Faults:

Nothing in 20 years.

Alloy wheels have small corrosion.

Front wheel arches have small corrosion.

A bit dirty on the inside after 20 years.

Roof still works. Aircon is fine.

Reliability as you would expect of a 60K mile car. Just about normal.

General Comments:

Generally underused - like most SLKs of that generation. Elderly grandpa owner - finally gave up driving this year.

The car is now in my name, after 20 years of occasionally driving it.

It has been under shelter for 20 years of its life.

Faults:

Washing fluid container holds only about 1/2 of the capacity. Somebody told me it's typical for some SLKs that the tube is loosely installed, or whatever, so it leaks a bit if too full. Don't worry, you'll get used it, just leave it half empty, or half full.

Headlight adjustment switch in the cockpit is out of business. Never mind, you'll find manual knobs for both lights under the hood. Headlight adjustment is mandatory here in Finland, I think.

Left mirror glass was badly worn out, or it was some cheap substitute. Cheap to replace.

Sometimes you have to open the convertible top by pressing the button multiple times. An example: Press once, opens 1/3. Let go of the button and wait for three seconds. Press again, opens 2/3. Let go of the button and wait for three seconds. Press again, opens all the way. Sometimes the top opens pressing only once. I don't mind, I'll live with it.

General Comments:

If you're looking for real roadster, or even a sports car, but don't want to spend a fortune, you have found it. Plus this is a hardtop convertible. This is no sedan, not sloppy to drive. This one sticks to the road, and the Kompressor kicks in. The 163HP SLK 2.0 K is sufficient. I wouldn't go for the first, Kompressorless, SLK 200 with "only" 134HP. The Kompressor does its job very well.

The car is built very solid. An old car, but no rattles. Clearly good old MB quality engineering and parts, inside and outside.

Excellent drive in the winter too, despite the rear wheel drive. The traction control is amazing. I had a block heater installed and bought studs.

No leaks, the engine and the base are very dry and clean.

Running costs are reasonable, and it's not too hard to do some things by yourself.

Just some minor, a couple of cm wide, rusty spots. Not bad for an 18-year-old car, which has been driven in the harsh Finnish climate.

The timing chain is duplex, I think. Eternal, they say, but who knows. Still, should be stronger and last much longer than a regular chain.

The original MB Audio 10 car stereo sucks. Easy to replace with a decent modern unit.

Note that there's no spare tire, only the electric compressor for air and some temporary filler stuff. Check your trunk, you should find a blue box there.

Remember to charge your battery a couple of times a year. Or replace if an old one. Helps you with all kinds of electrical issues, e.g. the convertible top and electric windows.

Besides the minor "gone wrongs", everything works! Wow. Even both heated seats. No lights blinking whatsoever.

Maintain your old car when it needs maintaining, and don't drive like a maniac all the time, and I'm sure it will serve you good.