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2005 SLK 350 oh and hi all its been a while 😜 #1610743
31/10/2017 04:13
31/10/2017 04:13

F
Frogthedog
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Frogthedog
Unregistered
F



Hi all

Well I think my time in sunny North Cyprus is coming to an end and will be returning to old blighty next year!

I have continued reading posts here while out here and am always amazed at enthusiasm still on the forum!

Any how on to cars, I will have a budget of £5000 max. Unfortunately I can't see any appropriate Coupes for this budget so I have been looking at other options

I need something that I won't need to spend to much on to start with until I get my feet back on the ground in blighty 🙂

Needs to be fun/fast/reliable!

Hence I've narrowed down to the SLK 350

I love the looks and stats but yet to drive one.

Opinions please

Frog

Re: 2005 SLK 350 oh and hi all its been a while 😜 [Re: ] #1610757
31/10/2017 10:30
31/10/2017 10:30
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
Nigel Offline
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Nigel  Offline
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Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
Blast from the past! Hope you are well

I didn't have an SLK350 down as "fast" or even "fun" - I assume if you're spending £5k or less, you'll be looking at one of the older R171 models - about 270bhp, but also around 1500kg, so they are never going to set the world alight. That said, its about the same acceleration as a very lightly modded Coupe 20VT, so its not exactly slow either

There are a few Coupes around, but in the time you've been away, they are falling into "second car" category, rather than daily drivers

What about Z4 or 350Z?


[Linked Image]
Re: 2005 SLK 350 oh and hi all its been a while 😜 [Re: ] #1610758
31/10/2017 10:32
31/10/2017 10:32
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,390
Essex
Trappy Offline
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Trappy  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,390
Essex


F****** b****** thing...
Re: 2005 SLK 350 oh and hi all its been a while 😜 [Re: Trappy] #1610768
31/10/2017 13:19
31/10/2017 13:19

F
Frogthedog
Unregistered
Frogthedog
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F



Hi Nigel and Trappy

Yes that model!

I know not fast like your modded coupes but about the same as my old modded coupe which at best I did a 13.6 at the Pod.

I know it will probably be an auto and heavy etc but anything is going to feel fast compared to what I have been driving out here. And even if I had a half decent car here the roads are so bad you wouldn't enjoy it. Also the driving standard here is a joke!

Also I've calmed down a bit, big 50 next year 😁, so won't be ragging it everywhere.


It's just a thought at the moment but I like the shape and even if not lightning fast it will be adequate for me. Although I plan to come to some of the meets when I get back so may change my mind 😳🤗

Re: 2005 SLK 350 oh and hi all its been a while 😜 [Re: ] #1610774
31/10/2017 16:08
31/10/2017 16:08
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,298
Pontefract, West Yorkshire
andyps Offline
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andyps  Offline
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My job on the forum

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,298
Pontefract, West Yorkshire
They are reasonably quick cars, never driven on but there is one which competes at Harewood hillclimb occassionally. Not being cruel but the driver isn't the fastest (he previously had an Audi S3 which I could beat with my standard Coupe) and he has done times in the low 74 seconds on standard road tyres whilst my best is 69.5 on R888s with a few suspension mods.


Andy

[Linked Image]
Re: 2005 SLK 350 oh and hi all its been a while 😜 [Re: ] #1610775
31/10/2017 16:56
31/10/2017 16:56
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
M
MeanRedSpider Offline
Je suis un Coupé
MeanRedSpider  Offline
Je suis un Coupé
M

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
I’ve not driven one but I drive its big brother - 2014 SL350 which is 200kg heavier and has about 40bhp more. I bought the SL because I firmly believe there’s only so much power that you can use and not frustrate the hell out of you on today’s roads. It’s not a track weapon but I have one of those.

What is good is that its RWD which (whilst I’m posting on a Coupe forum) is just so much more satisfying to drive. It’s also a Merc (from 2005) so the build quality and interior finish will be great (better in my experience than its German competitors). A Boxter or Z4 will be quicker on the track but neither has a folding hard top. You pays your money.

I expect there’s stuff you can do to make it quicker if you need to. Frankly, I run my SL in Economy mode 95+% of the time - there’s hardly been a moment that I wish it were faster.

Re: 2005 SLK 350 oh and hi all its been a while 😜 [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1610795
01/11/2017 08:46
01/11/2017 08:46
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,831
Haslemere, Surrey
M
Mark_S Offline
Forum is my job
Mark_S  Offline
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M

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,831
Haslemere, Surrey
Hi Frog,

I love it when old members re-surface. Think you were in Guildford and I was (am still) Haslemere.

I have a GTV Cup (for sale) which is outside of your price range, but it got me thinking, how about a non-Cup GTV 3lt V6? Well sorted ones are less than £5k. I believe that Flea (Leighton) can get them up to 250bhp (from 220).


997 C4S
Re: 2005 SLK 350 oh and hi all its been a while 😜 [Re: Mark_S] #1610812
01/11/2017 14:27
01/11/2017 14:27

F
Frogthedog
Unregistered
Frogthedog
Unregistered
F



Hi. Yes that's right Guildford born and bred 😎
I will have a look at the GTV.

Thanks for your input guys. Keep it coming

Re: 2005 SLK 350 oh and hi all its been a while 😜 [Re: Nigel] #1610845
02/11/2017 09:09
02/11/2017 09:09
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,115
South Cheshire
L
Lucifer Offline
Forum is my job
Lucifer  Offline
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L

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,115
South Cheshire
Originally Posted By Nigel


What about Z4 or 350Z?


I would second the 350z. I had one for just over a year, it was a 2007 with the 313hp HR engine and I really liked it. Not the most stunningly fast car in the world, but it was fantastic fun to drive, looked great, and never ever let me down. I also drove quite a few of the earlier models, and would definitely recommend starting at the 2006 facelift if you can possibly find one in budget. The revisions to the interior were quite significant in my opinion, the pre-2006 just feel a little bit 'cheap' by comparison.

In fact.. here's a 2006 at a fraction over budget (surely £5k with haggling) https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/...cars&page=4


2016 Jaguar F-Type R AWD; 2017 BMW M4 Competition Package; 2015 Range Rover Evoque 2.2 Tech
Re: 2005 SLK 350 oh and hi all its been a while 😜 [Re: Lucifer] #1610866
02/11/2017 14:06
02/11/2017 14:06

F
Frogthedog
Unregistered
Frogthedog
Unregistered
F



I looked at that last night!
😎
Very tempting but don't know owe much about them. Are they reliable? Plan to do a lot of driving holidays so reliability needs to be considered.

Re: 2005 SLK 350 oh and hi all its been a while 😜 [Re: ] #1610867
02/11/2017 14:21
02/11/2017 14:21

F
Frogthedog
Unregistered
Frogthedog
Unregistered
F



Trouble now is the more I'm looking the more choice I'm seeing! 😜

Also may be looking at a coupe!

If say I bought an in modded coupe, how much to get to reliable 300 ft/lb in wide band?

Re: 2005 SLK 350 oh and hi all its been a while 😜 [Re: ] #1610880
02/11/2017 18:24
02/11/2017 18:24
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
J
Jim_Clennell Offline
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Jim_Clennell  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
A 350Z (and ultimately, a 370) is definitely on my list. I've done a fair bit of research into them and they seem pretty reliable (with caveats!).

I love the looks and old school-ness...

Re: 2005 SLK 350 oh and hi all its been a while 😜 [Re: ] #1610988
04/11/2017 08:48
04/11/2017 08:48

F
Frogthedog
Unregistered
Frogthedog
Unregistered
F



Ok I've narrowed it down to either a coupé 20vt or the 350 slk with AMG suspension!

Still a tough one !

If I buy the merc I think more reliable and less upkeep and if I buy a coupé I'm in for more maintenance possible unreliable given age and I just KNOW the modding bug will come back! 😝

Re: 2005 SLK 350 oh and hi all its been a while 😜 [Re: ] #1610993
04/11/2017 10:13
04/11/2017 10:13
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,783
In the coupe.
magooagain Offline
Club Member 259
magooagain  Offline
Club Member 259
Forum is my life

Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,783
In the coupe.
Coupe would be easier and cheaper to fix,and from what I understand them there Mercedes model can be unreliable in the electrics dept.



Re: 2005 SLK 350 oh and hi all its been a while 😜 [Re: ] #1611000
04/11/2017 14:43
04/11/2017 14:43
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
M
MeanRedSpider Offline
Je suis un Coupé
MeanRedSpider  Offline
Je suis un Coupé
M

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
I’m not sure the Coupe will be easier to fix. If I had the choice to work on any make of car, Merc would be my choice. They’re put together to be maintained. I fitted a tow bar to the E320 and the rear of the car was a doddle to disassemble after 10 years.

TBH I don’t know much about Merc parts costs because I’ve never needed anything much. I think I’ve only bought a couple of bits for my 2006 E-Class in the last two years: brake switch at around £20 and mirror repeater indicator at around £35 - both main dealer prices.

The Fiat wins on tuning potential because of the turbo but it sounds like that’s not a route you want to take.

Good luck with the decision.

Re: 2005 SLK 350 oh and hi all its been a while 😜 [Re: ] #1611002
04/11/2017 15:25
04/11/2017 15:25
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,783
In the coupe.
magooagain Offline
Club Member 259
magooagain  Offline
Club Member 259
Forum is my life

Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,783
In the coupe.
What makes the coupe easier to fix and maintain is this very forum!

£5,000 would buy a very nice fiat coupe.

As for a Mercedes I know they make a good car and someone could be very lucky and get a cherished one.
But it still has to be looked after. But lack character imo.



Re: 2005 SLK 350 oh and hi all its been a while 😜 [Re: ] #1611004
04/11/2017 15:59
04/11/2017 15:59
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
M
MeanRedSpider Offline
Je suis un Coupé
MeanRedSpider  Offline
Je suis un Coupé
M

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
This forum is great. But what makes Mercedes also easy to work on is that there are hundreds of videos and written guides on line showing you step-by-step how to do a job. The Yanks, in particular, are very fond of posting a video or two.

Mercedes also make it attractive to have a full main dealer history.

Having had a melted piston, cracked manifold and corroded rear light surrounds (amongst other faults) on my Coupe, you’ll be hard-pressed to persuade me that the Coupe is the better buy. But RWD is the clincher for me

Re: 2005 SLK 350 oh and hi all its been a while 😜 [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1611091
06/11/2017 08:49
06/11/2017 08:49
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,115
South Cheshire
L
Lucifer Offline
Forum is my job
Lucifer  Offline
Forum is my job
L

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,115
South Cheshire
Originally Posted By Jim_Clennell
A 350Z (and ultimately, a 370) is definitely on my list. I've done a fair bit of research into them and they seem pretty reliable (with caveats!).

I love the looks and old school-ness...


Mine was faultless. Owned it for just under 18 months and literally nothing went wrong. Servicing was pretty reasonable too. I had a 2007 (so one of the later ones) and bought one with full history and low mileage which looked like it had been well looked after.

Really can't praise them enough. The reason I got rid was needing at least a little bit of back seat practicality, (though I admittedly went totally the opposite direction and got an M5, though now I've settled on something which feels essentially like a cross between the two) but it was the most difficult car I ever had to part with.


2016 Jaguar F-Type R AWD; 2017 BMW M4 Competition Package; 2015 Range Rover Evoque 2.2 Tech
Re: 2005 SLK 350 oh and hi all its been a while 😜 [Re: ] #1611095
06/11/2017 09:41
06/11/2017 09:41

F
Frogthedog
Unregistered
Frogthedog
Unregistered
F



Well I've bought a car!

And er, Its none of the above.

After a lot of thinking and consideration to my budget, I've played safe and gone back to the brand that I always seem to do.

It's not a sports car but not a slouch either. I considered reliability, drivability, running costs and practicality with a bit of luxury.

Go on! Have a guess 😜

Thanks for all your input.

I do plan to buy a coupé
In the near future, maybe as a project car when I get settled.

Cheers frog.

Answer tonight 😎

Re: 2005 SLK 350 oh and hi all its been a while 😜 [Re: ] #1611096
06/11/2017 10:06
06/11/2017 10:06
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,385
Lightwater, Surrey
DaveG Offline
Club Treasurer Member 311
DaveG  Offline
Club Treasurer Member 311
Je suis un Coupé

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,385
Lightwater, Surrey
Well, I guess a BMW, but not an "M" if you say "not a sports car" (assuming that an "M" classifies as a sports car?) 520d or 530d?


1996 Portofino 20vt & 2000 Pearl White Plus
1985½ & 2016 2017 Fiat 124 Spider + XF Sportbrake
Re: 2005 SLK 350 oh and hi all its been a while 😜 [Re: ] #1611099
06/11/2017 12:14
06/11/2017 12:14
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,057
Southsea
G
Gunzi Offline
Club member 189, Former Club President
Gunzi  Offline
Club member 189, Former Club President
Je suis un Coupé
G

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,057
Southsea
S type Jag Diesel

Mondeo ST 2.2 TDCI

?

Re: 2005 SLK 350 oh and hi all its been a while 😜 [Re: ] #1611111
06/11/2017 15:22
06/11/2017 15:22
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,115
South Cheshire
L
Lucifer Offline
Forum is my job
Lucifer  Offline
Forum is my job
L

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,115
South Cheshire
Definitely a BMW of some kind. I guess 330d M sport?


2016 Jaguar F-Type R AWD; 2017 BMW M4 Competition Package; 2015 Range Rover Evoque 2.2 Tech
Re: 2005 SLK 350 oh and hi all its been a while 😜 [Re: ] #1611123
06/11/2017 17:48
06/11/2017 17:48
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,831
Haslemere, Surrey
M
Mark_S Offline
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Mark_S  Offline
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M

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,831
Haslemere, Surrey
Originally Posted By Frogthedog
Well I've bought a car!

And er, Its none of the above.

After a lot of thinking and consideration to my budget, I've played safe and gone back to the brand that I always seem to do.

It's not a sports car but not a slouch either. I considered reliability, drivability, running costs and practicality with a bit of luxury.

Go on! Have a guess 😜

Thanks for all your input.

I do plan to buy a coupé
In the near future, maybe as a project car when I get settled.

Cheers frog.

Answer tonight 😎


Toyota Soarer rofl rofl


997 C4S
Re: 2005 SLK 350 oh and hi all its been a while 😜 [Re: ] #1611136
07/11/2017 02:40
07/11/2017 02:40

F
Frogthedog
Unregistered
Frogthedog
Unregistered
F



Ok how do I post a picture?
I've tried the "how to" but can't find the button to add files?????


Sorry I'm probably being a numpty!

Re: 2005 SLK 350 oh and hi all its been a while 😜 [Re: ] #1611171
07/11/2017 15:55
07/11/2017 15:55
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
M
MeanRedSpider Offline
Je suis un Coupé
MeanRedSpider  Offline
Je suis un Coupé
M

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
You don’t “add a file” but you point to a picture hosted elsewhere using the button on the full reply view that looks like a screen...

Re: 2005 SLK 350 oh and hi all its been a while 😜 [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1611203
08/11/2017 08:02
08/11/2017 08:02
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,831
Haslemere, Surrey
M
Mark_S Offline
Forum is my job
Mark_S  Offline
Forum is my job
M

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,831
Haslemere, Surrey
It is a real pain now Photobucket started preventing links; always used to use it for posting on here. It was suggested setting up a free Flickr account, but I have not done it yet. Worth a try.


997 C4S
Re: 2005 SLK 350 oh and hi all its been a while 😜 [Re: ] #1611204
08/11/2017 08:17
08/11/2017 08:17
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,385
Lightwater, Surrey
DaveG Offline
Club Treasurer Member 311
DaveG  Offline
Club Treasurer Member 311
Je suis un Coupé

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,385
Lightwater, Surrey
You can still use url= links to Photof***it images instead of imgpop, but you have to endure slow or incomplete loading and being bombarbed with adverts, they're certainly doing a good job to drive people away, but as ever, if anything seems too good to be true (free image hosting for forums) it usually is, or will stop at some time in the future...

Edit: Well come on then Frog, spill the beans (photo is optional)

Last edited by DaveG; 08/11/2017 08:19. Reason: Spill the beans!

1996 Portofino 20vt & 2000 Pearl White Plus
1985½ & 2016 2017 Fiat 124 Spider + XF Sportbrake
Re: 2005 SLK 350 oh and hi all its been a while 😜 [Re: Mark_S] #1611210
08/11/2017 09:34
08/11/2017 09:34
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,390
Essex
Trappy Offline
Forum is my life
Trappy  Offline
Forum is my life

Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,390
Essex
Originally Posted By Mark_S
It is a real pain now Photobucket started preventing links; always used to use it for posting on here. It was suggested setting up a free Flickr account, but I have not done it yet. Worth a try.


Someone on here said they've been using TinyPic with no issues so I tried it myself. It's worked perfectly so far and is FAR faster than photobucket.


F****** b****** thing...
Re: 2005 SLK 350 oh and hi all its been a while 😜 [Re: Trappy] #1611223
08/11/2017 12:33
08/11/2017 12:33
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,200
england
C
came2dance Offline
I AM a Coop
came2dance  Offline
I AM a Coop
C

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,200
england
Originally Posted By Trappy
Originally Posted By Mark_S
It is a real pain now Photobucket started preventing links; always used to use it for posting on here. It was suggested setting up a free Flickr account, but I have not done it yet. Worth a try.


Someone on here said they've been using TinyPic with no issues so I tried it myself. It's worked perfectly so far and is FAR faster than photobucket.


It seems like a retrograde move on behalf of Photobucket but their site was old and clunky and not really suited to fast internet sharing. It seems a strange approach scaring everyone away by becoming subscription only but what they've not been shouting about is the fact that they set up tinypic to host this type of thing. Tinypic is owned by Photobucket and it would have seemed much more friendly had they emailed free accounts and told them to move to tinypic but I suppose they want to try and get you to subscribe as their first option! crazy


[Linked Image]www.chrisdoyle-photography.co.uk

Re: 2005 SLK 350 oh and hi all its been a while 😜 [Re: ] #1611247
08/11/2017 15:54
08/11/2017 15:54
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
M
MeanRedSpider Offline
Je suis un Coupé
MeanRedSpider  Offline
Je suis un Coupé
M

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
We don’t need pics - just what sort of car it is - unless it’s very original

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