Buying an SLK 55 AMG - what mileage? Things to look out for?

[danyeates]

Hi,

I’m looking to buy an SLK55 AMG. I want a small 2 seat roadster, V8 ideally, but something that’s also easy to drive, reliable and relaxing enough for long journeys. The only other cars I’ve seriously considered are TVR’s (not keen on leaving a TVR outside my house and I find the clutch too heavy for long distances) and the Porsche Boxster S, (I just prefer the AMG to this!)

The only issue is the SLK55 AMG is a lot more expensive than most of the Porsches and TVRs, so the decision comes down to mileage on the AMG. I’ve seen a 2005 car with 71,000 miles for £17,000 (bang on budget). I’ve also found my ideal car, a 2005 car with 42,000 miles for £21,000. Both have all the options ticked with sat nav, electric seats, air scarf etc. The only difference is mileage. So, would I be a lot better buying the 42,000 mile car? Is the higher mileage car going to be costly to run as parts wear out? What are the service intervals and requirements like? When are the big services due?

I’d appreciate any help or advice. Any things I need to be looking out for?

Thanks,

Dan

[Gouki]

Just one thing I would recommend looking into, is the cost of replacement discs. Depending on model year they can be expensive - PH search will be your friend.

[danyeates]

I know one of them has just had this done. It cost £1,500. Not sure about the other. Thanks.

[MattyB_]

The seem to handle the higher miles well, engines seem bulletproof, failure rates for the autoboxes are very low and in reality those would be your 'big' scares - along with the roof, which doesn't seem to suffer any common problems.

However, its pretty much agreed that you shouldn't buy one without a warranty, the MB Tier 1 being the recommendation because it seems to be no quibble - many on SLKWorld have had niggles with the electrics and have said the warranty has paid for itself many times over.

Lastly, just be aware that the big service requires 16 new plugs - as an example, the last SLK55 I looked at had two services at £500-600, and one at £1200 (the major one, with plug changes). I suspect you could change those yourself though for a fraction of the price that MB charge. And if its on 40k, check the brakes as mentioned! The later, 07 models have the cheaper, 4pot brakes.

[danyeates]

Thanks for you post and your advice. I’ll check the cars I’m looking at for their service history.

I’m looking at the following…

2007 car, 28,000 miles £25,000. 3 month dealer no quibble warranty. They will pay MB to carry out any work anywhere in the country. Full MB service history, 1 owner.
2005 car, 38,000 miles £22,000. Dealer, not sure on warranty or history yet as I haven’t enquired.
2005 car, 42,000 miles £21,000. 6 month dealer no quibble warranty. They will pay MB to carry out any work anywhere in the country. Full MB service history except the last one. 3 owners. New brakes.
2005 car, 47,000 miles £18,000. Private sale, no warranty. Part MB, part specialist service history, don’t know the amount of owners yet.
2005 car, 71,000 miles £17,000. Dealer, not sure on warranty or history yet as I haven’t enquired.

All have airscarf, electric, heated memory seats, DVD, sat nav, Logic 7 Harmon Kardon etc.

I’m so far considering the car at £21,000 with the new brakes, and the private sale car at £18,000, seeing as it’s so much cheaper. Only issue is it won’t have a warranty.

[MattyB_]

The last one, if its the one I've seen (£16,995ish, Silver, 5-spoke wheels) actually sold, then re-appeared at the same dealer a couple of weeks later. Might just have been that the buyer pulled out, or could be other reasons.

I'm not sure on the requirements for the MB Tier1, and whether you need full MB S/H in order to qualify, but you may also want to consider WarrantyWise - for a 3rd party warranty company, the opinions on them don't seem too bad (do a search). Just remember if you do want to go with them, to do a quote online, get to the end then quit out - apparently they will call you the next day offering a better price (or so I hear).

Prices seem all over the place for these cars at the moment, and many are hanging around - so I'd be haggling quite hard. The Black one (private) for £20k on PH didn't reach much over £16k on eBay, and the seller was shill-bidding, and 'won' it himself in the end. I reckon you could get that for £18k...

[danyeates]

Great, thanks.

I've done a completed items search and just seen that one.

I've found another on Autotrader. 18,000 miles, full MB service history and a years warranty from MB! Seems a good one! It's £21,600 from memory.

[MattyB_]

Either you were quick and bought that, or you missed out! Cheap price, and if it wasn't you I'll expect to see it at a dealer for £24-25k very soon...

[amoeba]

Considered the SLK32?

[danyeates]

No, I didn't buy it. Although I would have! Shame. Sold my car today so have the cash.

I'd like the 55 really, purely for the noise!!!

[Targarama]

Can't help with the SLK, they seem nice cars though. Since it's PHs I'll suggest another car to look at: The BMW Z4M.

[danyeates]

Targarama said:

Can't help with the SLK, they seem nice cars though. Since it's PHs I'll suggest another car to look at: The BMW Z4M.

I like them, and they're cheap, they just don't seem as special to me

[Targarama]

danyeates said:

I like them, and they're cheap, they just don't seem as special to me

Drive one to be sure. Very different to a normal Z4.

[danyeates]

Targarama said:

Drive one to be sure. Very different to a normal Z4.

This does look nice http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3013743.htm

[Targarama]

danyeates said:

This does look nice http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3013743.htm

A lot of car for the money. I had to buy a Z4 with SE spec as I don't fit in these cars with the sports seats, thus the M wasn't an option for me. Pity.

[bigricho]

MattyB_ said:

The seem to handle the higher miles well, engines seem bulletproof, failure rates for the autoboxes are very low and in reality those would be your 'big' scares - along with the roof, which doesn't seem to suffer any common problems.

I am really surprised at people on this forum saying that Merc boxes are bulletproof. My old man's R129 SL's 'box went at 80,000 miles from new, his W216 CL went at 60,000 miles, my CLK's box went at 130,000, a colleagues C Class' box has been playing up ever since he bought it and its 2 years old and a friend of mine's S class has also gone.

Also regarding the SLK55, have you actually driven one yet? The same colleague with the C Class drove one (he had his heart set on it before hand) and he said he really didn't experience the same mind blowing power you would usually expect to experience from an AMG merc. Although, he did say the particular example he tried had quite clearly had a hard life.

[chris333]

bigricho said:

MattyB_ said:

The seem to handle the higher miles well, engines seem bulletproof, failure rates for the autoboxes are very low and in reality those would be your 'big' scares - along with the roof, which doesn't seem to suffer any common problems.

I am really surprised at people on this forum saying that Merc boxes are bulletproof. My old man's R129 SL's 'box went at 80,000 miles from new, his W216 CL went at 60,000 miles, my CLK's box went at 130,000, a colleagues C Class' box has been playing up ever since he bought it and its 2 years old and a friend of mine's S class has also gone.

Also regarding the SLK55, have you actually driven one yet? The same colleague with the C Class drove one (he had his heart set on it before hand) and he said he really didn't experience the same mind blowing power you would usually expect to experience from an AMG merc. Although, he did say the particular example he tried had quite clearly had a hard life.

Certainly for the R129, some good advice I picked up off the internet was that the gearbox oil needs to be changed occasionally in spite of MB saying it was sealed for life.

Not sure if this is still applies to the 7-spd box.

Edited by chris333 on Tuesday 30th August 08:41

[danyeates]

Thanks for the advice.

[MattyB_]

bigricho said:

I am really surprised at people on this forum saying that Merc boxes are bulletproof. My old man's R129 SL's 'box went at 80,000 miles from new, his W216 CL went at 60,000 miles, my CLK's box went at 130,000, a colleagues C Class' box has been playing up ever since he bought it and its 2 years old and a friend of mine's S class has also gone.

Also regarding the SLK55, have you actually driven one yet? The same colleague with the C Class drove one (he had his heart set on it before hand) and he said he really didn't experience the same mind blowing power you would usually expect to experience from an AMG merc. Although, he did say the particular example he tried had quite clearly had a hard life.

According to SLKWorld there have been very few reported total failures.

I've driven an SLK55, yeah - in terms of pace, it depends on what your point of reference is. The thing with N/A engines is that they're usually very progressive, so you don't get that sudden "wave" of power and torque like you would with a turbo or supercharged car which makes them feel quick. I've noticed people who come from torquey turbodiesels claim to find (far faster) N/A cars "slow".

I certainly never felt it was lacking, I can tell you that; but I love N/A engines and to me, it was perfect - decent slug of low down power which smoothly and progressively built up to a snarling top end. I didn't realise I was in "Comfort" mode though, and the throttle was far too wooly.

[tuscman]

If you try one and it does'nt feel quick then there is something wrong with it or your driving. Car and Driver tested at 4.3 to 60, 10.3 to 100 and 1/4 Mile in 12.7 (Was quicker than a manual Corvette C6). These figures feel very realistic with my SLK 55 AMG and I was very pleasantly surprised. If you do try one make sure you have the roof down and enjoy the sound track.
See the following Car & Driver link & a pic of mine to tempt you.

www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/05q2/mercedes-ben...

Edited by tuscman on Monday 5th September 21:10