[123.rishabh]

"Dream big, it’s the first step to success, making goals come second"

Background:
My 2010 Porsche Cayman S 987.2 was one of the best sportscars a person can use on Indian roads. After an ownership experience of around 3 years and 6000 kms, i felt like replacing it with another vehicle on my bucket list.
Link to Ownership Thread : https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...-2-review.html (My white steed from Stuttgart - Porsche Cayman S 987.2 Review)
Upgrading from the Cayman is really difficult (Both budget wise & Performance Wise) and seeing the strict speed limitations in Delhi, performance was not the key buying factor this time.

Decision Making:
In the year 2006, my neighbour bought a brand new Silver colored R171 SLK350 to replace his non reliable `97 Mitsubishi 3000GT.
The SLK looked like nothing else on the road and was a head-turner thanks to its SLS-inspired nose and sleek tail profile. The electrically folding hard top was something which left everyone mesmerised.
Since then it was a like a dream to own this generation of the SLK in my life.

Model Shortlisting:
Was looking at the R171 SLK 200 Facelift model (2008-2011) since it came with the following updates
1.Updated 1.8L Supercharged engine with 184Hp (Vs 165)
2.Front bumper with new design and more pronounced V-shape
3.Area around the Mercedes star stands out more boldly with all-round chamfered edge
4.New-look rear bumper, with diffuser-look styling
5.Exhaust tailpipe in new, Trapezoidal design
6.Darkened tail lights (like SLK 55 AMG)
7.Exterior mirrors with larger mirror surface and arrow-shaped LED indicators
8.New short antenna
9.New 3-spoke sports steering wheel with multifunction buttons
10.New instrument cluster with red needles & 3D look
11.Modified power window switches
12.New telematics generation (NTG 2.5) with built in bluetooth for Audio & a colored center screen
13.Standard Remote Roof Opening &
14.Sports exhaust

Used Car Search Requirements:
1. Original Factory Paint- Very difficult to find in such an old car, but managed to get one with only the front bumper painted that too from Mercedes ASS
2. Low Mileage - The car was driven 21000 Kms (Wished to get something under 15k)
3. Detailed Service History - Check. Cars with full service history from Authorised MB service center were only considered (This made it difficult to find the right car. While searching for this, I came to know that meter tampering is very common with MB vehicles vs Audi/VAG cars)
4. Stock Car with no mods - Check

The Final Car:
Finally after all the hassle and a long searching period, I found one car which met most of the set standards.
I quickly processed all the formalities & picked it up (March 2022)


What I like (After 1 year & 2500 km of driving):
The dual personality of a Hard top Coupe & open top Roadster (Remote opening also)
Silent cabin when the roof is closed
The Hydraulic Steering feel
Supercharger Whine
Excellent handling with a ride that's especially smooth for a roadster
Timeless baby SLR Mc Laren Styling
Bucket Seats
Adequate performance from the 184 BHP M271 1.8L Kompressor engine
Sporty exhaust sound
Excellent interior quality (As expected from a CBU Merc)
Paddle shifters
Super Bright Bi-Xenon headlamps

What I dont:
Slow shifting 5 speed AT, S mode & paddle shifters are better to use when driving spiritedly
Roof opening only possible in a stationary car
Nose Heavy
Not specced with parking sensors (Same as my Cayman :P)

Here are some more pics of the car




Post Purchase Factory Reset
After buying the car, I took it for a quick detailing session and getting new tyres.

Detailing
Took it to detailing mafia for a quick detailing session which took a full day



Tyres
The car was running on the original factory tyres.
Picked up a set of Continental UC 6 for the stock 16 inch rims



2.Service & Repairs
Took the car to GT Tunerz for a complete checkup did a thorough service replacing the following
1. Engine Oil (5W-40)
2. Oil Filter
3. Cabin Filter
4. Air Filter
5. Front Brake Discs
6. Front Brake Pads
7. Brake Fluid Bleeding


Apart from this, there was a slight leak from the roof cylinder locking mechanism in the center of the roof. Procured the new part from MB and also got that replaced.


Ready Vehicle Post All Mechanical Repairs & Service !

Track Experience
Once the vehicle was ready, planned to take part in the Track Day the Buddh International Circuit.
Driving on the Track actually helps to identify in case there is any weak link left in the vehicle.

The track experience was fantastic (No match to the Cayman). The chassis is superbly balanced and handles like a charm, the 1.8L Kompressor engine also is fun to drive and has an amazing supercharger whine which was clearly audible. The 5 speed AT gearbox is a let down for the track hence it was better to use the paddle shifters to get decent performance (MT combination would have been a lot more fun).

The car passed the 40 Mins Session with flying colors without breaking a sweat

Here are a few more images from the track day.








General Maintenance & Random Pics
Got a custom microfiber inside type cover for it, which will help to keep the paint fairly swirl free


The car needs interior vaccums frequently when driven with the top down due to our dusty environment


Also attaching a few images with some of its garage mates

[GTO]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the Imports section. Thanks for sharing!

Going to our homepage today

[bordeaux]

Looks beautiful ❤️ Noob question but where does one even go about searching for such cars? I'm sure online is not the path to take. Probably through one's circle or local luxury car dealers?

[aayusht]

Congratulations on completing 1 year with such an awesome car.
Quick question - since you were exploring 2008-2011 models, could the age be a problem due to Delhi NCR's 15 year rule? How does one manage such issues?

Wishing you many happy miles ahead

[casnov]

Congrats on getting the black beauty!

Have a question from where did you get this cover for her?

Originally Posted by 123.rishabh

Got a custom microfiber inside type cover for it, which will help to keep the paint fairly swirl free

Once me and my seven year old son were admiring a SLK standing in the visitor's parking area of my apartment and I asked him shall we get one. He absolutely rejected the idea saying there's no space for him to sit and me and his mom will leave him and go for road trips if we buy that car.

[123.rishabh]

Originally Posted by bordeaux

Looks beautiful ❤️ Noob question but where does one even go about searching for such cars? I'm sure online is not the path to take. Probably through one's circle or local luxury car dealers?

There is nothing better than getting a car through a known circle. I got this one from a luxury car dealer in gurgaon. One needs to be very careful in either of the cases since odometer tampering is a big issue.
Always go for cars with a detailed service record only or else it might burn a big hole in your pocket.

Originally Posted by aayusht

Congratulations on completing 1 year with such an awesome car.
Quick question - since you were exploring 2008-2011 models, could the age be a problem due to Delhi NCR's 15 year rule? How does one manage such issues?

Wishing you many happy miles ahead

Thanks, I was inclined for the R171 model and 2011 was the last year of its production so had no other option. Was lucky enough to get one of the last of the production models from late 2011.
15 year rule is a big issue here, so i plan to keep the car for 2-3 years and then replace it with something else in future.

Originally Posted by casnov

Congrats on getting the black beauty!

Have a question from where did you get this cover for her?

I got this cover from Coverwell Delhi. There is a thread on TeamBHP itself for the same.
The cover is really good for basement and indoor parkings since it is not waterproof.
I cover it with another silver waterproof cover for added protection even in the basement since it prolongs the wash cycle of the felt lined cover

Originally Posted by casnov

Once me and my seven year old son were admiring a SLK standing in the visitor's parking area of my apartment and I asked him shall we get one. He absolutely rejected the idea saying there's no space for him to sit and me and his mom will leave him and go for road trips if we buy that car.

Its a stunner for sure specially with the top down

[Animesh]

I see that this car is for sales on team-bhp classifieds. The German cars are stupidly unreliable and expensive to maintain problem?

[123.rishabh]

Originally Posted by Animesh

I see that this car is for sales on team-bhp classifieds. The German cars are stupidly unreliable and expensive to maintain problem?

If maintained properly at the correct place, according to the service manual, these cars can last a lifetime.
Its been more than 1.5 years of ownership and planning to get my hands on something else now hence posted an ad.