Thinking about an SLK350 R171 - please advise good/bad stuff
Discussion
I apologise if there's already a thread about this ; I went back 25 pages on the forum but couldn't see one.
I'm thinking about replacing my TVR S2 with a 2008-11 model SLK 350. The power to weight ratio is identical to my modified TVR, but it would have some welcome creature comforts and - importantly as I get older - some safety features rather than none at all.
Could someone who knows the marque & model please advise any pitfalls to look out for, the advisability of getting a professional inspection, likely dealer servicing costs, etc? I have no mechanical knowledge at all, so I would be relying on the dealer to be honest and (perhaps) an inspector to look it over. From other discussions, I understand that the subframes tend to rust, and this model seems to eat tyres ; but anything else would be helpful.
Decent ones seem to be advertised on ebay at around £9 - £12000 and that would be ok. I would prefer a manual shift, but those seem to be very scarce. Not in the market for a V8 55 model due to much higher purchase and running costs.
Thanks for any help,
BOB
I'm thinking about replacing my TVR S2 with a 2008-11 model SLK 350. The power to weight ratio is identical to my modified TVR, but it would have some welcome creature comforts and - importantly as I get older - some safety features rather than none at all.
Could someone who knows the marque & model please advise any pitfalls to look out for, the advisability of getting a professional inspection, likely dealer servicing costs, etc? I have no mechanical knowledge at all, so I would be relying on the dealer to be honest and (perhaps) an inspector to look it over. From other discussions, I understand that the subframes tend to rust, and this model seems to eat tyres ; but anything else would be helpful.
Decent ones seem to be advertised on ebay at around £9 - £12000 and that would be ok. I would prefer a manual shift, but those seem to be very scarce. Not in the market for a V8 55 model due to much higher purchase and running costs.
Thanks for any help,
BOB
Take a look on slkworld , everything you’ll need to know is on there . There is a common engine fault with certain years of the 350 engine .
I nearly bought one a few years ago , I too am an ex Tvr owner. , they’re great little cars and very much underrated in my opinion. The only reason I didn’t buy one was after having a think it made more sense for me to buy a new slc 43 amg .
I nearly bought one a few years ago , I too am an ex Tvr owner. , they’re great little cars and very much underrated in my opinion. The only reason I didn’t buy one was after having a think it made more sense for me to buy a new slc 43 amg .
Post 2008 you will be fine with the engine issues (which are not all that common).
In my experience with SLKs and trying to find a good used one the biggest issue is rust bubbling along the bit where the wing meets the bumper near the headlight. I've been to see about 20 of them and this problem is absolutely rife - you'll also find the support brackets underneath are rotten too. This is a bigger deal than it sounds - rust like this cannot be successfully repaired - it WILL come back. You need new wings and paint - the wings are not available aftermarket and they cost a fortune - I think £438 + vat each.
Rear subframe rot.
Make sure you have essential stuff like the airscarf - I'm surprised how many people spec an SLK without this. It's awesome.
Check the boot under the spare wheel is dry - similarly the passenger side carpet. Wetness here is going to mean pumps and stuff are toast. If the front passenger drains are blocked you'll also get a filling up battery compartment which then fills up the blower and will wreck it. RHD blower motors are the reverse of the LHD ones and cost a bomb. Just check carefully for water leaks.
The rooves are generally a little rattley, however any squeaks can be fixed with the periodic application of Gummi Pfledge to all the roof seals. Don't let a squeaking roof put you off, it's an easy, cheap fix.
Check the AC works - and if you can go for the fancy digital climate control, ours despite being the 200 has this and it's pretty rare. A lot seem to have knackered AC "just needs a regas mate"
Any clunking from the front suspension is probably drop links. Cheap as chips.
They're IMO a pretty safe used bet, they are very easy to work on I think, I do all our own. Great cars and very pretty I think.
We are still looking for the perfect 350 though.
In my experience with SLKs and trying to find a good used one the biggest issue is rust bubbling along the bit where the wing meets the bumper near the headlight. I've been to see about 20 of them and this problem is absolutely rife - you'll also find the support brackets underneath are rotten too. This is a bigger deal than it sounds - rust like this cannot be successfully repaired - it WILL come back. You need new wings and paint - the wings are not available aftermarket and they cost a fortune - I think £438 + vat each.
Rear subframe rot.
Make sure you have essential stuff like the airscarf - I'm surprised how many people spec an SLK without this. It's awesome.
Check the boot under the spare wheel is dry - similarly the passenger side carpet. Wetness here is going to mean pumps and stuff are toast. If the front passenger drains are blocked you'll also get a filling up battery compartment which then fills up the blower and will wreck it. RHD blower motors are the reverse of the LHD ones and cost a bomb. Just check carefully for water leaks.
The rooves are generally a little rattley, however any squeaks can be fixed with the periodic application of Gummi Pfledge to all the roof seals. Don't let a squeaking roof put you off, it's an easy, cheap fix.
Check the AC works - and if you can go for the fancy digital climate control, ours despite being the 200 has this and it's pretty rare. A lot seem to have knackered AC "just needs a regas mate"
Any clunking from the front suspension is probably drop links. Cheap as chips.
They're IMO a pretty safe used bet, they are very easy to work on I think, I do all our own. Great cars and very pretty I think.
We are still looking for the perfect 350 though.
Dog Star said:
In my experience with SLKs and trying to find a good used one the biggest issue is rust bubbling along the bit where the wing meets the bumper near the headlight. I've been to see about 20 of them and this problem is absolutely rife - you'll also find the support brackets underneath are rotten too. This is a bigger deal than it sounds - rust like this cannot be successfully repaired - it WILL come back.
Aren’t they galvanised? Is it a sign of a previous repair if the front wings rust as you mention or do they all do that?TR4man said:
Aren’t they galvanised? Is it a sign of a previous repair if the front wings rust as you mention or do they all do that?
Nope - they all do it as far as I know - galvanised, no idea.The support brackets underneath rot away too, very common and are hard to find.
I was furious with ours as I swear blind I checked and checked for bubbles on purchase inspection. Got it 150 miles home and was doing a big cleanand polish.... bubbles!!! Argh.
I managed to get a set of pristine brackets from a breakers in Florida (yes, really!) and I got a ridiculous deal on a complete front end - wings, bonnet, bumper in the correct, original Merc paint (code 775) for £400 which was crazy money. Wings perfect. Bonnet - we used as the original had been blown over and I wasn't happy with the finish. didn't need the bumper but it had six perfect parking sensors for my spares box. I sold the original wings and bonnet for more than the pristine replacements cost
Earlier this year I spent a couple of weeks touring round used car dealers looking for a 350 and to save time I asked about the wings before viewing - in every case the dealer lied. It was infuriating. Total waste of time. I'm not of the view that rot of this type can be fixed, it WILL come back. You need to replace the wings (and as I've done, get them all waxoyled in that area.
On a related note - if you have duff parking sensors don't bother with eBay Chinese replacements, they're rubbish. Get OE Bosch, either new, or used (they are plentiful on eBay, get them from somewhere reputable like Skan Automotive and you're golden.
We've just had a letter from Mercedes advising of an issue with the drivers airbag on our 2007 SLK350.
The drivers airbag of the company Takata in vehicles with ammonium nitrate gas generators without drying agents could, under certain climate conditions, lead over time to a chemical change in the fuel. In the event of an accident triggering the release of the driver airbag, this change could cause the gas generators to burst. If a gas generator ruptures, the airbag would then have no restraining function and loose parts from the gas generator could reach the vehicle interior. This would increase the risk of injury for passengers.
Mercedes are offering to replace the airbag FoC
The car is serviced outside the main dealer network so they must have got our info from DVLA
The drivers airbag of the company Takata in vehicles with ammonium nitrate gas generators without drying agents could, under certain climate conditions, lead over time to a chemical change in the fuel. In the event of an accident triggering the release of the driver airbag, this change could cause the gas generators to burst. If a gas generator ruptures, the airbag would then have no restraining function and loose parts from the gas generator could reach the vehicle interior. This would increase the risk of injury for passengers.
Mercedes are offering to replace the airbag FoC
The car is serviced outside the main dealer network so they must have got our info from DVLA
Edited by chrisman on Tuesday 26th October 13:57
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