Slk250cdi

[steve333]

After test driving an r172 slk200 petrol yesterday it was noticeable how noisy on start up and acceleration they are(read somewhere the petrol has the same noisy fuel pump as the diesel) having not considered a 250 cdi before now I've decided to view and test drive one to see how it compares,on paper,it's quicker,more torque,better mpg and lower tax,would appreciate any feedback from current or previous slk250 cdi owners.

 

[bpsorrel]

I'm on my second SLK 250CDI and have been very impressed with them!

Theoretically, a diesel roadster shouldn't work, but it does. The engine, although noisy on start up, settles to fairly quiet running once warm and is smooth and powerful. In fact, in S mode the acceleration is very impressive indeed! I can give my mate in his XKR a good challenge up to 50 and then higher up the mid range punch is very quick!

Handling is good, although ride on my "AMG Sport" is a bit hard. Cornering is excellent and inspires rapid country lane progress!

If an SLK is the car you want, the diesel is a good, fast and economic choice.

 

[steve333]

I'm on my second SLK 250CDI and have been very impressed with them!

Theoretically, a diesel roadster shouldn't work, but it does. The engine, although noisy on start up, settles to fairly quiet running once warm and is smooth and powerful. In fact, in S mode the acceleration is very impressive indeed! I can give my mate in his XKR a good challenge up to 50 and then higher up the mid range punch is very quick!

Handling is good, although ride on my "AMG Sport" is a bit hard. Cornering is excellent and inspires rapid country lane progress!

If an SLK is the car you want, the diesel is a good, fast and economic choice.

Hi Barry,any injector problems/recalls with either,mrs will only do around 5k per year so not sure about dpf?

 

[bpsorrel]

I had the first one for two years and only did 8000 miles with absolutely no problems at all.

The new one is only 6 months old with 2000 miles but so far, perfect.

It's basically a fun toy third car which comes out on nice days for blasts around the lanes where we live and long drives to the coast etc.

Drive one, I think you'll be impressed.

Having said that, I'm thinking of a GLC next year, but that's mostly to have a change and also due to the fun I'm having with an SUV here in Russia right now!

I may have an SLC later..

 

[steve333]

Thanks for your thoughts Barry,I am going to try a diesel so I can make a comparison with the petrol before deciding which to go for.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

I've an interest in this as well.

We are thinking of replacing the 2001 SLK 320 and a W172 is firmly in the frame. I'm unlikely to spend on a bigger engine petrol as the car will do low mileage and it's just not worth spending another £5k or so.

Will buy at 3 years old and run for another 7 years or so.

I'm with the OP, the diesel seems a better bet than the 4 pot petrol but reliability is an issue.

 

[steve333]

I've an interest in this as well.

We are thinking of replacing the 2001 SLK 320 and a W172 is firmly in the frame. I'm unlikely to spend on a bigger engine petrol as the car will do low mileage and it's just not worth spending another £5k or so.

Will buy at 3 years old and run for another 7 years or so.

I'm with the OP, the diesel seems a better bet than the 4 pot petrol but reliability is an issue.

The injector issue seems to affect pre 63 plate cars and should have been put right at service time by mb.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

The injector issue seems to affect pre 63 plate cars and should have been put right at service time by mb.

OK, need to bear that in mind.

I recall the brilliant lease deals that were being offered about 3 years ago and would be looking for one of these. 30k miles and fresh out of lease, full history and 50% or more below RRP.

 

[StuartK]

Sweet spot is and always will be the 350 petrol. Don't settle for less!

 

[steve333]

OK, need to bear that in mind.

I recall the brilliant lease deals that were being offered about 3 years ago and would be looking for one of these. 30k miles and fresh out of lease, full history and 50% or more below RRP.

Represent very good value!

 

[Piff]

Ours is 3 yrs old in April, now done around 21,000 miles.
Much of it short journeys (5ish miles) to/from work by SWMBO but a couple of times a week 10ish mile journeys. Haven't had any dpf issues.
Obviously have longer runs too, but the above is a normal week.
It's been in the workshop twice so far - both normal services.
Wheels very prone to kerbing, and with the kerbing we have also cut the side walls of 3 tyres. New tyres £125 front, £175 rear Having said that, they've all been on nearside. The offsides are still OK after 21k miles.
Ours has audio 20 and Becker sat nav. Becker is ok.
Heated seats a must and parktronic useful.
Sport mode on the gear box is a hoot - I've unintentionally hung the back end out a couple of times. Handling is quite tight for an open top car.
We're changing cos the lease is coming to the end and it isn't worth the option to buy payment. We "need" a bigger car (hence the E-Cab) for occasional rear seat use. The E-Cab is no where near as sharp as the SLK
One or two little surprises on purchase (corners cut in our opinion):-
flimsy sun visors
no auto wipers
no auto setting on climate control.

Bottom line for any car - yes, we would have another

 

[st13phil]

One or two little surprises on purchase (corners cut in our opinion):-
flimsy sun visors
no auto wipers
no auto setting on climate control.

The SLK has lots of options that turn it from a nice car into a very nice car - choose carefully and make sure whatever example you're considering has all the options you want present. Heated Seats and AirScarf spring to mind as absolute essentials, but there are others.

 

[steve333]

Ours is 3 yrs old in April, now done around 21,000 miles.
Much of it short journeys (5ish miles) to/from work by SWMBO but a couple of times a week 10ish mile journeys. Haven't had any dpf issues.
Obviously have longer runs too, but the above is a normal week.
It's been in the workshop twice so far - both normal services.
Wheels very prone to kerbing, and with the kerbing we have also cut the side walls of 3 tyres. New tyres £125 front, £175 rear Having said that, they've all been on nearside. The offsides are still OK after 21k miles.
Ours has audio 20 and Becker sat nav. Becker is ok.
Heated seats a must and parktronic useful.
Sport mode on the gear box is a hoot - I've unintentionally hung the back end out a couple of times. Handling is quite tight for an open top car.
We're changing cos the lease is coming to the end and it isn't worth the option to buy payment. We "need" a bigger car (hence the E-Cab) for occasional rear seat use. The E-Cab is no where near as sharp as the SLK
One or two little surprises on purchase (corners cut in our opinion):-
flimsy sun visors
no auto wipers
no auto setting on climate control.

Bottom line for any car - yes, we would have another

Thanks for the review of your slk,definitely going to try a diesel before we decide.

 

[steve333]

The SLK has lots of options that turn it from a nice car into a very nice car - choose carefully and make sure whatever example you're considering has all the options you want present. Heated Seats and AirScarf spring to mind as absolute essentials, but there are others.

Absolutely,looking for heated leather/air scarf/parktronic/glass pano roof and xenons would be the finishing touch,only found one diesel that ticks all the boxes so far though!

 

[Deleted member 113659]

Sweet spot is and always will be the 350 petrol. Don't settle for less!

I can spot one of your posts a mile off Stu. You and your petrol.

Ant.

 

[StuartK]

Absolutely,looking for heated leather/air scarf/parktronic/glass pano roof and xenons would be the finishing touch,only found one diesel that ticks all the boxes so far though!

Might be worth looking at new because when I looked at these the discounts were very forthcoming from the dealer. They were practically asking what they needed to do.

 

[C240Sport97]

SLKs are probably stock cars only now, as SLC on the way?

 

[Piff]

when testing the 250cdi (and any other slk) do try the S button on the transmission.

 

[Harrypic]

I would suggest to anyone looking to buy an SLK to try a Boxster before making their final decision. If your looking for a sports roadster the Boxster is an order of magnitude better in every respect, but if your looking for a cruiser then the SLK is a good choice. Horses for courses......but do try one

 

[StuartK]

I would suggest to anyone looking to buy an SLK to try a Boxster before making their final decision. If your looking for a sports roadster the Boxster is an order of magnitude better in every respect, but if your looking for a cruiser then the SLK is a good choice. Horses for courses......but do try one ��

Have to say Boxster sets the benchmark in this class.