I was hoping to get some advice from the people who should know...

My girlfriend is in the process of buying a SLK 230 (aka I'm making the decisions). Anyway, we have three good options.

1) 99, automatic, sport etc (fully loaded) - only 8K miles - pristine shape inside and out, even has new car smell. Warranty runs out next month but has 2 year mechanical extended. $33K firm.

2) 01, automatic, no sport or heated seats, 25K miles, in great
shape with some wear. $30K but with another 2 years on warranty.

3)00, automatic, sport fully loaded, great shape. $30k, 30K miles
warranty runs out 12/03.

I know its difficult with various options but any thoughts would be appreciated.
Also, anything I should look for in particular when examining these cars?

TIA

Pete

 

I would take the 01 just for the longer full warranty. The heated seats aren't THAT big a deal. I honestly think it feels like I peed in my pants when I have them on, lol. And you can buy new car smell at Pep Boys for $1.99 And I don't know about anyone else, but I wouldn't pay $33,000 for a 99 since book value is only about $30,000, granted it has low miles, but 25k on the 01 isn't that bad at all either. Unless the sport package is number 1 on her list of options she wants, I'd take the 01.

 

I'd also take the 2001. But only because it's the only one without the Sport package. Sports ride too rough for my tastes, and the tires wear out a lot faster. There's not really anything you should look for on those cars, especially since they don't have many miles on them. Anything that goes wrong will still be covered by warranty.

 

Consumer Reports just listed the 2001 SLK on their "Used Cars to Avoid" list in their April 2003 issue. The overall reliability rating seems to indicate an unusually high level of problems early on and that's a red flag for them. I like my 1999, but I took the 3-year extended warranty. The fixed prices for extended coverage are on the MB website. You might want to check with a repair technician to find out if the 2001 is more prone to problems for a particular reason, or if it is option or model related. The slk230 is fun to drive and any problems are well documented on this and other MB sites. Weigh the risks and rewards, check the reputation of your local dealer, and search this site for the collected wisdom and experience of owners of each year and model you are considering. Good luck!

 

The SLK is actually one of the more reliable Mercedes, along with the W202 C-class.

 

My first pick would be the '99, but not at that price. It'd be great if you could get the owner to come down $2K - $3K and then put that money into an aftermarket extended warranty. If this car is truely "fully loaded," then it should have Sport package, heated seats, CD changer, and Phone (but the phone is totally worthless since only a crappy analog phone was offered in '99).

My second pick would be the '01. Be careful on the '01 warranty. If it's an early '01 model, it could have been registered in early May 2000, with barely a year of warranty left. Does it have power seats? They're a big plus.

 

I think that slk evo models (produced after 8/2000) have received many improvements. I think this upgrade has put in the car most of the things that precedent slk owners want in the car.
Personally I think that the engine in the non-evo models is really rough and also in evo you have 5 CV more. Of course they are nothing but I think that the engine had also a better responce and if you are buying the car at the same price I think you must consider this differencies.
This are the upgrades In 2001 model:
Changes for the '01 model year (build dates starting February 1, 2000):
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Exterior, all SLKs:
- Restyled front bumper with body-colored apron and new fog lights.
- Restyled rear bumper with body-colored apron.
- Side skirts in body color are added.
- Polished stainless steel exhaust tip is added.
- Trunk latch release is moved from right side of the trunk to the center of the trunk just above the license plate.
- Body-colored door handles are added.
- Turn-signals are integrated into exterior mirrors (replacing the white signal lenses in the front fenders).
- Tail light lenses are mildly re-styled.
- Exterior color Sapphire Blue becomes a special order color
- Exterior color Calypso Green is discontinued.

Interior, all SLKs:
- New interior light with integrated telephone microphone, garage door opener, and interior intrusion sensor.
- New Steering wheel in two-tone color to match interior.
- New shift knob (automatic and manual).
- Chrome button on handbrake.
- New interior colors: Sienna Beige/Charcoal, Crimson Red/Charcoal Citrus Yellow/Charcoal (special order), Marlin Blue/Charcoal (special order).
- Discontinued interior colors: Navy Blue/Charcoal, Salsa Red/Charcoal, Oyster/Charcoal.
- New seats with better support.

Other Equipment, all SLKs:
- Electronic Stability Program is added.
- Tele-Aid emergency call system is added.
- New rear stabilizer bar.
- 6-speed manual transmission replaces 5-speed manual.
- TouchShift is standard with automatic transmissions.
- Gear selector display near odometer for automatic transmissions.
- Fuel tank capacity increased by 1.5 gallons
- K4 Package-Xenon headlamps, heated headlamp washers, and heated seats--is optional. (Note this means that heated headlamp washers are no longer standard equipment as they were on '98 - '00 models.)
- SP1 Package now includes silver painted radiator and intercooler grills.
- K2 and K2a packages not available on early production SLKs.

Equipment specific to SLK230:
- New 6-spoke wheels, 7.0Jx16 front, 8.0Jx16 rear.
- Machined aluminum interior trim.
- New door sill panels with "SLK" logo.
- Engine: Supercharger clutch removed. power output increase to 190HP.
- K1 package--6-way adjustable power seats and manual telescoping steering wheel--is optional. (Note this means that the manually adjustable telescoping steering wheel is no longer standard equipment on the SLK230 as it was in '98 - '00 models)

 

Personally I would take the 01. The lower miles of the '99 doesnt really mean anything when it comes to a benz in my book. If you really think about it, the seats, seals etc are still 2 years older compared to the '01. Also the extended warranty normally refers to drive train only.

You can always buy the AMG body kit if you like and have it installed later if you like the look of it. It costs about $2500 if I remember correctly. The 99 does look a whole lot better with the body kit since it would have the black trimming on the bottom otherwise. The '01 on the other hand does not really need it.

Good luck on your purchase. I personally hate visiting the dealerships. Thank god for the internet and email.

 

i would keep shopping. you can find a better deal. trust me.

i bought an 01' slk320, auto, sport pkg , 7 k miles, heated seats, xenons, two tone leather, and extras. warranty til 07/2005.

i paid 36 ish.

 

pic

 

extras included chrome roll bars, custom wind deflect (plexi). i am installing 5' visor screens & dvd within the next 2 weeks. i'll post those when its done.

 

Thanks for all the help. It is difficult to compare the cars with so many differences in options and warranty. Looking strictly at the blue book the 01 should be the best deal. Warranty to 2005.
Not sure what to make of the consumer reports - guess I'll check that issue out today - thanks.
Unfortunately my girlfriend is driving a BMW with 220K miles that feels like a deathtrap on the freeway - rattling, steering wheel shakes like its coming off, warning lights everywhere, burning oil etc. We feel like we are on borrowed time and its not worth trying to fix, so our time frame is limited - hope to wrap this up this weekend.

Thanks again for the great suggestions and info...

Pete