172 SLK55

[jmn]

I am thinking about running one of these as a second car.

I would be interested to hear from anyone who currently owns one as to how they are finding the ownership experience.

If anyone else is looking for one have they viewed any of the cars currently on Autotrader?

Do they potentially have the same rear subframe problems as the R171 version?

Thanks.

[trevalvole]

jmn said:

Do they potentially have the same rear subframe problems as the R171 version?

Yes, see Terzo123's scan of the MB USA notice a few posts down: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[jmn]

Thanks. I wasn't expecting there to be a problem with the later cars.

It looks like any potential purchases are going to need to be inspected on a lift.

[ruwokeenuff]

trevalvole said:

jmn said:

Do they potentially have the same rear subframe problems as the R171 version?

Yes, see Terzo123's scan of the MB USA notice a few posts down: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

MBUSA but what us poor EU/UK folks??

[trevalvole]

jmn said:

Thanks. I wasn't expecting there to be a problem with the later cars.

It looks like any potential purchases are going to need to be inspected on a lift.

Probably with a borescope as I gather they rust from the inside-out.

[jmn]

Some years ago I had an SLK32AMG. I don't remember reading anything about subframe problems with those cars although rust on body panels was very common and MB were undertaking remedial work foc.

[trevalvole]

jmn said:

Some years ago I had an SLK32AMG. I don't remember reading anything about subframe problems with those cars although rust on body panels was very common and MB were undertaking remedial work foc.

I think the rust from the inside-out started with the wider R171 SLK, where presumably they changed something (and not for the better), and then continued it with the similar-width W204 C-Class etc.

[ruwokeenuff]

As someone that is looking for a nice SLK350....2008 on, what should I be looking for....

[maz8062]

I wouldn’t be overly concerned with subframe with 172 - 171 had/have the issue and most are replaced under warranty by Merc.

The 172 55 issue to look out for is the exhaust flap thing. They tend to go and can be quite expensive to fix.

[jmn]

How is the flap problem diagnosed? Does it show on a code reader?
Any idea roughly how much to repair?

[maz8062]

Head over to SLK world and do some reading:

https://www.slkworld.com/threads/r172-amg-55-exhau...

[Oldandcynical]

It’s a great car, I have had one for the last 4 years, apart from a current engine fan issue it’s been very reliable. Quick, sounds nice, looks great

[ruwokeenuff]

I like the 172 BUT the boss says that she prefers the nose on the 2008 on 171......theres gonna be a fight

[GTRene]

ruwokeenuff said:

I like the 172 BUT the boss says that she prefers the nose on the 2008 on 171......theres gonna be a fight

I also like the R171 FL better (from 2008 onwards)
yes the R172 has also some nice bids, a better interior, more powerful engine, but still, the FL R171 can do it for me, some special versions are also out there, say Carllson with special interior.

or build the R171 a bit more like a black series interior, sadly the kleemann supercharger system is expensive, also the big bore Brabus or Vath versions with say 5.8 and or 6.1 Liter engines.

[ruwokeenuff]

GTRene said:

ruwokeenuff said:

I like the 172 BUT the boss says that she prefers the nose on the 2008 on 171......theres gonna be a fight

I also like the R171 FL better (from 2008 onwards)
yes the R172 has also some nice bids, a better interior, more powerful engine, but still, the FL R171 can do it for me, some special versions are also out there, say Carllson with special interior.

or build the R171 a bit more like a black series interior, sadly the kleemann supercharger system is expensive, also the big bore Brabus or Vath versions with say 5.8 and or 6.1 Liter engines.

I am now going to concentrate my search on a later 171. I do like the newer nose and the 300 bhp. But I must admit, I love the interior of the 171....those big vents etc....

[Oldandcynical]

ruwokeenuff said:

I am now going to concentrate my search on a later 171. I do like the newer nose and the 300 bhp. But I must admit, I love the interior of the 171....those big vents etc....

I had an R171 SLK350 before the R172 SLK55, I do prefer the front end on the 171 but I’ve put a different grille on my 172 and it looks a lot better I think.

[maz8062]

The 172 has a better interior, is faster, better gearbox, better switch gear, more economical with the cylinder deactivation. etc. but it’s a different car to the 171. Jeremy Clarkson’s review if the 172 is spot on:

https://www.driving.co.uk/car-reviews/the-clarkson...

[ruwokeenuff]

yep....I am torn between the 2. A nice 350 171 will be around £8k----£10k, a nice 172, £13k and up although theres 2 nice ones on fleabay...Chesterfield and in Paington...........................arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

What do u think of the 2.

[Oldandcynical]

Having had both a 171 350 and a 172 55AMG I can offer a fair comparison. The 171 is a very nice competent car, but the 172 is a far better riding car and feels a lot tauter and tighter on the road. The cabin on the 172 is a much nicer place to be even with the non symmetrical vents drive me a bit potty. The engine in the 55 is an absolute peach as everyone will tell you. It pulls like a train.

[ruwokeenuff]

Oldandcynical said:

Having had both a 171 350 and a 172 55AMG I can offer a fair comparison. The 171 is a very nice competent car, but the 172 is a far better riding car and feels a lot tauter and tighter on the road. The cabin on the 172 is a much nicer place to be even with the non symmetrical vents drive me a bit potty. The engine in the 55 is an absolute peach as everyone will tell you. It pulls like a train.

But thats a 55 172 not a 350!