What to look for when buying an SLK

[Brian23]

I am looking at a Petrol 2009 SLK at the weekend. This will be our 3rd one so I know a bit about them, but any help will be good. We only want a SLK 200, so no need to recommend others. Thank you.

 

[Blobcat]

We only want a SLK 200, so no need to recommend others. Thank you.

That’s a great pity, as I can’t recommend one of those as the M271 engine isn’t great and at 13 years old could be a ticking time bomb.

I can recommend the M272 engine as that will be late enough to be outside the balance shaft issues. Although you don’t want to know about that, so I won’t…

 

[Wighty]

Check the front cam magnet electrical plugs for oil .
As you know , car should have had an oil change at 37500 miles (recommended every 40k after that )
Rear subframe can rust from the inside
Take an icarsoft MB2 with you ?

 

[Brian23]

That’s a great pity, as I can’t recommend one of those as the M271 engine isn’t great and at 13 years old could be a ticking time bomb.

I can recommend the M272 engine as that will be late enough to be outside the balance shaft issues. Although you don’t want to know about that, so I won’t…

Thank you, the last 2 we have had have been SLK200 and just sold a 2006 which was great and had no problems at all, but of course each car is different and you do not know how it has been driven etc.

 

[Brian23]

Check the front cam magnet electrical plugs for oil .
As you know , car should have had an oil change at 37500 miles (recommended every 40k after that )
Rear subframe can rust from the inside
Take an icarsoft MB2 with you ?

Thank you I will check that. It never seems to amaze me that when you lift the bonnet of a second hand SLK the Cam Mag cover is missing. MoT'd in Sep so hopefully the subframe would have been picked up. It has been ceramic coated. Good thing or bad?

 

[Wighty]

Thank you I will check that. It never seems to amaze me that when you lift the bonnet of a second hand SLK the Cam Mag cover is missing. MoT'd in Sep so hopefully the subframe would have been picked up. It has been ceramic coated. Good thing or bad?

The ceramic coat might mean the outer paintwork looks good

 

[Brian23]

The ceramic coat might mean the outer paintwork looks good

Yes it does look good on the photos. Does it need any special care?

 

[Wighty]

Yes it does look good on the photos. Does it need any special care?

No idea buddy

 

[cougarking]

Is it the facelift version you are looking at?

 

[Chrishazle]

Full leather, heated seats (preferably memory, wish I had those!), Airscarf (essential!!). If it has Comand (NTG2.5) make sure it's had the 2009 update and preferably has the latest 2018-19 maps installed - which need the 2009 software/firmware update or latest (and last that MB will issue) 2018-19 maps will not install, and it'll cost to correct!!

 

[sausage]

Yes it does look good on the photos. Does it need any special care?

Ceramic coating care: There are many different products with varying degrees of resistance to wear and tear. Around ten years ago I had a F1 Williams ceramic coat on my first MB and still I reflect on it with the thought "I could have cleaned it with a brillopad and it would still look great".

Some cheaper ceramic coats could possibly wear off in a few months if not washed with a proper car shampoo and likely last 12 months if cared for properly. The coating I had lasted well for the 18 months or so I kept the car.

If you can find out what product was used and when it was done, that would probably help you figure out how to look after the paint post-purchase.

 

[Timeandleisure]

Leaks, Damp boot or floor and/or musty smells....

 

[sonic]

Had two a 2004 & a 2010, did 70K miles in the first & about 50K in the second. Nothing went wrong with either except a water leak in the boot with the second one.
Airscarf, heated seats, auto box, essential. Plus full ideally MB service history. The issues with the 271 engine seem to start about 90K miles, particularly with infrequent oil changes. Fuel consumption about 32 overall, you might see 36 mpg on a long run in top gear.
As Blobcat mentions have a look at the 280 with the 272 engine, its fuel consumption is only a couple of miles per gallon less.

 

[Blobcat]

Leaks, Damp boot or floor and/or musty smells....

He's looking at an SLK not an SL...

 

[Brian23]

Full leather, heated seats (preferably memory, wish I had those!), Airscarf (essential!!). If it has Comand (NTG2.5) make sure it's had the 2009 update and preferably has the latest 2018-19 maps installed - which need the 2009 software/firmware update or latest (and last that MB will issue) 2018-19 maps will not install, and it'll cost to correct!!

Thank you. Bought it now. I found memory seats a pain as they are sooooo slow. Much prefer manual.

 

[Brian23]

Leaks, Damp boot or floor and/or musty smells....

Boot totally dry. Not even a sign of water, but thank you.

 

[Wighty]

Thank you. Bought it now. I found memory seats a pain as they are sooooo slow. Much prefer manual.

Let’s have some pics buddy

 

[Brian23]

These are off the advert. It is for my wife not me. I have an old EClass Estate

.

 

[Chrishazle]

Good luck keeping that looking clean and shiny - it's black, one of the complete no-no's in my SLK search!!

 

[Brian23]

Good luck keeping that looking clean and shiny - it's black, one of the complete no-no's in my SLK search!!

Just sold the red one. We have had black before, not a problem at all.