Summer fun - CLK or SL

[MikeInWimbledon]

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

Aye, but you can't actually sit anyone in there, physically or legally. (No restraints)

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

With £6k to spend, you should swerve the V8's. To expensive to buy and maintain.

A late, but regularly serviced, SL350: safe territory. (But an SLK280 / 350 would be even safer)

 

[alabbasi]

SL will likely hold its value better. The CLK has more leg room in the rear and will be cheaper to run. They're both pretty good looking cars with the roof down but in my opinion, the 209 CLK is not that good looking with the roof up (the 208 was stunning).

 

[ALFAitalia]

Funny how tastes vary.....I far prefer the 209... in both cab and coupe form....far less dated to my eyes.

 

[fabes]

Funny how tastes vary.....I far prefer the 209... in both cab and coupe form....far less dated to my eyes.

And generally, less rusty.

What is essentially a 2 seater, the SL is closer to the definition of a 'fun' car, but indeed is big, was expensive and can deliver big bills (as many on here will testify)

A good 209 CLK in 280 or 350 guise (engine numbers aside) would be a safe(r) bet.

A similar SLK will be more money (and 'just' the R171 with the slightly smaller cabin) albeit you're looking at the top of the market for all convertibles over the next couple of months.

SL is a roll of the dice, but as said above, each time a car changes hands the new owner will often lavish some tlc on it, so not always a bad thing (it's not a Type R or RS3 that will have been ragged to within.... by each owner)

In each case with aged Mercedes, have some rainy day fund to hand
Just in case.....

 

[jotter22]

SL will likely hold its value better. The CLK has more leg room in the rear and will be cheaper to run. They're both pretty good looking cars with the roof down but in my opinion, the 209 CLK is not that good looking with the roof up (the 208 was stunning).

The roof line on the 208 might have been stunning, only let down buy a fugly front and back!
Thanks Tony.

 

[F9HAD]

Haha. Yes, tastes definitely vary.

What I’m hearing (reading) though is the SL is the safer bet and definitely more fun for sure.

However, the more I’m reading is they both have the m272 engine which has the timing chain issue. That’s what I want to avoid, or if I can’t would be good to know the potential cost. If I’m not wrong would be £1000-£3000 depending on the extent of damage/how early it is resolved?

 

[alabbasi]

However, the more I’m reading is they both have the m272 engine which has the timing chain issue. That’s what I want to avoid, or if I can’t would be good to know the potential cost. If I’m not wrong would be £1000-£3000 depending on the extent of damage/how early it is resolved?

The timing gear wear issue on the M272 and M273 was corrected pretty quickly and you can identify which engines had the problematic gear by the by engine # which can be found on the data card. If the gear wears to the point that the car jumps time, the fix is an engine rebuild or used engine. I suspect the #'s your quoting is to replace the gear before it fails.

If you're looking at the SL and reliability is a concern. I'd like to suggest the M275 which is the V12. Everyone knows that 12 cylinders are twice as reliable as 6 cylinders.

 

[BTB 500]

However, the more I’m reading is they both have the m272 engine which has the timing chain issue.

Full details of the balance shaft issue in this thread:

D

Post in thread 'The Complete M272 Engine Thread'

Sep 10, 2012

There has been much written about the Balancer Shaft issue on this engine.
This bulletin explains much.

http://mbworld.org/wiki/images/0/0b/Mercedes_M272_balance_shaft_service_bulletin.pdf


engines up to #2729..30 468933 -- this when the gear is the problem

engines up to #2729..30 759427 -- this when the adjustment solenoids are the problem

engines up to #2729..30 895140 -- this when the adjustment solenoids leak oil

The first two scenarios cause "check engine light", the third is just an oil leak.

• Deleted member 2227

• 

As mentioned you can see which (if any) of the three potentially affected categories an engine falls into from the serial number. The first is by far the most serious, although the second does throw up an engine management light. Cars like SLs often do quite low annual mileages (my own 1997 R129 is only on 57k miles!), so it is still possible for an issue to come up after many years. But it is just a 'risk' - it's far from definite that a car in any of those ranges would actually have the problem.

 

[Dubya]

Full details of the balance shaft issue in this thread:

D

Post in thread 'The Complete M272 Engine Thread'

Sep 10, 2012

There has been much written about the Balancer Shaft issue on this engine.
This bulletin explains much.

http://mbworld.org/wiki/images/0/0b/Mercedes_M272_balance_shaft_service_bulletin.pdf


engines up to #2729..30 468933 -- this when the gear is the problem

engines up to #2729..30 759427 -- this when the adjustment solenoids are the problem

engines up to #2729..30 895140 -- this when the adjustment solenoids leak oil

The first two scenarios cause "check engine light", the third is just an oil leak.

• Deleted member 2227

• 

As mentioned you can see which (if any) of the three potentially affected categories an engine falls into from the serial number. The first is by far the most serious, although the second does throw up an engine management light. Cars like SLs often do quite low annual mileages (my own 1997 R129 is only on 57k miles!), so it is still possible for an issue to come up after many years. But it is just a 'risk' - it's far from definite that a car in any of those ranges would actually have the problem.

Hi I have a silver 2007 r230 SL500 for sale in Lancs. I haven't enough posts to place a classified on here but its just gone on to Autotrader.

 

[philnewmerc]

I had the CLK500. Great car, and surprisingly good mpg on a gentle run (near 30 mpg), also seems to be the most reliable engine (M113 i think).
Good: Rear seats that fit people, folding in my car too, fast, economical, cool frameless doors, looks great.
Bad: interior was not best of quality (I do not know if the SL is better), e.g. steering wheel and buttons were soft and sticky from age, one or two rattles, some of them rust some are OK. I think the later the better from a rust pov.
Both nice cars but you may as well get the v8 imho as if you do less than 10k miles a year you're talking small beer difference.

 

[Burtonization23]

Haha. Yes, tastes definitely vary.

What I’m hearing (reading) though is the SL is the safer bet and definitely more fun for sure.

However, the more I’m reading is they both have the m272 engine which has the timing chain issue. That’s what I want to avoid, or if I can’t would be good to know the potential cost. If I’m not wrong would be £1000-£3000 depending on the extent of damage/how early it is resolved?

I'm an owner of a m272 in my sl350 that's covered 214k miles to date , upon timing chain being replaced due to engine light coming on (chain had slightly gone out of alignment) this was replaced at 130k miles and in that process I got balancer shaft replaced too that cost was only £2k but ramped costs up to £4k to replace anything else while engine was out and labour would be easier so hope that gives a small insight.