Latest news with #MercedesSLK
Auto Car
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Car
Striking convertible from Mercedes' rust era now a £1k bargain
There are at least three ways in which you can enjoy the original 1996 Mercedes SLK as a classic. One is to admire its svelte lines, from the contrast between its long bonnet and pert boot to the neatness of its glasshouse and the promising stance implied by its athletically wide track. Another is to marvel at the mechanical Houdini that is its roof mechanism, this hard-bodied defence against the elements folding within itself before diving beneath a gaping rear deck-lid. And a further, decidedly authentic classic car experience is to deploy a wire brush and welder to its underside in an effort to combat its ferrous crumblings. Driving an SLK, however, is not really a classic experience. This supposed sports car is only slightly more exciting than listening to the hum of your fridge. Even by Mercedes' own 'sensible trousers' standards the SLK was a disappointment, this car dull enough to provide its driver with the metaphorical subdued shirt and shoes to match. The problem was the SLK's C-Class saloon bloodline. The premium minicab was the core source for the suspension, engines and heaps of other entertainment-critical hardware. There was nothing wrong in principle with the W202 saloon as a starting point, but the enlivening retune you'd expect for a car whose Sports Licht Kurz initials means 'shortened lightweight sports' didn't really happen. The suspension was nevertheless stiffened and the tyres fattened to the point that the SLK rode hard and cornered harder, but without doing anything to invigorate its occupants besides rattle their keys. Despite its promise-laden name, this car was a cruiser, and was best bought with the 194bhp 230 Kompressor engine and five-speed automatic that most were indeed equipped with. Viewed in this way you were less likely to be disappointed, especially as the supercharger provided decent surges of performance, and the roof was a joy. It's still mildly spectacular today, but when the SLK appeared in 1996 it was a tour de force of electro-mechanical magic, if not the first of its kind. You could enjoy the SLK's performance in quite a bold-looking cabin if it had been ordered with black and red leather upholstery, the red extending to sections of the facia and the doors to produce a pleasing aura of night-clubbish glamour. As owners of these now ageing SLKs are discovering, some of this effect was achieved with paint now eroded past its best, but it can be restored.
Scottish Sun
11-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Four convertibles perfect for summer driving that can be bought at bargain prices
'As well as price, space is also a key consideration. Convertibles tend to have smaller boots as the roof needs to be stored too" TOP DOWN Four convertibles perfect for summer driving that can be bought at bargain prices – including iconic Mazda Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SUMMERTIME is just around the corner – even if the occasional grey skies and chilly breeze make it hard to believe. And with the warmer, sunnier days on the horizon, it feels like the perfect time to cruise across town in a seriously cool cabriolet. 5 mature-couple-convertible-car-993361003 Credit: Getty 5 The Mazda MX-5 is dubbed the poster child for convertible cars Credit: Getty 5 The Mercedes SLK boasts a hard, drop top and is considered a premium convertible offering Credit: Getty Better yet, picking up a fun and fast convertible that's also reliable and even family friendly has never been easier, with plenty of options available. "There's nothing quite like that moment of the sun on your face, top down as summer arrives,' said Catherine King of Auto Trader, who recently revealed to Sun Motors her top drop top favourites. 'We often see an increase in searches for convertibles when the sun appears, for example two weeks ago when we had a sunny weekend, we saw a 15% day-on-day increase across the platform. 'While some might think convertibles are expensive and just for summer, there are plenty of budget-friendly options suitable for use all year round. 'As well as price, space is also a key consideration. Convertibles tend to have smaller boots as the roof needs to be stored too. 'However, models like the BMW 1 series offer some of the most space, ideal for the summer essentials.' A good, 1 series BMW convertible can be found on Auto Trader for under £8,000 with some 35,000 miles on the clock, while higher mileage examples can be found for as little as £4,000. Another example is the Mercedes SLK, one of the most popular two-seater convertibles that ranges from £1,500 to £9,000 on the used car website. Not one for large families obviously, but great for those looking for something classy and cool, with great handling. On the flip side, the Mini Cooper Convertible, while small, does come with the extra passenger seats in the back - as well as the extra oomph you'd come to expect from the Cooper variant. 5 modern classics that 'could make you money' including Saab convertible Catherine added: 'A key factor is whether you want a two-seater, something like the Mercedes SLK or a four-seater to accommodate more passengers, such as a Mini Cooper Convertible. 'With a four-seater those in the back may be set for a windier ride, with less screen protection, but it's more practical if you regularly have more passengers.' One thing convertible buyers might need to consider is roof-type, as there are a range of options. Fabric roofs, while prone to more weather damage, are often simpler and manually operated, in contrast to hardtops, which are more durable but are heavier and can be expensive if they go wrong. Catherine said: 'It will come down to what best suits your lifestyle and how you can store the car. 'Of course, reliability is always key. The classic Mazda MX-5, which has become almost the poster child for convertible cars, has long been recognised as a mechanically reliable choice although it's worth noting it can be prone to rust. 'Prioritising reliability means you can have some peace of mind and confidence that it will stand the test of time.' With over 15,000 convertible models currently listed on Auto Trader, whatever your budget and needs, there's bound to be an option for you. 5 Older versions of the BMW 1 Series can be bought for as little as £4,000 Credit: Alamy
The Irish Sun
11-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Four convertibles perfect for summer driving that can be bought at bargain prices
SUMMERTIME is just around the corner – even if the occasional grey skies and chilly breeze make it hard to believe. And with the warmer, sunnier days on the horizon, it feels like the perfect time to cruise across town in a seriously cool cabriolet. Advertisement 5 mature-couple-convertible-car-993361003 Credit: Getty 5 The Mazda MX-5 is dubbed the poster child for convertible cars Credit: Getty 5 The Mercedes SLK boasts a hard, drop top and is considered a premium convertible offering Credit: Getty Better yet, picking up a fun and fast convertible that's also reliable and even family friendly has never been easier, with plenty of options available. "There's nothing quite like that moment of the sun on your face, top down as summer arrives,' said Catherine King of Auto Trader, who recently revealed to Sun Motors her top drop top favourites. 'We often see an increase in searches for convertibles when the sun appears, for example two weeks ago when we had a sunny weekend, we saw a 15% day-on-day increase across the platform. 'While some might think convertibles are expensive and just for summer, there are plenty of budget-friendly options suitable for use all year round. Advertisement Read more Motors News 'As well as price, space is also a key consideration. Convertibles tend to have smaller boots as the roof needs to be stored too. 'However, models like the BMW 1 series offer some of the most space, ideal for the summer essentials.' A good, 1 series BMW convertible can be found on Auto Trader for under £8,000 with some 35,000 miles on the clock, while higher mileage examples can be found for as little as £4,000. Another example is the Mercedes SLK, one of the most popular two-seater convertibles that ranges from £1,500 to £9,000 on the used car website. Advertisement Most read in Motors Latest Latest Not one for large families obviously, but great for those looking for something classy and cool, with great handling. On the flip side, the Mini Cooper Convertible, while small, does come with the extra passenger seats in the back - as well as the extra oomph you'd come to expect from the Cooper variant. 5 modern classics that 'could make you money' including Saab convertible Catherine added: 'A key factor is whether you want a two-seater, something like the Mercedes SLK or a four-seater to accommodate more passengers, such as a Mini Cooper Convertible. 'With a four-seater those in the back may be set for a windier ride, with less screen protection, but it's more practical if you regularly have more passengers.' Advertisement One thing convertible buyers might need to consider is roof-type, as there are a range of options. Fabric roofs, while prone to more weather damage, are often simpler and manually operated, in contrast to hardtops, which are more durable but are heavier and can be expensive if they go wrong. Catherine said: 'It will come down to what best suits your lifestyle and how you can store the car. 'Of course, reliability is always key. The classic Mazda MX-5, which has become almost the poster child for convertible cars , has long been recognised as a mechanically reliable choice although it's worth noting it can be prone to rust. Advertisement 'Prioritising reliability means you can have some peace of mind and confidence that it will stand the test of time.' With over 15,000 convertible models currently listed on Auto Trader, whatever your budget and needs, there's bound to be an option for you. 5 Older versions of the BMW 1 Series can be bought for as little as £4,000 Credit: Alamy 5 For drivers looking for something with more than two seats, the Mini Cooper Convertible might be the best option Credit: Getty Advertisement
