225 to 265-270bhp. It is a common mod on the TTOC.

The quattro system is also fantastic which you don't realise until you get a FWD/RWD car. You will never wheel spin! You can put the power down when wet and the car just grips!

They are also very cheap now and can be had from about 8k upwards. They are not faultless though, coil packs can go after a service if they've not been removed using the correct tool and the cambelt needs changing every 5 years.

I would recommend one to anyone! If you have any questions just ask!
 
Can't fit in a MINI..err how tall are you.? In reality that may be doing you a favour.

I have to concur. What about an Audi A4 convertible. They do a V6 which will have all the noise you'll want but fuel bills you'll hate.

For the fuel economy concious there is a grunty 2.5Tdi 5pot which goes like the clappers :D
 
A4 convertible is too big to park happily in horrid work carpark!

Thanks for the feedback on the TT - If only I could spend time in 6th gear, lucky to get to 40 mph most of the time!

What's so bad about the mini apart from every 3rd car being one around here (911s another quarter, 4x4 a quarter and the rest everything else) and being on the titchy side? I am a woman so being a little girly isn't a major consideration!

I am leaning more and more towards the Focus :crazy:
 
Holden hill between exeter and plymouth is a huge hill that average cars struggle to do 70 up in top gear. I excelerated in 6th at the bottom from 70 and three quarters of the way up my mrs told me off. I had reached 100 by this time and it was still pulling!

Know that hill quite well, lovely being able to "fly" up it without down shifting and overtaking everything!:D
 
I had a TTC 225 and considered a SLK 320 until I drove one! I was so disappointed it doesn't compare to the TT at all! Its a lovely car but the TT comes with loads more kit and is a lot better to drive!

If your cruising along at say 60 in 6th on a hill you can just put your foot down and it will pull! The SLK just couldn't compare to this at all!

Holden hill between exeter and plymouth is a huge hill that average cars struggle to do 70 up in top gear. I excelerated in 6th at the bottom from 70 and three quarters of the way up my mrs told me off. I had reached 100 by this time and it was still pulling!

For £300 you can visit P-Torque and increase your TT 225 to 265-270bhp. It is a common mod on the TTOC.

The quattro system is also fantastic which you don't realise until you get a FWD/RWD car. You will never wheel spin! You can put the power down when wet and the car just grips!

They are also very cheap now and can be had from about 8k upwards. They are not faultless though, coil packs can go after a service if they've not been removed using the correct tool and the cambelt needs changing every 5 years.

I would recommend one to anyone! If you have any questions just ask!

As far as I'm concerned there is a major problem with the TT, visibility. Everything - mirrors, pillars and headrests seem to create major blindspots of a like I've not really experienced before. Driving one (both old and new versions, though the new one is worse), was quite odd.

Try before you buy, it is entirely possible I'm a bit fussy.
 
Vickster they are not just good in 6th :) they are great in all gears! Could you stretch to a new ST or we talking the 170? The 170s are nice if you get a model with the comfort pack. You got quite a nice selection of extras.
 
Know that hill quite well, lovely being able to "fly" up it without down shifting and overtaking everything!:D

Take the Torquay side and you can have some fun, saying that the third lane now come to an abrupt end.

My Porsche used to eat Holden for breakfast ! ! :D :D :D
 
Holden hill between exeter and plymouth is a huge hill that average cars struggle to do 70 up in top gear. I excelerated in 6th at the bottom from 70 and three quarters of the way up my mrs told me off. I had reached 100 by this time and it was still pulling!

I know this one too now. Got caught behind a hatchback that was struggling like mad and losing speed but wouldn't move over, when it moved flicked the cruise back on and dissapeared rapidy even though we were fully laden.. Nice..
 
I had a 1998 230 SLK for 6 years and I was very happy with it. Very comfortable and a pleasure to drive. I also thought the MPG consumption wasn't that bad either. I traded this in last September for a 2002 32AMG. Yes, the sound is a little better to that of the 230 but its not that loud. I think it depends on what you like.

I used to own TVRs before I got my first SLK and, although the growl was fantastic, I could hardly hear the radio nor have a conversation with the passenger. Depends on what you want really. You can always modify the exhaust to make it louder if thats your thing but I myself prefer to keep it original as much as possible IMHO!
 
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The linked ST170 on pistonheads has the comfort pack. Thats the extras you want! The seats are fantastic and cost £1000 a piece!
 
I had this dilema with my CLK when buying it came down to 2 cars in the end a 230K sport or 320 Avantgarde after driving both (twice) I went for the 230 sport, felt quicker than the 320, better, lower suspension which made it handle better and it had a nice characteristic growl, as well as the supercharger whine, 320 was a beautiful engine nice driver but no sport also this engine does not mate up well to a manual box and is better suited to auto. I would agree with the earlier posts Audi TT 225 nice quick car but no sound and no soul. I also have a racing puma and that is a rocket powered roller skate very quick very agile and with a puma speed exhaust sounds like a ferrari also incredibly good on fuel when driven hard, I cant rate the Puma high enough but would not want to do a mega long journey in it, I also have my Merc and Subaru Legacy (company car). If I had to drive from London to Edinburgh I would want to be in the Merc. Might be worth persevering with what you already have to what you desire it was certainly possible with my clk
 

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