What to look for when buying a R171 SLK

Brian23

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Hi not sure if this is the correct furum, but I am going to look at a 2006 SLK for my wife and I wondered what things should I look for. She has a 1999 SLK at the moment and they can have roof leaks. Does the newer version have the same problem and what else should check. Thank you.
 

LostKiwi

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4 cylinder cars use the M271 engine which has had its share of cam sprocket issues. V6 cars use the M272 engine which has had (fewer) balance shaft issues.
Listen the the first start of the day. If it sounds like a concrete mixer full of bolts walk away.
 

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Great choice of car... get a V6, similar fool economy to the IL4 but much nicer to drive and less issues.
You can check here if the engine could have the balance shaft issues.

Check that the subframe isn’t rusty as some suffer very badly and the whole subframe cane fail... others don’t have the issue at all.

They drive better on 16” or 17” wheels and are much more comfortable.
 

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My wife had a 2004 200K did 90K miles no problems. Currently she has a 2010 200K with about 47K miles, again not problems.
Both have been great cars but as Brobcat says avoid the 18" wheels, the ride is rock hard.
There are issues with the M271 engine, but it didn't effect our cars.
 

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Have just bought an R171 facelift 2008 SLK280, and once the problems are sorted it'll be lovely. First thing I'd recommend is checking the engine number against the article linked above to make sure you're clear of it. Then have an independant on ramp undertrays off inspection - that flagged numerous control arm and tracking problems on my car, as well as a front shock absorber that needed replacement and buggered rear pads and possibly discs. A subsequent inspection showed a rear caliper seized, plus detailed inspection of the service record showed that in the 5 years of the second owner (not at a main dealer or MB indie) some major recommended items had been overlooked - namely combination filter, spark plugs and brake fluid change - as well as a weeping rear seal on the transmission that meant the ATF was 3/4L down when removed to replace the seal - this despite the ATF and filter having been replaced by the main dealer for the first owner 30k miles earlier! Also look at the service record for tyre replacement/advisories on the MoT - mine had them at 25k and 50k on the fronts for outside wear, had the tracking done, before shows so many red blocks it's crazy (not now though, all in the green!!)

Look for - heated leather seats, if possible with memory function and easy access. Airscarf. Comand - although on a 171 the last update is 2018-19, but check the firmware installed is 09 or the recent updates cannot be installed. If you want pano roof it will have to be an R172.
 
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Brian23

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I have seen 3





















































































I have seen the one that I like it is a
2006 MERCEDES SLK 200 AUTO Kompressor CONVERTIBLE Petrol Automatic, if that helps with any info. Her 1999 still passes it's MoT each year with no advisory and she would keep it until it dies, but I think an upgrade to the newer facelift model would be nice and it looks a lovely car in the photos, but I have not been to see it yet, as it is not local.

 

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2006 MERCEDES SLK 200 AUTO Kompressor CONVERTIBLE Petrol Automatic

That's not a lot of info to go on...

Heated seats and airscarf are a must - there's loads around so pick a good one, not the most convenient one
 
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Brian23

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Colour is everything. This one is metallic red, so unusual. I just wanted to know what to look for as I walk around it. Wet carpets or other known problems that you can see or hear.
 

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Colour is everything. This one is metallic red, so unusual. I just wanted to know what to look for as I walk around it. Wet carpets or other known problems that you can see or hear.
They don't really leak, the roof should drop in ~22 seconds and close in the same.
No noise form the cam chain as per above as the IL4 can suffer very badly from the simplex chain stretching and jumping a tooth or three - engine is then toast.
 
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Brian23

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They don't really leak, the roof should drop in ~22 seconds and close in the same.
No noise form the cam chain as per above as the IL4 can suffer very badly from the simplex chain stretching and jumping a tooth or three - engine is then toast.


Thank you.
 
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Brian23

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It has stop/start. Can you turn this off?
 

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It has stop/start. Can you turn this off?
Didn’t think 2006 would have stop start. My 2009 hasn’t...

I’d it has you can turn it off each time you start by pressing the relevant button
 
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Brian23

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Didn’t think 2006 would have stop start. My 2009 hasn’t...

I’d it has you can turn it off each time you start by pressing the relevant button

I looked up the vin on Engine centre, by Reg plate and it said
SpecDes SLK200 7G-Tronic BlueEFFiCiENCY Auto Start/Stop
DateOfRegistration 2006-06-06
 

Blobcat

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I don’t think their info is correct
 
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Brian23

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I don’t think their info is correct


No you are probably correct about the start/stop.
I looked at it today. I turned up without making an appointment so that the car would not have been started. Started quietly, but on driving I thought that I heard a very quiet rattle as I accelerated away, but may just have been my immagination as I didn't hear it again. also I cannot guarantee that it hadn't been started earlier. Otherwise nice car.
 

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Metallic Red - not Fire Opal Red by any chance? If so inspect the paintwork very closely for signs of microblistering and/or repainting - overspray on seals or suspension boots is a good giveaway. It was a problem even as far back as 2006, although the main time seems to be about 2016-18.
 

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I wanted to, but as soon as I mentioned 300+BHP, the management veto came straight out, so I had to settle for a V6 petrol - no way would I settle for a 200/220, and thankfully the 250 diesel is IIRC R172 only! However, as the OP is looking at a car for his wife, maybe a 200 will be OK - just make sure it has parktronic (or get it retrofitted by Comand.co.uk!).
 

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I wanted to, but as soon as I mentioned 300+BHP, the management veto came straight out, so I had to settle for a V6 petrol - no way would I settle for a 200/220, and thankfully the 250 diesel is IIRC R172 only! However, as the OP is looking at a car for his wife, maybe a 200 will be OK - just make sure it has parktronic (or get it retrofitted by Comand.co.uk!).
I’ve got a CLK 200 , but my cojones are in a pickle jar on the kitchen windowsill :oops:
 

Chrishazle

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Like me, married man, master in your own house - and have the wife's permission to say so!!:(:eek::oops::rolleyes:
 

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