[mckcol]

Hi

Looking for some advice, considering a 230 or 320, around 2000, av mileage seems to be 70,000.

My heart says 320, head says 230.. I do like 6 cyl cars, so the 320 is more tempting to me. Not much diff in performance - although the 2.3 must be working harder.

It will be a more occasional use car (5000 miles / year?), garaged when not used.

I like to maintain myself (to the point of engine rebuilds in mult-cam engines) - although I haven't had a Merc before so not sure how easy this is - the dealer and their prices sound scary..

The eng compartment on the 320 looks rather busy - more difficulty in maintenance?

I would like to make my mind up soon, was pretty well made up as being the 320, unless I hear otherwise.

I have noticed more choice on the 2nd hand 230 trim levels, most of the 320 trims are all black - although I have my eye on one with a leather tan/black combination

Many thanks
Colin

 

[marcin411]

To each his own, but I bought a 01' 320 and my only regret is it is not a manual tranny. The V6 is smooth and I have had very little trouble with it in my 70k miles of daily driving. It sits garaged for the winter on a battery tender and fires up each spring on the first crank. The V-6 sounds pretty good when you rev it up and no turbo lag and less moving parts to fail. Good luck, drive both and make your own decission.

 

[32krazy!]

i went with best of both worlds. a slk32. supercharched 6 cylinder. 349 hp with a alpaca and anthracite interior. when you look at the cost these cars the cost is only about 3 g more than either the 230 or the 320. with the rarity of these cars im truly happy with it. as for power you will be amazed at these beasts!

 

[Michael Pillay]

If it is going to be a summer/weekend car, I would go with the slk 320 or if you can the slk32 AMG.

 

[DecoThom]

The 230 has plenty of spunk, quick acceleration, good handling, nice ride quality, quick top operation, adequate trunk space, good stereo as is so with all slks. However, if you are really interested in high performance, go for the 320. The 32 amg would give you mind blowing performance. If I had my druthers, I'de druther have an amg.

 

[DecoThom]

I just looked up the hp. The 2003: slk32 amg has 349 hp, 230 has 192 hp, 320 has 215 hp. So, the performance of the 320 over the 230 won't be really significant, just 12% more hp. Whereas the 32 amg has 82% more hp than the 230.

 

[bignose]

I run a 230 with a larger pully and sports springs... i think its more fun than a V6 lump... but i like the punch of the superchager.. .not just excellaration

But would love a SLK32 ;-)

 

[Mantist]

Hi,

I would like to know what the hp would be for a 230 with an ASP crank pulley replacement.

Thanks.

 

[Subby_]

a 320 is nice but you are limited as to what you can do to it (aftermarket wise). a 230 with a pulley kit can produce around 225-230hp throw in an airbox, exhaust and remove some restrictions and you are looking at close to 240-245hp...

nice "bang for buck"

 

[zft325]

buy the slk32

 

[masterdog]

Subby is right - with just a few mods 230 will easily smoke 320.

Plus the engine/tranny must be lighter.

I don't know about V6, but I4 is quite small and easily accessible for repairs.

Whatever you take, these cars are most fun with manual gearbox IMO, it was one of the reasons I didn't even consider buying slk32 - only automatic there.

 

[Kobus]

If you want reliability with more than enough performance, get the 320. No supercharger to give problems or smother the MAF with oil. About same or better fuel consumption than a 230, change plugs every 100,000 miles, oil every 12,000 to 15,000 miles. Probably one of the best exhaust sounds under hard acceleration, but quiet when just cruising. What more can you want?

 

[damo320]

You definitely need to drive the 230 and 320 to compare, and also the 32 if you can find one. And although the 230 can be tuned with a pulley it will cost you about £1k to do it which then makes it cost more that the 320 of same age/miles/condition only to give you the same or a bit more power...and would you really be able to feel those "extra" horses? For me I prefer the 320 because I love its torque and that V6 yowl when you floor it still makes me grin after almost 3 years of ownership but if it were me i would get the 32 for the extra performance.

And as for a pullied 230 being good "bang for buck", sorry but the 32 is. I did a quick comparison using prices from KBB (US) and Parkers (UK) based on a 2003 60k miles good condition from a private buyer (its saturday morning and I have nothing better to do ) which gives the following $/bhp & £/bhp.

230K = $75.25/hp £42.18/hp
230K (225bhp with pulley) = $70.33/hp £41.38/hp
320 = $68.00/hp £40.11/hp
32amg = $53.94/hp £32.19/hp

which proves that the 32 is a real performance bargain...buy one while stocks last (unless you live in Oz or anywhere else where the 32 still costs a small fortune to buy )

 

[Subby_]

it is bang for buck down in aus....... prices for a SLK32 2002 still range from $70-$80,000AUD! thats about $48,000USD - $55,000USD. expensive as hell....... you guys can get one in the states for what? $18-$26k USD

 

[sightless]

230 with a pulley!

asp pulley is only 350 bucks after core charge best mod i ever did and most fun

 

[damo320]

Sorry Subby, I didnt spot you were in Australia...post amended accordingly I seem to remember the 32 costing loads more in Norway too so my calcs dont apply worldwide.

 

[DJC013]

Hello, i had the same dilemma recently, decided to get a SLK 320 over the 230, great sound and performance !

 

[Katika]

Get the 320...and enjoy the ride. Knowing what I know now, I would have waited a bit and shopped around for a 2001 320 or newer. I like the smoothness of the V6, and yes, the power difference between a 230 and 320 is negligible but I would drive the V6 anyday.

 

[Ken]

other 320 standard benefits not yet mentioned

warmer/richer wood trim interior, including a hand-made real wood steering wheel (over $900 option on CLS's), and it it height adjustable. 5 spoke stylish wheels, unique V6 door sills. FYI once I drove the 320, the 230 was not an option.
Good luck and do let us know!

 

[steviestevie]

I went through the same delima you're going through. Decided to go with the 320 and haven't regretted it. It was the right choice for me but as you can tell from these posts, everyone has their own opinion. Drive them both and if they are comparable (mileage, condition, maintenance history, etc.) go with your gut feeling. After all you're the one that's going to be driving it.