Which SLK to avoid
Discussion
Hi there
I was looking at the Jag F-type. But cant justify paying almost £30k for a car in my current circumstances.
So I'm looking elsewhere and having had a CLK320 years ago which I really liked, I noticed that SLK's are very reasonably priced for 6/7 year old with low mileage <50k miles.
Naturally, I keep returning to the SLK350 (I cant seriously consider a V8) as its looks great, sporty, has grunt when needed, not too thirsty, (possibly) not considered hairdressers car.
Looking for nice clean runaround. Which would be great around town but also good for motorway without a 2nd thought.
BUT which to avoid? Or which do you recommend? Years and Models please to save totally confusing me.
Thanks in advance
Danni
I was looking at the Jag F-type. But cant justify paying almost £30k for a car in my current circumstances.
So I'm looking elsewhere and having had a CLK320 years ago which I really liked, I noticed that SLK's are very reasonably priced for 6/7 year old with low mileage <50k miles.
Naturally, I keep returning to the SLK350 (I cant seriously consider a V8) as its looks great, sporty, has grunt when needed, not too thirsty, (possibly) not considered hairdressers car.
Looking for nice clean runaround. Which would be great around town but also good for motorway without a 2nd thought.
BUT which to avoid? Or which do you recommend? Years and Models please to save totally confusing me.
Thanks in advance
Danni
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Not sure why you can't consider the V8? The 350 is hardly any better on fuel or VED
Thanks Dicky
That's a beautiful car and I may still consider a V8. Not sure now.
But I want to narrow my search/options down as much as poss, so want to identify what to definitely avoid.
So does anyone know what year of SLK55 and also SLK350 to avoid? Save me doing a week of googling and buying a turd.
Thanks in advance
That's a beautiful car and I may still consider a V8. Not sure now.
But I want to narrow my search/options down as much as poss, so want to identify what to definitely avoid.
So does anyone know what year of SLK55 and also SLK350 to avoid? Save me doing a week of googling and buying a turd.
Thanks in advance
Danni_b said:
Thanks Dicky
That's a beautiful car and I may still consider a V8. Not sure now.
But I want to narrow my search/options down as much as poss, so want to identify what to definitely avoid.
So does anyone know what year of SLK55 and also SLK350 to avoid? Save me doing a week of googling and buying a turd.
Thanks in advance
I'm sure with the 55 there was a changing year for brakes, that either got more expensive or cheaper. I can't remember which so I'll let you do the googling That's a beautiful car and I may still consider a V8. Not sure now.
But I want to narrow my search/options down as much as poss, so want to identify what to definitely avoid.
So does anyone know what year of SLK55 and also SLK350 to avoid? Save me doing a week of googling and buying a turd.
Thanks in advance
My brother got an SLK55 AMG last year and aside from odd jobs it's been solid, he drove it down to Italy for a wedding from Scotland. Spent a couple days in the alps and aside from a dicky connection on the radiator fan it was fine. Really nice car & I would very much have one at some point.
I've had all three variants (R170 (230), a pair of R172s (250 diesels) and currently an R171 (200K - OHs actually)). Unfortunately none of the big engined variants.
I'd certainly go for the 172 or 171 - I think the 170s are getting a bit long in the tooth and aren't as good to drive. The R171 is aging very well I think, seems extremely reliable and if you are that way inclined are very easy to spanner and keep tip top on your own.
I'd certainly go for the 172 or 171 - I think the 170s are getting a bit long in the tooth and aren't as good to drive. The R171 is aging very well I think, seems extremely reliable and if you are that way inclined are very easy to spanner and keep tip top on your own.
Danni_b said:
But I want to narrow my search/options down as much as poss, so want to identify what to definitely avoid.
So does anyone know what year of SLK55 and also SLK350 to avoid? Save me doing a week of googling and buying a turd.
Thanks in advance
Some of the early 3.5 V6's which replaced the 3.7 V6 engine suffer with balance shaft issues, a very cheap part to replace but an engine out and strip down job.So does anyone know what year of SLK55 and also SLK350 to avoid? Save me doing a week of googling and buying a turd.
Thanks in advance
If you google this you will find which engine numbers to avoid. From memory engines up to somewhere around 2007/8 can be affected to varying degrees. There is plenty of info out there.
It also affected the 280's as well which is basically the same engine.
Whilst I can't contribute much to any specific R172 question, I might ad this in general, regarding what model to avoid.
IMO there is no car to avoid per se that you want. Do as much research you can possibly do and buy with all senses on high alert!
But there are so many stories on the internet regarding certain model of cars, that are simply blown out of proportion.
In the Porsche universe this is the M96 engine that supposedly are rubbish and should be avoided per some out there.
Yes, there is no denying that some cars do have design flaws that lead certain parts to fail prematurely. But this rarely affect 100% of all cars and often has been rectified before. So do ignore a car you like based solely on only one opinion from a random guy on the internet.
Under no circumstance you should blindly buy the next best car you see! Do your homework, factor in certain work that might need doing in the future and do haggle prices!
Oh and btw, I really do like the R172 Mercedes! Especially in V8 form
As someone else said, do the maths and in the end you realise that the V8 isn't much thirstier or more expensive on VED. But it makes for a very different car
IMO there is no car to avoid per se that you want. Do as much research you can possibly do and buy with all senses on high alert!
But there are so many stories on the internet regarding certain model of cars, that are simply blown out of proportion.
In the Porsche universe this is the M96 engine that supposedly are rubbish and should be avoided per some out there.
Yes, there is no denying that some cars do have design flaws that lead certain parts to fail prematurely. But this rarely affect 100% of all cars and often has been rectified before. So do ignore a car you like based solely on only one opinion from a random guy on the internet.
Under no circumstance you should blindly buy the next best car you see! Do your homework, factor in certain work that might need doing in the future and do haggle prices!
Oh and btw, I really do like the R172 Mercedes! Especially in V8 form
As someone else said, do the maths and in the end you realise that the V8 isn't much thirstier or more expensive on VED. But it makes for a very different car
Keep talking the OP out of an SLK350, 
I've watched them for a bit. Problem is that the R172 (after 2011) model is actually slower than the previous R171, although much improved mpg.
Models prior to 2005 also have a habit of developing rusty wings and arches. Later ones do too but due to galvanisation, not as quickly. The R171 model SLK350 is over 225g so VED pricey unless you get one registered before 23/03/06.
I've watched them for a bit. Problem is that the R172 (after 2011) model is actually slower than the previous R171, although much improved mpg.Models prior to 2005 also have a habit of developing rusty wings and arches. Later ones do too but due to galvanisation, not as quickly. The R171 model SLK350 is over 225g so VED pricey unless you get one registered before 23/03/06.
I had two SLK55, both 2014 and I can recommend them. I did a lot of euro driving in summer and winter and never had any problem with them. However second one had some poor brake pads which generated a lot of dust, but it's maintenance choice, not model related.
55 is indeed very efficient and switches off 4 cylinders when not needed, also has start stop for traffic jams. I commuted a bit on M25 and in London, 50 miles daily, and never thought it's thirsty.
The ones I sold, never came back on a market again, so owners must be happy with them.
I would buy another one if there was one in designo interior spec available. Earlier ones are quite cheap.
55 is indeed very efficient and switches off 4 cylinders when not needed, also has start stop for traffic jams. I commuted a bit on M25 and in London, 50 miles daily, and never thought it's thirsty.
The ones I sold, never came back on a market again, so owners must be happy with them.
I would buy another one if there was one in designo interior spec available. Earlier ones are quite cheap.
Rod200SX said:
My only real other contribution would be that his has the X-pipe mod and good god, it sounds incredible. Just to help
Here's a short (and crap) video of mine just after I had my X-Pipe done at Infinity Exhausts..Best 350 quid I've spent on the car so far !https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIhbVP0h9ww
Thanks for info.
There is a 'designo interior spec. on eBay now
There is a 'designo interior spec. on eBay now
PenelopaPitstop said:
I had two SLK55, both 2014 and I can recommend them. I did a lot of euro driving in summer and winter and never had any problem with them. However second one had some poor brake pads which generated a lot of dust, but it's maintenance choice, not model related.
55 is indeed very efficient and switches off 4 cylinders when not needed, also has start stop for traffic jams. I commuted a bit on M25 and in London, 50 miles daily, and never thought it's thirsty.
The ones I sold, never came back on a market again, so owners must be happy with them.
I would buy another one if there was one in designo interior spec available. Earlier ones are quite cheap.
55 is indeed very efficient and switches off 4 cylinders when not needed, also has start stop for traffic jams. I commuted a bit on M25 and in London, 50 miles daily, and never thought it's thirsty.
The ones I sold, never came back on a market again, so owners must be happy with them.
I would buy another one if there was one in designo interior spec available. Earlier ones are quite cheap.
Nice car.
You must be that noisy #### that keeps driving past my house
You must be that noisy #### that keeps driving past my house
juice said:
Here's a short (and crap) video of mine just after I had my X-Pipe done at Infinity Exhausts..Best 350 quid I've spent on the car so far !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIhbVP0h9ww
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIhbVP0h9ww
PenelopaPitstop said:
55 is indeed very efficient and switches off 4 cylinders when not needed, also has start stop for traffic jams. I commuted a bit on M25 and in London, 50 miles daily, and never thought it's thirsty.
Has the cylinder deactivation feature always been available on the R172 from the get-go (all model years) ?I decided never to worry about the Hairdresser comments when a bloke I know who had a Nissan Almera Tino asked me how my "Hairdressers car" was going.
Same with a 944 Cab and a TT, just offer them a haircut and they will decline.
They are trying to call you gay for having a convertible, which is pathetic anyway as it isnt actually an insult nowadays amongst grown ups, they just dont like you having something nice and not going with the herd, life is for living, Get a V8 one and enjoy it.
Same with a 944 Cab and a TT, just offer them a haircut and they will decline.
They are trying to call you gay for having a convertible, which is pathetic anyway as it isnt actually an insult nowadays amongst grown ups, they just dont like you having something nice and not going with the herd, life is for living, Get a V8 one and enjoy it.
JaredVannett said:
PenelopaPitstop said:
55 is indeed very efficient and switches off 4 cylinders when not needed, also has start stop for traffic jams. I commuted a bit on M25 and in London, 50 miles daily, and never thought it's thirsty.
Has the cylinder deactivation feature always been available on the R172 from the get-go (all model years) ?Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff