R171 SLK What to look for when buying?

[John77]

Hi I have seen a 2011 HIGH milage (170k miles) SLK, but the price is quite low. What should I be looking for? I have looked at the MoT history and nothing major.

 

[Blobcat]

Which engine?

 

[John77]

Which engine?

1.8 Petrol. I see that the front Cam Mag cover is missing.

 

[Blobcat]

That’s the M271 which CMS have simplex chain stretch issues

 

[John77]

That’s the M271 which CMS have simplex chain stretch issues

Thank you, I will look into that, but I suppose that it is not always obvious unless a cold start up noise is there. Apart from this, is there anything else or just the same as buying any other car.

 

[Wighty]

Thank you, I will look into that, but I suppose that it is not always obvious unless a cold start up noise is there. Apart from this, is there anything else or just the same as buying any other car.

The rear subframe is rotting/failing in some cars from 2007 ish ?

 

[John77]

The rear subframe is rotting/failing in some cars from 2007 ish ?

Thank you

 

[Chrishazle]

Front and rear control arms worn bushings - 2 each side of the front, 4 each side on the rear.
Tracking - look for worn outer edge of front tyres.
Weeping propshaft seal at back of gearbox thus slight slow loss of ATF.
When was ATF/filter last changed?
Check all the electrics work, especially the roof, and that roof does not operate unless the boot divider is locked down.
Check all exterior lights work - changing headlight bulbs on a 171 is a wheel off job even though theowners manual says it can be done under the bonnet (liars!!). All except reversing lights on the rear are LED so dealer change!!
Haven't yet figured why my glovebox and door courtesy (pubble) lights do not work.

For not a lot more you can get a 3l V6 petrol - 280/300, peach of an engine. Why have a little 1.8??

 

[John77]

Front and rear control arms worn bushings - 2 each side of the front, 4 each side on the rear.
Tracking - look for worn outer edge of front tyres.
Weeping propshaft seal at back of gearbox thus slight slow loss of ATF.
When was ATF/filter last changed?
Check all the electrics work, especially the roof, and that roof does not operate unless the boot divider is locked down.
Check all exterior lights work - changing headlight bulbs on a 171 is a wheel off job even though theowners manual says it can be done under the bonnet (liars!!). All except reversing lights on the rear are LED so dealer change!!
Haven't yet figured why my glovebox and door courtesy (pubble) lights do not work.

For not a lot more you can get a 3l V6 petrol - 280/300, peach of an engine. Why have a little 1.8??

Thank you for that. I remeber the problems that yo had with yours.

My intention is actually to sell on, as it is a good price for a 2011. Yes very high milage.
I have just bought a 2006 1.8 for my wife and it is lovely. Red, no not Opal and a light grey interior. Went through it's MoT a couple of weeks ago, no problem and a great price when I bought it just before Christmas.
I realy do not think that she is interested in a 3l. On the R170 if the courtesy light fails it is because the PSE pump circuit got full of water and broke the circuit. Television fixed mine on her old SLK. Not saying that it is the same on the R171, but just a thought.

 

[Chrishazle]

If you think an R170 SLK320 would be of interest, I know of one that's available - lovely car with an interesting history. Apparently first owner was Dyson's chief engineer who had it mb maintained, second owner is a friend who is a superb mechanic, bought it for his wife but between her back problens and desire to carry grandchildren now wants something different. Understand it has a couple of small tin worm problems, but mechanically it's superb, and available for less than £3k. It's a lovely slightly blue silver. Build sheet attached, it's near J26 M25.

 

[John Laidlaw]

A 271 engine on 170k? Wow...

 

[Wighty]

A 271 engine on 170k? Wow...

Be interesting to know if the chain was replaced in that mileage

 

[John77]

A 271 engine on 170k? Wow...

My Eclass has done 165K, 271 Engine and my wife's SLK has done 87K, 271 Engine. I have never been concerned with High milage on a Mercedes, but yes I do understand timing chain stretch. My last Eclass finally became uneconomical at 320k.

 

[John77]

Be interesting to know if the chain was replaced in that mileage

Probably not. My Eclass has done 165k on original chain. Should I be concerned??? lol.

 

[John77]

OK so 2011 SLK 170K. What would be a good price if all the above is OK?

 

[John77]

If you think an R170 SLK320 would be of interest, I know of one that's available - lovely car with an interesting history. Apparently first owner was Dyson's chief engineer who had it mb maintained, second owner is a friend who is a superb mechanic, bought it for his wife but between her back problens and desire to carry grandchildren now wants something different. Understand it has a couple of small tin worm problems, but mechanically it's superb, and available for less than £3k. It's a lovely slightly blue silver. Build sheet attached, it's near J26 M25.

Hi Chris, thank you for that. i am retired and just buy and sell te occational car. I actually make more buying and selling Ride on mowers. Just a hobby.

 

[RhodieBill]

Hi I have seen a 2011 HIGH milage (170k miles) SLK, but the price is quite low. What should I be looking for?

A nice CLK!

 

[Blobcat]

A nice CLK!

Tut tut

 

[sonic]

We had a 171 200K 2004 did 90K miles nothing went wrong. Replaced it with a 171 200K 2010 just sold it with about 50K miles on the clock. Only problem occasional rain leaking into the boot.

 

[John77]

A nice CLK!

Sorry you lost me on that one.