The SLK, Nostalgia and Me!,,,,

As used car markets evolve and continue to fragment I become more and more astounded by the role nostalgia can play in the used car market for useable classics; but in truth this can work for and against buyers and sellers.

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As much as the prices for some cars produced in the 80’s and 90’s have become stratospheric there are still bargains out there to be had in certain markets; bargains that you might not expect and where no one (currently) appears to be looking.

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This as yet untapped market fascinates me because it’s not currently served by anyone; the specialist auctions haven’t court on yet, the buying public are unaware of market reality and this market is not served by the tech based valuation companies; so I will continue to report back to those interested because it is also aligned to one of my businesses.

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So why would the first variant of Mercedes Benz SLK hold any nostalgia for me personally? Well back in the day (1998) I remember the new breed of roadsters all being launched; the BMW Z3, the Porsche Boxster and the Mercedes Benz SLK 230 Kompressor. The fever to own one of these new models was incredible and the launch of these three coincided with me leaving my career of running used car businesses for BMW and their franchised dealer network, to start my first specialist acquisitions business.

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My Sunday mornings were spent getting hold of the Sunday Times as early as possible and scouring the private sale adverts (along with my competitors) to purchase as many as I could. It really was a feeding frenzy which would then involve my team of buyers running around the country collecting as many as we could; all at a premium.

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I really couldn’t purchase enough of any of them to sell on to my network of associated franchised dealer contacts, and my favourite out of the three? The Mercedes Benz SLK. I loved the retro styling of the interior, the folding metal roof and a certain build quality you could sense (even then) was not present in the others; especially the Z3.

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And now we come to 2023 and I look continually (albeit it is very hard) for the finest examples to purchase, because it staggers me just how cheaply (relatively and at the moment) you can own an SLK; my most recent example being the one owning the interior pictured above, an SLK 320 Manual. Yes Mercedes really did make the odd manual; for which I am eternally grateful.

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The reality is that today (providing you possess the skills required of course) you can own an under 60,000 mile SLK 230 Kompressor or 320 for under ￡4,000; with that figure buying one of the finest; in terms of provenance, specification and history.

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That said this is a very skilled market to be operating within, in terms of acquisition. It is important to remember that any fool can go out there and buy a car; it takes skill and expertise to acquire the best at a price that will allow for a margin and/or to ensure that you are not over paying. Then there are the considerable “People Skills” involved.

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Those required to advise (respectfully) the seller that they don’t possess the skills and/or expertise required to sell their car in a market that is stacked against them doing so. The days of listed cars on Autotrader and selling them as a private individual are ending, especially in more specialist markets; the purchaser you require is too busy to even be looking; let alone turning up on your doorstep.

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The one in the picture I purchased for myself; I doubt it will last long. Someone will see it (as they always do) and they will relinquish me of it and I will be off to purchase the next, provided I haven’t already got one.

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The one above is a 2001 X plate which has covered just 58,000 miles; that will not be the case for very long. As ever there are some touches I would like to complete; a period set of AMG alloys would suit this down to the ground and I would replace the grille; it has a non-standard (for the SLK) Mercedes Benz grille fitted; and of course it will enjoy a major B service at my local Mercedes Benz Specialist.

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And one lucky person will buy this from me for ￡4,000; once I am reconciled to parting with it. If you would like it to be you, feel free to contact me directly so I can send you some more details.

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And of course there are other cars falling into this bracket, including the Z3 and the Boxster; albeit the Z3 has not aged as well (in my opinion) and the Boxster is extortionately expensive to maintain when compared to the others. I constantly watch this market (which includes other bargains) which in truth is constantly evolving as prices inevitably rise and other cars enter on the basis of age and appeal.

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If you are looking to sell a car that fits this bracket or would like to acquire one for yourself, please feel free to contact me directly so we can discuss your options and how we can help.

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Andrew.

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