Summer fun - CLK or SL

[F9HAD]

Hey everyone,

Kinda new here, or at least I’ve signed in after registering a long time ago so it’s been a while.

Of course summer is coming and this year I’m looking for a bit of a fun car.

I just missed out on a lovely 2008 SL350, fully loaded including a walnut trim steering - gutted it’s gone!

Anyhow, I’ve come across a CLK 350 Sport 2005 convertible. Doesn’t have the wooden steering but keyless entry/start…which I think helps make it feel kinda from this decade!

What are your thoughts? Anything I need to watch out for? Common issues faults? I briefly read post 2008 models don’t have engine issues…what am I missing here?

 

[fabes]

Early 350s might having an engine issue.
Search on here, timing chain and engine numbers (or a better memory than mine will pop up)

You say 2005, but then 2008.....?

CLK is a practical car but is also fun (I had a 2009 CLK280)
The SL (or even an SLK?) will be more of a summer fun car, especially with V6 or even V8 power

What's your budget?

 

[Chrishazle]

SL for me, especially with the 2+2 rear seats so SWMBO has somewhere to dump jacket etc, it's a foot too long for my garage which is why I have an SLK - 280 with the 3L V6 well away from the engine numbers that had problems. The SL having a bigger boot is more practical for weekends etc away, whereas the SLK boot is restricted especially if you want boot space roof down, so the Eurpoe trip we took in our previous Porsche 968 tip cab would not be feasible in the SLK!

To me, CLK is fabric roof rather than metal, which means being somewhat more picky about parking outside in the wet. It's also a 4 seater rather that a 2+2, so my choice would be (if my garage was a foor longer) an SL with something suitably fruity undeer the bonnet!

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

It’s all about requirements. How many miles a year, how often do you give lifts, is this your only car, how often will you “really” have the roof down, and how important is economy (relevant to the V8) ?

SL’s are amazing bargains because of the low mileage and privileged life they’ve led, but they’re not for everyone.

 

[jotter22]

I had my previous CLK320 for 12 years and apart from 2 battery's (lack of use) an alarm siren (known as a battery drain) and (i think its called) a crankshaft position sensor it never failed. it had the logic 7 Harmon Kardon sounds and in my opinion sounded better than my new car! and even at 18years old still felt special. if they still made them i would probably have got another, that said i think the c class cabriolet is damn close. just enjoy what you decide to buy life's too short to be in the wrong car.

Thanks Tony.

 

[F9HAD]

Early 350s might having an engine issue.
Search on here, timing chain and engine numbers (or a better memory than mine will pop up)

You say 2005, but then 2008.....?

CLK is a practical car but is also fun (I had a 2009 CLK280)
The SL (or even an SLK?) will be more of a summer fun car, especially with V6 or even V8 power

What's your budget?

Great. I’ll search that a little later today.

Yes, the CLK I’ve seen (and possibly will buy) is a 2005 but I did read somewhere than a post 2008 engine would be more of a reliable engine.

3k for a CLK or 6k for a SL (I think this gets a cleaner one).

 

[F9HAD]

SL for me, especially with the 2+2 rear seats so SWMBO has somewhere to dump jacket etc, it's a foot too long for my garage which is why I have an SLK - 280 with the 3L V6 well away from the engine numbers that had problems. The SL having a bigger boot is more practical for weekends etc away, whereas the SLK boot is restricted especially if you want boot space roof down, so the Eurpoe trip we took in our previous Porsche 968 tip cab would not be feasible in the SLK!

To me, CLK is fabric roof rather than metal, which means being somewhat more picky about parking outside in the wet. It's also a 4 seater rather that a 2+2, so my choice would be (if my garage was a foor longer) an SL with something suitably fruity undeer the bonnet!

SWMBO?

I wouldn’t mind a SLK but being 6‘3 I think that’s out of the question.

 

[F9HAD]

It’s all about requirements. How many miles a year, how often do you give lifts, is this your only car, how often will you “really” have the roof down, and how important is economy (relevant to the V8) ?

SL’s are amazing bargains because of the low mileage and privileged life they’ve led, but they’re not for everyone.

Just me and the road.

I’ll only drive it during the weekends, so fuel isn’t really a bother i guess.

it’s hard to find SL’s with minimal owners. I see 5+ usually.

 

[ALFAitalia]

SWMBO?

She who must be obeyed!

 

[Wearsthefoxhat]

Just me and the road.

I’ll only drive it during the weekends, so fuel isn’t really a bother i guess.

it’s hard to find SL’s with minimal owners. I see 5+ usually.

Personally I wouldn’t worry too much about the number of owners, the way that it has been looked after and the service history is the important bit.. and SL’s tend to behave when used.

 

[F9HAD]

She who must be obeyed!

dying here! How did I not know that!

 

[F9HAD]

Personally I wouldn’t worry too much about the number of owners, the way that it has been looked after and the service history is the important bit.. and SL’s tend to behave when used.

Just found a 2004 SL with a few minor defects, rubber boot seal, 2cm scratch to rear quarter, glove box is stuck, boot lock doesn’t work. Has been owned 15years, has pan roof and start/stop button.
MOT reveals issue with okay in bushes etc.
£2500.
Think I may just take a gamble here!!! Unless there is something major to look out for.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

dying here! How did I not know that!

Created by John Mortimer, she was Rumpole of the Bailey's long-suffering domestic "rock."

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

On the SL trail, I'd look for a facelift (2006 onward - known issues have been fixed) SL350 at your budget, and would avoid buying anything with known faults that I couldn't fix myself.

Tyres are important: it's just shy of a grand to replace all four, so don't buy anything with less than 5mm of tread

(Rest assured, at this price level you will find other faults after you've bought it. You're buying a £60k car for more than 90% off)

If you don't like what you find, switch to an SLK 280 or SLK350

Take your time, and bear in mind that all SL's are very, very slow to sell, so there's scope for negotiation.

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[Gollom]

dying here! How did I not know that!

Not old enough to remember Minder then!

(worth catching a few episodes on YouTube. Guv.)

 

[Gollom]

Created by John Mortimer, she was Rumpole of the Bailey's long-suffering domestic "rock."

View attachment 169673

Au contraire...... "Originated in the novel She: A History of Adventure by H. Rider Haggard, where it refers to the imperious queen of a lost kingdom in Africa" (I didn't know that neither)

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Au contraire...... "Originated in the novel She: A History of Adventure by H. Rider Haggard, where it refers to the imperious queen of a lost kingdom in Africa" (I didn't know that neither)

It was Mortimer who applied Haggard's phrase to Hilda and all the imperious dragons who command our lives at home, and "interrupt our Wordsworth."

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[pioneercollector]

SL for me! If you are not bothered by the engine size then the 3.5 litre is a good option as long as someone didn't tick the ABC option box ( All of the SL500's have the excellent but fickle Active Body Control suspension system - mine was replaced around 18 months ago and it was the original set so had lasted well ..... But you are looking at a minimum of £1k per corner

Owners numbers have never worried me, in fact in can be a bonus for these types of cars as the 'new' owner would normally give the car a good going over and refresh before use, also these are the types of vehicles that get sold mainly due to practicality reasons. Mine does fit in my garage ( just ) they are quite large cars, but have an excellent boot space.

 

[BTB 500]

SL for me, especially with the 2+2 rear seats

No rear seats in an R230 (or R231) AFAIK??

 

[Chrishazle]

Some (but not all) have like a parcel shelf area at what would be 2+2 rear seat height, IIRC with storage lockers underneath.