joelreznick

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I purchased a 2005 SLK55 about two months ago, used, and first I have to say WOW. I love it, except I keep having problems with the front bumper scraping and cracking! A Valet at a hotel cracked it on a curb my first week, $2900 later I own a new bumper and it appears it is so low it will keep happening.

This time, the carwash driver was going over the little V-ditch for water run-off, and I watched as the center bottom hit again. This time, not as bad, shifted the bumper a little and cracked the plastic black protector piece under the car. This one is about $500 for the piece and to re-align the bumper.

Now, I am scared to go up driveways. I take everylittle dip at an angle and at like 1/2 mph. I do a lot of driving in Santa Barbara, and the dips are huge on many streets. It scrapes EVERY time. I have actually taken longer routes just to avoid streets like Mission in downtown.

Is there anything I can do? Any re-enforcements for the bumper or suggestions? My old E500 had air shocks so I could raise the car if
I needed(which I never did), is that feasible on the SLK as an upgrade?

Thanks in advance for the help.

V8SLK

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welcome to the forum and congrats on a great car. is it possible that the prior owner lowered the car? mine will hit parking spot bumpers if i pull too far forward, but i haven't had any of the other issues you've risen.

cyberdrakon

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welcome Joel!

Is your car lowered? post a profile picture so we can look for you?

have you driven many other modern sports cars? This is pretty much the trend. If you approach dips and speed bumps VERY slowly, and then gas it a little just before you go over, the front will lift enough to clear.

FishtailnZ

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As already asked, maybe the previous owner had it lowered. I know I've had no such difficutlies with mine. Welcome to the site and congrats on the new ride!

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- Bill

Waiting on a 2009 C63 Opal Fire Red/Alpaca Grey

R.I.P. 2006 SLK55 Caspian Blue/Beige
Stock 1/4 mile results: ET 12.72, trap 110.80, 60' 1.80

Some guys they just give up living and start dying little by little, piece by piece. Some guys come home from work and wash up and go racin' in the street... - B. Springsteen

joelreznick

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Best I can tell, the car has not been lowered and is almost 100% stock. This is my first true sports car. I had a lowered firebird several years ago, and did not have any issues. With this car, it seems to be other people who cause damage, I am aware and take it really careful. Im even afraid to let my brothers, family or friends drive the car. Am I being paranoid?

Here is some pics:

Attached Images

	Front.jpg (119.0 KB, 97 views)
	Front Left, normal.jpg (79.6 KB, 95 views)
	Front Right, skewed.jpg (78.5 KB, 96 views)
	underbody plastic piece.jpg (92.4 KB, 96 views)

-1-

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I thought it, but you said it. I hate to be a hard azz, but no one drives my car. I don't do valets or car washes. If mine gets damaged, I'll be responsible or someone hit me. Chances are, there's not a SLK anywhere with any miles that doesn't have a scrape under the front bumper.

Your car looks great. Give us some information. Where did your purchase it, and any other information you wish to add. ENJOY!

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THE MON55TER ON THE BLOCK

412driver

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Welcome, I too find that even my 99 scrapes. Nature of tha beast, body kits and all. Roads are not designed for low cars so we just live with it and drive them til they start luukin rough and repair.. Too much worry ruins the fun of drivin. You have realized the joy of drivin a sports car, now decide whether you are going to enjoy tha car or fret about some scrapes. Im drivin mine as a fun toy and will deal with scrapes etc down tha road (winter time)

DansSlk

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The car looks to be about stock height to me mate but one thing i guess you have noticed form the pics is the alignment of the bumper is off the one side needs to be raised slightly.

Unfortunately scrapes are a fact of life with cars like this you will eventually get the hang of the maneuver needed to clear most of these things just a little something to remember if you do ever scrape the bumper back up asap the longer weight is on it the more likely it will crack or fail.

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alroumi

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Welcome to the forum, Scrapes alot here no problem. Its just sports cars and even when I am driving my daily driver "Suv'' I tend to park close to the curbs infront of me whilst parallel parking, though when I get to drive the SLK I sometimes be alarmed not to park or touch the curb infront of me.

If there is ever a case of parking, just park the car in reverse as the rear bumper sits higher or we can say has larger ground clearance in addition to the easy in and out of the parking.

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joelreznick

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Thanks guys! I appriciate the feed back. I drove all weekend without any issues, 400+ miles on some crazy coastal roads in Central California, not one problem. The car performed amazing! I was passing and driving like I never have before!

I could not park in my parents driveway up north because the hill was too much for the front end, and I backed off because it was hitting before I even started the incline. What about an air shock lifting kit for the front only? If I could push a button and give a couple of inches of clearance, that would fix it.

Do you think I could leave the exisiting struts in place and just put a lift sytem and strech them for the few seconds I need it, then release it? Would that damage anything?

DansSlk

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Its not something MB would support but i am 90% one tuner offers an electrically adjustable system not sure if it raises the height of the car however.

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