We have had a 1999 SLK230 since new September, 1998. It now has 50,000 miles on it. The car is as stock as they come, no modifications or additions at all expect for putting in a Becker with a CD player in it. My wife and I love it! It has practically no trunk room with the top done but we knew that when we got it.

As far as problems, mostly nothing serious but a few little irritating things. The taillights were a problem that has been fixed by a recall to replace them entirely a couple of months ago. Two or three low coolant level switches were replaced before it was discovered that this light is also turned on by low windshield washer fluid as well. A couple of other little things like this. MAF sensor was replaced about a year ago and that is not unusual for most any of the recent Mercedes.

Probably the most irritating thing is the top. When it works, it is great but the tops are very problematic, sometime not wanting to go up, sometimes not wanting to go down, but if it has the latest microswitches and is adjusted properly, it should be OK.

She might also look on some of the SLK forums for other people's problems.

I guess I would say that nothing I have had left me stranded but there are the usual little collection of problems that will occur with any 8 year old car. Although we love it, I guess I would still hesitate recommending it to somebody who cannot adjust to a few little things going wrong. Does she have a car savvy boyfriend?