Panosh42

Why wouldn't someone buy a 320 instead of a 230? Price?

I am in the market for a used 230 or 320. I was thinking 230 all the way but now that I have seen the 320 maybe that is the way to go. There are many 2002 320's with low miles at decent prices.

What's the difference between these vehicles, other than the engine?

70chevelle396

The engine, Wheels, Wood grain dash. Thats the difference. I wood get the 320

Ken

Abbring

What sold me on the slk 230 was the two tone interior. It might be offered on the 320 but I couldn't find any with it.

Panosh42

Does the 320 have the same paint peeling issues on the interior?

page62

They ALL have the peeling paint issue.

The 320 has smoother power delivery -- it's more of a cruiser. The 230 feels more sporty -- the supercharged engine provides more audible feedback. So it all depends on your personal taste, and your pocketbook. Used 320's carry about a $2000 premium.

I had a choice...and I chose the 320.

Palmateer

The 230 feels more sporty if it has a stick shift, especially the post-2000 version. With automatic transmission, I think the 320 works better.

vixapphire

differences, other than the engine, include wood in the interior in place of the faux-CF/brushed metal (dep. on year), 5-spoke v. 7-spoke wheels, slightly different front end treatment.

i owned a 2001 320, white w/ red/blk 2-tone interior. all the options (2-tone, etc.) are available in both configurations.

one thing i noticed is that the 320 engine weighs in noticeably heavier than the 230, which affects the handling a bit. the 320's a great cruiser and really rocks on long freeway trips and the like, but the 230 is literally point-and-shoot, it's very limber in the front due to the lighter-weight engine.

the other thing you'll definitely notice is that the 230 will do far better on fuel economy than the 320. the 320's not horrible, but by no means is it "great" considering the size of the car...

have fun, the first-gen, post-2001 SLK's are some fantastic cars and really getting cheap on today's market. lots of car for the dough!

v

page62

I passed on a 2001 230 6-speed. They're rare, and I was a fool!

E-Klasse

I think the brakes are bigger on the 320 for more stopping power with a heavier engine. I think that the 320 sounds better too. It has more horse power and is smoother than the 4 cyl. I checked out a lot of them before I got mine. I ended up getting the 320.

Palmateer

I don't put on a lot of miles, so I don't worry about the consumption of the 320 (fuel prices are coming down again!).

The new 350 is more economical than the 320, even with the extra power.

slkmike98

Hi

320 all the way. I've owned both...

I used to own a 98 230 (AT). Just recently bought a 2001 320 with 6spd MT. I like everythinig about the 320 better (though some of the trim might be due more to 2001 than 1998).

The sound of the exhaust alone is worth it. I suspect anyone who is having this 230 vs 320 debate hasn't driven a 320. Once you've driven the 320 you won't consider the 230.

I think the only reason someone would buy a 230 is they couldn't find a 320. If that's the case, enjoy your 230, but be prepared to upgrade once you drive a 320.

Just my $.02...

Cheers,
Mike

new_hampster

I took the plunge last year, and went through the same debate. I ended up with a 2001 320 w/40K when I could get it for only a slight premium over a 230. Bought it on Ebay. Nice ride.

I wanted the V-6 for the extra horses (215 vs 190), and it's a bit smoother, but I'm more of a cruiser than a bruiser.

The power seats and adjustable steering column are standard on the 320, optional on the 230 (at least for 2001). I also like the standard wood trim on the 320, and prefer the 5 spokes of the 320. If you get the Sport package on either, the wheels are 17" AMG.

I'm in New Hampshire, and "accidentally" bought my SLK w/heated seats. Very glad I did. It lets me go deeper into the fall with the top down. Otherwise, what's the point?

-Dennis
'new_hampster'
2001 SLK320
2002 SL500 Silver Arrow
1986 Toyota Celica Convertible
2 Vans, Truck, Wife (2nd Edition), 3 Kids, Dog, Rat

Impaler

How about fuel economy? If you lived in the UK you might balk at paying $6/gallon (which we do).

Or living in a very crowded and heavily policed country where the slight difference (given the engine size) in performance isn't worth bothering about as you rarely get to exploit it?

I'd also agree with some other posters that it's also down to the way you like your power delivered too.

SLKBOB

The first year for the 230 was 1998. The first year for the 320 was 2001. The difference in price is about $10K. I just got my 98 SLK230 for $12K (special deal with someone I know). The cheapest 320s I saw were in the low 20Ks.

Clk&Slk

.......hmmmmmmmm but then you haven't driven the 230 with pulley kit. For $800.......you can install the pulley kit on your 230 and out performance the 320 and handle better. Mercedes won't up the boost on the 230 because they know that it will out performance the 320. If they up the boost, how do you expect to sell the 320 when the 230 is cheaper and performance better? Here's the link.............


http://www.benzworld.org/forums/foru...id=26#M1810048

page62

Yes, the pulley kit can up the power considerably. However, it still doesn't make the 230 as smooth a runner as the 320. To me, that's the primary difference between the two...

E-Klasse

You could find a $10K difference in any model of car between a 98 and a 2001 regardless of the size engine. Compare the same year but with the 2 engines. There are some 2001 SLK230s that people want the low 20Ks for and then there are some 320s for the mid 20Ks. You just have to shop around.

SLKBOB

The original question was "Why wouldn't someone buy a 320 instead of a 230?" The answer is the 320 came out 3 years later, and thus costs more.

E-Klasse

He originally said he was looking at 2002 model SLKs. So if he were to compare a 2002 SLK230 to a 2002 SLK320, he might find that the 320 is the way to go.

SLKBOB

DOH! I missed the part where he said 2002. I guess I was thinking of my own situation. I would have preferred a 320, but could only afford a 230.

Palmateer

That's the reason I went and enjoyed a lightweight, high-revving Honda S2000 for four years before buying an SLK (used) - I always wanted the SLK with six cylinders only.