SLK 55 AMG

[The1Driver]

The other half currently drives an old SLK. I'm talking late '90s. It's a decent car.... Has it's issues. But she seldom uses it.

Anyway I'm trying to talk her into getting something a little more special. The SLK 55 AMG (2004 onwards). Any of you have any experience with this car?

[Classy6]

Yes, anything in particular you would like to know?

Overall when purchasing the most common issues to look out for are leaky rocker cover gaskets, worn front brake discs, filthy un-maintained roof seals, water leaks in the boot. There is a huge guide on SLK-World if you require further reading.

Overall the v8 engine is pretty much bullet proof as is the hardtop roof. Servicing cost is on par with most regular cars (however it does take 8.5 litres of oil & use 16 spark plugs) and roof will stay good as long as seals and hinges/locks are looked after (a Sunday job, taking a few hours every few months). Obviously like most cars, ensure service history is up to scratch.

AMG's are normally well spec'd, AirScarf, park sensors, Designo interior, Harmon Kardon sound system, iPod connectivity, telephone pre wiring & automatic climate control are usually extras you have to look out for. Airscarf most will say is a must.

Personally prefer styling of the pre facelift models, if you can get a pre 2006 car you will pay £305 tax per annum, as opposed to £500 and you get the bigger brakes. Some prefer interior & front end on facelift models.

Had mine just over a year, it's still a blast to drive the noise never get's boring and is a very fast car. Did 800 miles down to Devon last summer and car will average 30mpg+ on a run, yesterday did 150 miles around the cotswolds and achieved high teens/mid twenties hammering it around everywhere.

My only personal gripe with the car is the COMAND (stereo/sat nav) is pretty dated now at 13 years old now. Works well with bluetooth phone and luckily I have my 10 year old iPod but sat nav is only 4 digit postcode and pretty ancient.

a lot of car's have had an 'X pipe' modification done to the exhaust (removing secondary cats in pipe put in) to increase exhaust noise slightly

[CaptainRAVE]

It is a brilliant car, although be prepared for higher maintenance costs. Engine is bullet proof - gasket seals are cheap to replace, brake discs aren't if you have the fully floating discs (and most people generally sell because these need replacing) but there are cheaper alternatives than the £2000 required for a full set. There don't seem to be many lower mileage alternatives out there anymore either and as above most will have had an xpipe fitted, although this saves you doing it down the line. Traction control is rubbish as it bogs you down too much and the gearbox has no rev matching. There were also some rare gearbox (but expensive) issues with the connector plate - I didn't have this issue, but it was very rough when changing down to first when cold (one of the reasons I sold it). Although on paper the R172 55 is better in so many ways, I still miss something about the raw nature of the R171 55.

I agree with the above, the command system is very dated now.

[The1Driver]

Thanks for the reply.

Was basically looking for costs with regards to maintenance. I knew one of these wouldnt be cheap to run. So thanks for throwing up some figures.

[rubystone]

The1Driver said:

Thanks for the reply.

Was basically looking for costs with regards to maintenance. I knew one of these wouldnt be cheap to run. So thanks for throwing up some figures.

I had a B service on my 2010 model. £450 at a Mercedes main dealer. Cheap as chips...cheaper then my G Wagen, cheaper then my old 996...way cheaper than my 575. Buy right and they are very cheap to run. I’ll be keeping mine forever I think. Swiss Army knife of cars....

[irocfan]

CaptainRAVE said:

It is a brilliant car, although be prepared for higher maintenance costs. Engine is bullet proof - gasket seals are cheap to replace, brake discs aren't if you have the fully floating discs (and most people generally sell because these need replacing) but there are cheaper alternatives than the £2000 required for a full set. There don't seem to be many lower mileage alternatives out there anymore either and as above most will have had an xpipe fitted, although this saves you doing it down the line. Traction control is rubbish as it bogs you down too much and the gearbox has no rev matching. There were also some rare gearbox (but expensive) issues with the connector plate - I didn't have this issue, but it was very rough when changing down to first when cold (one of the reasons I sold it). Although on paper the R172 55 is better in so many ways, I still miss something about the raw nature of the R171 55.

I agree with the above, the command system is very dated now.

I bought mine since I liked my wife's R171 (250) so much, but it is a much different beast. Think a mix between a GT and hot-rod (though to be fair on standard pipes it is quite muted/civilised). IIRC the US mags were testing these in standard form into the low 4secs to 60 and mid 12secs in the quarter, in other words it is unlikely to be embarrassed by much out there.

the front discs are less of an issue now - as stated they used to be crazy expensive (IIRC £1300/1400 a pair including fitting) but are now less than half that (and if you plump for the pre-2006 your road-tax saving will pay for that in 2 years). The upside of these discs is that they are VERY good.

Command system and satnav really needs binning - there is no way to say it nicely. That said though a good double-din unit will suit nicely and the speakers are very good (I've got the Harmon-Kardon upgrade).

The other 'must have' (IMO) is the heated seat with airscarf option, properly nice!

[slk 32]

Not much more to add other than decent ones are hard to find now and price does not necessarily correlate with quality.

I've got 2, 2005 with 47k that I've owned since 2012 and a 2007 with 52k owned since 2016 (the wife's). I don't ever imagine selling either.

Engines are pretty much bulletproof , just make sure the transmission fluid was changed at 40k

[slk 32]

slk 32 said:

Not much more to add other than decent ones are hard to find now and price does not necessarily correlate with quality.

I've got 2, 2005 with 47k that I've owned since 2012 and a 2007 with 52k owned since 2016 (the wife's). I don't ever imagine selling either.

Engines are pretty much bulletproof , just make sure the transmission fluid was changed at 40k

Oh, and as others have said Comand is crap (but just think what mobile phones were like in 2005!) I just use waze now