Mercedes R170 SLK230

Post pictures and stories about your cars both present and past. Also post up "blogs" on your restoration projects - the more pictures the better! Note: blog-type threads often get few replies, but are often read by many members, and provide interest and motivation to other enthusiasts so don't be disappointed if you don't get many replies.
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AJAX
Posts: 14
Joined: Fri Jan 14, 2022 10:20 am

Mercedes R170 SLK230

#1 Post by AJAX » Tue Jan 25, 2022 4:18 pm

Bought this in 2016 to replace my last Opel Monza and have actually become very attached to it. It's a pile of junk really, but improves year on year.

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I added this small modification in 2019 which really adds to the fun factor when driving. It increases power and torque by as much as 15% by spinning the supercharger faster, and it's a very noticable difference. The Allen screws clamp it to the existing crank pully, then just add a longer belt.

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Still got loads to fix but I guess that's the fun of a project that you don't take off the road.

I had to replace the front offside wing last year. Upon removal I found the inner wing was also rotten after it had been crash repaired badly.

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After a bit of repair work.

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Dick
Posts: 1280
Joined: Wed Sep 11, 2019 7:31 pm

Re: Mercedes R170 SLK230

#2 Post by Dick » Thu Jan 27, 2022 11:37 am

Welcome! Im a big fan of those :thumbs:

AJAX
Posts: 14
Joined: Fri Jan 14, 2022 10:20 am

Re: Mercedes R170 SLK230

#3 Post by AJAX » Fri Jan 28, 2022 11:38 am

Dick wrote:
Thu Jan 27, 2022 11:37 am
Welcome! Im a big fan of those :thumbs:
I didn't want to buy it when we first saw it as it really was a pile of junk. It had sat on a garage forecourt all through winter and after driving it, after they managed to get it started, I told my wife it was junk but if she really wated to buy it we would. The rest is history, but I've put a fair bit of effort in to it initially just to make it safe to drive, and I've become very attached to it. It's easy to fix which is just as well really. I've had to fix the roof at least six times, albeit it's properly sorted now.

I bought this in 2017 and sold it at the end of 2019. A beautiful looking car and in a straight line in perfect weather conditions it was nothing short of spectacular, but I just couldn't get attached to it and the SLK was so much more fun and engaging to drive.
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I was also in to Opel Monzas for many years. I sold this one to a fellow club member in 2008 who scrapped it when the MOT ran out! :shock:
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Back in the day when I had the space and money to have a few old cars. The blue Monza is a very rare Monza S 3.0E. They used to do Monza 3.0E with the cost optional S pack, but they sold less than 200 of the Monza S in the UK. It only came as a 5 speed manual with stiffer suspension, LSD, no heated seats and the grill only had chrome trim around the edge.
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When I added my first post here I had relentless hacking attacks on my home network (I work in IT) as a direct result, so it will be interesting to see what happens this time.

Dick
Posts: 1280
Joined: Wed Sep 11, 2019 7:31 pm

Re: Mercedes R170 SLK230

#4 Post by Dick » Fri Jan 28, 2022 9:42 pm

You've had some nice cars, in the 80s i remember seeing a monza rally car.. that was spectacular.. shame you don't see them anymore... are you getting another??

AJAX
Posts: 14
Joined: Fri Jan 14, 2022 10:20 am

Re: Mercedes R170 SLK230

#5 Post by AJAX » Mon Jan 31, 2022 10:50 am

Dick wrote:
Fri Jan 28, 2022 9:42 pm
You've had some nice cars, in the 80s i remember seeing a monza rally car.. that was spectacular.. shame you don't see them anymore... are you getting another??
Ah, I think that'll most likely be this one. https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/12 ... 63&page=17

Unfortunately it was badly damaged many years ago by an arson attack on the barn it was stored in, but I'm sure Ian will restore it.

If I could get my old blue Monza back I would Love to, but after owning and repairing them from 1999 - 2015 I think I've moved on now.

I actually have a hankering for a pre war or early post war car, but we're possibly moving house this year so it will need to wait until that's done.

Are we the only two left on this forum these days? Has everyone else switched to social media?

Dick
Posts: 1280
Joined: Wed Sep 11, 2019 7:31 pm

Re: Mercedes R170 SLK230

#6 Post by Dick » Mon Jan 31, 2022 4:29 pm

That looks like the one.. it did make a lovely noise. but this was the late 80s when i could afford petrol, a mini was a tenner and an escort Mexico was 50 quid with mot...
We're not the only ones on here , though it is very quiet . Terry has been missing in action, presumed kidnapped by the micra liberation front for anna friels services...

Dick
Posts: 1280
Joined: Wed Sep 11, 2019 7:31 pm

Re: Mercedes R170 SLK230

#7 Post by Dick » Tue Feb 01, 2022 6:12 pm

What sort of pre/ post war car are you after??

AJAX
Posts: 14
Joined: Fri Jan 14, 2022 10:20 am

Re: Mercedes R170 SLK230

#8 Post by AJAX » Wed Feb 02, 2022 12:12 pm

Dick wrote:
Tue Feb 01, 2022 6:12 pm
What sort of pre/ post war car are you after??
No idea actually. I just fancy a little sit up and beg thing. I used to like retro fitting different engines in to cars, but with all the regulation these days the politics is making it a chore. I have my daily driver (a modern), and my SLK for the summer and to tinker with. My wife also has a R171 SLK350 and a modern car so I have plenty of cars to keep me busy without it even being much of a hobby. I refuse to pay garages for repairs and servicing unless I'm forced to and probably couldn't afford the cars I have if I did use garages.
Annoyingly, that blue Monza would be tax and MOT exempt this year. I might make enquiries! :)

Dick
Posts: 1280
Joined: Wed Sep 11, 2019 7:31 pm

Re: Mercedes R170 SLK230

#9 Post by Dick » Thu Feb 03, 2022 7:17 pm

Sounds like a good plan.. go on you know you want to :thumbs:

Dick
Posts: 1280
Joined: Wed Sep 11, 2019 7:31 pm

Re: Mercedes R170 SLK230

#10 Post by Dick » Fri Feb 04, 2022 7:17 pm


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