SLK/R170: Finally got my SLK!
Thread Starter
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
Finally got my SLK!
Well, not quite yet...picking up the car on monday....it's a 99 slk230, silver exterior with blk interior, heated seats, sport package and auto. It's got 10k miles and I am buying it for $24,400. The car is a one owner private party owned by a retired pilot with full service record at mb dealer. The car is in excellent condition except that theres a little scuff on the rear bumper due to shopping cart...so did i get a ok deal? What should be my first mod? The car has no cd chgr so i guess i will start with that...how much is it and is it easy for a DIY? Thanks for all the inputs...
Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
warranty
Actually, the SLK is the most reliable MB, and the 2.3L engine designed to last many 100K mi. Problem areas exist, though:
1. Exhaust headers are prone to premature failure, a whistling noise will announce their failure
2. Small oil leaks on engine or transmission can occur but are usually not severe enough to cause problems
3. The heated seats sometimes fail - especially the heater element in the seats' back (as opposed to the cushion); you can repair this yourself but it requires a weekend, patience and some dexterity.
4. Door covers come loose and need to be replaced
5. Early models (98 and before) had leaky A/Cs
6. The manual transmission is below average quality compared to most other cars on the road; it can be quite balky, or reasonable but is never as slick as a BMW's or Honda's. More significant transmission failures have been reported too, but fortunately not as often as above quirks.
7. Squeaks and rattles develop over time, not unexpected in a convertible. Some are simnply due to fading lubricant, and can be easily fixed DIY with e.g., W40 (streering column, seat, roof).
8. The roof sensors also fail at times, and need replacement.
In in all, unless you already diagnosed some of these issues (especially seat heaters, roof) an extendeed warranty may make sense because these repairs are very costly, in line with the premium prices MB is asking for its cars in general.
1. Exhaust headers are prone to premature failure, a whistling noise will announce their failure
2. Small oil leaks on engine or transmission can occur but are usually not severe enough to cause problems
3. The heated seats sometimes fail - especially the heater element in the seats' back (as opposed to the cushion); you can repair this yourself but it requires a weekend, patience and some dexterity.
4. Door covers come loose and need to be replaced
5. Early models (98 and before) had leaky A/Cs
6. The manual transmission is below average quality compared to most other cars on the road; it can be quite balky, or reasonable but is never as slick as a BMW's or Honda's. More significant transmission failures have been reported too, but fortunately not as often as above quirks.
7. Squeaks and rattles develop over time, not unexpected in a convertible. Some are simnply due to fading lubricant, and can be easily fixed DIY with e.g., W40 (streering column, seat, roof).
8. The roof sensors also fail at times, and need replacement.
In in all, unless you already diagnosed some of these issues (especially seat heaters, roof) an extendeed warranty may make sense because these repairs are very costly, in line with the premium prices MB is asking for its cars in general.
Thread Starter
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
Well, the car has only 10k miles and the only problems the first owner has found was the radio and a squeaky rear shocks (which both were replaced under warranty). Schedule A has been done and the oil was changed about 3 times...I am planning to keep the car no more than 50k mi or about 3 to 4 yrs max so i am gonna bet on it and hope everything would be good...
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 569
Likes: 2
From: Chandler, Arizona - USA
'02 SLK32 AMG
Sounds like a good deal especially considering the mileage. The scuff may be able to be buffed out since shopping carts rarely have sharp edges that make deep scratches. If you have it repaired, you should also check under the front bumper for scrapes from parking stops. They're pretty common.
What Nektopoli meant by the "in service" date is the date that the car was first sold/registered, which is also the date that the factory warranty begins. If there is any factory warranty remaining, you can purchase an aftermarket warranty MUCH cheaper, but it doesn't matter if you don't plan to buy an extended warranty.
What Nektopoli meant by the "in service" date is the date that the car was first sold/registered, which is also the date that the factory warranty begins. If there is any factory warranty remaining, you can purchase an aftermarket warranty MUCH cheaper, but it doesn't matter if you don't plan to buy an extended warranty.
