SLK versus SL - Anyone had both?

[E55BOF]

I'm looking for an R230 SL55 at a sensible price, but becoming a little disheartened. There's nothing wrong with my SL500, which I like, but I'd like a little more go. An early R171 SLK55 might fit the bill; admittedly the M113 in it, which seems to be the same engine as in the W210 E55, will not be supercharged, but the performance figures, courtesy of less weight and the 7g 'box, don't seem to be hugely down on the full-fat SL55.

My first concern is, will I fit? I'm a big fat old b*****d - 6ft 1 in, about 17 stone (not all gut by any means ...), chunky build. Has anyone had both an R230 and an R171, and can venture an opinion?

My main concern, of course, is what will be wrong with a used R171 (there's always b****y something with a used car, however honest the seller...) Engine-wise, I'm not worried, but what about the rest? No SBC, no ABC, of course, but are the roof seals prone to leak like the R230? Anything else specific likely to give (expensive) trouble?

 

[Deleted member 6183]

The SLK isn't great for getting in and out with the roof up.

 

[Deleted member 126251]

Cannot comment of the R230.

I've had both a R172 and now the R231 - the SL is streaks ahead of the SLK in terms of comfort. I'm 6'2" and my wife is quite petite and you doo feel close in a SLK - much more room in the SL. I was comfortable in the R172 - the R171 was too small for me.

 

[Ted]

Had an r170 and r172.
They are small and you tend to sit quite far forwards.
This with the long doors can make the interesting to get out of especially where space is tight.

 

[Piff]

Had R172, now got R171.
R172 slightly more cabin space & slightly easier to get in & out, but differences not significant.

When R171 in at local indi earlier in the year, as I went to collect it I stopped and admired a R230 on the way in to pay. Receptionist commented that I would need deep pockets to own a R230. I questioned reliability and was told that they are not necessarily unreliable but when they do go wrong expect very big bills.

 

[E55BOF]

Is there anybody close to me (I'm near Beaconsfield) that has one, and would be so kind as to let me sit in to see how it fits me (or not...)?

 

[E53AMG]

Cannot comment of the R230.

I've had both a R172 and now the R231 - the SL is streaks ahead of the SLK in terms of comfort. I'm 6'2" and my wife is quite petite and you doo feel close in a SLK - much more room in the SL. I was comfortable in the R172 - the R171 was too small for me.

I second that completely, have the same setup in the family. The SL500 R232 is as quick as the R230 SL55 without any ABC issues and no leaking boot (all fixed)..

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

 

[E55BOF]

That's all very well, but even my man maths can't justify spending R232 (or R172) money on my 'whim' car, so R230 or R171 it will be. If I want to go stupid fast, I have the E63 biturbo dog van...

 

[GeeJayW]

Some discussion here:
SLK55 AMG

 

[Storminnorm]

As your a big chap the SLK will be difficult. I'm a little smaller than you and without opening the door fully the SLK is awkward to get in and out of, as car parks are tight this is a pain. Also, the seats on the R171 are awful but with a bit of practice, you can get them to be bearable. That said if you want something to have some fun with they are brilliant. If you want something to go touring in go for the SL. This is just my tuppence worth, they are both excellent cars.

 

[E55BOF]

I know what you mean about opening the doors; I find much the same problem with the R230, and the XK I had before was much the same.

 

[Deleted member 126251]

All 2 door cars are a PITA - the doors seem to be much longer

 

[alabbasi]

Wasn't there a 5th gear episode that compared the two?
I've kind of got the hots for the 90's generation SLK32.

 

[E53AMG]

That's all very well, but even my man maths can't justify spending R232 (or R172) money on my 'whim' car, so R230 or R171 it will be. If I want to go stupid fast, I have the E63 biturbo dog van...

Well if money is an object in the equation then R171, will have lower running cost than an R230.

Can we have a picture of the dog to see if it warrants keeping the dog van ;-).

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

 

[Deleted member 6183]

It's subjective but I think that the R172 looks more masculine than the R171.

 

[E55BOF]

Well if money is an object in the equation then R171, will have lower running cost than an R230. Can we have a picture of the dog to see if it warrants keeping the dog van ;-).Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

Running costs are not an issue, but the purchase cost is.

I have two dogs, actually; an Old English Sheepdog and a small Labradoodle. The back of an E-class estate is big enough that they can both be comfortable, and not cramped, on long runs. Of course they warrant it, though if I didn't have them, I'd have a CLS with an M113K rather than the W212.

It's subjective but I think that the R172 looks more masculine than the R171.

I can see what you mean, but I'm more fussed about driving experience than looks, or I'd have kept the XK; that makes either of them look dowdy and ordinary. Of course, if I don't fit in an R171, that might rather spoil the driving experience...

 

[Piff]

We had R172 250cdi 4 pot diesel 204bhp 0 - 60 in 6.7 seconds
Now have R171 280 V6 Petrol 231bhp 0 - 60 in 6.2 seconds
I found that the R172 was easier to drive quickly. The R171 has heavy controls - accelerator, steering, etc

 

[E53AMG]

Running costs are not an issue, but the purchase cost is.

I have two dogs, actually; an Old English Sheepdog and a small Labradoodle. The back of an E-class estate is big enough that they can both be comfortable, and not cramped, on long runs. Of course they warrant it, though if I didn't have them, I'd have a CLS with an M113K rather than the W212.



I can see what you mean, but I'm more fussed about driving experience than looks, or I'd have kept the XK; that makes either of them look dowdy and ordinary. Of course, if I don't fit in an R171, that might rather spoil the driving experience...

With the R230 the running cost may well exceed the purchase cost after a couple of years if you are unlucky with the ABC.

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

 

[219]

Haven’t owned any SLK , but been in a few , definitely much less interior space than either my R129 or my neighbour’s R230 .

Incidentally, R129 has the benefit of occasional rear seats , which my ten year old son fits comfortably into .

You can get the R129 with various V12 engines from the ‘basic’ 600 up to the AMG and Brabus offerings .

You might pay less for a V12 R129 than some of the hotter R230 models ?

Just a thought .

 

[219]

Haven’t looked , but SLK boot may be smaller than SL - don’t know if that would be an issue ?