New member after a bit of quick advice

[wiltsandy]

Hello all,

Just registered after lurking for a couple of days and have to say what a friendly and helpful bunch of peeps you all seem to be!

I'm Andy and have long wanted a SLK. I'm now in a position to own one and am off tonight to look at a 2001 230K TIP Auto in silver . It's done around 83K miles and has FSH and 12mths MOT.

I understand from some of the posts on here that there's an issue with the cam sensor leaking oil and causing expensive damage. Does this model year suffer from this problem and is it easy to spot when I'm looking over the car? Is the sensor claerly visible on the engine so that I can check it?

What else should I be looking for in particular? I'll cycle the roof a few times to make sure that it works ok and I'll also have a good look for rust.

Many thanks and I hope to be able to contribute to the forum in the future!

Andy

 

[tony2311]

Try the 320, The V6 is much nicer then the staight 4, also 320 has more standard equitment,

 

[television]

For the camshaft seal just buy a blocker, simple to fit and no more problems to come

 

[wiltsandy]

Well I bought it so I can now officially join the forum as a MB owner!

Pick it up tomorrow so can't wait now.

Malcolm - what's a Blocker and where do I get one? Sounds like a good bit of preventative maintenance.

Andy

 

[television]

Good one Andy, only from MB and it is plug and play, smack on the front of the engine.

Look forward to some pictures, and please tell us more about the car, thats when you manage to stay out of it

 

[PanzerMcGrory]

Well done mate its a lovely car and your wife/girlfriend will love it, though wont be surprised with your postings about rust or bits of the inside falling apart, but that roof going down on a nice day makes up for it.

 

[wiltsandy]

Thanks Malcolm

I'll go and talk to the local dealership next week to see about getting one.

As for the pictures; I'll post some up over the weekend when I've got it home.

It's a March 01 car so it should be on a 'Y' plate but currently has a personal number on it which the seller may take off tomorrow. Has FSH and has done just over 84k miles and was last serviced at 82k in February. MOT runs out May 2010 and Tax May 09 so it's good to go.

I gave it a good going over and couldn't find fault with it. It's in immaculate condition inside and out and has all the toys including heated seats. It was also evident that it's been well looked after and it drove really nicely too with no strange noises so I think that I got a pretty good deal all in all.

 

[busby20]

Watch out for the transmision. If it feels jerky, or, like the clutch slipping that you get on a manual, get it checked.

I have 2 SLK's, and the older one which doesn't have tiptonic, has never given any problems, but the later one (which has tiptronic) has twice suffered gearbox problems-most recent cost £2235 to repair

Even if it doesn't display any of these problems get the transmission serviced, i.e. fluid and filter change-----makes a lot of differance, engine puts the power onto the rear wheels-not wasted in the transmission.

 

[Lisa Jayne]

Congratulations on your purchase and I hope it gives you as much pleasure and smiles as mine does

 

[wiltsandy]

Have put a couple of pictures in the members cars section.

Am really pleased with it and it certainly puts a smile on your face when driving it!

Now back to my question about the cam sensor; I've attached a photo of what I believe is the sensor but I'm confused because it not in the same position as one that I saw in a photo on Benzworld. That one was on the side of the head but on mine there's nothing there (see 2nd photo).

If this is the sensor on mine there's obviously a bit of a leak around it and there was also a bit of oil inside the plug but from the routing of the loom I can't see how the oil can track up it all the way back to the ECU.

So do I need to worry about this and do I still need to fit the Blocker (and if so, how does it fit)?

 

[antijam]

Seen your pics Andy - looks like a very nice car - and the non-standard grille complements the car well. They are a lot of fun on the road, aren't they?

Sorry can't help you with your prob ( I have an SLK, but it's a 320 - completely different engine) but I'm sure someone will be along shortly who can.

 

[wiltsandy]

It is a lot of fun yes. Took it to Legoland yesterday and what a great drive it is. Even coming back down the M3 with the roof down was fun as I thought it might be a bit blustery at motorway speeds. But with the windows up it was fine.

I can't make up my mind about the grill to be honest as I'm not sure if it's just a bit too much silver. It does make it a bit more individual though. I've also got the original grill so I might fit that back on as a comparison and then decide.