That VAT or Value Added Tax is totally unfair. I hope we never see that across the pond. The Demoncraps have tried; but so far to n avail. Thanks for taking the time go through the cost of ownership. Great Video.
Great detail; had an '09 (Facelift) SLK300, it was going to be my "last" car, but there's always a but !!!!! First off, I'm an old guy, and these SLK's do not get easier to enter or exit as age takes its toll on one's legs - you have this cool little car and you look like a dork trying to get in and even worse trying to get out. As for costs, I live in Canada so cannot compare insurance / motor taxes; gas (petrol) on the other hand very comparable to yours, great on a run (in the low to mid 30s) not so much in town!! Repairs and Maintenance, as an old guy, little to no work done by me, everything with the local M.B. shop. I owned the car for just about 2 1/2 years, purchased in pretty much perfect shape with 78,000 K's and traded it in after adding 27,000 K's; my servicing and repairs cost me close to $9,000 (that's Canadian dollars) and that did include two sets of tires - I think Mercedes has shares in the rubber industry or these SLK's just like the smell of burning rubber (it is an SLK problem apparently). Absolutely loved the car, loved driving it, especially loved driving it with the top down, BUT between my inability to get in and out PLUS the costs involved just could not continue with it. Sadly I now drive a Kia Rondo / Carens which after 3 months is totally trouble free !! Hope you continue to enjoy the SLK350.
Great to hear you enjoyed the experience. I'm 49 so a good few years before I start to really struggle getting in and out, but being 6'3" nice to have a sports car I can fit in! Appreciate the comment and taking the time to watch. Look after yourself in Canada. Somewhere I have thought a fly drive holiday would be worth it!
Great vid Davy, you tell it like it is I watched a guy on you tube who is a merc specialist he was talking about buying an S class for less than 10K what he also said was bear in mind you are still maintaining an 80k car the servicing and parts are still the same so if you don't have a couple of grand a year spare forget it, I have a 2008 SLK 200 that I have owned for 14 years with 36K on the clock like you its just a week end car during the pandemic I put it on sorn for 6 months as it wasn't being used, like yours the battery drain hole got leaves blocking the drain hole this not only took out the fan but also the gearbox electrics, final bill just over 2k, not a cheap hobby lol.
@ronniehaywood2725 thanks for commenting and watching. No it's not cheap. Leaving a car stood for 4 months is nit good for them, but the odd crisp winter day we can get the roof down. It's worth it!
Finally bought a 350 a couple of months ago. Jasper Blue, the colour i wanted and cream leather. It’s missing the heated seats and air scarf but i can live with that as it will only be used in the winter as backup car. It’s on 53,000 miles on 2005 plate so the lower tax. I am just not prepared to pay the £710 tax for a later model.
When I was searching for my slk a couple of years back I found a march 2006 which is the lower tax cost, certainly wouldn't want to pay the later ones.
Hi Davy, Had an SLK 350 a couple of years ago and loved it! Unfortunately the dreaded tin worm started eating the wings and they are a fortune to replace and I hadn’t the finances at that time so I let her go! The tax is criminal isn’t it! Last year I lost my dad and inherited a few quid and bought an Aston Martin DB9! It’s a 2005,5.9litre V12 & only £350 a year to tax!👍 doesn’t make sense does it? Enjoy your car!👍❤️
Thanks for the comment, and sorry for your loss, but sounds like a nice car to drive around in and remember your dad. Yes criminal is one word. F@#£%ng rip off is another, but I love my car, I know it is a sound car, and now that im used to paying £65 a month, if i get to upgrade in the future, I'm used to this cost.
Thankfully imines a march 2006 so misses the ripoff tax, I pay more tax than insurance tho which is annoying. Spent quite a bit in parts, twin tube shocks on standard hight springs to replace the 95k comfort suspension that didn't like speed humps, handles the corners well but certainly not as soft. The main intake flap rod had broken due to sticky flaps, took inlet off and cleaned all the sticky residue out before replacing the plastic rods for metal. I'm running the Goodyear f1 3s on rear, great tyre and cheaper than the later 5s and just as good reviews. Replaced the air filters for piper x upgrades as those work well and give more room for air flow in the rather small air boxes, had those on advisory when I had car remapped so just under 300bhp which works very well with the auto box
Great video. Isn’t the tax just daft? Think how much you’re paying in fuel tax and VAT etc. VED is putting so many great cars into scrap way too early. I love the SLK and it’s only the tax that has stopped me. Keep up the good work on the video, it’s a slog but you’ll get there 👍
Cheers for the encouragement. I wonder whether, over those 2 years, the tax is higher if other sports cars feel into that band because of the CO2 emissions?
Thanks for the video Davy, greetings from British Columbia Canada. You mention changing the cam drive belt. Was that the timing chain or the serpentine belt? If it was the chain, do you happen to know why? These engines have the balance shaft gear issue which would present similar codes to a "stretched chain"... just curious, thanks.
Hi Davy, hope alls well. Would you mind letting me know where you bought your after market blower motor from as mines packed up and I’m reluctant to pay £450.00 for a Merc original. Be great to hear from you. Many thanks James 🍻
what insurance company are you using ? I've got a r170 230 and it's cost me 730£ and I don't get a courtesy car I thought I had windscreen cover but I had to pay 75 lb for the guy when he came out
It really is dependant on yourself, your postcode etc. I have renewed with ensure for 3 years. This year was the first rental I had to fight fir a discount.
@@davy-downtheroad yeah I know postcode I'm in a good postcode and I'm off street parking, I'll check them out what they quote me then ensure! Thanks I'll get back to you I won't let them know. see what they quoted me! I used a broker supposed to have done a search and this was the cheapest and best deal they got take 10% so I think it was about 640£ with aviva. And I had to have a new windscreen and I had to pay 75£
That VAT or Value Added Tax is totally unfair. I hope we never see that across the pond. The Demoncraps have tried; but so far to n avail. Thanks for taking the time go through the cost of ownership. Great Video.
Good to see you back again Davy.
Great video, Davyd. Always enjoy seeing what you’ve been up to!
Hope all is well with you.
Great detail; had an '09 (Facelift) SLK300, it was going to be my "last" car, but there's always a but !!!!! First off, I'm an old guy, and these SLK's do not get easier to enter or exit as age takes its toll on one's legs - you have this cool little car and you look like a dork trying to get in and even worse trying to get out. As for costs, I live in Canada so cannot compare insurance / motor taxes; gas (petrol) on the other hand very comparable to yours, great on a run (in the low to mid 30s) not so much in town!! Repairs and Maintenance, as an old guy, little to no work done by me, everything with the local M.B. shop. I owned the car for just about 2 1/2 years, purchased in pretty much perfect shape with 78,000 K's and traded it in after adding 27,000 K's; my servicing and repairs cost me close to $9,000 (that's Canadian dollars) and that did include two sets of tires - I think Mercedes has shares in the rubber industry or these SLK's just like the smell of burning rubber (it is an SLK problem apparently). Absolutely loved the car, loved driving it, especially loved driving it with the top down, BUT between my inability to get in and out PLUS the costs involved just could not continue with it. Sadly I now drive a Kia Rondo / Carens which after 3 months is totally trouble free !! Hope you continue to enjoy the SLK350.
Great to hear you enjoyed the experience. I'm 49 so a good few years before I start to really struggle getting in and out, but being 6'3" nice to have a sports car I can fit in!
Appreciate the comment and taking the time to watch. Look after yourself in Canada. Somewhere I have thought a fly drive holiday would be worth it!
Great vid Davy, you tell it like it is I watched a guy on you tube who is a merc specialist he was talking about buying an S class for less than 10K what he also said was bear in mind you are still maintaining an 80k car the servicing and parts are still the same so if you don't have a couple of grand a year spare forget it, I have a 2008 SLK 200 that I have owned for 14 years with 36K on the clock like you its just a week end car during the pandemic I put it on sorn for 6 months as it wasn't being used, like yours the battery drain hole got leaves blocking the drain hole this not only took out the fan but also the gearbox electrics, final bill just over 2k, not a cheap hobby lol.
@ronniehaywood2725 thanks for commenting and watching.
No it's not cheap. Leaving a car stood for 4 months is nit good for them, but the odd crisp winter day we can get the roof down. It's worth it!
Finally bought a 350 a couple of months ago. Jasper Blue, the colour i wanted and cream leather. It’s missing the heated seats and air scarf but i can live with that as it will only be used in the winter as backup car.
It’s on 53,000 miles on 2005 plate so the lower tax. I am just not prepared to pay the £710 tax for a later model.
If it's the right car, it's the right car. Not a huge amount around in that Blue.
Thanks for watching.
Wow...! Glad mine is 05 ... you got me rite at the start ..thats a tax scam if ever their was one 🙈
Cheers for watching mate.
I have thought about changing o er the y3ars but come back to, the car is good, what could I end up with?
When I was searching for my slk a couple of years back I found a march 2006 which is the lower tax cost, certainly wouldn't want to pay the later ones.
Hi Davy,
Had an SLK 350 a couple of years ago and loved it! Unfortunately the dreaded tin worm started eating the wings and they are a fortune to replace and I hadn’t the finances at that time so I let her go! The tax is criminal isn’t it!
Last year I lost my dad and inherited a few quid and bought an Aston Martin DB9! It’s a 2005,5.9litre V12 & only £350 a year to tax!👍 doesn’t make sense does it?
Enjoy your car!👍❤️
Thanks for the comment, and sorry for your loss, but sounds like a nice car to drive around in and remember your dad. Yes criminal is one word. F@#£%ng rip off is another, but I love my car, I know it is a sound car, and now that im used to paying £65 a month, if i get to upgrade in the future, I'm used to this cost.
Thankfully imines a march 2006 so misses the ripoff tax, I pay more tax than insurance tho which is annoying. Spent quite a bit in parts, twin tube shocks on standard hight springs to replace the 95k comfort suspension that didn't like speed humps, handles the corners well but certainly not as soft. The main intake flap rod had broken due to sticky flaps, took inlet off and cleaned all the sticky residue out before replacing the plastic rods for metal. I'm running the Goodyear f1 3s on rear, great tyre and cheaper than the later 5s and just as good reviews. Replaced the air filters for piper x upgrades as those work well and give more room for air flow in the rather small air boxes, had those on advisory when I had car remapped so just under 300bhp which works very well with the auto box
Sounds like a nice little car you have there. Thanks for sharing. Not had to do.my shocks yet. Another bill which is bound to be due.
Where did you get the tumble flap repaired ?
@chrisclowes5207 My local garage of 20 years does all my work, unless they refer me somewhere else.
Appreciate you watching the video pal.
Great video.
Isn’t the tax just daft? Think how much you’re paying in fuel tax and VAT etc. VED is putting so many great cars into scrap way too early. I love the SLK and it’s only the tax that has stopped me.
Keep up the good work on the video, it’s a slog but you’ll get there 👍
Cheers for the encouragement. I wonder whether, over those 2 years, the tax is higher if other sports cars feel into that band because of the CO2 emissions?
Thanks for the video Davy, greetings from British Columbia Canada. You mention changing the cam drive belt. Was that the timing chain or the serpentine belt? If it was the chain, do you happen to know why? These engines have the balance shaft gear issue which would present similar codes to a "stretched chain"... just curious, thanks.
I've had 37.6 out of my 04 350
Hi Davy, hope alls well.
Would you mind letting me know where you bought your after market blower motor from as mines packed up and I’m reluctant to pay £450.00 for a Merc original.
Be great to hear from you.
Many thanks
James 🍻
@@angelbreath6539 I will be honest, my mechanic got it. And I can not find the invoice. Sorry.
@@davy-downtheroad thanks Davy, all good 👍
@angelbreath6539 hi there. Just checked my paperwork. Found the invoice. I paid £300 in 2022 for the part, but it was a dealer part
what insurance company are you using ? I've got a r170 230 and it's cost me 730£ and I don't get a courtesy car I thought I had windscreen cover but I had to pay 75 lb for the guy when he came out
It really is dependant on yourself, your postcode etc. I have renewed with ensure for 3 years. This year was the first rental I had to fight fir a discount.
@@davy-downtheroad yeah I know postcode I'm in a good postcode and I'm off street parking, I'll check them out what they quote me then ensure! Thanks
I'll get back to you I won't let them know. see what they quoted me! I used a broker supposed to have done a search and this was the cheapest and best deal they got take 10% so I think it was about 640£ with aviva.
And I had to have a new windscreen and I had to pay 75£
£710 a year on road tax, stopped listening after that. There's no way on earth I would entertain that as a starting point.
Then go for a very early 2006 or older.
Or 2008 to 2011 face-lift. They made more powerful yet more efficient.
My 2010 350 is 390 for the year
All u old fats moaning about a price lol it a young man’s car lol I’m 22 my slk 2 years younger than me
So the tax on this car is more than the insurance... This government are bastards!!
Yes please, if you've got a spare one ....