SLK/R170: Buying a used slk!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Buying a used slk!
Hi guys,
I am new on this forum and I have a few questions about what i should be aware of while buying a used slk.
I like the hard top feature in this convertible and would like to buy one.
1. Are there any trouble spots in this car that I should look at when buying a used slk ?
2. I have seen prices range from 20K on ebay for a 2000 slk to 31K at a local dealer. Black book/Edmunds and Kelly's all seem to give thier own figures which vary from 22K to 29K for a clean car.
The prices seem to dip quite a bit for not such a clean car. Not that I want to buy one, but the differences are quite broad.
So what should I be willing to fork out lets say for a
slk 230 2000
26,000 miles
silver
one accident ( a little hit from behind, which needed to realign the top and change the trunk and back fender)
3. if you bought a car recently, what did you pay for it and how good a condition was it in.
I am hoping to make a decision this week or early next week.
All help/pointers in the right direction are welcome.
And thanks in advance for reading the post.
Cheers.
-------------
edited later: Took the classified part of post out. Hopefully that takes care of it!
I am new on this forum and I have a few questions about what i should be aware of while buying a used slk.
I like the hard top feature in this convertible and would like to buy one.
1. Are there any trouble spots in this car that I should look at when buying a used slk ?
2. I have seen prices range from 20K on ebay for a 2000 slk to 31K at a local dealer. Black book/Edmunds and Kelly's all seem to give thier own figures which vary from 22K to 29K for a clean car.
The prices seem to dip quite a bit for not such a clean car. Not that I want to buy one, but the differences are quite broad.
So what should I be willing to fork out lets say for a
slk 230 2000
26,000 miles
silver
one accident ( a little hit from behind, which needed to realign the top and change the trunk and back fender)
3. if you bought a car recently, what did you pay for it and how good a condition was it in.
I am hoping to make a decision this week or early next week.
All help/pointers in the right direction are welcome.
And thanks in advance for reading the post.
Cheers.
-------------
edited later: Took the classified part of post out. Hopefully that takes care of it!
Last edited by mahuja; Jan 18, 2003 at 04:21 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Providence, Rhode Island
1999 SLK 230 MT
I don't moderate this forum, but I will say this. There is a special classified area, where people list the cars they are looking for and selling. I would strongly suggest that you post your message there after searching for the car that you want. People tend to frown upon posting here for selling/buying, mostly so this forum stays focused on it's goal.
Good luck finding out that suits you and trust me you'll love it.
Good luck finding out that suits you and trust me you'll love it.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 569
Likes: 2
From: Chandler, Arizona - USA
'02 SLK32 AMG
I think that asking for opinions on a particular car you're interested in buying is a valid question for this forum. Posts like "2001 SLK230 for sale..." or "I'm looking for a 2001 SLK230..." probably belong in the marketplace forum.
To answer your question about the car:
Accidents, even small ones, devalue cars more than you think. If you tried to trade-in a car like that, you'd get low-balled like you wouldn't believe. Mercedes will not allow cars that have been in accidents to participate in their Starmark warranty program. It's hard to say what it's worth since you didn't even say what year it is, but if you don't have full documentation on what was repaired, including pictures before repairs were done, then walk away.
In general...
Buy an SLK that's still under factory warranty. This way, it's more likely that repairs have been kept up. Plus, if anything goes wrong after the purchase, your covered. Additionally, it's much easier to get aftermarket warranty coverage while the vehicle is still under factory warranty.
Buy an '00 or newer if possible. Scheduled maintenance is free during the warranty period on '00 and newer SLKs, so it's likely that the maintenance was done and ontime. Of course, if you buy a '98 or '99 from a meticulous owner that saved all receipts for maintenance etc., that's just as good.
If you buy a '99 or '00, get one with the sport package. It doesn't add alot to the resale value of the car, but it does make the car easier to sell.
Buy now while it's cold and the convertible market is still slow.
To answer your question about the car:
Accidents, even small ones, devalue cars more than you think. If you tried to trade-in a car like that, you'd get low-balled like you wouldn't believe. Mercedes will not allow cars that have been in accidents to participate in their Starmark warranty program. It's hard to say what it's worth since you didn't even say what year it is, but if you don't have full documentation on what was repaired, including pictures before repairs were done, then walk away.
In general...
Buy an SLK that's still under factory warranty. This way, it's more likely that repairs have been kept up. Plus, if anything goes wrong after the purchase, your covered. Additionally, it's much easier to get aftermarket warranty coverage while the vehicle is still under factory warranty.
Buy an '00 or newer if possible. Scheduled maintenance is free during the warranty period on '00 and newer SLKs, so it's likely that the maintenance was done and ontime. Of course, if you buy a '98 or '99 from a meticulous owner that saved all receipts for maintenance etc., that's just as good.
If you buy a '99 or '00, get one with the sport package. It doesn't add alot to the resale value of the car, but it does make the car easier to sell.
Buy now while it's cold and the convertible market is still slow.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Lk Stevens, WA
'99SLK Sport, silver
I purchased my "99 SLK Sport (silver, like so many others) in October from the dealer in Seattle. They went through the car and gave it a tune-up, changed the pads all around and put new Pilot sports on. The car is Star-Marked.
With the standard stuff that comes with the sport model (the model that I would recommend, 17" wheels and the "looks package"), it had heated seats, CD, automatic, and had the phone. The phone is analog so it is useless.
No accidents, dings or damage inside or out. $32,000 with 24,400 miles on the odometer.
I look at this as top condition and a price to match. But the dealer did give me a good price for my '99 C230K in trade-in.
With the standard stuff that comes with the sport model (the model that I would recommend, 17" wheels and the "looks package"), it had heated seats, CD, automatic, and had the phone. The phone is analog so it is useless.
No accidents, dings or damage inside or out. $32,000 with 24,400 miles on the odometer.
I look at this as top condition and a price to match. But the dealer did give me a good price for my '99 C230K in trade-in.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
slk 230 2000
26,000 miles
silver
one accident ( a little hit from behind, which needed to realign the top and change the trunk and back fender)
Well The final price is working out to 24K, what do you guys think ? This is the sport model.
26,000 miles
silver
one accident ( a little hit from behind, which needed to realign the top and change the trunk and back fender)
Well The final price is working out to 24K, what do you guys think ? This is the sport model.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 600
Likes: 8
From: San Francisco, CA
16 GLE400, 16 eGolf, 15 M3, 13 328i, 06 S430, 98 E320
I just test drove a 99 slk230 non sport and it's got about 27k...car looks like in good condition but i am still waitng for a friend to get the carfax for me...the car is being sold by a dealer whom purchased it from an action, and that's why i am being so cautious about the car...anyway, the asking price is $26k and I am planning to make an offer for $22k OTD....There is virtually no demand for slk here in north cali due to the rainy weather and some other factors based on my research. I am sure that you can even get a better deal in the east coast due to the winter storm....so u guys think that this is the price i should offer them?
p.s. the glass on the passenger side is loose so i demand them to fix it and call me to go for another test drive before i even going to make an offer...they claim that they will put it in writing on the due bill to get it fix if the sale completes but i don't buy the car dealer bs..there's always the what if question you know....
p.s. the glass on the passenger side is loose so i demand them to fix it and call me to go for another test drive before i even going to make an offer...they claim that they will put it in writing on the due bill to get it fix if the sale completes but i don't buy the car dealer bs..there's always the what if question you know....
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 591
Likes: 3
From: Mid-Atlantic USA
W203 & W204 3.0L 4matics & MR2 Supercharger
1999 SLK230 Sport;
Heated Seats
Headlight Washers
CD Changer & Telephone(Useless)
Auto
17"Rims, Body Kit(Sport Package)
Loaded
18,705 miles
$28,600
NP
Heated Seats
Headlight Washers
CD Changer & Telephone(Useless)
Auto
17"Rims, Body Kit(Sport Package)
Loaded
18,705 miles
$28,600
NP
