SLK pre/post 2008??

[ruwokeenuff]

Would appreciatte your thoughts. I am going to buy an SLK again, previous was 13 yrs ago, a 320. Thought about an SL but they are a bigger waft machine imho. Anyhoo. Been a while and bought and sold, TVR's, Boxsters along the way. But now wish to get a "reasonably" priced ragtop for the summer. Its going to be the 171, and will be the 350.... BUT should I go for the pre 2008 or later model. Is there much differance in the useable power. ( No silly answers pullllllleese). Its what 268 v 302 bhp. I have read about subframes rotting and that the earlier cars were the problem, but was that the 170's?? I have thought about the 172. I do really really like them....but its just a fun car for top down driving and I wont keep it for more than 1/2 yrs then sell on...Yes servicing , condition, bits n bobs blah blah.......

[B'stard Child]

R171 cars can definately have sub frame rot

Cheap R171 SLK200 - Clicky

Edited by B'stard Child on Wednesday 19th April 12:33

[ruwokeenuff]

B'stard Child said:

R171 cars can definately have sub frame rot

Cheap R171 SLK200 - Clicky

Edited by B'stard Child on Wednesday 19th April 12:33

I know.

[chrisman]

2006 and older 280/350 are prone to balance shaft failure and cam chain wear. It's an engine out and strip down job to fix.
We've had a 2009 280 and currently have a 2007 350. They feel about the same power but the 350 has a much bigger mid range and is more relaxing to drive.

Subframe is OK but the dreaded tin rot is starting on the front wings, which will need sorting. Rear wheel arches are prone to rot too.

Personally I think the 2008 facelift models look better with a sharper more SLR like nose and a better looking rear end

[ruwokeenuff]

chrisman said:

2006 and older 280/350 are prone to balance shaft failure and cam chain wear. It's an engine out and strip down job to fix.
We've had a 2009 280 and currently have a 2007 350. They feel about the same power but the 350 has a much bigger mid range and is more relaxing to drive.

Subframe is OK but the dreaded tin rot is starting on the front wings, which will need sorting. Rear wheel arches are prone to rot too.

Personally I think the 2008 facelift models look better with a sharper more SLR like nose and a better looking rear end

TY I am up to speed on the problems etc. Its the power diff as well...I do like the newer front end, 2008> and of course that 40+ bhp helps...

[ruwokeenuff]

Saw this today and thought, mmmmmmmmmmmm.....might solve my dilemma...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/266228279159?hash=item3...

[Luke.]

Bit leggy

[ruwokeenuff]

Luke. said:

Bit leggy

OR...........https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285240707859?hash=item4269abcb13:g:R1wAAOSwwu1kPjux&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4CfobJgqwSpLUYs2UTt2WF1oSRp08tORMNflb7O8zQiNmWpgotl1R%2By1ZBBed8byg1Ih05a5SnCvY5tGQIBa2uefsscpWX%2BT8dxzBNL7Hjha%2BCJwZRh21NQJkEp5JfXUfAgKQbNKgNlA%2FZOKnmdu2mDBCi%2FeDduia9Y3FDilh49ebqo4eWoF%2BJaMg%2FOASJTSyiryIT1nF3NYznY5IBM7EnUVAJ6h%2B0rotKhcYwDNex17eljphvrUJLmsD2QCE6f3keI0ZQKnxdCS0pia4yDbqtRo9SnelEs1uj9x6fNAYugE%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9iGsr70YQ

Just looking for a summer cheapy for a year maybe 2 really.

[Dog Star]

Decent enough price though.

[Luke.]

ruwokeenuff said:

OR...........https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285240707859?hash=item4269abcb13:g:R1wAAOSwwu1kPjux&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4CfobJgqwSpLUYs2UTt2WF1oSRp08tORMNflb7O8zQiNmWpgotl1R%2By1ZBBed8byg1Ih05a5SnCvY5tGQIBa2uefsscpWX%2BT8dxzBNL7Hjha%2BCJwZRh21NQJkEp5JfXUfAgKQbNKgNlA%2FZOKnmdu2mDBCi%2FeDduia9Y3FDilh49ebqo4eWoF%2BJaMg%2FOASJTSyiryIT1nF3NYznY5IBM7EnUVAJ6h%2B0rotKhcYwDNex17eljphvrUJLmsD2QCE6f3keI0ZQKnxdCS0pia4yDbqtRo9SnelEs1uj9x6fNAYugE%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9iGsr70YQ

Just looking for a summer cheapy for a year maybe 2 really.

Get yourself onto here

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2165552513512161

There's loads of nice SLKs on there.

Such as:

Mikey Herb
April 18 at 2:49 PM ·
Low mileage SLK 350 V6.
Only 39600 miles
Just been fully serviced and Gearbox oil change.
Front and rear parking sensors
Heated seats
Airscarf
Automatic
Awesome to drive!! Sounds gorgeous!
Ready for summer roof down fun!
Private plate included

£5k

[ruwokeenuff]

Luke. said:

ruwokeenuff said:

OR...........https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285240707859?hash=item4269abcb13:g:R1wAAOSwwu1kPjux&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4CfobJgqwSpLUYs2UTt2WF1oSRp08tORMNflb7O8zQiNmWpgotl1R%2By1ZBBed8byg1Ih05a5SnCvY5tGQIBa2uefsscpWX%2BT8dxzBNL7Hjha%2BCJwZRh21NQJkEp5JfXUfAgKQbNKgNlA%2FZOKnmdu2mDBCi%2FeDduia9Y3FDilh49ebqo4eWoF%2BJaMg%2FOASJTSyiryIT1nF3NYznY5IBM7EnUVAJ6h%2B0rotKhcYwDNex17eljphvrUJLmsD2QCE6f3keI0ZQKnxdCS0pia4yDbqtRo9SnelEs1uj9x6fNAYugE%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9iGsr70YQ

Just looking for a summer cheapy for a year maybe 2 really.

Get yourself onto here

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2165552513512161

There's loads of nice SLKs on there.

Such as:

Mikey Herb
April 18 at 2:49 PM ·
Low mileage SLK 350 V6.
Only 39600 miles
Just been fully serviced and Gearbox oil change.
Front and rear parking sensors
Heated seats
Airscarf
Automatic
Awesome to drive!! Sounds gorgeous!
Ready for summer roof down fun!
Private plate included

£5k

Cheers, joined and off to browse we go.................. Which some were westwards!

[sixor8]

chrisman said:

2006 and older 280/350 are prone to balance shaft failure and cam chain wear. It's an engine out and strip down job to fix.
We've had a 2009 280 and currently have a 2007 350. They feel about the same power but the 350 has a much bigger mid range and is more relaxing to drive.

Subframe is OK but the dreaded tin rot is starting on the front wings, which will need sorting. Rear wheel arches are prone to rot too.

Personally I think the 2008 facelift models look better with a sharper more SLR like nose and a better looking rear end

I have a 2009 350 and I removed the bumper to have it repainted in 2021. That's when I noticed the heavy corrosion on the right-angle brackets that connect the front wings and bumper to the body. One bolt sheared and I had to retap it. They are just painted heavy duty steel and it's from here that the corrosion starts IMHO. I treated them and slathered them with copper grease when I reassembled everything. No corrosion so far cross finger, but then I don't use it in the rain.

[Dog Star]

sixor8 said:

I have a 2009 350 and I removed the bumper to have it repainted in 2021. That's when I noticed the heavy corrosion on the right-angle brackets that connect the front wings and bumper to the body. One bolt sheared and I had to retap it. They are just painted heavy duty steel and it's from here that the corrosion starts IMHO. I treated them and slathered them with copper grease when I reassembled everything. No corrosion so far cross finger, but then I don't use it in the rain.

They’re a well known failure point - I had to get replacements for our first R171 as they’d rusted very badly. I actually got them from a breakers in Florida!

One thing to watch on SLKs and it’s a red line for me - pay very particular attention when looking to buy for rust on the wing in this area (ie. where the front wing meets the bumper). Any rust bubbles there then walk away; new wings are (last time I looked) £438 each.

[ruwokeenuff]

Next week am planning a drive up from Cornwall to see a few SL's and SLK's that are being advertised on FB and Trader...This one popped up yesterday and is on the list.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304216...

Still unsure whether to get an SLK or SL to be honest....But either way will be a 350. I do like the new shaper SL, especially the one here

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301273...

I just like the look of the front end...to me the 2 large round front lights date it so much....

I dont mind the SLK's 171 front end, but again, to me the 172's does look quite differant and maybe quite a departure from that 171 look..

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304066...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/145019230309?hash=item2...

Whats your thoughts?

[Luke.]

The black one for £7995 is the facelift, the silver is prefacelift. Out of those I'd go black.

SL far too big in my opinion unless you fancy more GT type drives, but for day to day SLK more my cup of tea.

But that's just me.

[Dog Star]

I wouldn’t go black - they look good the day you clean them, anytime afterward they look pants. We went from silver to black and it’s a pain in the arse.

That SL is nice but has no air scarf.

[ruwokeenuff]

Agree on the black re silver......Black cars do get dirty quick. i have a silver forester and it "looks" cleaner than it actually is! Airscarf whilst nice, isnt a deal breaker for me.....Theres 8 cars so far on my list from EB and Trader...not too difficult to work out which is which....BUT will be buying from the 1st