Hello all.im looking to buy used slk .have no idea which is best econimical model to buy .but want face lift 2008 upwards.but have no idea wot model.

[Ray10]

Hi looking for advice on buying used slk used face lift 2008 onwards for around 6000 .any advice on best model

 

[markjay]

Welcome.

You are looking at the R171.

My advice would be to avoid the 1.8L M271 petrol engines, they are prone to premature timing gear failure, unless the timing chain and camshaft sprockets have been replaced already.

 

[Chrishazle]

With a £6000 budget I'd think the models in reach would be the 200, which Markjay has recommended you avoid, and the 280. I have possibly one of the first facelift R171 SLK280's as it's 2008 registered, and am more than happy with the performance - as is Blobcat on here who uses one as his daily driver.

Wheel size to go for depends on what you're looking for. Standard is 16" which gives ride comfort, first option was 17" (which I have) which gives a firmer ride, I think how firm is influenced by tyre choice. Mine came on Hankooks which were/are stiff sidewalled so make the ride a bit crashy. I've already changed the fronts to GY Efficientgrip Performance and markedly improved the front feel, will soon also change the rears to something better, but as my 17's are staggered (225/45 front, 245/40 rear) I can't get the same as the front for the rear, and 245/40 all season tyres are not available so that also is not an option. I could fit 225/45 to the wifer rear rims but I'd loose rim protection and 20mm of contact patch width, which I'd not be happy about.

With the 280 V6 petrol there were early problems so you need to check the engine number against the documented problem engine numbers - search on here to find the info - but I checked my one before buying and it's well after the problem ones.

Be careful of Fire Opal Red - lots of info on here about paint bubbling problems, although mine is OK.

Another documented problem is rear sub frame internal corrosion leading to failure - and possibly replacement FOC by MB. Not sure how to check for that as it's corrosion from inside to out so is not easily visible until it's too late!

 

[SmartAmg]

Ray, good luck with your search.

 

[pioneercollector]

Welcome to the group! I am very biased towards anything V8 ..... so you know what my choice would be, Oh i forgot about the economy part of your post ....Ignore me!

 

[Chrishazle]

I deliberately did not mention the (wonderful) 55AMG for the same reason, it's the car I actually wanted but as soon as I mentioned it - and 350BHP - the management veto came straight out! Just wish my garage was a foot or more longer so I could have looked for an SL instead of the Kurz variety.

 

[W1ghty]

Hi looking for advice on buying used slk used face lift 2008 onwards for around 6000 .any advice on best model

Remove your postcode from your details buddy

 

[pioneercollector]

How deep is your garage? My SL fits into my 'normal' not big garage ( it is a tad tight ) I glued polystyrene sheets to the back wall so i can go right back without damaging the bumper and used carpet tiles all down the walls , just in case

 

[Chrishazle]

Haven't tape measured the garage, but with the SLK back 1" further than absolute minimum to close and bolt the front doors I have just enough room to squeeze behind it to access the storage shelves behind and to the NS of the car. I did years ago look at extending the front of the garage by 2-3 feet (which is feasible), but cost/benefit did not weigh up so it didn't happen. Also I looked at replacing the swing out wooden doors with a roller shutter as I had on my old garage, but would not gain enough length to make an SL feasible. Although we have enough space on our front drive (where the S204 lives) for 1 or 2 more cars, I'm not prepared to have our weekend toy live on the driveway where I can't keep the battery on a conditioner and would expose the toy to the weather, hence no SL!

 

[slade1]

M272 V6. What is the actual sprocket failure rate 5 -10%?
Great motor, powerful, smooth and nice noise when wound up

 

[Darrell]

, it's the car I actually wanted but as soon as I mentioned it - and 350BHP - the management veto came straight out!

What does this mean?

 

[ALFAitalia]

His wife said "No!"

 

[BTB 500]

M272 V6. What is the actual sprocket failure rate 5 -10%?
Great motor, powerful, smooth and nice noise when wound up

No idea, but you can look up whether a particular engine is even at risk based on the number:

The Complete M272 Engine Thread | Engine

Following on from my Complete M271 Engine thread please feel free to add resources to this thread for the M272 Engine. Mercedes-Benz M272 engine Mainly from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia but added to: Technical brief: 76 pages...

forums.mbclub.co.uk

SLKs are often low mileage, so the fact that one hasn't had a problem so far wouldn't exclude it from happening in future (very likely writing off a car of that age). I wouldn't personally take the gamble with one in that category.

We had a late C230 with the 2.5 litre M272, and it was a nice engine. Ours was in the second category i.e. potential problem with the adjustment solenoids - that didn't cause a problem while we had it, but the variable length inlet manifold eventually did. Failure of the actuator is fairly common, requiring a new inlet manifold. We traded it in against our current W205 with the EML on

 

[Darrell]

His wife said "No!"

Some people need to grow some.

 

[W1ghty]

Some people need to grow some.

She has

 

[Chrishazle]

I like a quiet life, and after 48 years of marriage I know when it's time to keep attacking and time to give up - which is the majority of the time! TBH I was not that bothered - a theoretical 240BHP in the 968's I owned for about 21 years was enough for me, the SLK280 has similar so I'm happy - even though having test driven a Chimera 450 (biggest disappointing test drive I've ever had!) - I'd love to drive to the soundtrack of a decent V8.

 

[markjay]

Another one-post-wonder.....?