Mercedes SLK350 v SL500 - thoughts?

cymruchris

If you happen to have owned either a Mercedes SLK350 or an SL500 (Around the 2004-2010 model years) or know them inside out - which might you go for if offered a choice of either? The SL500 does appear to have its fair share of potential gremlins (including the ABC system) and the SLK seems to be a bit more reliable - but interested in real world experiences of people that know. (or think they know! ) 

Fuel consumption is low on both. Road tax isn't cheap on either. But it's one of those 'bucket list' type things I want to own before we've all gone electric. 

Sandtree

Had a 2013 SL500

They are/were very different cars in terms of size etc... was less of a bucket list car but more one for whilst a two seater was still suitable. Personally had it on a three year PCP so cannot say how it aged beyond my ownership... many great memories driving around Europe in it though.

cymruchris

Sandtree said:

Had a 2013 SL500

They are/were very different cars in terms of size etc... was less of a bucket list car but more one for whilst a two seater was still suitable. Personally had it on a three year PCP so cannot say how it aged beyond my ownership... many great memories driving around Europe in it though.

The slightly newer version to the one I'm looking at - did yours have the ABC suspension where it keeps the car level as you went around corners? How did you find it in practice - any different to any other car you'd owned?

Sandtree

cymruchris said:
The slightly newer version to the one I'm looking at - did yours have the ABC suspension where it keeps the car level as you went around corners? How did you find it in practice - any different to any other car you'd owned?

I'd never owned anything like an SL at the time... previous cars to it were an EOS, Saxo, Fiesta, Sierra etc. So it was exceptionally different in size, capability and reaction from others. If you look at the criticism of the SL it is that its flabby, too heavy for its "sports light" name etc but a 4.7L engine with 430 horses when you're used to less than half that feels good enough.

As I said, we never wanted to take it to the race track but it could fit enough cases of wine in the back for our road trips to Champagne or Bordeaux etc... though the Eurotunnel was not fun, with the long nose and doors if you are in the middle row you've about 4" to get out in because their parking approach means the front doors don't align to the space between the cars on either side!

cymruchris

Sandtree said:

cymruchris said:
The slightly newer version to the one I'm looking at - did yours have the ABC suspension where it keeps the car level as you went around corners? How did you find it in practice - any different to any other car you'd owned?

though the Eurotunnel was not fun, with the long nose and doors if you are in the middle row you've about 4" to get out in because their parking approach means the front doors don't align to the space between the cars on either side!

I was thinking of taking whatever I chose around Europe - that sounds like fun - I might have to take the ferry

Sandtree

cymruchris said:

Sandtree said:

cymruchris said:
The slightly newer version to the one I'm looking at - did yours have the ABC suspension where it keeps the car level as you went around corners? How did you find it in practice - any different to any other car you'd owned?

though the Eurotunnel was not fun, with the long nose and doors if you are in the middle row you've about 4" to get out in because their parking approach means the front doors don't align to the space between the cars on either side!

I was thinking of taking whatever I chose around Europe - that sounds like fun - I might have to take the ferry

I know, first world problems.

If your driving history has been filled with Porsche, Masaratti etc then the SL could well be a big disappointment, its not a sports car in anyone's definition despite the acronym. However I could drive for 600 miles or more in a day (subject to affording the fuel) and be ready for an evening on the tiles... the 300 mile trip home in the Saxo however took 3 days to recover from.

I'm not the showy type generally, and personally I preferred driving in Europe. Particularly when the car was brand new, I got a lot of comments from people in the UK in carparks etc... all positive on paper but I didn't really want to be told I had a great car by random strangers. In France, Italy and Spain, if we had 10% of the comments I'd be surprised.

Never driven a SLK350, though remember the Top Gear episode reviewing it well. A friend did have a SLK200 that I drove a few times/passenger more times, and it felt a significantly smaller vehicle. Personally... I could live with the SL as a long distance cruiser/grand tourer but the SLK just didn't have a purpose and I'd more likely look at a boxster as an equally impractical car but more fun.

daveyjp

If you haven't done so have a look at the Merc owners club forum.

When I had a Merc they were excellent at providing advice, even sending me pdfs of technical manual pages when I had an issue to fix.

It may also be the place to pick up a good example of what you are looking for.

HHarry

I had a 2004 SLK350 that I sold last year - in hindsight a terrible move.

it was a great car, one of my favourites.  Plenty quick enough, with good (but not Boxster) handling and not stupid running costs. (The earlier 350’s are £300 a year to tax, later rising to £500).  I didn’t think fuel consumption was that bad - easy to get 33mpg on the motorway, or 27mpg generally.  We drove all of the UK, and ran down to the South of France in it.

There are some common issues - like rusty rear subframes - but the online forums can point you in the right direction and they are pretty much all DIY solveable.

The SL is going to give you a couple of rear seats - but I can’t see the bigger engine in a bigger car giving any advantage.

But if you’re talking about bucket list cars, you want an SLK55!

Sandtree

HHarry said:

The SL is going to give you a couple of rear seats - but I can’t see the bigger engine in a bigger car giving any advantage.

Will it? 

I thought it was an option in the version before the R230 the OP is looking to buy? The R230 did have what looked like very small seats but were actually just a place for luggage including straps with the CD multichanger under one side. In the R231 which I had the straps had gone and it was obviously a parcel shelf with the n/s also opening up as storage bin.

HHarry

Sandtree said:

Will it? 

I thought it was an option in the version before the R230 the OP is looking to buy? The R230 did have what looked like very small seats but were actually just a place for luggage including straps with the CD multichanger under one side. In the R231 which I had the straps had gone and it was obviously a parcel shelf with the n/s also opening up as storage bin.

Maybe?!  I thought it was an option on all SL’s, but I’m happy to be corrected.

If it’s not an option, then SLK all the way.

cymruchris

HHarry said:

Sandtree said:

Will it? 

I thought it was an option in the version before the R230 the OP is looking to buy? The R230 did have what looked like very small seats but were actually just a place for luggage including straps with the CD multichanger under one side. In the R231 which I had the straps had gone and it was obviously a parcel shelf with the n/s also opening up as storage bin.

Maybe?!  I thought it was an option on all SL’s, but I’m happy to be corrected.

If it’s not an option, then SLK all the way.

Yes - the SL era I'm looking at is a 2 seater, and they've put a couple of storage bins behind the seats that lock with the central locking - I wouldn't buy a 4 seater  

I like the SLK - but I also like the SL500 - I know the SL500 will likely be the more expensive to keep on the road - but there's something about it i like - and can't put my finger on it. I haven't driven either yet mind you - still at the research stage.