Kirill

I am about to join your club.
I have a choice between two vehicles:
1 - SLK 230 '01 - 24K miles, automatic, heated seats, very nice and clean inside. in service since Mar-01 - price 29 000$
2 - SLK 320 '01 - 28K miles, stick, AMG sport package, little bit worn interior, in service since JUN-00 - price: 31 500$

I more like 320, but it's one year older and more money. Any reason why i should go for 230 ? I am buying this car as a second vehicle and don't really mind stick - probably it's even better than auto.
Anything in particular i should check before buying SLK ?

Thanks,
Kirill

slk320

I felt a night and day difference between 230 and 320.. Drove 230 for a couple of month and had to upgrade to a 320. While on paper the two vehicles are similar, the real life experience will convince you to buy a 320 over a 230.

The 3.2 is more torque, more power, smoother delivery of that power and much better exhaust note. 320 also has a more refined enterior options including the full wood and or brushed aluminum treatment and a much better steering wheel. The suspension is about the same, but if your 320 has the sport package with AMg wheels, its a pretty nice set up.

I got my 320 before the 32 came out, otherwise I would have bought the 32. Whenever there is choice between a n/a 6 cyl engine and a blown 4 cyl, I will pick N/A engine everytime... reliability and all of that...

Brian_R170

I personally would go straight for the 320 because I prefer the look of the AMG sport package and I like the sound and smoothness of the V6. The 320 appears to be the better deal, too. The original retail prices of an SLK320 sport is over $8000 more than an SLK230.

If you like performance, the 230 can be upgraded to about 225hp/240ft-lbs with a pulley kit that costs well under $1000. The 230 is probably more reliable overall. The other advantages are the additional remaining factory warranty and the vehicle condition.

I'd recommend an aftermarket extended warranty for either car. You'll have to purchase it within 1month/1k miles before the factory warranty expires. Get an exclusionary policy (aka bumper-to-bumper) that, if possible, doesn't exclude convertible top motors, hydraulics, and electronics. Most warranties will still exclude mechanical linkages and the top material.

Things to look for that you can see are
- C-pillar rub. Check both C-pillars for spots where the paint is being worn off from rubbing on the trunk liner when the top is folded in the trunk. It's a common problem that is nearly always fixed under warranty.
- Interior scratches around the door pulls and console. The coating on these parts is very fragile. It's is really a factory defect and some dealers will replace these parts under warranty, but others will not.

I can't think of much else right now, but obviously, both cars are still covered under the factory warranty, so most problems will still be covered for awhile.

Kirill

Thanks a lot for info. BTW interior on 320 looks more worn. 230 is a showroom grade. Actualy it's in better shape than some brand new ones.

If pulley kit makes 230 - 225hp - isn't that the same power as 320 ? Can automatic trans handle this ?

Do you know what's the best aftermarket warranty to get for the SLK ?

Thanks again,
Kirill

Brian_R170

That may be an indication of how the previous owners treated their cars in general. Something to think about.

No problem. There's no difference between the transmissions in the 230 and the 320. The automatic can handle the power/torque output of the 5.0L V8 (about 300hp and 340ft-lb). Mercedes limits the manual to engines with less than 220hp and 250ft-lbs. The transmission can probably take alot more, but the clutch can't.

I'm actually researching that myself. I was planning to go with Warranty Gold, but they are having serious problems since their underwriter/administrator started having financial problems in June.

I'm looking for a warranty with the following properties:

- Minimum 7-years/70,000-miles coverage with the mileage being the total vehicle mileage but the time starting from the date the warranty is purchased.
- Exclusionary warranty (i.e. the warranty contract lists what is NOT covered).
- Does not explicity exclude the convertible top mechanism.

I would say Warranty Direct is probably the best one I know of for an SLK230 or SLK320. Unfortunately, they won't write contracts for the SLK32 AMG (or any cars with AMG engines), so I'm still looking.

Here's some lists of automotive warranty companies so you can start your own research if you like.

http://directory.google.com/Top/Shop...utos/Warranty/
http://www.directory.net/Shopping/Ve...utos/Warranty/
http://dir.yahoo.com/Business_and_Ec...nty_Contracts/
http://www.carjunky.com/Information/Warranty/

steve1173

I have an 03 SLK230 with 6 speed as well as a 03 CLK500. As others have said, the 230 engine is noisier & a little rougher but for me it has plenty of power & is fun to drive. My CLK500 is more of a highway cruiser though the SLK is great on the highway. Getting about 28mpg overall on the SLK & 20 mpg on the CLK. Go for the SLK230, great car especially with a manual. Where are you located, my dealer in Florida has a 03 SLK in red with a 6 speed with low miles available, saw it on the used car lot, looks showroom.

Kirill

Thanks everyone!

I got the 320 - love it

hellcat

How fast do you think the SLK 320 is depreciating? Especially with the R171 coming out, how do you think that will effect the resale price? I can't afford one right now(being a broke college student) but I'm planning on saving up through college to buy one when I graduate. I'm trying to figure out just how much money I need to be saving. Rough estimate of a 320 ro 320 Sport in 2006/2007 time period... any guesses?

Brian_R170

Depends on alot of things. At the end of 2006, an average 2001 SLK320 would have 70K miles on it, out of warranty and probably not even possible to buy an extended warranty. Compare that to an average 2004 SLK320 with 30K miles and at least one year of factory warranty left, making it easy to buy an extended warranty. The difference between these two cars could be easily over $10K.

hellcat

I'd probably be looking at a 2001 or 2002. I'm hoping for mid 20's... $26-27K Is that a reasonable estimate or am I being way too hopeful?

Kirill

Well it's a hard to say. I was thinking a lot about it myself. I'd love to get R171 but i don't want to get a first run of it - before they find and fix all the issues they might have. Than there will be people who'll take R170 looks over R171.
Another thing i believe SLK is actually considered to be "exotic" car.

I'd say in 2006/2007 '01 320 may be anywhere between 15 to 25 k$

But that's thought of me being an owner of '01 320 sport and hoping to switch to R171 sometime.

Kirill

If you'll be buying it - not at all

Brian_R170

Actually, I think lower $20Ks is more realistic at that age/mileage. Look at what '98-'99 SLKs are going for now. It'll be in that ballpark.

apricotscrub

almost a year ago i bought a 98 slk with 12K miles for 24000

hellcat

Thanks for the help. Its always nice to hear that my estimate was probably too high. It's killing me knowing I'm going to have to wait 3 or 4 more years before I can afford it. If only I could just randomly come upon a large sum of money.