Mercedes SLK 280

Sneaky Peaky · 18 Apr 2010 at 21:27

Was thinking today whilst out topless in the country roads of Surrey that when I get round to changing the car I'm not sure I want to give up having the option of having a droptop. Even if the sun does make such a rare appearance in this country. Up to now I've been looking at mostly sports coupe's - Z4C, Brera S etc.

So, given a budget of around 18k one of these seem a good option with the best of both worlds. The SLK55 would be fantastic but too expensive and too much to run I feel.

btw I'm not bothered at all about the suspect image in some peoples minds so any taunts of it's a womens car , have I turned to hairdressing or developed a liking for mens bottoms will be resolutely ignored

Anyone have any info, views, experience ?

Ta muchly..

[TW]Fox · 18 Apr 2010 at 21:29

Pointless, the SLK350 is considerably more powerful yet not really any more expensive to run.

Sneaky Peaky · 18 Apr 2010 at 21:30

But can you get one for 18K ?

yeah you can, just off for a lookie

[TW]Fox · 18 Apr 2010 at 21:35

Yes you can as its been around longer than the 280. The 350 was a launch model whereas the 280 didn't follow until later.

Howard · 18 Apr 2010 at 22:00

Sneaky Peaky said:
Was thinking today whilst out topless in the country roads of Surrey.

Whereabouts in Surrey, out of interest?

[TW]Fox · 18 Apr 2010 at 22:01

Howard said:
Where, out of interest?

South England.

Howard · 18 Apr 2010 at 22:02

Edited. Sheesh.

Sneaky Peaky · 18 Apr 2010 at 22:07

Howard said:
Where, out of interest?

Just south of Guildford, lovely drive round Shamley Green, Cranleigh, Dunsfold etc. Ended up at Chris Evans' pub The Mulberry in Chiddingfold for late lunch then back up home via Hindhead, Frensham and Farnham. Gorgeous day :cool:

Howard · 18 Apr 2010 at 22:09

Sounds good

I'm usually around the Clandon/Dorking area

Anyway, won't derail your thread further

Sneaky Peaky · 18 Apr 2010 at 22:13

Not much on PH for that money, nice 280 but sold..

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1470168.htm

Thoughts on the SLK 350 please then

Maz · 18 Apr 2010 at 22:38

Between the 280 and 350 the 350 provides a much more noticable amount of power with very little real life difference in MPG.

However the 350s do cost more money and depending on age can cost more to tax, Autos are 7 speed and an excellent gearbox - manual if you can find one is also a decent box and suits the car well.

Personally I'd buy the automatic out of preferance.

Sneaky Peaky · 18 Apr 2010 at 23:19

Cheers Maz, some of the reviews I've been reading seem to be slating the auto for hunting up and down gears ?

Sukh · 18 Apr 2010 at 23:41

Mum has an SLK, only advice I can give is to get one with Air-Scarf, you may not use it, but for some absurd reason, when it comes time to resell, it adds a lot to the value.

Also avoid the sports suspension and large wheels, gives a hard ride *captain obvious*

Stormrider · 18 Apr 2010 at 23:47

mm freaky, was out in my 350 today out towards Hook, Basingstoke, Alton.
I've had a 280 as well and the 350 is much better if you can get one for the price. Engine feels more responsive and tighter.

Sukh said:
Also avoid the sports suspension and large wheels, gives a hard ride *captain obvious*

he speaks the truth - long runs are a pain, and you realise how bumpy some motorways are.

Sneaky Peaky said:
Cheers Maz, some of the reviews I've been reading seem to be slating the auto for hunting up and down gears ?

It does do some odd things at times, but that tends to be when I'm doing something it doesn't expect with the throttle. I've also got the semi-auto option if I want to play with paddle shifts but the auto manages things just fine.

Sneaky Peaky · 19 Apr 2010 at 12:13

Thanks for the inputs

Was looking at this one this morning. Not far from me and looks very nice, what do you think ?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1565229.htm

[TW]Fox · 19 Apr 2010 at 12:15

The SLK is a car which absolutely needs the factory AMG styling pack (Which was an option on the 350).

With it, it looks like a really special car. Without it, its rather bland.

Sneaky Peaky · 19 Apr 2010 at 12:17

Cheers Fox, I will do some googling for that, I must admit the wheels would have to be changed asap as not a fan of those ones

Sin_Chase · 19 Apr 2010 at 12:20

What are your best of both worlds that you refer to, top down motoring and.... please enlighten!

Sneaky Peaky · 19 Apr 2010 at 12:29

A modicum of comfort and refinement when it's cold and miserable out

Really didn't enjoy the MG this winter, even with the hard top. The last few weeks though and a bit of sun it starts to make sense again.

I do realise though that this is an MG we're talking about here..

This one would have been ideal but still not overly keen on even those AMG Alloys

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1543942.htm

Maz · 19 Apr 2010 at 12:52

That is a lovely car for the money, command, airscarf, heated seats - nice spec!

AMG kit does make a massive difference, but they are harder to find!

Personally if I bought a car without AMG bodykit I wouldn't bother with AMG Wheels, maybe some 17'' MB Multispoke wheels - they do a set in Gunmetal which looks really nice on a black car.