Long long ago in a Merc dealership far far away.............
Well, just over a year ago at our local Sytners.......Libby and I went for a bonnet badge to replace the one ripped off her Merc CLK by some local toe-rag on his way back from McDonalds one Friday night. And as you do we wandered around the cars for sale, rejecting the SLS in the showroom due to the interior colour we ventured outside and found a most lovely car. Since it was de-badged and knowing little about Mercs we sought the help of a salesman........"oh yes, that's an SL350 2007, price madam? £37950"...........Oh well..........
Returning home somewhat chastened we decided that this was her next car (love at first sight) and using the power of the internet we eventually found a beautiful 2003 example, 40k miles, phone, xenons, keyless-go, pale grey leather and an oh-so clever roof. So we bought it (don't ask how much).
Libbys car shown in the first pic below
Time passed and I drove this car occasionally when I was allowed and boy was it nice. Very similar in size and performance to a late XJS but a bit more modern and with some contemporary technology.
Last year rolled by and I was piling up the miles on my lovely XJS, 100k clocked over and I wondered whether to keep racking it up or.........possibly sell it whilst still pristine and a joy to behold? But if I sold it - what to get?
No point in another XJS, I'd struggle to improve on what I had. An SL? One's gorgeous, two would be taking the p*ss!
But what about its little sister the SLK? sport, leicht, kurz - sport light short.
I'd been wondering about a smaller car, years of frustration and hassle in car parks made me hate parking the XJS whilst popping to the shops. Even if I parked miles away someone felt the need top park next to me (why do people do that?).
A quick check of the specs and a contemporary model brochure from e-bay convinced me I was on the right track - SLK350
272bhp
0-62 5.5secs (limited to 155 mph)
7 speed tiptronic auto
28mpg
phone, xenons, grey leather, 6cd+DVD, airscarf (rather nattilly blows warm air on the back of your neck if your feeling wimpy with the roof down), and an oh-so clever roof
Three months later having lived on Autotrader and Pistonheads non-stop I found my car and bought it in January from a main dealer with warranty and free servicing for two years. I advertised the XJS immediately and it sold to the first caller within a week. We were both happy with the deal.
Here's the old and the new when they were briefly united in the lower picture.
How is it compared to the XJS you ask?
PROS Nimble, fast (very), glued to corners, economical - currently averaging a fraction under 30mpg, nice toys (fantastic phone system)
CONS not so comfy with harder suspension and firmer seats but it's a proper sports car not a GT.
So it's true. I have gone over to the darkside. Before you say it, yes, I know
I'm currently considering having a sticker made up
"No hairdressing materials are left in this vehicle overnight"
BUT............I did however look at a very nice XJS 1993 6ltr v12 a few weeks ago and came very close to buying it (didn't like the colour). Nice toy for shows I thought.......
Watch this space
Best Wishes to you all
Tony Sproson
but even in Germany most of them are Skodas now. What is the world coming to?
Ugly, something your granny would drive. But anonymous, leave anywhere and cheap. So my XJS now leads a pampered life and out on sunny days only.
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