2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 only 19,000miles

10 Bids
8:00 PM, 06 Dec 2018Vehicle sold
Sold for

£5,350

Background

The Mercedes SLK, or Sportlich (sporty), Leicht (light), Kurz (compact) was produced between 2004 and 2010. Given the model designation R171, it features a retractable hardtop roof, a clever little piece of engineering that brings the convenience of wind-in-the-hair motoring alongside the security of a hard-top coupe.

Never the most sporting of coupes, the SLK is, and was always designed to be, a laid-back cruiser and long-distance tourer, a role that it performs with uncommon civility and uncanny reliability.

The refinement is partly a function of the structure, which is super-rigid and 46% stiffer than its predecessor, even with the roof down. This impressive torsional rigidity allows the suspension to get on with its job untroubled by a wilting bodyshell. It, along with twin airbags, also gives its occupants excellent secondary protection in the event of a crash.

The Mercedes SLK was offered with a range of engines from a 1.8-litre all the way through to a mighty 5.4-litre V8 that was hand-built by a single AMG engineer. A seven-speed automatic gearbox was on offer too, along with a six-speed manual. As a result, the SLK offered something for every owner, starting with the base model’s top speed of 142mph and a 0-62mph time of around eight seconds and rising all the way to the AMG’s limited top speed of 155mph and acceleration time of under four-and-a-half seconds.

  • Wdb1714422f102210
  • 18279
  • 2000
  • Manual
  • Cubanite silver
  • Black cloth

Background

The Mercedes SLK, or Sportlich (sporty), Leicht (light), Kurz (compact) was produced between 2004 and 2010. Given the model designation R171, it features a retractable hardtop roof, a clever little piece of engineering that brings the convenience of wind-in-the-hair motoring alongside the security of a hard-top coupe.

Never the most sporting of coupes, the SLK is, and was always designed to be, a laid-back cruiser and long-distance tourer, a role that it performs with uncommon civility and uncanny reliability.

The refinement is partly a function of the structure, which is super-rigid and 46% stiffer than its predecessor, even with the roof down. This impressive torsional rigidity allows the suspension to get on with its job untroubled by a wilting bodyshell. It, along with twin airbags, also gives its occupants excellent secondary protection in the event of a crash.

The Mercedes SLK was offered with a range of engines from a 1.8-litre all the way through to a mighty 5.4-litre V8 that was hand-built by a single AMG engineer. A seven-speed automatic gearbox was on offer too, along with a six-speed manual. As a result, the SLK offered something for every owner, starting with the base model’s top speed of 142mph and a 0-62mph time of around eight seconds and rising all the way to the AMG’s limited top speed of 155mph and acceleration time of under four-and-a-half seconds.

Video

Overview

Bought by the current owner from Mercedes-Benz of Oxford when it was just two years old, this well-maintained manual, SLK200 has always been in the owner’s garage when it wasn’t being used, serviced on the dot by the local Mercedes-Benz main dealer, and pampered throughout its (genuine and verifiable) 18,300 miles.

As you would expect, it is still in stunning condition both inside and out, and will appeal to both the collector as well as someone who wants to commute in something a bit more interesting than a diesel VW Golf. It is, in the owners own words, “a super little car.”

Exterior

The Cubanite Silver coachwork is original with the exception of the front bumper, which has been replaced. The offside front wing was also repaired at the same time following a low-speed bump. The work was carried out by Kennington Motors, a company we know well and can vouch for the quality of the work they do. More importantly, the panel alignment, consistent gaps, and matching paintwork strongly suggests that this is the only mishap the car has suffered.

The owner confirms that the car has always been garaged in the time they have owned it and describes it as “looking like new”, an assessment we’d agree with; there is a small mark near the driver’s door handle but that’s just about it and the bodywork could be three year’s old rather than 13.

The 16-inch alloy wheels have only very minor scuffing and are shod with matching Continental tyres, which is only to be expected given the money-no-object approach the owners have taken to maintaining their car.

The folding roof opens and closes perfectly, sealing tightly and folding away neatly. The owner tells us that she is always astonished at how quickly it opens and closes, which is quite something considering how long she’s owned it!

The underside is extraordinarily clean and needs nothing doing to it whatsoever.

Interior

The simple black fabric interior is in the sort of condition you would expect of a car with this low mileage and constant garaging. It looks barely used and stands as a testament to the care that has been lavished on the car over the past 11 years.

The leather steering wheel hasn’t even come close to starting to develop a patina and the seats look as good now as they did when the owner took delivery of the car more than a decade ago. Given the reputation Mercedes has, it will come as no surprise to learn that everything works just as well now as it did when the car was first sold.

Speaking of which, the vehicle has the optional interior lighting package and original equipment overmats. The boot retains its warning triangle and first-aid kit.

Oh, and a mesh-type wind and draft deflector is included for use when the roof is down.

Mechanical

The owner tells us that the car starts, runs, and drives exactly as it should. This is what we’d expect given the car’s low mileage and impeccable Mercedes-Benz main dealer service history but we would invite potential bidders to go and see the car for themselves in Oxford.

Otherwise we have little to write in this section, which is boring but then sometimes boring can be very reassuring…

History

The Mercedes SLK comes with a full Mercedes-Benz service history from the same main dealer that supplied the vehicle back in 2007, as well as miscellaneous invoices for other stuff like a recent new battery.

The online MOT history shows nothing of concern at all. It does, however, confirm that the car’s biblically low mileage of 18,000 is correct.

Please visit the documents section of the Gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this and other paperwork to support our claim that this car has been maintained to the very highest standard.

Summary

While it is true that this Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 isn’t the most exciting car we’ve ever offered, we think that there are few better cars for the discerning driver who wants something that provides reliable everyday transport allied to roof-down, high-days-and-holiday jaunts either pottering around near home or venturing abroad on an inter-continental, multi-country adventure.

And this example is one of the cleanest and nicest examples we’ve seen, having had just two owners from new (the last and current having had it since 2007) and an incredibly low, fully verified mileage of well under 20,000 miles.

It’s cheap, too. We think it will sell for between £6,000 and £8,000, at which price point it offers staggering value for money and the very real possibility of a couple of years of almost zero-cost motoring if you’re careful.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this car can be seen near Oxford; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

If needed, please remember we have a network of trusted suppliers we work with regularly and can recommend: Thames Valley Car Storage for storing your car, AnyVan for transporting it, and Footman James for classic car insurance.

About this auction

Seller

Private: wendy_freeman


Viewings Welcome

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and is strictly by appointment. To book one in the diary, please get in contact.

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