Hello folks! Z4 beats SLK all day

[Thresherinc]

My friend has recently bought an F Type and as such is trying to get me to buy his 2004 SLK 350 with the auto gearbox. I'm considering it for the missus. The paintwork is in poor condition, the cabin stinks of petrol, the front end scrapes on speed bumps (suspect broken spring(s)) and the MOT is due next month.

I have a 2004 SLK 350, mine's only done 48K miles though, it's a fantastic little car, it's not the cheapest to fix though, might be worth going to MB for the springs so long as the dampers are okay, I'm looking to replace the now 19 year old suspension and it's a little tricky, if you go with the wrong setup it'll rattle your teeth out on the rubbish roads we have and at £1200 for a ~£6k car it's a chunk of change if you get it wrong.

The fuel smell could be insanely expensive to fix though, what mpg is it getting?

 

[jenniferlouise]

If it spends a lot of its life sitting on a driveway looking pretty like mine does, I totally get you 8) Totally agree, not as much to an SLK at all.
No jag F-types tempting you then?
I'm looking at an XJ for my long journeys to save my spine...

I do like the shape of the hard-top F-type. Great sound too. But it’s got the same infotainment as my previous RR Evoque and it’s poor. Honestly I do think the XJ-S in final form is beautiful. An XKR is epic (big car tho) and the XJ is a proper Jag with a stunning interior.

I hanker after a ‘proper’ Mercedes with its badge sprung mounted on the top of the bonnet. Oh and JL’s fantasy ride is a G-Wagon (with every whistle and bell added)

 

[Timmyboybunter]

I'm in a Merc now, amusing experience - 4 seater though (CLK) so different proposition to a Z4.

I was very close to pushing the button on a R172 SLK55 though a couple of years ago. In a Z4 E89 at the time and the build quality and room inside was very similar even though it looks tiny from the outside. I fit perfectly and it was very comfortable for a big bloke like me :rofl:

The engine dominates but it is a blunt tool. I'd have one in a heartbeat though as and when I could justify the outlay over and above my current banger. Lower tax, ULEZ compliance and cylinder deactivation are all bonuses for that specific car over other options too.

 

[Pondrew]

An XKR is epic

My sister had an XKR for a short while. It was a very short while as it spent more time on a recovery truck than under it's own steam. Great on the odd occasion it wanted to actually work.

 

[jenniferlouise]

An XKR is epic

My sister had an XKR for a short while. It was a very short while as it spent more time on a recovery truck than under it's own steam. Great on the odd occasion it wanted to actually work.

Haha another less-than-happy Jaguar customer then…

 

[Argyll Andy]

I was very close to pushing the button on a R172 SLK55 though a couple of years ago

Aye, but how many times is the question? oke: :rofl:

 

[TitanTim]

Yay, the whiff of diesel ️ fumes in a convertible

Tim.

 

[Timmyboybunter]

Aye, but how many times is the question? oke: :rofl:

Once, to be exact

From memory I was about £500 adrift of his minimum, then he traded in against another car and I bought that grey 35is.

Long time no speak Andy, hope you're both keeping well

 

[Sidewaze Samm]

If anyone is thinking about moving to the mercedes SLK (especially the diesel one) then dont! Interior Build quality is much worse, and you have much less space, and lets be honest it doesn't look as good.
I moved to a z4 from one 3 years ago and it was the best car-decision I've made!

Not the most objective of comparisons!
What model Z4 and what model SLK? What engines?
Comparing the (petrol) R172 SLK I owned prior to getting a 'proper' car along with a weekend E85 Z4 tells a different story - Mercedes finish and build quality infinitely superior, and a more civilised and better-specced car generally. But a different type of car.
I've no idea how my SLK would compare to the E89, or how the earlier SLKs compare - what was your comparison between?
As for looks - that's personal opinion and very subjective, and I'm not sure which I prefer (but the R172 SLK is way better looking than the R170 or R171. In my opinion).
I agree on not having a diesel though. (Although I was slightly envious of a colleague who only paid £20 RFL for his 250d SLK)

 

[Mr Tidy]

I hanker after a ‘proper’ Mercedes with its badge sprung mounted on the top of the bonnet. Oh and JL’s fantasy ride is a G-Wagon (with every whistle and bell added)

Slightly off-topic but I wouldn't bother. I had a 190e for 3 years and had two of the "gunsight" stars stolen . :headbang: