SLK/R170: Bimmer Turned Merc
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Alpharetta, GA
BMW M3
Bimmer Turned Merc
I've been a long time bmw enthusiast, but after hanging out here for a while I've aquired a great deal of newfound resepect for mercades. The car I've fallen in love with is the SLK230.
Question though, in bmws there's a huge modding community, changing out everything from headlights to engine work. That doesn't seem to be as prevalent around here from what I can see. Can someone give me a crash course in merc modding? What are some major websites for buying aftermarket parts? I consider cars more of a hobby and enjoy tinkering with them.
Also does anyone have any suggestions for where to go to buy one besides autotrader?
Thanks.
Question though, in bmws there's a huge modding community, changing out everything from headlights to engine work. That doesn't seem to be as prevalent around here from what I can see. Can someone give me a crash course in merc modding? What are some major websites for buying aftermarket parts? I consider cars more of a hobby and enjoy tinkering with them.
Also does anyone have any suggestions for where to go to buy one besides autotrader?
Thanks.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
SLK230
komodo,
I just purchased my first Benz, a 2001 SLK 230 Sport. I initially found it on autotrader, and then actually used the search nationwide CPO inventory on the MB website to expand the search.
I really love the car, although I have had it only 2 weeks, and the first taillight has already burned out on me. I hope this is not a sign of what is to come...
But anyway, good luck on your search, you can also try cars.com, although their listings were not as up to date as autotrader.
Paul
I just purchased my first Benz, a 2001 SLK 230 Sport. I initially found it on autotrader, and then actually used the search nationwide CPO inventory on the MB website to expand the search.
I really love the car, although I have had it only 2 weeks, and the first taillight has already burned out on me. I hope this is not a sign of what is to come...
But anyway, good luck on your search, you can also try cars.com, although their listings were not as up to date as autotrader.
Paul
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 701
Likes: 0
From: north carolina
1998 honda civic lx
one site for modding that i know about is formymercedes.com
you can also look at brabus:
http://www.brabus-usa.com/mainpage.html
kleeman:
http://www.kleemann.dk/site
and amg parts - like wheels and such (some searching on ebay works for that)
good luck! i only know about this secondhand since i only know people who own MBs.
you can also look at brabus:
http://www.brabus-usa.com/mainpage.html
kleeman:
http://www.kleemann.dk/site
and amg parts - like wheels and such (some searching on ebay works for that)
good luck! i only know about this secondhand since i only know people who own MBs.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 374
Likes: 3
Tailight
Originally Posted by Crapgame
komodo,
I just purchased my first Benz, a 2001 SLK 230 Sport. I initially found it on autotrader, and then actually used the search nationwide CPO inventory on the MB website to expand the search.
I really love the car, although I have had it only 2 weeks, and the first taillight has already burned out on me. I hope this is not a sign of what is to come...
But anyway, good luck on your search, you can also try cars.com, although their listings were not as up to date as autotrader.
Paul
I just purchased my first Benz, a 2001 SLK 230 Sport. I initially found it on autotrader, and then actually used the search nationwide CPO inventory on the MB website to expand the search.
I really love the car, although I have had it only 2 weeks, and the first taillight has already burned out on me. I hope this is not a sign of what is to come...
But anyway, good luck on your search, you can also try cars.com, although their listings were not as up to date as autotrader.
Paul
www.benzworld.org in the 170 forum.
They can be modded easily to fix as well.
Bazzle
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco Bay area
1999 SLK 230 Sport
taillight out
This happened to my drivers side light, burned out so bad the bulb fused to the socket. The dealer replaced the whole unit under warrantee although I was off warrantee at the time. Otherwise I haven't had any other major problems with my SLK230. Its very reliable
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
SLK230
Originally Posted by drawn2scale
This happened to my drivers side light, burned out so bad the bulb fused to the socket. The dealer replaced the whole unit under warrantee although I was off warrantee at the time. Otherwise I haven't had any other major problems with my SLK230. Its very reliable
I have the same problem with "BOTH" of my taillights, do you know if it was a recall or a special warranty code? My 98's totally out of warranty, i have been partially fixing the light, but the thing is pretty melted....
Thx.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
SLK230
Well I don't know how bad the thing is burned yet, as I can't figure out how to get the panel off inside the trunk area to look at it. I was going to have the dealer do it when I get the inspection for DMV when my plates arrive.
Is there a special tool that removes the clips holding the panels in place?
Is there a special tool that removes the clips holding the panels in place?
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Newbie
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
SLK230
Originally Posted by Crapgame
Well I don't know how bad the thing is burned yet, as I can't figure out how to get the panel off inside the trunk area to look at it. I was going to have the dealer do it when I get the inspection for DMV when my plates arrive.
Is there a special tool that removes the clips holding the panels in place?
Is there a special tool that removes the clips holding the panels in place?
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Newbie
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco Bay area
1999 SLK 230 Sport
burned out bulbs
The driver's side light bulb hatch is very difficult to open, as opposed to the passenger side one (even with the CD player in the way!). Why this is is a mystery. The mechanics at my Mercedes Dealer even curse when they have to change a bulb there. They have a special tool for this that looks sort of like pliers but I have seen them use good old flat head screw drivers also. The clips which look like a threaded plug will not look pristine when you are finished. I think they have to be turned then pulled.
The tail light problem is something I think Mercedes knew about but I don't think there was ever a recall. Also I don't think this affected all SLK's. I will ask others in my SLK group to see if they have had this happen to them. The first time it happened to me I went to my Dealer to buy a new bulb but they changed it for free. I was on warrantee then but they did not change the whole housing. The mechanic had managed to get the bulb out even though it had fused to the socket. The second time I was at a dealer I never go to and they were the ones who went the extra mile for me and changed the whole taillight housing even though I was off warrantee by then. This problem has not re-occured so the solution is to replace the whole housing.
Otherwise, the SLK has been a great car
The tail light problem is something I think Mercedes knew about but I don't think there was ever a recall. Also I don't think this affected all SLK's. I will ask others in my SLK group to see if they have had this happen to them. The first time it happened to me I went to my Dealer to buy a new bulb but they changed it for free. I was on warrantee then but they did not change the whole housing. The mechanic had managed to get the bulb out even though it had fused to the socket. The second time I was at a dealer I never go to and they were the ones who went the extra mile for me and changed the whole taillight housing even though I was off warrantee by then. This problem has not re-occured so the solution is to replace the whole housing.
Otherwise, the SLK has been a great car
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
SLK230
Originally Posted by drawn2scale
The driver's side light bulb hatch is very difficult to open, as opposed to the passenger side one (even with the CD player in the way!). Why this is is a mystery. The mechanics at my Mercedes Dealer even curse when they have to change a bulb there. They have a special tool for this that looks sort of like pliers but I have seen them use good old flat head screw drivers also. The clips which look like a threaded plug will not look pristine when you are finished. I think they have to be turned then pulled.
The tail light problem is something I think Mercedes knew about but I don't think there was ever a recall. Also I don't think this affected all SLK's. I will ask others in my SLK group to see if they have had this happen to them. The first time it happened to me I went to my Dealer to buy a new bulb but they changed it for free. I was on warrantee then but they did not change the whole housing. The mechanic had managed to get the bulb out even though it had fused to the socket. The second time I was at a dealer I never go to and they were the ones who went the extra mile for me and changed the whole taillight housing even though I was off warrantee by then. This problem has not re-occured so the solution is to replace the whole housing.
Otherwise, the SLK has been a great car
The tail light problem is something I think Mercedes knew about but I don't think there was ever a recall. Also I don't think this affected all SLK's. I will ask others in my SLK group to see if they have had this happen to them. The first time it happened to me I went to my Dealer to buy a new bulb but they changed it for free. I was on warrantee then but they did not change the whole housing. The mechanic had managed to get the bulb out even though it had fused to the socket. The second time I was at a dealer I never go to and they were the ones who went the extra mile for me and changed the whole taillight housing even though I was off warrantee by then. This problem has not re-occured so the solution is to replace the whole housing.
Otherwise, the SLK has been a great car
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
SLK230
Well, I got the inspection done last night, and in the process of the dealer replacing the driver's side brakelight bulb - What do you know? The whole assembly was melted (the dealer used the term "fused") together.
They had a replacement in stock, and replaced it under warranty.
Not such an auspicious start for my relationship with MB.
I can still hope!
They had a replacement in stock, and replaced it under warranty.
Not such an auspicious start for my relationship with MB.
I can still hope!
