SLK350 Running Costs 

Good to see you back again Davy.

Great video, Davyd. Always enjoy seeing what you’ve been up to!

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.

Wow...! Glad mine is 05 ... you got me rite at the start ..thats a tax scam if ever their was one 🙈

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 🍻

why the hell didn't you get an 08 onwards 350..? cheaper tax, 300hp and is even more fuel efficient

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 👍

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.

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.

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

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!👍❤️

I've had 37.6 out of my 04 350

So the tax on this car is more than the insurance... This government are bastards!!

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

£710 a year on road tax, stopped listening after that. There's no way on earth I would entertain that as a starting point.

Yes please, if you've got a spare one ....