Looking at a few SL350 3.7 2003-2005

[Winsoxuk]

Now you probably have been asked this a million times but is there any issues I need to look out for on the SL350.

I'm looking at one without ABC and also looking to make sure that the roof isn't leaking into the rear.

I'm not very good at doing body work so is rusting an issue on these vehicles ? I have heard that some use water-based paint.. is there any areas that I need to look for on the car? I've seen a few with wheel arch bubbles

Also is there anything I need to look out for on the engine ? Any specific wear points or failures ? When does the chain require changing?

I don't mind doing any work myself on the vehicle but just want to know about the killer faults on these cars especially the engine.

Just to give you an indication of the level of
repairs I'll undertake myself I've just rebuilt a Volvo 850r all the engine and replace the ECU with haltech etc..turbo injectors. Rods etc.

Also what diagnosis equipment do I need for OBD ?

Thanks in advance guys and girls!

Dave

 

[NJSS]

Welcome Dave

I was in the same position as you after Christmas in 2019. I searched for a decent SL.

After much consideration & searching I finished up buying a post 2008 facelift car. I won't bore you with all the reasons, but a Google search will come up with lots of advice like this.

Do keep us posted as to how you get on. If you find the right SL I am sure you will be delighted. One important point, this is a car which needs to be garaged IMHO.

Good luck.

NJSS

 

[Winsoxuk]

Welcome Dave

I was in the same position as you after Christmas in 2019. I searched for a decent SL.

After much consideration & searching I finished up buying a post 2008 facelift car. I won't bore you with all the reasons, but a Google search will come up with lots of advice like this.

Do keep us posted as to how you get on. If you find the right SL I am sure you will be delighted. One important point, this is a car which needs to be garaged IMHO.

Good luck.

NJSS

Thanks very much for the information. I have a garage and the car port so keeping it undercover won't be a problem.

I've seen one on eBay which is relatively cheap price and it's had a timing chain and pump done.. so not to certain whether it had a failure or this is just a service item.

I do like the styling of the early ones with the round headlights... So I'm absolutely torn between them.

Do I go for the car that I like with the round headlights and the glass roof 3.7l or go for the later one 3.5l.

Also I was told by one of the seller's that his cars had the roof pump serviced and repaired and had a starter motor replaced last year. But it has just started to show very slight corrosion around the rear wheel arches just going to check if this is at the standard failure point on these cars.

My Volvo is 26 years old and I've got no rust on it at all. And I've got 200k on that !

Again thank you for spending the time in replying it's much appreciated.

 

[BTB 500]

Do I go for the car that I like with the round headlights and the glass roof 3.7l or go for the later one 3.5l.

The post-facelift (2006 onward) 3.5 litre engine is the M272 V6, which has a known balance shaft issue. If looking at one of those check the engine number against the ranges given in this thread to see whether it's likely to be affected or not:

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

 

[ALFAitalia]

I have heard that some use water-based paint.. is there any areas that I need to look for on the car?

Most car makers started the roll out of water based paints by the late 90s. By the mid 2000s every car was using water based paints.

 

[Dickster]

I had the same issues when searching for my SL. First one I looked at was scruffy and rusty. Rear arches is one place they do rust. I’d avoid it as there are plenty of rust free examples.

Good luck

 

[Winsoxuk]

Well it took me a long time to make the decision and went with a SLK350.

I didnt want to rush into it LOL

Its in mint condition and so far very happy.. the only issue is its noisy as start up but it looks like thats noisy cam adjusters but garage are having it back to fix. as I took a 12 month cover out on it,... MB main dealer in Wakefield took a look and the technician there was really helpful ;-)

 

[Winsoxuk]

Well it's now back at the garage with a loud chattering noise when you start it up from cold or when it's been stood for a while apparently it could be the chain tensioners as there was some sort of one way valve fitted in manufacturing...or the cam adjusters.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

It'll be worth starting a new thread specifically on this issue of a chattering R172 SLK350.

You'll get more SLK350 owners piping up.