SLK/R172: Looking at 2012 SLK 350
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 245
Likes: 105
2014 E350
Looking at 2012 SLK 350
Hey all,
I'm going to be helping a buddy look at a '12 SLK 350 (w/AMG pkg) and am hoping I'm in the right sub forum. Help give me a pulse on this model, would ya? I'm going to do some net reading, but your collective expertise would be a great help!
1. Is this the same engine in the w212 E350?
2. Any maintenance bugaboos or "watch out for" about this car?
3. General reliability (as in is this as reliable as the E350s from 2010-16?)
4. Anything you can think of that would help me look for would be much appreciated! Thanks bunch!!
Edward
I'm going to be helping a buddy look at a '12 SLK 350 (w/AMG pkg) and am hoping I'm in the right sub forum. Help give me a pulse on this model, would ya? I'm going to do some net reading, but your collective expertise would be a great help!
1. Is this the same engine in the w212 E350?
2. Any maintenance bugaboos or "watch out for" about this car?
3. General reliability (as in is this as reliable as the E350s from 2010-16?)
4. Anything you can think of that would help me look for would be much appreciated! Thanks bunch!!
Edward
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 300
Likes: 13
From: GA, USA
Current: '19 E450 Cabriolet - Past: '19 C300 Coupe, '12 SLK350, '16 E350, '14 C250 (x2), '09 CLK350
We just bought my wife a 2012 SLK350 and it's her favorite car ever. We got it for I think $28k w/ ~40k miles. So far after about 9 months it's a rock solid CPO.
If you're used to typical sedans or coupes, the SLK is unique in the Benz lineup. It feels super-heavy, but is very nimble. The top feels very reliable. The engine noise is AWESOME for a little Benz, especially when you punch it. The 11-speaker (I don't know where they put them) sound system BUMPS any type of music/sound you throw at it. Air scarf is a nice-to-have.
Our is black on black with tech/sound and AMG wheel package. We get compliments on it so often, I've lost count. It's a crowd pleaser. I highly recommend the 350, as the 250 has pretty bad turbo lag -- which is no fun.
If you're used to typical sedans or coupes, the SLK is unique in the Benz lineup. It feels super-heavy, but is very nimble. The top feels very reliable. The engine noise is AWESOME for a little Benz, especially when you punch it. The 11-speaker (I don't know where they put them) sound system BUMPS any type of music/sound you throw at it. Air scarf is a nice-to-have.
Our is black on black with tech/sound and AMG wheel package. We get compliments on it so often, I've lost count. It's a crowd pleaser. I highly recommend the 350, as the 250 has pretty bad turbo lag -- which is no fun.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 329
Likes: 44
From: Melbourne, Australia
W213 Night Edition 220d. (ML250 SLK350AMG)
I had a 2014 that i just sold after 3 years of ownership and no issues with my SLK 350 at all. Was a great car. Some of the door plastics are hard but thats not a biggie. Also the transmission i found can be slow, but the engine has 225kw in a small body - make sure you put it in sport mode if you want scintillating performance.
I sold it to buy an E Class and now i really miss it.
You wont feel sorry if you purchase a SLK 350
I sold it to buy an E Class and now i really miss it.
You wont feel sorry if you purchase a SLK 350
Super Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 972
Likes: 270
From: Fort Worth TX
2020 S560, 2014 SLK55 (Prev. 2016 S65, 2013 SLK350, 2008 CLS63, 2006 E350, 2006 CLS500, 2005 C230K)
From memory:
1. Ensure car has a glass roof (vario or not but glass) as solid roof and original plastic pano will leak! (That is why the solid color roofs disappeared and they are all glass now)
2. Avoid early reds, if you want red research when they fixed the paint ( otherwise it will peal!)
The slk is a simple car with good reliability, you are looking at only evolution components (engine is evolution, transmission is evolution, roof is evolution) which really helps.
Things that I dislike about ours are:
1. The most uncomfortable MB I've ever bought. (Sport pkg looks good but it makes the suspension even worse)
2. Exhaust noise is not very good and gets annoying on long trips.
3. Top only moves with car stoped (this becomes a pain in the real world)
4. It's incredibly small
5. It's the noisiest MB interior I've had
6. The bixenons are not bixenons (I don't appreciate the lie)
7. Cabin whistles when over 120MPH (or is it just mine?)
It is fun to drive though!
Still the next one will probably be a less fun but more comfortable SL
1. Ensure car has a glass roof (vario or not but glass) as solid roof and original plastic pano will leak! (That is why the solid color roofs disappeared and they are all glass now)
2. Avoid early reds, if you want red research when they fixed the paint ( otherwise it will peal!)
The slk is a simple car with good reliability, you are looking at only evolution components (engine is evolution, transmission is evolution, roof is evolution) which really helps.
Things that I dislike about ours are:
1. The most uncomfortable MB I've ever bought. (Sport pkg looks good but it makes the suspension even worse)
2. Exhaust noise is not very good and gets annoying on long trips.
3. Top only moves with car stoped (this becomes a pain in the real world)
4. It's incredibly small
5. It's the noisiest MB interior I've had
6. The bixenons are not bixenons (I don't appreciate the lie)
7. Cabin whistles when over 120MPH (or is it just mine?)
It is fun to drive though!
Still the next one will probably be a less fun but more comfortable SL
