General question for all:

I have an opportunity to buy a 2004 MB SLK-320 with a V-6 and wondered if anybody has had some experience (good or bad) with this model. It has 36k miles on it and has just came off of a 3 yr lease. I have a 96 E-320 and have been very pleased with it but am not familiar with the SLK class.

Any input would be appreciated.


Thanks,

John Hamilton

John, I am the former owner of an '04 Chrysler Crossfire, which for the most part is an '00 SLK320, which is pretty close to what you are looking at. I can give you my impressions of the Mercedes-Benz aspects of the car.

-- Power to weight ratio is very good. The car accelerates and handles very well.

-- Brakes are on par with the "get up and go" aspect.

-- The six speed manual is a bit notchy, but they get better as they get a few miles on them. 1st gear is way too short. Also, early ones had a habit of popping out of 1st gear at the most inopportune times. This was a recall item.

-- The automatic transmission is the venerable 722.6 5-speed unit. 'Nuff said there.

-- The instrument cluster and heating/AC controls are straightforward and easy to use.

-- Space in the cabin is tight. There is a large bulkhead behind the seats that limit how much you can adjust them. Taller drivers will have to make a choice between legroom or the ability to recline. You won't get both. Luggage carrying ability is somewhat limited too.

-- The stock stereo is pretty good, but the door speakers were a bit boomy. A popular mod in the Crossfire community was to install a 330 uf non-polarized electrolytic capacitor in line with the woofers in the door. It made a huge difference in sound quality and allowed the subwoofers in the rear bulkhead to really add some punch.


Overall its a great platform and I wouldn't hesitate to get one if the price is right. I will let actual SLK owners chime in on the operation and reliability of that cool hard top though!

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"It's not about how fast you can go, but how well you can go fast."

Bob in Richmond

'97 S320 (LWB), Ruby Red Metallic, 73k miles
'97 S420V, Smoke Silver Metallic, 155k miles

I have a 2001 SLK320 which I purchased new. It now has 126,100 miles on it and despite a few issues when it was new (wiper not work, fuel gauge not working) the car has been great. Outside of regular maint. I had to replace the MAF at 60,000 and CPS at about 90,000.

The engine currrently burns about 1 quart of oil every 3,000 miles but this seems about normal with an engine of age and miles.

I have the 6 speed. The only negative I can say about the car is the interior (where the shift knob is) is painted on so it will chip.

I've read and heard a lot of good things about them (generally more reliable and better built than many of their peers among the recent batch of MBs), and they look like they'd be a blast to drive.

Consumer Reports (if you put any creedence in what they say) has generally been positive about the SLKs whereas they have not been on any of the other post-2000 MBs.

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" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

A parent whose daughter plays on the same soccer team as my daughter has one. His only complaint is the stubborn latches on his console. As previously mentioned, the lack of room precluded MB to design a rather complex series of compartments in the console for housing all of those little oddities the owner may wish to stow. He says that after coaxing the different latches to gain access to the intended compartment, closing everything only starts the process over. Says the dealer tried and can't (and won't) correct it.

No mention by him regarding any other issues with the car...

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

It's the same M112 engine installed in C, E-class and others.

It's a big improvement over the inline M104.

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Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles

How many miles can you expect out of these when they all service work is done regularly?

2-300,000 miles

Are there any further thoughts on these cars since this thread was started? I am thinking of buying one.

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Charles Cleaver
1975 350SE + 1992 300CE-24 SportLine 5-speed + 2002 SLK320 6-speed + 1974 W114 280
1986 190E 2.3-16 (Decomm rear self-leveling suspension; Euro-code headlamps) sold
2004 Audi S4 6-spd - sold
1969 (2) and 1980 Porsche 911T, S, and SC - alas gone
1987 300SDL - Graf Spee; Euro-code headlamps; 16-inch 8-hole wheels - sold
1994 E420+(E500 suspension/E-code headlamps/PAD chip) sold
1968 250SE 4-speed (NICE car) - long gone
1962 220S 4-speed/column mount - long gone

I haven't owned one but from what I've seen.:

Rust is an issue where road salt is used.

Mechanicals are from the same year C class

The are built to a price but are apparently a decent car

For some reason asking prices on Craigslist seem to be equal or higher than a similar year R129 SL

Chrysler Crossfire is similar , not enough head room for me.