Potentially buying an SLK55 AMG - any advice?

[MarkyMark]

I'm a complete newbie to these cars so would really appreciate any advice, hints or tips when it comes to buying one. Because of my budget its likely to be a high miler, so is there anything to look out for? Anything I should ensure has been done during one of the services?

 

[mickl]

wow spooky! I was just about to post a thread for advice on an SLK55 too. Left the fold after selling my CLK55 and moved over to a BMW Z4 and thinking of getting another MB.

My main concern is the build quality of the R171 cars in generally and the ride on the SLK55 itself. Having had, 2 previous AMG models that had quite stiff rides, was wondering how the SLK55 fared.

Running costs, I think, are not too disimilar to other R171 SLKs other than the AMG bits which will be expensive especially the brakes. Also, there are 16 spark plugs in that engine, make sure that they've been changed over as they are £200-300 just for them to be done. I think the interval is 40k/4yrs whichever is the earliest, although correct me if I am wrong.

 

[MarkyMark]

LOL whats even more spooky is the other car I'm considering is a Z4M Coupe

The AMG is my preference I think. Plus sides being that V8 (and the noise) the comfort and the roof comes off. Also on a pre-2006 car the tax will only be £260. Downsides being the auto box, no LSD and not being able to turn the traction control off completely (I'll do 1 or 2 track days a year)

I drove a Z4M Coupe yesterday. Lovely car to drive. It was a 2007 but couldn't help think the interior looked a little dated. Normally wouldn't be a show stopper but when spending this money on a car I want it to be perfect.

Just need to get a drive of an AMG

 

[BTB 500]

I can't add anything useful other than saying that the SLK55 does sound particularly good, which is the main reason I'd consider having one at some point!

It should also be exempt from the usual "hairdresser's car" comments

 

[Shude]

Also, there are 16 spark plugs in that engine, make sure that they've been changed over as they are £200-300 just for them to be done. I think the interval is 40k/4yrs whichever is the earliest, although correct me if I am wrong.

Get an Indy to do these for half the price, don't need specialist equipment to change spark plugs so little point paying a "technician" £100+ per hour to do it!

Had mine done on the CLK55 not long after I bought it for peace of mind.

 

[mickl]

Shude, the £2-300 include the cost of the plugs from an indie I was quoted at the time, may have been a little bit less than that, my memory is going a bit .

Toss up at the moment between gettiing another Merc V8 (the SLK55) or a 2002-03 reg Porsche 911.

 

[Shude]

Shude, the £2-300 include the cost of the plugs from an indie I was quoted at the time, may have been a little bit less than that, my memory is going a bit .

B service about 3 months after purchase (10 years old) plus sparks, all brake pads and a gearbox oil change came to £480 from an indy.

Toss up at the moment between gettiing another Merc V8 (the SLK55) or a 2002-03 reg Porsche 911.

Doubt the porsche has a metal folding roof or a V8 soundtrack. The porsche probably isn't as quick either, nor will anyone let you out of a road junction

Still great cars mind

 

[mickl]

LOL whats even more spooky is the other car I'm considering is a Z4M Coupe

The AMG is my preference I think. Plus sides being that V8 (and the noise) the comfort and the roof comes off. Also on a pre-2006 car the tax will only be £260. Downsides being the auto box, no LSD and not being able to turn the traction control off completely (I'll do 1 or 2 track days a year)

I drove a Z4M Coupe yesterday. Lovely car to drive. It was a 2007 but couldn't help think the interior looked a little dated. Normally wouldn't be a show stopper but when spending this money on a car I want it to be perfect.

Just need to get a drive of an AMG

if you're looking at a Z4M, I'd look at the roadster and get a hard top for it. Best of both worlds and should be cheaper than the coupe all in. I would say the BMW will handle better than the SLK if it's track day world you want to look at.

 

[mickl]

B service about 3 months after purchase (10 years old) plus sparks, all brake pads and a gearbox oil change came to £480 from an indy.

Doubt the porsche has a metal folding roof or a V8 soundtrack. The porsche probably isn't as quick either, nor will anyone let you out of a road junction

Still great cars mind

I know, the Porsche doesn't have the USP point of the SLK but for handling and stuff, the Porker would win hands down.

It's not all about power you know..........at least that's what I keep telling myself

 

[gaz_l]

Hello guys,

I *think* I'm the only SLK55 owner on here since JLR sold his. I've had mine since August 2010 and love it.

I can't really help with regards to high milers, mine TBH is a garage queen and despite being a 56 plate still only has 16K on the clock.

I considered the obvious alternatives as mentioned before I bought, but the SLK came out as the best price/performance to my mind. I've always fancied a 911 but would have had to have bought something 3/4 years older with 3 or 4 times the mileage.

Running costs are not cheap. The best ever MPG I've achieved is about 26/27, driving it carefully on the motorway (although careful doesn't necessarily translate to slow..). The worst was when I took it to the track day last August, when it plummeted to about 8. Hell of a fun way to burn petrol though. I've had it serviced once since I've had it, which worked out expensive as MB insisted on changing the plugs, despite it having only covered 14K at the time. It ended up costing me about £800 IIRC, but . Don't buy one expecting to run for the cost of a Focus. Aside from the service, all it's needed is a regular supply of unleaded.

One of the reasons I bought the car is for the thunderous V8 soundtrack, and trust me if you have a ounce of petrol in your veins this will not disappoint. Having previously owned a C43, this was something I'd missed and it puts a smile on my face every time I turn the key. The ability to drop the top and hear it booming away behind you makes it even better..

Test drive.. you will want one .

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[mickl]

Gaz

What is the ride quality like? and how do you find the fit and finish of the car compared to say an MB of the late 90s/early noughties or even the current ones?

 

[triple_bogey]

Good morning all.........

The quality of the ride is actually quite soft considering the nature of the car. My previous TME Evo and DC5 were much harder and a pig to drive on public roads.
Like with every car, there will be the slight niggle here and there. The engine is bulletproof so the main thing to check is the roof mechanism's and that it operates smoothly.

Overall, very happy especially once I start the car on cold mornings. Sounds like God coughing.

After a wash in -1 degrees temps...


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

[BTB 500]

Hi triple_b & welcome to the forum - your '55 looks great, I personally much prefer those wheels to the normal 'turbine' ones

 

[C43AMG]

+1

 

[mickl]

Good morning all.........

The quality of the ride is actually quite soft considering the nature of the car. My previous TME Evo and DC5 were much harder and a pig to drive on public roads.
Like with every car, there will be the slight niggle here and there. The engine is bulletproof so the main thing to check is the roof mechanism's and that it operates smoothly.

Overall, very happy especially once I start the car on cold mornings. Sounds like God coughing.

After a wash in -1 degrees temps...


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

what sort of mileage is on yours if you don't mind me asking?

 

[mickl]

well, after debating the SLK55 and a 911, finally decided to go for the Porsche as, well it's a Porsche and I've had 2 Mercedes but will probably be back sometime in the future with another MB.

 

[gaz_l]

Good luck with the Porsche.. a 911 is an itch I'm going to have to scratch one day

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[ipd57]

Thinking of doing it myself.....

I picked up this thread since I was coming close to a 55AMG SLK myself. Seems like a good deal and I understand the issues with brakes, plugs and the general service costs. One thing that worries me a little is the 'throw away' comments in last months EVO mag concerning don't buy one due to suspension being complex and costly, more electronics than a space shuttle and just generally costly to fix anything.

Now I am also lucky enough to have an Aston Vantage 4.7 in the garage, but that is the summer only car. The SLK will be the third in the fleet and looking at a 2005 car, low mileage. Since it will only do around 4k p.a. with me anyway, I am not going to loose much or cost myself a fortune generally, but do these things fit the EVO opinion or the general web opinion of 'go for it- they are great'. I am hoping the cost to run won't run to the Aston's league!

Have no idea where EVO's opinion comes from, but I was thinking most of the stuff they have produced has been reasonable opinion so far.

Thoughts anyone?

 

[C240Sport97]

One thing that worries me a little is the 'throw away' comments in last months EVO mag concerning don't buy one due to suspension being complex and costly, more electronics than a space shuttle and just generally costly to fix anything.

I think Evo is referring to the SL55, not the SLK55.

SL has active body control, SLK has standard suspension without any trick dampers or electronics

 

[W2--]

The built on the R171 is very good. Much improve over the R170.