The wife wants this little red 2003 SLK230 Kompressor that is for sale locally a Starmark Warranty included, 35,000 miles. Nice condition.
I have never looked into SLKs. Is there a good year, a bad year or an engine or anything to steer away from when buying? She is not set on this one so I could do a different year or engine, although unless there is a strong reason, I want to keep her with the smaller 2.3 engine for gas milage and she has a lead foot.

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Christopher Henkel
1990 190E 2.6 - Arctic white SOLD
1986 190E-16v - Blauswartze
1993 300CE - SOLD
2003 W208 CLK 320 Cabriolet - Magma Red

Don't know much about the chassis, but the engine is pretty good. The basic M111 four-cylinder is durable, torquey and efficient. The supercharger/supercharger clutch is probably less durable than the engine, but depending on how hard it's driven it can last for 150k+ miles. Fuel economy should be around 20-ish in the city, and high 20s/low 30s highway. Power is not earth-shattering, but it's still more than adequate for everyday use and is helped by the low-end torque. Downsides include a less-refined (agrarian) exhaust and engine note, and more engine vibration than the V6 or V8.

2000-2006 are the darkest years for Mercedes Benz build quality and quality control, so if you must have one from that time envelope, only buy it as certified pre owned from a dealer, and get the longest, best, and most comprehensive factory warranty you can - chances are VERY good you will be making lots of claims on it.

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)