OK, after much deliberation and almost-daily searching of the Mercedes-Benz website, I have finally found my SLK350 and am now in the process of completing the purchase.
I was holding out for a car with the right spec, having just missed one that was all-but ideal back in July. My self-imposed decision deadline of 1 September came and went, so having taken a couple of weeks' holiday last month I decided to re-evaluate my requirements and concentrate just on the key equipment. What I've ended up with is as follows:
2004 SLK350 7G Auto
Obsidian Black with Orient Beige leather
COMAND
Parktronic
Heated seats, Airscarf and heated screenwash
Bi-Xenon headlamps/cornering fog lamps
Rain-sensing wipers
Auto-dim mirrors
Remote control for the vario roof
Tyre pressure warning system
Sports suspension
Telephone pre-wiring
The only thing on that list that I wouldn't have ordered if buying new is the sports suspension, but a decent test drive around central London today has assured me that I can live with that. Some of the stuff that I would have liked but can live without includes the CD changer (yeah, I know), h/k Logic 7, luxury climate control (Thermotronic) and parameter steering.
Harder to live without will be the folding door mirrors, but I may consider following aquascape's example and have these fitted by Steve at mbenznl, depending on the overall cost. Likewise the CD changer...
On the plus side, with the car being a one-year-old example it still has the various features (such as easy-entry seats and key-dependent settings) that were deleted during 2005. [:)]
The dealership gave me a reasonable price for my SLK200 in part exchange and has thrown in a cradle for my ancient Nokia phone gratis, so now it's just a matter of waiting for the registration number to be transferred. Handover should happen sometime within the next week. [8D]
I love the Obsidian Black and beige leather combo. The only reason I didn't order it was the black can obscure the lines of the car a little. Great choice though. And great town by the way. I visited London for the first time in May and just loved it.[:)]
I love the Obsidian Black and beige leather combo. The only reason I didn't order it was the black can obscure the lines of the car a little. Great choice though. And great town by the way. I visited London for the first time in May and just loved it.[:)]
Ditto the colour choice as that was my second choice and it all came down to a poll that I ran at work!. I think that you will notice that the sports suspension makes her appear to sit better on the road and the ride isnt to compromised. I live near Bradford West Yorkshire and the roads near me are the worst in the country and, while I am aware of rough surfaces, they dont intrude that much.
I love the Obsidian Black and beige leather combo. The only reason I didn't order it was the black can obscure the lines of the car a little. Great choice though. And great town by the way. I visited London for the first time in May and just loved it.[:)]
For me, it was always really going to be a straight choice between Iridium Silver and Obsidian Black. The black appealed to me more, although one disadvantage is that - like most dark colours - it seems to show-up the orange-peely finish that seems to afflict most modern cars. Silver hides this rather well. I think the Orient Beige makes for a good contrast with the exterior, although I don't how tricky it's going to be keeping it clean...
Glad you liked London. I guess those of us who live and work here tend to appreciate it a little less than those who come to visit.
I think that you will notice that the sports suspension makes her appear to sit better on the road and the ride isnt to compromised. I live near Bradford West Yorkshire and the roads near me are the worst in the country and, while I am aware of rough surfaces, they dont intrude that much.
Yep, I deliberately sought out a few poorly-surfaced roads, and some with speed humps, and if I hadn't known that the car had sports suspension I'd never have guessed - there was no crashiness or jarring.
I also took in a stretch of motorway and few roundabouts, and was impressed with how well it coped there too.
DVB
I beg to differ m8, I love London most of the time. Especially with a bit of global warming to brighten things up.
Don't get me wrong - I love London too. I just think it's inevitable that after a while you tend to take for granted some of those things that an occasional visitor would find enchanting. That's what I meant by not appreciating it so much, although I guess it could have "sounded" a little wry...
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