2011/12 SLK250 General query

[Cmat]

Hi all,

New to the forum, and I'm considering making the leap from an MX5 to an SLK250 CDI.

I've had my eye on an SLK250 for years, I adore them.. But I also know that higher-end, more expensive cars also come with higher-end, more expensive problems!

What I'm looking for is advice of all of the trouble areas of these cars if possible!

So far I've picked up on:

- issues with injectors on the blue efficiency cars that should have been rectified under a recall
- issues with red paint specifically (this is really annoying as it was red that I wanted)
- gearbox and rear differential possibly giving trouble if services have been missed/neglected.

Please throw everything you've got at me! If I decide to swap my beloved MX5 (it's never given me a moments trouble!) for a Merc I really want to be confident I'm making the right decision, and I need to be sure I avoid buying a lemon.

There's nothing worse than buyers remorse.

Thanks!!

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome

The SLK 250 is a very good car and well represented here, I’d recommend a V6 petrol one though…

 

[Cmat]

Hello and welcome

The SLK 250 is a very good car and well represented here, I’d recommend a V6 petrol one though…

I didn't know there was such a thing!

I've only seem them in diesel or 4-banger petrol varieties!

Mind you.. Could be because I'm searching within a maximum budget of £12k

 

[Blobcat]

I didn't know there was such a thing!

I've only seem them in diesel or 4-banger petrol varieties!

Mind you.. Could be because I'm searching within a maximum budget of £12k

You can get a V8…

 

[Blobcat]

V6 almost in budget

V8

 

[00slk]

Hello and welcome
An MX5 for reliability, but a little boring
A Mercedes, for everything

 

[Cmat]

A V8 is definitely out of the question!

So back to the original question..

Its likely going to be the 250 CDI I go for.. Can anyone offer any pearls of wisdom?

An MX5 for reliability, but a little boring

I would disagree, but mine is far from stock!

A thoroughly pure, raw driving experience is why I love it so much!

 

[Blobcat]

A V8 is definitely out of the question!

So back to the original question..

Its likely going to be the 250 CDI I go for.. Can anyone offer any pearls of wisdom?



I would disagree, but mine is far from stock!

A thoroughly pure, raw driving experience is why I love it so much!

@davidsl500 @sonic both have them, they’ll be along presently now I’ve tagged them.
Just can’t get the staff these days…

 

[00slk]

A V8 is definitely out of the question!

So back to the original question..

Its likely going to be the 250 CDI I go for.. Can anyone offer any pearls of wisdom?



I would disagree, but mine is far from stock!

A thoroughly pure, raw driving experience is why I love it so much!

Are you talking track day fun
I know a couple of track day MX5s and some past drift MX5s

 

[Cmat]

Are you talking track day fun
I know a couple of track day MX5s and some past drift MX5s

Nope never been interested in track days, I'm too scared of binning it!

Its had countless hours and a lot of money spent making it the best it can be though.. Something of a labour of love/expensive hobby more than anything else!

 

[Uncle Benz]

My personal thoughts in your position, I’d skip the om651 and with your budget I’d be looking for the earlier r171 shape SLK55 AMG. The m113 is pretty much indestructible, it makes for a breathtaking drive, and the prices are only going one way. Up.

 

[Cmat]

My personal thoughts in your position, I’d skip the om651 and with your budget I’d be looking for the earlier r171 shape SLK55 AMG. The m113 is pretty much indestructible, it makes for a breathtaking drive, and the prices are only going one way. Up.

Hello,

Thanks for that!

Can I ask for your reasoning as to why?

Also, I'm unfamiliar with the engine codings.. What year/ and engine type and size should I be looking at?

 

[Chrishazle]

My 2008 (early facelift) R171 SLK280 has a 3L petrol V6, has faultless Fire Opal Red paint (don't know if it had a warranty respray) and cost way less than £12k, has full leather, parking sensors front and rear, airscarf, Comand satnav, only things I'd have liked are memory seats and possibly panoramic roof (only available in R172). IMHO a 2 seat sporty car and diesel engine is an oxymoron, the sound track from my V6 when I drop the right foot is addictive!! Would have liked the V8, but management vetoed that idea. It did take quite a while to find the right car, but as I had a 968 cabriolet at the time I was happy to wait until I found what I wanted. Only thing I will say about the SLK is that if you want to do any touring (i.e. luggage space for management) boot space in the SLK is limited, an SL would possibly work better, it's what I would have gone for if my garage was a foot or two longer!

 

[sonic]

We have had 2 SLK200K, 90K miles in the first & 50K miles in the second nothing went wrong.
Now have a 250d 2016 vintage for 14 months, no problems so far. Its quick 48MPG overall, a great 9 speed box, & only £30 road tax.

 

[Leapers lair]

I think a lot depends on the mileage your planning to do ? Diesels like being used and can become problematic when used infrequently!
in my case the slk 350 is a good bet for low mileage as there are no turbos or inter coolers to worry about.
good luck with your search .

 

[Cmat]

I've had diesels for a few years now, and while the SLK wouldn't get used all that often (about 4k miles a year), when it would go out it would be for an extended period and a 100+ miles at a time.. That's pretty much how the MX5 currently gets used.

Its short trips in diesels that do harm, rather than lack of use entirely.

I still can't decide what to do though. If I bite the bullet I'm definitely getting an 2012 SLK250 CDI, there's no doubt about that.

But so far, nobody has been able to offer any real insight..

 

[Uncle Benz]

The om651 250cdi engine is not the most reliable of power units. There are plenty of issues with coolant leaks, boost leaks and worn timing chains. Ultimately it’s your choice, but doing only 4000 miles a year it seems mad to me to go for the diesel. You are much more likely to run into dpf problems too with such little use. A petrol engine would make more sense with low mileage, and a vee six or a vee eight would be my choice. You’ll also have to listen to a rattly old tractor engine with the roof open if you go derv.

 

[Uncle Benz]

Take a look at this...

My investment tip for the day

 

[Chrishazle]

I still can't decide what to do though. If I bite the bullet I'm definitely getting an 2012 SLK250 CDI, there's no doubt about that.

But so far, nobody has been able to offer any real insight..

You've had at least one owner comment about the 250Cdi, and a lot of suggestion/advice that says a diesel, with your limited mileage, is not a logical choice. What you'll save on fuel costs will go on additional service cost, plus you'll have the joy of diesel smell and sound roof down, not a choice I would make especially when a V6 petrol can be had for (possibly a lot) less than the £12k you intend to spend on a 2012 250. There are quite a few models (ignoring the 55/500 V8's) so you would have a lot of choice of engine size/power output, I think the SLK32AMG is the fastest V6, my SLK280 probably the slowest (and it's not slow!!).

 

[Cmat]

Okay, this is all duly heeded, I'll look at petrol variants instead.

Several people elsewhere have also said that the older shape (upto 2010, I believe) is also a better car all round, particularly on the reliability front.

Any thoughts?

This is particularly nice : http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105032157596?atmobcid=soc3