A few doubts surrounding the R171 (Automatic of course !!)

ARoosterinaRoadster

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I have continued with my search for a replacement for my R170 Automatic simply because I would much prefer to have a fully adjustable steering column.

I am flagging-up Chassis Rot/Corrosion at varying levels including one that required a complete rear sub-frame because of quite advanced rot/corrosion (not picked-up on several previous MoT's).

I am also finding rust in the 2004 to 2007 R171 front wings at a more advanced level than any comparable age in years of any R170's that I walked away from over a period of some 3/4 years.

The utter ignorance of owners that do not heed the need for transmission services at circa 60,000 miles or 10 years of age and the Kompressor service at circa 100,000 miles or 10 years of age.

I am of the understanding that the rusting wing/wings was the subject of an MB Recall (if owners persisted through their dealer but many did not get looked into until into new ownership some years later.
This continued into the R171 from the R170 and has been attributed to the purchase by MB of cheap steel from South Africa.

Would I be better retaining my otherwise OK 62,000 miles - Full History R170 Automatic and having the cosmetic paintwork looked at circa £650.00 ? Fuji FinePix S4500 14-05-2019 005.JPG SLK Arches 001.JPG SLK Arches 002.JPG SLK Arches 003.JPG SLK Arches 004.JPG
 

Blobcat

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If you can stretch to it a later 09 on R171 is a good option (I’m of course very biased...):rolleyes:
 
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ARoosterinaRoadster

ARoosterinaRoadster

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If you can stretch to it a later 09 on R171 is a good option (I’m of course very biased...):rolleyes:

Hi Blobcat. The R171 SLK 200 Auto's are within my budget but the larger engine variants are outside of what I was lookingh to spend.
 

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Hi Blobcat. The R171 SLK 200 Auto's are within my budget but the larger engine variants are outside of what I was lookingh to spend.
If you can wait a month or two until the weather turns pants you might get a good deal. :D
 
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ARoosterinaRoadster

ARoosterinaRoadster

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If you can wait a month or two until the weather turns pants you might get a good deal. :D

Sounds good as I am not in a particular hurry.
 
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Hi again to all of you unsuspecting and loyal fans/owners or thieves of the R171 SLK range.

The image shown sadly is not uncommon albeit the worst that I have found of late and in real terms not a lot different from the earlier R170 SLK range.

The image is of a late October 2004 R171 SLK 200 with circa 120,000 miles on the clock.

This same vehicle suffered extensive corrosion to the rear sub-frame and as a result it failed an MoT

Do not drive until repaired (dangerous defects):

  • Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded to the extent that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected sub-frame (5.3.6 (a) (ii))


2004( late October)   R171 ROT.jpg
 

Blobcat

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That isn’t a car I’d be considered purchasing... headlights show a life of sun and probably sea and salt as well.

There’s a lot out there so I think you can find one that’s in good condition.
 
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ARoosterinaRoadster

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That isn’t a car I’d be considered purchasing... headlights show a life of sun and probably sea and salt as well.

There’s a lot out there so I think you can find one that’s in good condition.

Hi Blobcat. Having seen the car on the internet - I will not differ with you.

Indeed the rest of the MoT work would cost in the region of £2000.00 and would need to be brought back on a car trailer.
 

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Hi Blobcat. Having seen the car on the internet - I will not differ with you.

Indeed the rest of the MoT work would cost in the region of £2000.00 and would need to be brought back on a car trailer.
If I had it for free I wouldn’t bother...
 

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Hi again to all of you unsuspecting and loyal fans/owners or thieves of the R171 SLK range.

The image shown sadly is not uncommon albeit the worst that I have found of late and in real terms not a lot different from the earlier R170 SLK range.

The image is of a late October 2004 R171 SLK 200 with circa 120,000 miles on the clock.

This same vehicle suffered extensive corrosion to the rear sub-frame and as a result it failed an MoT

Do not drive until repaired (dangerous defects):




    • Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded to the extent that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected sub-frame (5.3.6 (a) (ii))

View attachment 51862
Not sure of the exact date but around the end of 2004 SLK's were galvanised. Which means you won't get a 170 galvanised, but the vast if not all 171's are galvanised.
 
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ARoosterinaRoadster

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Not sure of the exact date but around the end of 2004 SLK's were galvanised. Which means you won't get a 170 galvanised, but the vast if not all 171's are galvanised.

Hi sonic. I am more than familiar with the accident damage that has not been repair correctly but I have personally seen three 2005/2006 cars - an SLK 200,and SLK 2.8 and an SLK 350 that must have had the zinc/galvanising coat thinned down with milk !!

Then there is the other increasingly worrying issue of rotten/seriously corroded chassis that either seriously affect the integrity of the suspension mountings or require some serious welding or worse still they need new sub-frames.
 

sonic

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We had a 2004 200K until 2012 did 92K miles not a spot of rust anywhere when we sold it. Also absolutely nothing went wrong with it.
We currently have a 2010 200K again not a spot of rust anywhere. Last week I bought a new battery, the first expense other than servicing.
I suspect the ones you have seen are as a result of poor accident repair, & generally poor maintenance.
 

Mark A

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Must be a lucky one as rust around the headlights is a very common complaint on the R171. I have had it on mine also, the rest of the car fine but the edges of the wing around the headlights different story.
 

Andy.M

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Begs the question, if so, so many cars are falling apart, why purchase that model and sit and wait for the tin worm to arrive?
 

rf065

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Not sure of the exact date but around the end of 2004 SLK's were galvanised. Which means you won't get a 170 galvanised, but the vast if not all 171's are galvanised.
Not sure why you think that makes any difference? My 2005/2006 CLK was fully galvanised and began rusting at just over 4 years old. Mercedes repaired it under warranty and the rust came back after only 18 months and had to get done again. Now at 13 years old, it's not worth repairing but the rust is showing itself again. Galvanising is not the holy grail, especially as the Mercedes method of applying it is very haphazard to say the least.
 

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