SLK rust.

[Deleted member 159521]

Hello

I am going to look at an ‘06 SLK on Saturday. The write up on the car is low owner, full service history, and when checking the MOT history the car seems as clean as a whistle. The only advisories over the years have been tyres.

Can anyone give me any ideas on the obvious rust points to look out for. I am not an expert at all when it comes to buying cars. I always buy with my gut, and over the years have probably, just about, won more than I’ve lost.

The last thing I want to do is buy a wrong ‘un.

I would really appreciate any pointers.

Thank you in advance.

Tommy.

 

[Deleted member 159894]

Wheel arches, rear boot around catch.

Which model, W170.171.172?

 

[colinallcars]

Wheel arches, rear boot around catch.

Which model, W170.171.172?

I suspect an 06 will be an R171 in which case the rear subframe requires close inspection. If the service history is all Mercedes Benz that would help should replacement be required.

 

[Gollom]

Rear subframe can rust and front wings on the pointy bit. If rust has a hold there are no pattern parts available, only MB - £300 a side plus fitting/painting. Fantastic car though!!

 

[Chrishazle]

06 SLK is a pre-facelift R171. Which engine? 200 is a "ladies car", 280 is a V6 petrol and a joy, I have an early facelift R171 280. After that, of course, are the SLK32AMG and the 55AMG V8, which management banned me from looking at as they're too powerful and fast (spoilsport!!). If you look at a V6, check engine number carefully against info on here as early engine numbers had problems.

Look at the list of options on the car - avoid 18" wheels, 17's are not too bad (that's what I have) but I suspect ride comfort on 16's will be better (Blobcat is your man if he's on here, if not ask on MBOA forum!!). Full leather, memory seats would be lovely (wish I had them) but full leather, airscarf (essential). Comand satnav is optional, it's NTG2.5 so last ever update is 2018-19, never again. Check the roof and all electrics work as they should.

Initial problms when I bought mine centred on suspension - one front shock that should not have passed MoT, front and rear suspension arms, rear discs and pads, cost the vendor about £1k to fix most of what the post-purchase specialist inspection found but also cost me about £800 to fix the rest and get the service items properly sorted (it did not have a full specialist recent history) fixed.

Having said all of that, I'm really happy with the car, especially roof down sunny day and opportunity to put the foot down and anjoy the sounds! However, be aware it's a 2 seater, so for example the 19 day 2600 mile Europe trip we did in our 2+2 968 cab would not be possible in our SLK.

 

[Deleted member 159521]

Hello All, thank you for coming back.

The car is an R171 280. It almost seems to good to be true.

I will give the subframes a good check, thank you for the heads up. I come from Classic Mini’s, so love a good old rusty subframe.

I understand cars of a certain age will require a little work to bring them up to standard, I am a fussy bugger, but once to standard, for me it should then be no more than fettling.

Thank you again,

Tommy.

 

[Chrishazle]

Tommy, the 280 is a lovely engine but early ones can have a couple of major problems, get the VIN/Engine Number and search on here for links to how to find if the engine falls into either of the 2 major problem areas - or you could be buying an engine with a large bill in waiting!

This may be a starter for you :

 

[DrNick]

Just out of interest, does anyone have any real data on how many of these engines actually have had the failure? Just wondering if they are real time bombs and the failure is guaranteed within the operational life of the car, or if most sail on quite happily for ever (until something else takes out the car)

 

[Chrishazle]

It's only certain engine numbers on early SLK/CLK V6 petrols, if the engine falls into the "at risk" range then there should be a record of it being fixed, if not then either budget for the fix or walk away and find another. The engine in my July 2008 280 is well after the "at risk" range.

Also, if you can get the VIN, there are links on here to VIN checkers from which you can obtain FOC the build sheet showing what the car left the factory with,.

 

[Deleted member 159521]

It's only certain engine numbers on early SLK/CLK V6 petrols, if the engine falls into the "at risk" range then there should be a record of it being fixed, if not then either budget for the fix or walk away and find another. The engine in my July 2008 280 is well after the "at risk" range.

Also, if you can get the VIN, there are links on here to VIN checkers from which you can obtain FOC the build sheet showing what the car left the factory with,.

Hello Chris

Thank you for coming back and for the attached. I will try and get the engine number from the vendor before viewing and then check it out.
Thanks again.
Tommy.

 

[Gollom]

Hello Chris

Thank you for coming back and for the attached. I will try and get the engine number from the vendor before viewing and then check it out.
Thanks again.
Tommy.

Just ask him for the VIN (or if local, drive by and get it yourself - passenger side at bottom of windscreen) Happy to get the information for you or go to Lastvin.com

 

[E55BOF]

There are (well, there are on my SLK55) bolt-on body stiffening struts under the car, from each wheelarch to a central point, forming an X shape. I had one rust through, and bought the last one in Europe from a dealer who just happened to have one from a cancelled order. These are, or were then, NLA from Mercedes in Germany. The car had 110K miles on it at the time.

 

[Chrishazle]

Don't think they're on the SLK280, but there are cross braces at the rear under the fuel tank, roughly from the rear axle to under the rear lights. One got boogered when my NS rear wheel came off due to the indie's trainee not tightening the wheel bolts, think they had to source a second hand replacement!

 

[grober]

Just out of interest, does anyone have any real data on how many of these engines actually have had the failure? Just wondering if they are real time bombs and the failure is guaranteed within the operational life of the car, or if most sail on quite happily for ever (until something else takes out the car)

They were subject to a recall/dealer alert in the US at the time so the numbers were "significant"

 

[BandyAndy]

Thank you for coming back and for the attached. I will try and get the engine number from the vendor before viewing and then check it out.
Thanks again.
Tommy.

When you get the engine number have a look here

M272 ballancer shaft issue. | Engine

Hi - I have a 2009 registered CLK280 Sport. However, the car was built in July 2008. And I am wondering if it might be subject to the issues earlier M272 engine cars can suffer from. My engine number is: 272940 31 031885 I have read that engines over 2729..30 468993 are safe? Based on the...

forums.mbclub.co.uk

 

[Deleted member 159521]

Any problems with the 350?
I am going to look at one this morning, again will get the VIN number.
Tommy.

 

[E55BOF]

See post #15 - the 350 was an M272 also.

 

[Deleted member 159521]

So the engine number on the car I am looking at is…….27296330038512. Is it a good ‘un or do I put my trainers on and run like Linford…………

 

[Chrishazle]

Post 15 and a search on M272 issues on here and you'll find the answer yourself rather than expecting someone to find the answer for you.

 

[Deleted member 159521]

Post 15 and a search on M272 issues on here and you'll find the answer yourself rather than expecting someone to find the answer for you.

Thanks Chris, really appreciate your help.

What a top bloke you are.