SLK/R170: Buying a high mileage SLK230?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
2 Chevrolet Camaros and one Nissan 200sx
Buying a high mileage SLK230?
Hello, this is my first post here -- I'll keep it brief. I am thinking about purchasing a high mileage SLK230. Probably somewhere around 80-120k miles. I am curious as far as the reliability of these cars. I do almost all of the work on my cars, so I am not afraid of work, however I have never worked on, or owned, a benz.
So, what things should I look for, and how difficult are these cars to maintain? Are the superchargers robust enough to last quite a while, or is a 80k+ mile car pretty much worn out?
One other question if I may...How difficult is it to obtain typical replacement parts. Is it pretty much dealer only, or can most/some of them be bought at a typical auto parts store?
Thanks in Advance. BTW, I live in Southern California.
So, what things should I look for, and how difficult are these cars to maintain? Are the superchargers robust enough to last quite a while, or is a 80k+ mile car pretty much worn out?
One other question if I may...How difficult is it to obtain typical replacement parts. Is it pretty much dealer only, or can most/some of them be bought at a typical auto parts store?
Thanks in Advance. BTW, I live in Southern California.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 38
Likes: 7
From: Chicago
2016 AMG GTS Edition 1, 2020 G550
I purchased an '01 SLK230 with 80k miles. It's worked out great! I bought it last summer for around $18k (great savings for the high mileage). I have the xenons, 6CD changer, seat heaters, auto/manual mode shifting. It looks and drives great. I can't wait till Spring hits Chicago again so I can put the top down. The car was in great condition with a single owner. The only problem I had was the very common PS module moisture issue - I had to have a cable replaced by the dealer for $80. 
Before the final purchase, I took the car to a reputed MBenz speciality private mechanic and had him check out the mechanics - he said everything looked great. The supercharger works great. I dunno about replacement parts, but if you just type "mercedes slk" in Ebay's search engine, you'll see a ton of parts. There're also many parts shops online selling MB stuff for the SLK.
Before the final purchase, I took the car to a reputed MBenz speciality private mechanic and had him check out the mechanics - he said everything looked great. The supercharger works great. I dunno about replacement parts, but if you just type "mercedes slk" in Ebay's search engine, you'll see a ton of parts. There're also many parts shops online selling MB stuff for the SLK.
Last edited by eclapton24; Mar 5, 2005 at 01:42 PM.
