SLK/R170: Looking to purchase a SLK230
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5
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Looking to purchase a SLK230
Well this is one of the cars I am looking at. Since it is my first car, I will need it used. Looking to get one with about 30k miles made in 2000 for about 25k. Thank god these cars dont hold their value too well. They are probably the nicest looking cars on the planet.
Well, its not too fast, but its interior is amazing and who couldnt love the hardtop convertible? Ive seen a few that match my price criterira but I have yet to test drive them. Between this car, a used Boxter (25-40k miles) or a new RSX Type S, it is really hard for me to decide what car I really like the most.
A few questions however. Are there a lot of problems with this car? Since I am buying it used, I will only have a fraction of the factory warranty left and dont want to pay a ton for Mercedes repairs.
Also, although I want speed, I want luxury more and the Mercedes has everything I want. However, in case I do want to modify it, do dealers give people a hard time if they notice aftermarket parts? I dont want to void the warranty with any upgrades.
Thanks.
PS I really am jealous of all of you who drive this car. It is easily one of the best cars out there.
Well, its not too fast, but its interior is amazing and who couldnt love the hardtop convertible? Ive seen a few that match my price criterira but I have yet to test drive them. Between this car, a used Boxter (25-40k miles) or a new RSX Type S, it is really hard for me to decide what car I really like the most.
A few questions however. Are there a lot of problems with this car? Since I am buying it used, I will only have a fraction of the factory warranty left and dont want to pay a ton for Mercedes repairs.
Also, although I want speed, I want luxury more and the Mercedes has everything I want. However, in case I do want to modify it, do dealers give people a hard time if they notice aftermarket parts? I dont want to void the warranty with any upgrades.
Thanks.
PS I really am jealous of all of you who drive this car. It is easily one of the best cars out there.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 845
Likes: 0
From: West Covina, CA
S60R, ML320, W211/E350
If you only have a fraction of the warranty left, just wait till it expires.
The only thing i can think of is the hardtop hydralic locks. More than a few of us have had the top stop opening or closing, do a search in the archive for problems and you should find all the info you need.
Pulley and exhaust are your best best for performance upgrades.
The only thing i can think of is the hardtop hydralic locks. More than a few of us have had the top stop opening or closing, do a search in the archive for problems and you should find all the info you need.
Pulley and exhaust are your best best for performance upgrades.
Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, Alberta
2005 SLK 55
Extended MB Warranty
Another thing to consider, if your worried about a big $$$$ suprise, is purchasing an extended warranty on the car. I'm getting one for my '99 SLK and a three year extension will set me back $2,250 CDN (about $1,450 US). The first 2 years is a comprehensive warranty and the last year is drive train only. You need to buy it prior to the end of the original factory warranty (4 years) and I don't think that you have to be the original owner but check with a local dealer. Mine is an MB warranty, but I've read that warranties are available through a number of private insurers.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5
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Another thing to consider, if your worried about a big $$$$ suprise, is purchasing an extended warranty on the car. I'm getting one for my '99 SLK and a three year extension will set me back $2,250 CDN (about $1,450 US). The first 2 years is a comprehensive warranty and the last year is drive train only. You need to buy it prior to the end of the original factory warranty (4 years) and I don't think that you have to be the original owner but check with a local dealer. Mine is an MB warranty, but I've read that warranties are available through a number of private insurers.
Thanks for the good news.
Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
2008 M6 Vert
I have a 99 SLK and have had no problems with it at almost 64K miles.
I sold my 97 C280 a couple of months back with even more miles. I dont think you have to worry too much about the cost of repairs. MBs are built to last and unless you mistreat them, they should take you a long long way before it'll cost you a bundle in repairs. Since you are getting it used, my thoughts would be to make sure that the car is in mechanically optimum condition. Get a dealer to inspect the car. I think they can do a Starmark warranty inspection for you. This inspection should cover just about anything mechanical.
Which brings me to the extended warranty... In my opinion, is not really a good bet for your money. Unlike the new car warranty, it does not cover a lot of things on the car. More than likely, you will end up paying for some of the repairs. You can get non-dealership mechanics who specialize in imported cars to work on the car for you if anything comes up but I have never come across any problems that will bring you more than $500 in bills. Thats what my C280 cost me at 80K and thats it other than the cost of normal servicing.
3rd party warranty - I have heard horror stories from friends. If you are going to get an extended warranty, go for MB. At least you will be assured that they will let you get an MB dealership to do the repairs and use OEM parts.
Also...shop around for repair quotes or servicing costs if you plan to go to a dealer. They vary a great deal. My B-service cost me $300 at one dealer and I was quoted $800 at other.
Good luck on your decision. I love the SLK even in the snow.
I sold my 97 C280 a couple of months back with even more miles. I dont think you have to worry too much about the cost of repairs. MBs are built to last and unless you mistreat them, they should take you a long long way before it'll cost you a bundle in repairs. Since you are getting it used, my thoughts would be to make sure that the car is in mechanically optimum condition. Get a dealer to inspect the car. I think they can do a Starmark warranty inspection for you. This inspection should cover just about anything mechanical.
Which brings me to the extended warranty... In my opinion, is not really a good bet for your money. Unlike the new car warranty, it does not cover a lot of things on the car. More than likely, you will end up paying for some of the repairs. You can get non-dealership mechanics who specialize in imported cars to work on the car for you if anything comes up but I have never come across any problems that will bring you more than $500 in bills. Thats what my C280 cost me at 80K and thats it other than the cost of normal servicing.
3rd party warranty - I have heard horror stories from friends. If you are going to get an extended warranty, go for MB. At least you will be assured that they will let you get an MB dealership to do the repairs and use OEM parts.
Also...shop around for repair quotes or servicing costs if you plan to go to a dealer. They vary a great deal. My B-service cost me $300 at one dealer and I was quoted $800 at other.
Good luck on your decision. I love the SLK even in the snow.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 591
Likes: 3
From: Mid-Atlantic USA
W203 & W204 3.0L 4matics & MR2 Supercharger
I just got a 1999 SLK230 with 19K miles on it, still under factory warranty untill Sept. 2003. I did get the 3 year extention on the 1 year free Startmark($1,995US). It's the best money you will spend. My bothers C280 Sport had to go in because it would not start the first or second time you turned the key(Smart Key I might add) Ended up being the Crank Position Sensor and a Faluty Fuel pressure Regulator. The fuel filter and regulator were replaced and also the crank pos sensor, also the window washer tank was leaking, replaced. Also the A/C needed work and had a defective temp sensor. All fixed under the Star Mark at 47767 Miles.
NP
NP
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
I have a 99 SLK and have had no problems with it at almost 64K miles.
I sold my 97 C280 a couple of months back with even more miles. I dont think you have to worry too much about the cost of repairs. MBs are built to last and unless you mistreat them, they should take you a long long way before it'll cost you a bundle in repairs. Since you are getting it used, my thoughts would be to make sure that the car is in mechanically optimum condition. Get a dealer to inspect the car. I think they can do a Starmark warranty inspection for you. This inspection should cover just about anything mechanical.
Which brings me to the extended warranty... In my opinion, is not really a good bet for your money. Unlike the new car warranty, it does not cover a lot of things on the car. More than likely, you will end up paying for some of the repairs. You can get non-dealership mechanics who specialize in imported cars to work on the car for you if anything comes up but I have never come across any problems that will bring you more than $500 in bills. Thats what my C280 cost me at 80K and thats it other than the cost of normal servicing.
3rd party warranty - I have heard horror stories from friends. If you are going to get an extended warranty, go for MB. At least you will be assured that they will let you get an MB dealership to do the repairs and use OEM parts.
Also...shop around for repair quotes or servicing costs if you plan to go to a dealer. They vary a great deal. My B-service cost me $300 at one dealer and I was quoted $800 at other.
Good luck on your decision. I love the SLK even in the snow.
I sold my 97 C280 a couple of months back with even more miles. I dont think you have to worry too much about the cost of repairs. MBs are built to last and unless you mistreat them, they should take you a long long way before it'll cost you a bundle in repairs. Since you are getting it used, my thoughts would be to make sure that the car is in mechanically optimum condition. Get a dealer to inspect the car. I think they can do a Starmark warranty inspection for you. This inspection should cover just about anything mechanical.
Which brings me to the extended warranty... In my opinion, is not really a good bet for your money. Unlike the new car warranty, it does not cover a lot of things on the car. More than likely, you will end up paying for some of the repairs. You can get non-dealership mechanics who specialize in imported cars to work on the car for you if anything comes up but I have never come across any problems that will bring you more than $500 in bills. Thats what my C280 cost me at 80K and thats it other than the cost of normal servicing.
3rd party warranty - I have heard horror stories from friends. If you are going to get an extended warranty, go for MB. At least you will be assured that they will let you get an MB dealership to do the repairs and use OEM parts.
Also...shop around for repair quotes or servicing costs if you plan to go to a dealer. They vary a great deal. My B-service cost me $300 at one dealer and I was quoted $800 at other.
Good luck on your decision. I love the SLK even in the snow.
Oh and trust me, I will take such good care of this car, I am a huge car fanatic and this is almost a dream car. Its good that you said it handles great in the snow because I am going to get it during the last two weeks of December.
Well, I should be able to have the factory warranty for at least a year, so its not too bad. I can always take out one of my parents cars if want to keep mileage low or if I cant handle the snow.
Plus since it is supercharged, the forced induction is belt driven, meaning that it is good on the lower end of the RPMs. This is ideal for daily traffic. While the RSX Type S on the other hand is a car that requires extremely high revs to get the true power out of it (no forced induction, however).
This brings me to the question: has anyone had a problem with the OEM supercharger?
Thanks
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Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 231
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From: San Francisco, CA
2008 M6 Vert
Good luck on your search. I am sure MB dealers have ones with lower miles. I am quite suprised you didnt find any. There are 3 of them on my dealers lot when I went past yesterday. They dont normally sell anything with high miles.
I would personally try to find one with the sports package on it. I regret not getting one now.
I would personally try to find one with the sports package on it. I regret not getting one now.
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Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, Alberta
2005 SLK 55
Replaced OEM S/C
After installing a Wetterauer pulley kit, my S/C developed a leak from its lubrication reservoir. Shortly thereafter, the S/C was replaced. My MB Service Manager believes that the pulley upgrade was not the villian but it sure was a coincidence. I've not seen any threads where anyone else has had to replace an OEM S/C on an SLK 230.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 569
Likes: 2
From: Chandler, Arizona - USA
'02 SLK32 AMG
Do a search of this forum for "common problems" and you should find some threads on what can go wrong.
I personally would never buy an extended warranty from Mercedes. I'd go for an aftermarket bumper-to-bumper. It's cheaper AND covers more components. I would only get a warranty that lists what's NOT covered instead of what IS covered. There are a few companies that offer such warranties (e.g. Warranty Gold). Also, extended warranties are usually cheaper if you buy them before the factory warranty expires. That's because it's less likely for something to already be broken when the owner can get it fixed for free.
I recommend getting a '99 or '00 SLK with the sport package. It doesn't add much to the price, but it will be much easier to sell later on. Also, don't get the stick unless you REALLY want it. It's not a very good stick and it can make the car harder to sell later on.
I personally would never buy an extended warranty from Mercedes. I'd go for an aftermarket bumper-to-bumper. It's cheaper AND covers more components. I would only get a warranty that lists what's NOT covered instead of what IS covered. There are a few companies that offer such warranties (e.g. Warranty Gold). Also, extended warranties are usually cheaper if you buy them before the factory warranty expires. That's because it's less likely for something to already be broken when the owner can get it fixed for free.
I recommend getting a '99 or '00 SLK with the sport package. It doesn't add much to the price, but it will be much easier to sell later on. Also, don't get the stick unless you REALLY want it. It's not a very good stick and it can make the car harder to sell later on.
