Mercedes SLK320
Pampered V6’s low price and mileage, low-stress life and good history bode well for its new owner, says Charlie Calderwood
This former Jersey car was imported into the UK in 2018 and the slower speeds of island life seem to have kept the mileage down to 68,268, and the front remarkably clear of stone chips, bar a couple on the bonnet that have been touched in. Sea air makes corrosion a concern but we couldn’t find anything untoward on any of the panels. That said, one of the plastic grille’s slats is slightly cracked and the driver’s door shows a small paint repair where its outer edge meets the door jamb, presumably remedying a scuffed edge. The alloy wheels have suffered some kerbing damage on their outer lips but are in otherwise good condition. The electric folding roof works exactly as it should.
The black vinyl interior finish has worn away in a couple of places, most notably on the door handles, glovebox and around the handbrake and lower sections of the centre console. There is also an area of sun fading on the dash top and minor scuffing around the base of the gear lever. Though not aesthetically perfect, it is still perfectly usable and looks fine from a metre or so away. Everything works, too, including the cruise control/speed limiter. The driver’s seat has only minor creasing on the bolsters; the steering wheel and carpets are in good shape, too.
The engine bay is in terrific condition – an hour’s cleaning could easily bring it to show standard. All of the many plastic pieces are in good condition, as are the two heat shields by the bulkhead and all of the bodywork surrounding the engine. The oil filler cap shows no signs of emulsion and there are no visible leaks. The vendor says that the oil was replaced 50 miles ago, which tallies with its correct level and fresh colour. The car comes with all of its original literature, including a service book stamped up to 2018.
The SLK may be one of the smallest cars that Mercedes-benz has ever built, but it still feels every inch a proper Merc to drive. The engine and gearbox are a little lazy, but kickdown or selecting a lower gear with the manual shifter sees the V6 pull enthusiastically at the horizon. The suspension feels just as it should, it steers straight and the impressive brakes pull the car up without darting in either direction. Driving over speedbumps elicits some very un-mercedes-like rattles from the rear though it sounded more like a loose trim piece (or similar) in the boot than a faulty suspension component. Something to investigate either way, along with the annoying whistle from one side of the roof when it’s in the raised position and the car is driven at speed.
The headline draw to this car is unquestionably its modest mileage, though the accompanying literature, which shows good maintenance history, is just as important. The mileage has preserved the car’s body and mechanicals well and while it is a shame that the interior isn’t quite so perfect, the problems are only cosmetic and common to all SLKS of this vintage and so can likely be rectified.