SLK/R171: Thinking of owning a SLK. Please advise.
#1
Thinking of owning a SLK. Please advise.
Greetings to all,
I currently own the 2011 E350 and I am constantly marveled at the luxury and comfort of MB engineering. Earlier this year, I was looking for a roadster and I bought a 2012 Mazda Miata with retractable hard top. I did not want to buy anything expensive because I was not sure if the convertable is for me. After a few months I really enjoy the convertable because it is a nice change from my E350. Last month while I was driving I caught the sight of the SLK 280/350 and I fell in love with its sleek look. The fact that my Miata is riding pretty rough and I need something more comfortable so lately I have been thinking about getting a pre-owned SLK. I do not care for the 2012 with its square nose so I am looking at 2007 and up. I would like to spend no more than 30K with milage less than 40K miles if possible. I note that up to 2011, the design has been pretty much the same. With this can you please advise me on the best route to approach? My local dealer says that should I find the car that I like in the Net, they will do their best to get in their procession for me. I thank you in advance for all your help! DP
I currently own the 2011 E350 and I am constantly marveled at the luxury and comfort of MB engineering. Earlier this year, I was looking for a roadster and I bought a 2012 Mazda Miata with retractable hard top. I did not want to buy anything expensive because I was not sure if the convertable is for me. After a few months I really enjoy the convertable because it is a nice change from my E350. Last month while I was driving I caught the sight of the SLK 280/350 and I fell in love with its sleek look. The fact that my Miata is riding pretty rough and I need something more comfortable so lately I have been thinking about getting a pre-owned SLK. I do not care for the 2012 with its square nose so I am looking at 2007 and up. I would like to spend no more than 30K with milage less than 40K miles if possible. I note that up to 2011, the design has been pretty much the same. With this can you please advise me on the best route to approach? My local dealer says that should I find the car that I like in the Net, they will do their best to get in their procession for me. I thank you in advance for all your help! DP
#3
Super Member
I just did that...last year...
Wasn't too hard to find a 2006 SLK 350 with 43k miles on it.
Paid $25k for Certified Pre-owned. If you want the added peace of mind, spend $2500 on a 4 year extended warranty.
Spend another $2500 on dressing it up the way you like...for $30k I have a one hot looking ride.
Pre owned SLKs are a bargain. Most are well cared for by their owners and depreciation is relatively steep because this is not a bread & butter car.
I have put 10k miles on my SLK so far...no problems yet...car is flawless..
Paid $25k for Certified Pre-owned. If you want the added peace of mind, spend $2500 on a 4 year extended warranty.
Spend another $2500 on dressing it up the way you like...for $30k I have a one hot looking ride.
Pre owned SLKs are a bargain. Most are well cared for by their owners and depreciation is relatively steep because this is not a bread & butter car.
I have put 10k miles on my SLK so far...no problems yet...car is flawless..
#5
Im on my second slk. My first one was a 2006 slk 280. i drove it alittle over a year then trade it in for another slk. i put about 20,000 miles on it before trading it in. that car never went to the shop for any problems other than oil changes. i wanted more power so i got a 2006 slk55 AMG with around 32,000 miles. i still own the same car now with 70,000 miles. i just do the regular maintenance. i feel the car is very reliable.
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#8
SLK 350
Hi All,
I plan to fly to Florida in early March purchase an SLK 280 / 350 in the 2007 or 2008 range. Excellent prices!
I have reviewed the RIV site and plan on doing the paperwork myself. I hear its fairly simple these days. However, the RIV site indicates that the SLK must have an "electronic immobilization system (EIS) to CMVSS114 standard installed.
I contacted MB US. They indicated that the noted cars would NOT have the EIS installed from the factory. Other mods required include; child restraints may need some modification as well, No big deal. And of course the DRL need to be turned on.
My question is: has anyone had any experience with the electronic immobilization system? Wondering about cost to purchase and install. The local dealer was of little help.
thanks for any and all comments.
I plan to fly to Florida in early March purchase an SLK 280 / 350 in the 2007 or 2008 range. Excellent prices!
I have reviewed the RIV site and plan on doing the paperwork myself. I hear its fairly simple these days. However, the RIV site indicates that the SLK must have an "electronic immobilization system (EIS) to CMVSS114 standard installed.
I contacted MB US. They indicated that the noted cars would NOT have the EIS installed from the factory. Other mods required include; child restraints may need some modification as well, No big deal. And of course the DRL need to be turned on.
My question is: has anyone had any experience with the electronic immobilization system? Wondering about cost to purchase and install. The local dealer was of little help.
thanks for any and all comments.
#10
Owned two slk 350.
The 2006 was gone bc I had an accident and totaled it! So one thing after the accident: very safe car, even it's very small!![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
The 2008 with amg sport package! Powerful in its class, very nice MPG! Very nice exhaust sound and powerful sound system!
Bad: the sound system makes some notice after like 40k miles, the fog lights are easy to be broken if u drive on highway bc it's really low and pretty big to get rock! Kind of noisy compares to others and trunk can't open itself but you have to lift it up by yourself!
That's all I can complain about this car! Paid over $3000 for extended warranty so free in mind now! No thing serious happened! Still love it and waiting for next 2013 slk 55 AMG
The 2006 was gone bc I had an accident and totaled it! So one thing after the accident: very safe car, even it's very small!
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
The 2008 with amg sport package! Powerful in its class, very nice MPG! Very nice exhaust sound and powerful sound system!
Bad: the sound system makes some notice after like 40k miles, the fog lights are easy to be broken if u drive on highway bc it's really low and pretty big to get rock! Kind of noisy compares to others and trunk can't open itself but you have to lift it up by yourself!
That's all I can complain about this car! Paid over $3000 for extended warranty so free in mind now! No thing serious happened! Still love it and waiting for next 2013 slk 55 AMG
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#11
Just pay some more for extended warranty (around $3k) and they will fix all that for you! (That's what I did)! This model won't have anything serious happen but the electric system brings you back to dealer pretty often! Parts are cheap but labor is ridiculous.
#12
Thanks Khanhvinhct
Sounds like an excellent choice for a sporty car. Looking forward to my purchase. Did you purchase in the US? If so, did you have any issues with an "electronic Immobilization system" or pay gas tax?
Thanks again for any insight on these matters.
P
Sounds like an excellent choice for a sporty car. Looking forward to my purchase. Did you purchase in the US? If so, did you have any issues with an "electronic Immobilization system" or pay gas tax?
Thanks again for any insight on these matters.
P
#13
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#14
http://www.fixya.com/cars/t2640996-key_turn_car
#17
Thanks Johnsct.
Looks like i will by purchasing a 2006 or 2007 as any Mercedes manufactured after Sept 1,2007 require an electronic immobilization system(EIS) installed. US vehicles are not equiped. The Canadian RIV process will require.
Im sure i will enjoy an 06 or 07 in any case.
P
Looks like i will by purchasing a 2006 or 2007 as any Mercedes manufactured after Sept 1,2007 require an electronic immobilization system(EIS) installed. US vehicles are not equiped. The Canadian RIV process will require.
Im sure i will enjoy an 06 or 07 in any case.
P
#18
SLK 350 R171 2006 AUSTRALIA
HI
I'm new to this forum, so HELLO from down under.
I will be test driving the 2006 SLK 350 tomorrow.
Its priced at 25, 000 it has done 120, 000 km - not to bad.
What questions should I be asking apart from the obvious I.e log history books etc - to check the sensors, and hard top, listen for rattles etc.
I have been researching all day, so far I have discovered that this car has maintenance services (like all cars). Codes such as B,C,D,E - Hmm perhaps he is selling the car due to his major service at 120, 000 km - letter B.
These cars range from $35-40 thousand in Australia, why is his so cheaper? (apart from having more kilometers on it) Im so excited yet anxious. The inetenet is loaded with cam shaft problems prior to the 2006 model, or is this incorrect, Does the 2006 have any problems also. Thanking you all in advance. Cheers from Mercedes (yes that is my REAL name)![Big Grin](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
![rolf](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/rofl.gif)
a - ?? Is their an A?
b - major service at 120, 000 km
c - ?? unknown
d - air filter
e - carbon filter
I'm new to this forum, so HELLO from down under.
I will be test driving the 2006 SLK 350 tomorrow.
Its priced at 25, 000 it has done 120, 000 km - not to bad.
What questions should I be asking apart from the obvious I.e log history books etc - to check the sensors, and hard top, listen for rattles etc.
I have been researching all day, so far I have discovered that this car has maintenance services (like all cars). Codes such as B,C,D,E - Hmm perhaps he is selling the car due to his major service at 120, 000 km - letter B.
These cars range from $35-40 thousand in Australia, why is his so cheaper? (apart from having more kilometers on it) Im so excited yet anxious. The inetenet is loaded with cam shaft problems prior to the 2006 model, or is this incorrect, Does the 2006 have any problems also. Thanking you all in advance. Cheers from Mercedes (yes that is my REAL name)
![Big Grin](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
![rolf](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/rofl.gif)
a - ?? Is their an A?
b - major service at 120, 000 km
c - ?? unknown
d - air filter
e - carbon filter
#19
![Smile](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/icons/icon7.gif)
Hi all. I just picked up a 2006 SLK280 with 7 speed a week ago. It had about 43K miles and cost $19K. I love it. Very tight and quiet for a sports car. The ride is better than my wife's BMW Z4. Getting about 29 MPG so far. If you are thinking about getting one - go for it. It is a blast to drive and really turns heads - especially when raising or lowering the top.
![naughty](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/naughty.gif)
#20
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Washington DC
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1999 E320 4matic Wagon, 2005 C55 AMG - sold, 1998 VW Jetta TDI - sold, 2006 C230 Sport - Totaled :(
SLK350 6 Spd
Hey fellow SLK members. Been missing my 6 speed MT 2006 C230 with the M272 engine. The car was extremely reliable and fun to drive with the MT. I do enjoy my C55 for the power and the paddle shifters but have recently been thinking of a SLK350 6MT. I think it would be fun to have as a 2nd car when I want to drive a manual (aside from my slow Jetta TDI
). It also appears to be a nice small car that would handle very well in the corners. Anybody have any opinions of the 2005-2006 models with 6MT? They appear to be had for a reasonable price and I know the M272 engine is a solid engine.
![rolf](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/rofl.gif)
#21
2008 SLK 280
New to the forum. Just purchased a 2008 SLK 280 with only 20K on the odometer. It has all the bells 'n' whistles; NAV, CD changer, 7-spd auto, airscarf, and more.
Driving is exceptional; quiet even with the top down! Never thought I'd own a Mercedes, especially a roadster!
Driving is exceptional; quiet even with the top down! Never thought I'd own a Mercedes, especially a roadster!
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#22
I got one for almost 1 year (Sep 2014) I didn't research it before it brought it
COMMON PROBLEMS IN SLK
Balance shaft requires major repairs $5,000+ so make sure your VIN does not fall into the range. (my car is in range, but I did the quick test and it seems fine)
Intake Runner control ($100 DIY)
Transmission goes to limp home mode due to defective conductors plate in Valve body.
my transmission gears are F up and ended up doing a swap and now it is STILL limp randomly.
The car looks nice, but too much problems. you should read the forum before you buys it.
COMMON PROBLEMS IN SLK
Balance shaft requires major repairs $5,000+ so make sure your VIN does not fall into the range. (my car is in range, but I did the quick test and it seems fine)
Intake Runner control ($100 DIY)
Transmission goes to limp home mode due to defective conductors plate in Valve body.
my transmission gears are F up and ended up doing a swap and now it is STILL limp randomly.
The car looks nice, but too much problems. you should read the forum before you buys it.
#25
Member