2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 Kompressor

Highlights

  • Low mileage example
  • Only 2 previous owners from new
  • Desirable Kompressor model
  • Great vehicle history

The Background


Sportlich, leicht, kurz. The company's design motive which birthed the SLK, meaning sporty, light and compact. Based off of a shortened version of the highly regarded C-Class W202, the R170 SLK lands itself high in the ranks of early luxury sports vehicles. 

Equipped with an electro-hydraulic metal folding roof, it made for a fantastic cruising vehicle regardless of the weather. Gone are the insulation issues many faced with canvas style retractable tops!

The History


This 2 owner SLK has been religiously cared for over the years, and it has the paperwork to back that up. The original owner purchased the vehicle in 2003, registered on the 13th of October, with quite a nice stack of optional extras and finished in Brilliant Silver Metallic (744U). 

The original owner cared for the car all the way up until 2011 where it was passed on to a new custodian, who religiously cared for the vehicle until now. A trusted garage local to the owner was used for just about everything the car needed from repairs to MOT’s - so you can be assured that the SLK has had every bit of attention it needed with the required care, including two new replacement headlamps in 2018 totalling nearly £500!
Thanks to the very meticulous upkeep the owner has had over the years, there’s a good stack of paperwork that will accompany the vehicle containing MOT certificates, repair bills for any required work and of course service receipts.

The Paperwork


This car has ample paperwork to showcase its history. MOT certificates, invoices for repairs and parts, and receipts for servicing. Oil changes were always carried out regardless of mileage, often with only a few thousand miles between changes. 

It’s nice to know oil changes were happening as often as this, as it ensures great protection for the engine components under high strain conditions!

The Interior


Finished in a lovely anthracite leather, the interior of this SLK exudes style and comfort. You’d expect no less from a Mercedes-Benz. 

This particular example appears to have been kept and maintained to a high degree, much like the exterior and the mechanical side of things. As you open the door you’re presented with the OEM SLK kick plates which have been kept in nice shape over the years of use, and your eyes are immediately drawn to the leather interior. 

Both the passenger and driver seats have been greatly cared for over this car's lifetime and it really shows, normally you’ll be greeted with cracks and tears, but not here! The leather is still plump and smooth, with no signs of any real damage. 

The only notable wear would be a TINY bit of patina on the drivers side lower bolster - but it’s barely noticeable - this is just us being extra picky. The stitching is all intact and overall, looking wonderful!
The floor mats are present and well kept with some signs of wear on the drivers side however this is to be completely expected, the passenger side mat however appears to be in very good shape. The headliner is also in great condition with no signs of any sagging or tearing. Moving our attention to the dashboard, the clocks still function as they should and have no unwelcome warning lights present. 

The steering wheel does show signs of use - as expected - however it is still in nice condition with no tears or rips in the leather, and no scarring on the airbag cap where the Mercedes badge still sits proudly. The centre console is finished in what appears to be a brushed metal which is still shimmering in the light, and all of the control dials and buttons are still present and are clear to read! 

The gear selector does show some signs of wear on the leather due to handling over the years, this is common and can probably be fixed with a small amount of leather dye as there are no scratches or tears.
The boot area is well kept, the carpet is present with no signs of damage and the reflector and first aid kit is still here too - along with the spare wheel, jack, extension bar and a small air compressor for inflating the spare tyre. The boot floor appears solid with no apparent signs of any rust and the same can be said for the boot lid itself. 

The Exterior


There’s something very distinguishable about early 2000 Mercedes, their handsome looks still give them fantastic road presence and they are unmistakable for anything else - especially the sporty SLK models. Finished in a lovely Brilliant Silver Metallic which compliments the car wonderfully, the paintwork is fantastically kept. As expected there are a few touched-in stone chips here and there on the front bumper but there is absolutely nothing unappealing here. The paint still shimmers and contains high levels of gloss - it even puts some modern cars to shame. 
In 2018, both front headlights were replaced with new units, and still look absolutely brand new today! The front grill is still present with no apparent damage and the Mercedes badge still presents itself nicely. 

The front wings appear to be free from rust which is another testament to how well treated this car has been over its lifetime, as it’s quite a common issue with neglected models. The bonnet is straight and seems to be free of any nasty stone chips, and all of the panel gaps align nicely.
To the sides of the vehicle the trend of cleanliness continues, all of the panels are straight with no apparent scratches or dings, and the alloy wheels appear to be in great shape too with only some very minor imperfections on the driver side front and rear - but you need to be up close to see them! It should also be noted that there is an odd centre cap on the passenger side rear wheel, however, the OEM Mercedes centre caps are quite easy and cheap to source. The current cap is colour matched to the wheel so it does blend in rather nicely, you won’t spot it in a hurry!
Coming to the rear of the vehicle, the good news continues. The rear light lenses are free of any cracks or damage and do not appear to be fading. The boot lid is in great condition and still showcases the model designator badges - we see no signs of rust or much age at all here. The rear bumper is very much the same, housing the rear parking sensors with no apparent damage and great paint condition!

The Mechanics


Kompressor. The sought after models which are fitted with Mercedes-Benz self developed supercharger system - which often isn’t common knowledge. This SLK utilizes a 2.3L 4-cylinder M111 engine which produces 197bhp and 207lb/ft of torque, a fantastic and very usable amount of power in a small sports car and a great chassis! 

Thanks to the supercharger, you have mounds of low-end torque and plenty of high end horsepower - the instant kick of power is always a thrill. No need to endure any turbo lag here! The 5-speed auto-box takes care of the power smoothly and with ease.
Thanks to the extensive service history of the car you can be assured that it’s been taken care of and well loved, the plethora of receipts and invoices shows that money wasn’t really an object when it came to keeping this beautiful gem on the roads. The steering is tight, the brakes are responsive, the throttle is sharp, it really is an exciting machine to enjoy. 

The Appeal


A well cared for SLK has always been a very appealing sports car, regardless of age. They keep all of the creature comforts you’d expect of a Mercedes-Benz, in the exciting package of a sports car. A great mix of comfort and excitement that simply just doesn’t get old! You’ll be hard pushed to find a nicer example of this model - and it’s only becoming more difficult.


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Vehicle specification
  • Year 2002
  • Make Mercedes
  • Model SLK 230 Kompressor
  • Colour Silver
  • Odometer 62,392 Miles
  • Engine size 2295
Auction Details
  • Seller Type Trade
  • Location Hampshire
  • Country United Kingdom
Bidding history
15 bids from 9 bidders
  • ML•••• £4,500 01/02/22
  • ga•••• £4,400 01/02/22
  • ML•••• £4,300 01/02/22
  • ga•••• £4,200 01/02/22
  • ML•••• £4,100 01/02/22
  • Pa•••• £4,000 01/02/22
  • ML•••• £3,900 01/02/22
  • mi•••• £3,800 30/01/22
  • he•••• £3,500 30/01/22
  • Hi•••• £3,000 30/01/22
Message C&C Auction Team

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