recommendations on a SLK
 

So,I am considering the purchaase of a used SLK.I currnetly have a 300sl--1990.Its been a god car.The concern I have regarding the SLK is the maintance.Is the top a problem.I do like the sized of the slk.The only problem I have had with the 300sl iis the top control module.This was one expense bill---say 1000us$.I have review several post a dont see aa recommendaton on the slk.Thanks,,Fred:confused:

I've been in the SLK, only for a short while, but I can tell you this much. It seems like it's half the car the SL is, and I don't mean in size only. The 4 cylinder car is buzzy (small vibrations all over when accelerating hard), the interior is tight and has cheaper materials. As far as the top goes, I don't know of any specific issues, but as with everything this complex, the early models may have more problems. Personally I would get the 6 cylinder model with the manual transmission, I noticed the auto seemed lazy.

I think you will be OK with it if you don't expect a full Mercedes out of it, that's my observation anyway. Good luck.

Eli.

I agree to a certain extent with Eli.
Just remember the competition for this model: The Z3 and the Boxster. All in the same approximate price range, it was built to go into competition with these 2 models as far as price range and features. It's not as substantial of a car as a 129 by any means. I like it alot more than the Z3, I kind of like the looks of the Boxster more, but not sure if the Boxster is as reliable as the SLK.

Gilly

Thanks for the info------This is a great web-site---Fred

My mother is on her second SLK230k. My father's company has just sold a SLK230k. And a friend of mine has a SLK200k. No problems at all with any of them.

My mother's present SLK has done 45k miles from new without any problems at all. It is very well built (as well built as the 129) and a pleasure to drive. The interior materials are cheaper than those of the 129 (but then the sticker price was less than half the cheapest 129) and the four cylinder is not an aural delight, although it is still a gutsy, strong and satisfying unit. It feels like it will go on for ever and has wonderful torque. The suspension is much more sporty than that of the 129. The wheelbase is significantly shorter, too, which makes the car more pointy.

I can vouch for its safety, having totalled mum's first SLK (in my youth, a long time ago, learned many lessons since then &c, &c). I would not even consider a Z3 as competition for the SLK: the former is justr a cobbled together heap. The Boxster is a different proposition. More expensive and more hardcore.

A new-shape SLK will be released next year. In the meantime I thoroughly recommend the R170.