It depends on which engine you are looking at
The 200 engine was uprated to 184 BHP from 163 BHP
The 350 engine was uprated to 302 BHP from 272 BHP
The 280 engine stayed at 228 BHP but became known as the 300 later on.
The facelift was fairly subtle cosmetically, with more modern front and rear bumper mouldings. AFAIK chassis and suspension remained largely unchanged.
CO2 outputs moved around causing some models, especially with larger alloys, to fall into the top road tax bracket around 2006/7.
So decide your budget and start trying a few! One thing to bear in mind is that the post 2008 350s will not be in the 'danger zone' for potential balance shaft sprocket failure.
For what it's worth, I tried a 200k (184), a 280 and a 350 (272).
The 200k felt 'wheezy' and only has a 5 speed auto box, the 280 was nice and fast enough for most, but for me the 350 was 'the one' and I felt it straight away. The AMG55 was out of my budget and running costs worried me!
The 200 engine was uprated to 184 BHP from 163 BHP
The 350 engine was uprated to 302 BHP from 272 BHP
The 280 engine stayed at 228 BHP but became known as the 300 later on.
The facelift was fairly subtle cosmetically, with more modern front and rear bumper mouldings. AFAIK chassis and suspension remained largely unchanged.
CO2 outputs moved around causing some models, especially with larger alloys, to fall into the top road tax bracket around 2006/7.
So decide your budget and start trying a few! One thing to bear in mind is that the post 2008 350s will not be in the 'danger zone' for potential balance shaft sprocket failure.
For what it's worth, I tried a 200k (184), a 280 and a 350 (272).
The 200k felt 'wheezy' and only has a 5 speed auto box, the 280 was nice and fast enough for most, but for me the 350 was 'the one' and I felt it straight away. The AMG55 was out of my budget and running costs worried me!
CaptainRAVE
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To add to the above, the 55 engine didn't change at all, but the body package changed slightly. The 55 also doesn't cost much more to run than the 350, unless you start considering the front brakes. For me it all came down to finding a good example in a 55...which I did 
. For the 55, anything after 2005 doubles the road tax! I probably wouldn't get a 55 as a daily driver.
. For the 55, anything after 2005 doubles the road tax! I probably wouldn't get a 55 as a daily driver.Hi All thanks for the replies.......ideally looking for a 200 manual.....its for the wife.. (thats the one she wants).....so Im trying to find the best option.....we live quite rural lots of country lanes and pot holes so think ideally less than 19in wheels and not too low profile tyres.....any recommendations.. Thanks Steve
def90cars
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I don't think SLKs ever had 19" wheels
Many have 18" and some 17". I think 16" is available but unusual.
DON'T GET A MANUAL!!
Even Merc dealers are reluctant to sell manuals.
Why does she think she wants one? "More control".... nonsense.
Many have 18" and some 17". I think 16" is available but unusual.
DON'T GET A MANUAL!!
Even Merc dealers are reluctant to sell manuals.
Why does she think she wants one? "More control".... nonsense.
Hi Tony......why not a manual.......is it not a good gearbox......its a spotrs car so surely manual is the way to go.......she want a SLK....for change and to get the roof down.....only ever driven manual cars with a mini cooper as the most recent.....personaly my daily driver is a is an auto...but my weedend sports cars are manuals..pstest drove one yesturday with 19in wheels.Steve
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jotter22
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Weekend cars?
Tony.
Tony.
jotter22
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