SLK 350 should i ?

[SteveTDCi]

We currently have a Leon Cupra, TT Roadster 225 and a T Plater VW Polo. We got the Polo as we were fed up with parking dents and people backing in to the TT and as it happens its a bit more economical than the Leon.

The downside is it seems to develope a few noise or rattler everyday

So i'm thinking of having a restructure, whilst i do like the new model TT and prefer the 2.0T i'm not so keen on the looks compared to the original TT. So we - that being me and the wife have discussed going back to two cars, keeping the Polo and then selling the TT and Leon.

Now the reason for being here is i'm tempted by the SLK350, I know mpg isn't going to be great but i doubt we would cover much more than 5k a year, in fact i thik we managed 2500 in the TT this year and the car before the TT a Puma was owned by us since new covering 37k in 10 years

So mpg costs aside, what are the running costs like, tax if i avoid anything after 2006 should be bareable but what about things like servicing, fluid changes cambelts etc although i assume the 350 might be chain driven ? Are there any weak points or things to look out for? I would rather buy from a specialist or merc dealer although i'm sure the spec i would want is ... black, amg wheels or kit, air scarf and heated seats red leather is nice too

Any answers would be great, even better if you could answer why prices vary so much !

Thanks
Steve

 

[Dr-Nab]

If you're looking for one from 2004-late 2005 make sure that it has had the brake recall done as there's an issue that develops with the brake pedal which can end up with it failing - fairly serious but can be quite costly to fix from a main dealer.

If it's a mid 2005 to 2006 (as you stated you don't want to go for an '06 plate) make sure it has had the recall done for the wiring loom to be replaced for the steering wheel/airbag - it develops a fault.. the on board computer throws warnings at you and it also deactivates the airbags this is down to there being an incorrect voltage reading?? it can cost around £400 odd from a main dealer to be sorted.

Be sure to check on the gearbox, the 7G in mine was very clunky when I part ex'd it, make sure it shifts smoothly and when you move from P to D that it doesn't give a hard clunk then lurch forward, servicing isn't all that bad but then it depends on whether you'd go to a good indie or main dealer, obviously the labour prices at the dealerships will be very high.

I had a black SLK350 and it was a magnet for stone chips, so make sure that if you look for one that there aren't any that are too severe - this may just be me but it wound me up like something chronic when I'd wash it and find new stone chips!

One of the main reasons I got rid of mine was the long distance comfort, I'd enjoy driving it about for hours on end for the grin factor and the noise it made but my word it was uncomfortable, see if you can get a long test drive in it to make sure you can deal with that, if I was in the market for one I'd wait a little until the new model is released because that might affect the prices of the outgoing R171 model.

 

[SteveTDCi]

Thanks, thats helpful. If the original warranty work hasn't been completed will MB still carry it out or is it best to walk away ? Stone chips do annoy me too but its just one of those things. We could wait for prices to fall but then the TT and LEon would still depricate so I don't think it would matter too much, unless 3k will be wiped off them then i would possibly wait !

 

[tpwuk]

SLK is a girls car, buy my CLK 430 instead!!

 

[Colin_b]

SLK is a girls car, buy my CLK 430 instead!!

Nothing like a bit of unbiased advice

 

[SteveTDCi]

SLK is a girls car, buy my CLK 430 instead!!

LOL, the wifes name will be on the logbook so the SLK will be fine

 

[Noodle-Pulp]

In my opinion the Dusky Red leather (I had it in my SLK200) starts looking like Dusky Pink in no time at all...

 

[Colin_b]

I've got a 350, 57 reg, had it since new. Heated seats were standard, airscarf is a must.

Done 17k miles so far, 2 services total around £320 for both. Been faultless, no problems or glitches at all.

1 set of rear tyres at 11k miles, fronts good for another 2 or 3 thousand.

Fuel consumption is between 22mpg and 31mpg depending on conditions, I've averaged 25.5 over the last 10k miles. That includes a fair percentage of stop/start driving.

Gearbox is smooth and responsive, the paddle shift (an option) is excellent.

Performance is excellent

Downsides are the VED and the standard audio 20 is a bit feeble. Plus the gay/hairdresser comments on occasions.

 

[st13phil]

We (more specifically, my wife ) have a 2009 SLK350 Sport Auto which she bought new and it's great fun to drive. Unlike Dr Nab I can drive it all day and not get suffer any discomfort, so it is obviously a personal thing and you should try before you buy. It's averaged 26.2mpg over 16.5k miles with a best of 31.0 and a worst of 20.3. Rear tyres were changed at 10.5k miles just before a road trip to Spain but would have gone about 2k farther. Fronts still have lots of life in them. First service was £199 and the car has been faultless.

One thing I would say is that it's not as much of a driver's car as something a Boxter so if you're looking for that sort of experience then I'd advise you to look elsewhere. That said, it makes a great and very practical fast tourer and the luggage space is much larger than you'd expect, even with the roof down.

Prices do vary enormously but if you really dig into the spec and/or condition you'll generally see why. Personally I wouldn't be that anxious about the AMG styling pack, but I would look for one with the Sport Pack on it. COMAND is nice and adds value but the absolute must have for me is Airscarf which makes the car usable top down in surprisingly low temps. Check if a prospective purchase is due a gearbox oilchange or a plugs change prior to putting your money down and make sure the price reflects it if it does. Both are relatively expensive jobs - especially if done at a Main Dealer.

 

[Dr-Nab]

Unlike Dr Nab I can drive it all day and not get suffer any discomfort, so it is obviously a personal thing and you should try before you buy.

There's more (thicker) padding on the seats on the facelifted models which make them more supportive and comfortable, since the car that may be bought here is likely to be 04-06 the seats may be slightly less comfortable, though almost certainly down to personal preference.

Never really had an issue on short 10-15 minute trips but after 2 or so hours I ended up pretty much face-planting when trying to get out... not a good look!

 

[Dr-Nab]

Thanks, thats helpful. If the original warranty work hasn't been completed will MB still carry it out or is it best to walk away ?

Mine was out of warranty when the wiring loom issue reared its ugly head, had to pay for it but only ended up costing about £180 because the service manager knocked the price down, was still ridiculous considering the itemising on the invoice showed that there was only maybe £50 of parts the rest was labour, on top of that they showed me a price table for that particular repair... £180 was the cheapest they could do it for but I looked along the table and I'm sure I read £460 so it depends how generous they are feeling!

 

[gaz_l]

but the absolute must have for me is Airscarf which makes the car usable top down in surprisingly low temps.

I agree - I have airscarf on the 55 and with that and a wooly hat I drove the car quite comfortably with the top down when there was frost on the ground. I soon found out that 360BHP and cold tarmac make for an interesting drive though! Lots of orange flashy light on the dashboard .

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[Adam230K]

I can only add the following;

SLK350's are fast... VERY fast...

and they sound pretty good too

 

[SteveTDCi]

thans for the response's, i guess MB customer service should be able to tell if the car has had its warranty work ? Hopefully I can get down to the local dealer tomorrow to see if i like the look of them.