BARGAIN? Mercedes SLK 230K Test and Review - Affordable Classic or Outdated Fossil?

Today: BARGAIN? Mercedes SLK 230K Test and Review - Affordable Classic or Outdated Fossil?
Today you can grab a bargain with these cars, for just a couple of thousand pounds you can pick up a nice example like this one. The Mercedes SLK was once the talk of the town and an answer to all year round convertible fun! Is this little sports car worth a consideration in today's market or is it simply outdated? Have a watch and see what we think. Let us know what else you want us to talk about or see in the next one.
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[@peter455sd]

The SLK is the coolest car Mercedes ever made,anybody that have one absolutely loves it,any year,any color,any model

[@David-l5y4x]

NOT!!!!! SL 500 way better

[@bmwrepaircrew8848]

May not be the coolest, but it without a doubt has the strongest sentiment of any mb I’ve had. Virtually zero haters on the forums or groups and literally everyone loves them. SL groups have some angry types and purists (let’s be real here an r230 isn’t a gull wing…), make me love them even more so I got a few more and gave to family members (father, father in law). Literally the greatest bargain in the automotive world. I can’t even understand why people pay $60-80k for a new car when these are dirt cheap even with low miles….does not compute. If I had more room I’d have one in every color 😅

[@merrynelms5101]

I have the 2001 slk 320 and do absolutely love it. Mine is a 6 speed standard and the most fun to drive!

[@robertkistler6621]

You are correct sir Mine is awesome

[@billyehh]

I have a 2003 SLK 320 which I bought off lease and was still under warranty. The 320 has about 25 extra horsepower and more torque on a nice wide band. It has a 6 speed manual with a reasonably light clutch which makes it lots of fun. I store it in the winter because of all the salt we use in Toronto. It only has 140,000 km, so only nicely broken in. Before Covid I did a road trip from Toronto to Vancouver. 13,000 km altogether with some fun side trips. I'm 79 and will keep it as long as I can still get in and out of it.

[@SummitHill79]

I have a 1998 SLK 230 with 8K original mile. Love the car. It sat for 24 years with 1K miles on it. After spending a couple of thousand dollars getting rid of the perishable parts and fluids, it has been nothing but reliable over the last 2 years. Love this car.

[@GregandCraigsGarage]

Awesome pal! Sound alike a keeper that 👌👍

[@SonnyWolfSmiles]

I seriously love my 2001 SLK 230 it's a Fun car to Drive and she runs like a dream, honestly the best car I've ever owned, bought it for super cheap ($4900) and I haven't had a single issue. My SLK Breaks necks wherever I go and I daily drive it and unlike I was advised I drive it everywhere including long trips and to work (I work an hour and 20 minutes from where I live) I keep it super clean and no rust issues and my Interior is in mint condition I don't pay a shop to do any repairs take I care of everything myself.

[@mauriceguiheen7181]

I have a AMG 230 compressed and it's rust free and have 135k miles and it is a lot better than the average one off the assembly line

[@GregandCraigsGarage]

Awesome mate! Thanks for the view, keep enjoying your slk 👍

[@jamesclark7248]

I had a '98 and had minor issues (K40 relay, interior paint peeling), but put 140,000 miles on it with no other issues. I now have an '04 with 55,000 miles. No issues except interior paint peeling. I've done a full fluids/filters service this summer, replaced the flex discs, and did a brake caliper service - all preventative maintenance. Im very pleased with these vehicles- reliable, inexpensive to own and operate, easy to get parts, fun to drive. If you can avoid dealers and do most of your own maintenance, these are a good value.

[@michalisGT]

I love these cars....I have a black SLK r171 and I love it but I would like to have and one of these r170 and a clk Cabrio. I love this generation of Mercedes convertibles!!!!

[@GregandCraigsGarage]

Us too! 😁

[@Craig-c5e]

Amazing little cars! Ultra reliable and fast fun drive! I am on my second one now! The only thing that usually needs replacing is the k90 relay pack! That’s the only thing that wrong on both of mine. The first one got ruined in a flood! I bought a replacement one straight away!

[@deepapo]

I bought similar condition to this at £4K and I love it. I need to mention though I have it in sunny Greece

[@JodieAprilMae]

I am about to get one, I have test driven, and have sat as a passenger a few times in it, I felt comfortable about this one as soon as I got in it, that said it has done nearly 100k, so will be treating it with kid gloves... you got it absolutely it is a country cruiser... Even if I don't get the roof to work properly it will be worth the money, and hopefully not much of an insurance hike for the year!! Mine is in a beautiful condition, gorgeous gleamy mercedes red!

[@RealKiwitones]

You getting the Kompressor or ?

[@Craig-c5e]

Insurance will be cheap as you can put it on a classic car policy.

[@Craig-c5e]

That’s mileage is nothing! These engines are bullet proof and will go on to double that or more!

[@JodieAprilMae]

@@Craig-c5e Thank you for that... I will look into that!!

[@JodieAprilMae]

@@Craig-c5e She will be treated lwith the care and love she deserves.. :)

[@edg9087]

You're a natural in front on the camera bro!! Love these KZbin videos you and greg are bringing out

[@GregandCraigsGarage]

Much appreciated my man! Don't know about natural tho! hahaha

[@jukka-pekkasoila9047]

Nice review. I have a 2003 230 K manual with 75 tkm. Love it as a easy summer cruiser for country roads here in southern Finland. Not a sports car though... owned it for 8 years, always garaged during winters, so no rust. Going to keep this one. Waiting for spring to come...

[@That_Bender]

Thank you for the honest review. I’ve been looking for a new daily driver and I think I found it. Driving 300 miles to and from work on a daily basis has made me desire something a bit more comfortable and cheap that won’t break the bank. Good vid. Cheers

[@danpeters5028]

I had a slk 1998 r reg in blue with 90 odd k on the clock lovely car i just didn't use it enough i think there overall cheap summer fun

[@claudiapeperkamp147]

Ive got my slk r170 from 1999, still driving perfect

[@Cheeky-fingers]

Just doing a minor restoration on a 2004 SLK 230K special edition. I love it, Mercedes didn't try to copy the MX5, Z3 or rivals. It was their own take on what they could bring to the table as MX5's were flying off the forecourts. The MX5 is more sporty in ways, it appeals to the kind of buyers who would of bought MG's, Triumph and Austin Healey. But they would never attracted a Mercedes buyer. I think its a great compromise, fast, smooth, go cart handling and that roof is a work of art. Having owned the MX5 as well the SLK appeals to me more as I have got older and it so much more refined in our long cold winters.

[@GregandCraigsGarage]

The SLK is certainly its own car and a lovely little machine at that, certainly a refined car and fine for a weekend pop around or a little tour. The roof is class for its time for sure, I would say it does fall behind the others on handling, but that's why you could drive it for hours, very smooth for what it is. Enjoy yours pal, good luck with the resto and thanks for watching the video!

[@onursoyel5350]

I got a 99 slk230k as my first car. I drove it for one year had 5000 miles and not a single penny spent on repair. Had to sold it because of Ulez but still miss it. Great little car with go kart feeling, enough power to have fun and great way to have a relaxed drive in a summer evening with the top down.

[@GregandCraigsGarage]

Good times! Shame you had to sell her though 😓 lovely little car! Thanks for watching 👍👍

[@mille7476]

Love this video! Great review! I own one myself and is 6'6 tall, to anyone else who's tall looking to purchase a SLK R170 I would say my height is about as tall as you can still comfortably drive it. Bit clunky to steer sometimes because my legs are in the way if I'm poorly positioned but otherwise great car that is a joy to drive for miles upon miles!

[@GregandCraigsGarage]

Thanks ever so much fo the support! Glad you loved the video 👍 Lovely little car, we really did like it. Keep enjoying yours. Happy New Year to you 🙏

[@bittersweetkt7]

You’ve convinced me…🤣

[@ericwright8498]

Good review. Love mine - 2004 R170 with the 3.2 V6 engine

[@GregandCraigsGarage]

Thank you Eric, nice engine that V6! Keep enjoying mate!

[@FunAllDayLong4353]

Great stuff - Spot on - its a mini Grand Tourer isn't it. Comfy, quite fast, capable of travelling high mileages. Any chance of doing a Video on the later R171?

[@GregandCraigsGarage]

That's a great way to summarise it, great little car for that sort of thing. If we get the chance to do one of the R171 we certainly will, there's a few in the pipeline but we need the weather and daylight on our side to get the content in as we work 6days a week. Thanks for the feedback and support, greatly appreciated.

[@andrewmike9018]

@@GregandCraigsGarage give me a nudge for a rarer green r171 280 if you still lookin' for one.

[@boilerhousegarage]

Bloody hell! You're knocking the vids out 😆 It's always nice to have an automatic in a personal fleet and the hard-top convertibles don't get quite so damp inside during the winter, just so long as the roof motors hold up..

[@GregandCraigsGarage]

Doing our best mate! I quite enjoy doing it now to be honest! Its a great little car, far more user friendly all year round than a rag top for sure. Thanks for watching mate

[@Craig-c5e]

The roof doesn’t have motors! It’s driven by a pump!

[@boilerhousegarage]

@@Craig-c5e As in hydraulic?

[@MrSkeptik-z5r]

Mine was just like that 230 with a six speed manual box, lovely motor.

[@GregandCraigsGarage]

Would love a go in a manual one!

[@tacfoley4443]

When the E170 came out, in 1996, there was NO Audi TT roadster.

[@ggzii]

How about this for a first car for a nervous driver? I just love the look and feel it would be so much more fun than a random corsa

[@GregandCraigsGarage]

If your nervous an automatic could be helpful but its probably a bigger and faster car than id suggest for that. I'd build up the experience for a year perhaps, see if you can settle the nerves, then get one 👍

[@George-nv1ri]

Is it really loud on bypasses and motorway?

[@GregandCraigsGarage]

No not at all, surprisingly quiet in general

[@waltervetri2476]

I just bought a 2001 slk. I love German engineering and this car. Nice video to confirm it's a good buy. Of course a few small issues but runs well. Thanks. Vetri South Africa 🙏🇿🇦🇿🇦🙏

[@GregandCraigsGarage]

Awesome work mate! Hope you enjoy yours! Thanks for watching buddy 👍

[@isaac.zeitgeist]

Got a '97 one a year ago. 126000 km approximately. Runs great. Attractive car even today that gets so many looks. Just gotta fix a few little things including the roof cylinders that started leaking recently (apart from that, nothing serious, obviously, those engines are like rocks). Fuel consumption is killing me sometimes too! Overall, great car and I think it will be highly collectible in a few years.

[@GregandCraigsGarage]

Great little car, they do look good even today I think! Get that roof fixed and enjoy my friend! 👍

[@r-jthecookie3126]

One of the biggest Problems with this car is the soft paint on the interior plastic and considering that this car has less then 100k down, the paint damagae is pretty fatal which usually speaks for a owner not beeing very careful with his car. At the same time its quit easy to fix, just time consuming and coming with the risk of breaking something, simply because of the age of the car which makes the plastic unstable. But once you get it out, there is tutorials how to remove the old paint and which paint to use which wont come of as easily.

[@johnq5307]

I literally washed it off, wasn’t hard to do. Shine up the black plastic and you’re good to go, until it cracks……

[@yuanyuanalan6092]

🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

[@ksmoothe]

love mine.

[@GregandCraigsGarage]

It’s a great little car! Keep enjoying it mate 👍

[@fb3824]

nice review - owned one previously. That 4 cylinder engine, perhaps peppy, but is rough as balls

[@GregandCraigsGarage]

good little engine, not as smooth as the six cylinder for sure

[@RealKiwitones]

What do you think about the V6 -320 variant against the kompressor as a drive car?

[@GregandCraigsGarage]

Ooooh, hard to say, different drive type I think, 320 is very smooth and cruise'y', the 230 is revvier and more energetic. I'd be happy with either to be honest.

[@andyyoung6574]

I’ve got a 2001 slk 230, with upgraded lights and AMG 18s. Looks great, drives great. Enjoyed your comments on just going out for a drive. In summer especially, I often go for a drive, top down and big smiles per miles! Love it. Enough power to have fun but not so unruly that you’ll end up in a hedge. Stereo speakers are bad though! These R170s will be a future collectible. Unreal value .

[@GregandCraigsGarage]

Glad you're enjoying yours man and thanks for the feedback on the video. I bet yours looks ace on the AMG wheels, they are a great little car to drive, the 230k is a great engine. Enjoy man and Happy New Year!

[@ianmuir3640]

I had one years ago it’s a great wee car don’t forget it’s supercharged never had any problems with it

[@GregandCraigsGarage]

Yeh its a great little car! They are underrated I think

[@mplslongshot]

I have 99 SLK 230. Super fun to drive!

[@GregandCraigsGarage]

Awesome! Glad you’re enjoying it 👍

[@nuntiusuk3345]

The wheel arches rust

[@GregandCraigsGarage]

yes indeed they do! Thanks for watching mate 😁

[@nuntiusuk3345]

@@GregandCraigsGarage I’m just wondering if you guys have any experience of this ? Can it be recovered or is it finished ?? Tnx

[@Nevets66]

Love MY 2000 230 ,,and she's done 290,000 kms

[@GregandCraigsGarage]

Nice! Keep it goin! Really did enjoy the SLK, lovely little car.

[@Cheifo22]

Did he say 'gert'? Bristol lad by any chance lol

[@GregandCraigsGarage]

I probably did! Wiltshire born see 😂

[@eduro1660]

It’s a good car but with many noises and a poor handling

[@GregandCraigsGarage]

Thanks for watching man! This one was rather quiet considering, definitely not built for handling, that much is true! But a nice little car all things considered. Appreciate the view and comment, Happy New Year to you 👍

[@eduro1660]

@@GregandCraigsGarage Happy new year!!

[@phillipbrennan7082]

How tall are you?

[@GregandCraigsGarage]

6ft mate

[@r-jthecookie3126]

Watching the Video, what really annoys me on this car is how the hand break is still on the left side wheel like in my slk which has a left side steering wheel. Mercedes really didnt consider making a new middle Piece for the non German Countrys that have right it side? I mean i dont know whats the ratio of how many people have left side and right side steering wheels, but i always felt like its quit some countrys.

[@gb1ker]

Interesting point! I'm thinking of buying one but fortunately I'm in Spain so it'll be the correct side 😃

[@kbrickell4732]

use your mirrors to reverse dont turn around in your seat ??

[@vincem1957]

GOOD VID YOUR TASTE IN MUSIC SUCKS ITS NOT A Question of taste its computer generated techno garbage

[@GregandCraigsGarage]

Thanks for the feedback pal. Glad you enjoyed the video 👍