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Your valued opinions please

2K views 38 replies 9 participants last post by  Avel Du 
#1 ·

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#2 ·
#3 ·
1 pic shows 5 spoke another show 11 spoke just saying

check kb.com or edmunds.com just for price. I think that is a little high for a 12 year old car

rare in this color? :D it is black...that is not rare
 
#6 ·
I have seen the buyers guide but this car is at the other end of the country so i won't be going there unless I buy it.
ff I make and offer and it is accepted I will send the AA to do a full vehicle inspection on my behalf.

The add mentions the option of the 5 spoke or the 11 spoke.
I like the 5, I find the 11 far too busy and for that matter I can't work out how that is a 11 spoke...

All cars are pricey in NZ that is just a fact of life here.

Yeah Black isn't rare in itself but there aren't many 55's around in NZ anyway.
Thanks for your reply :)
 
#4 ·
is that in New Zealand dollars? just asking...don't know if there is a conversion factor
 
#5 ·
It would be impossible really to advise without seeing it.
Looks like a face lift so cheaper on the brakes than the 6 pot.
You need to see it and touch it.
Take your time and always say to yourself that you don't want it when you see it for the first time.
I took a traffic light style check list (I can't find it now) with me, basically it went through all the areas of the car, Green ok, Amber warning (more than two or three in one area, walk away) Red Walk away.
Look at all the panel gaps, check all things electric work, spend over a hour looking around it, I spent two hours including a test drive, do a car park drive, lock to lock, reverse it lock to lock. Motor way drive or similar. Look in the boot for water marks.

Buy a 55 and smile :grin:
 
#7 ·
see the r171 buying guide link above

and the car pickup checklist

would not be a facelift Russ...that was 2008 uk/2009 usa model year
I picked up my 2009 fl in May 2008
 
#9 ·
my fl has the 5 spoke

easier to clean

i had the 11 on my previous 2005 SLK 350...
 
#10 ·
I got the train to mine but I was prepared to come back on the train.
It took me nearly 6 months of searching and disappointment before I found mine.
The AA will only probably examine the mechanical areas, which is fine but sometimes you get a feeling. The seat bolsters may be worn more than you would like? The door handles may be scuffed and every time you go to to get in, you think, bugger..:surprise:
You will never get a perfect second hand car but it all depends on what you can live with.

Buy a 55 and smile :grin:
 
#12 ·
I like the 12 spoke look, but a pain to clean. Go for 5.

I have a QS exhaust and love it.
It has a lower, but nice sound cruising off the estate.
Then nice and throaty when you open up.
This link is the official link and has sound clip (also explains what I said about two decibel sounds).
https://quicksilverexhausts.store/products/slk55-inc-black-series-r171-sport-exhaust-2005-on

That has the 6 pot fronts (2007 was pre fl 6pot, but some other fl bits are on it I am told).

Didn't spot service history.
Due a transmission service.
SH does not have to be MB for me. It does have to be there though.
I use an MB indy garage. MB Parts cost same, but labour a lot lower.
My Indy will suggest when an equivalent part can be used (MB rebadge other makes parts).
I use Brembo for brakes. Also happy for me to source parts and he fits them.

When your mech checks car:
The two gaskets on the rocker covers are manually formed.
A leak is not an issue, but a good bargaining chip.
Cost about £60 to sort inc labour for me.

Get the rear chassis checked thoroughly.
Highlight it on his list. Then underline it.
If he can check tracking too, that's a bonus.

I love my 2007.
I had a look at a few other cars for future purchase after a 55.
Didn't find any.

For my lifestyle (daily use, weekend blast, short and long trips)
it is the ONLY car on my list.

If mine goes and I need to replace I will get another pre FL (ideally 2007).

Just make sure on your costs (budget 20mpg, you'll get better - up to 36, but that is a good mark), insurance etc.
Rear tyre lasts a year, front 2 years on roughly 10k/year.

Hope that helps
 
#17 ·
That has the 6 pot fronts (2007 was pre fl 6pot, but some other fl bits are on it I am told).
Does this matter?

Didn't spot service history.
Due a transmission service.
SH does not have to be MB for me. It does have to be there though.
I use an MB indy garage. MB Parts cost same, but labour a lot lower.
My Indy will suggest when an equivalent part can be used (MB rebadge other makes parts).
I use Brembo for brakes. Also happy for me to source parts and he fits them.
Won't touch it without one.

Get the rear chassis checked thoroughly.
Highlight it on his list. Then underline it.
If he can check tracking too, that's a bonus.
Looking for what exactly?
 
#14 ·
If you think you might want a 55, then get a 55. That engine is something else and will put a smile on your face every day. It is worth it!
 
#15 ·
Looking at your sample report, it doesn't include convertibles (yes, I know the sample car was not one but there is no item for something like that to be checked off) and one of the things I see over and over again on this site is roof operation problems. Whether its leaking cylinders or some other reason, lots of roof operation problems.

If/when you request their report, request that they specify that the roof operation was tested and is operating properly. They do comment on the roof in their "Interior" section but just what does that mean?

Sometimes you need clarification on what they actually did and not just a check mark.
 
#22 · (Edited)
Just my 2c


Looking at your sample report, it doesn't include convertibles .
Mine is an 06 '55 (now at 62k miles). When I got it in '14 it had slightly higher miles as the one your considering (38k miles), prev owner had already needed to replace the lock down ram in the front of the roof (as evidenced by a slight fluid stain in the headliner). By '16 the electric servos started failing one at a time. At the second fail, I just had my indy change all of them. Don't be scared by this though. It's just a common fail point with all convertibles, not just the '55.


It would be impossible really to advise without seeing it.
Looks like a face lift so cheaper on the brakes than the 6 pot.
Looking at the ad, it's an '07 so the 340mm rotor six pot front / four pot rear caliper set should be on there. IMHO, this caliper setup far more preferable to the non-p30 two pot front brake setup on the facelift models. The good ceramic pads (DiskItalia HyperCeramic & Akebono Euro UltraPremium) are 2x-3x the cost. The floating rotors from Brembo are finally common in the aftermarket but are still easily 3x-4x the post facelift standard rotor cost. But the performance difference slowing the car down is well worth it. I ended up upgrading my 340mm rotors to the 360mm P30 and surprisingly, that little bit of extra rotor diameter made another surprise difference in whoa.


As far as mechanical failures & other than the common maintenance items (total fluid/filter replacement, pads & rotors, plugs, battery, tires, and the occasional oil change). So in 5 years, I've had to replace:



  • That front roof hydraulic shock again & all roof control servos
  • Engine harmonic balancer (the rubber insulator in the balancer is a common M113 motor failure point. I could see the balancer moving back and forth when the motor was being revved up and down)
  • Motor & tranny mounts (1 motor mount busted when I got the car, changed them all)
  • Drive belt idle pulleys (1 whining, changed both)
  • Water pump (whining)
  • MAF sensor (CEL went on)
  • Evap Sensor (CEL went on)
  • Door Speaker & Tweeter (Wifey got a little carried away...)
  • Hood & Trunk Struts
  • (edit: forgot I had to reseal the back window as it started to pop out)
So typical mechanical failures, while not like a Honda or Toyota, are easily tolerable considering the fun I've had on the road over the last 5 years.


The one you are looking at looks like a good example. you might want to ask if the QS exhaust replacement happened to include a header replacement as well. That would be nice if it did.

Also, If you get the vin, the Moderators here on SLKW can run it for you and you can see if it has the p30 performance kit on it along with any other available options.
 
#18 ·
6 pot looks nicer :D
 
#21 ·
Sorry for the delay been out walking the dog.
6 pot, six piston fixed brake Caliper with floating disc. Enormous stopping power, probably too much for the road? Four piston on the rear, non floating.
FL I believe has four piston, non floating fronts and single piston (unpainted) rears.
The six piston type are expensive. They ate generally easy to fit for half the dealer price but still around £1000. :surprise:

But with the 55 you do get one of these...:wink:
 

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#23 ·
One thing to mention, that a forum is always a pit full of problems but that doesn't mean the car is full of problems.
People do not generally report the good days and the good things that happen.
Recently we took 7 SLK's around the European Alpes, 16 or so days and between 2600 and 3000 miles. (Plus beer)
We had one breakdown, power steering pump on a FL 171. It was the last day but one so if you think about it 21000 miles, most cars were 50000 and above so not bad going really. 2 170's, 3 171's, 2 172's (SLK55 and SLC AMG)

Have a short break holiday, Take a flight, view the car, buy it if you like it, fly back if you don't. You will be dead or unable to drive by the time you are 80ish anyway so what's stopping you?

Buy a 55 and smile :grin:
 
#26 ·
One thing to mention, that a forum is always a pit full of problems but that doesn't mean the car is full of problems.
People do not generally report the good days and the good things that happen.

Buy a 55 and smile :grin:
Agreed. The prior owner of mine was a recently graduated a college girl. So I went into the car knowing I was buying a college girl's sports car and expected to drop some coin touching everything first thing).


Mileage was still low and I got it for well under market. So it all worked out to my satisfaction.
 
#25 ·
Cars are supposed to break down. How else are parts suppliers and indys supposed to stay in business :surprise: :wink:

Seriously though, obviously you dont want to buy a car that HAS problems that need fixing (unless you're able to fix it yourself) but if you wait for the perfect car that never has/never will break down well, go a buy a new pair of running shoes.

Because that car does not exist :tu:
 
#28 ·
I upped to DoT5 fluid (aka racing grade) on my brakes (6 pot).
I follow Davie & Pete a lot :)

Russ's comment about the forum is well made.

Folks come here to resolve issues.
The V8 is reliable.

My list in over 3 yrs ownership.
2 pairs front/4 rear tyres.
1 set of rear pads.
Water pump.
1 set of plugs (16 in a set, 2 per cylinder).
1 plastic plug for roof separator (75p).
2 side light bulbs.
1 pair of boot/trunk rams. (circa £30/pair).
Usual service stuff (inc transmission service).
1 engine star badge.

Items other than wear and tear in bold.

That's around 10K/year.
Total mileage is 68k from new.

My rough guide as to whether the 55 will suit is if they ask mpg.
Ask that and my answer is no.
A 55 is not about economy, it is about joy.

Originally I was going to keep it a year and go back to a 230.
I wanted to scratch the V8 itch.
Once I bought it the plan was in the bin.

So long as I breath and can drive
I will own a fifty five.
 
#29 ·
Not even considering particular NZ import duty etc., that looks to me to be about the right price for the year, specs and low mileage, ie, that's about what it would be advertised for in UK.
Not many people buy a 55, and then get fed up with it, so assuming it will be a 'keeper', nice to get low miles and top spec. If they are really that rare in NZ, I'd not let that slip away without one hell of a fight. I'd try and get both sets of wheels too (I have two sets..)
 
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