[Paulwirral]

I've just viewed a 2009 slk 55 with the performance pack , nice looking car with what seemed to be new factory discs , no lip and lots of wear left . However , there's no mention of them in the history , or of a gearbox oil change or spark plug replacement , the car is showing 48000 miles and only has 2 main dealer services , the rest are basic oil and filter services carried out by a local garage .
Also the passenger seat base doesn't heat .
It's decently priced but is it worth the risk ? Would the gearbox be a problem eventually , I've no probs doing the oil change or plugs myself but what sort of money would these cost at a dealer ? Also what price for the seat repair ?
Oh , and would a 2009 car have a service book or would it be a computer generated main dealer thing ?
Thanks in advance
Paul

 

[jbanks15]

Hi Paul!
get your datacard if you have the vin
amg (i have one 2009) is pretty solid with no major issues except the occassional valve cover gasket seep.
passenger heater not working might be a fuse
service log is dealer thing

 

[Paulwirral]

I only have the English reg no . LG 59 WOC
My main concerns are the lack of dealer history on an expensive car , the seat doesn't really bother me but I'm looking for a bargaining point with the gearbox oil and plugs .
So I'm correct in thinking a dealer would give me a service print out for anything done within the mercedes network ?
Cheers , your on the ball as always
Paul

 

[jbanks15]

Thanks! yes, if serviced at mb, they have the history. if at an indy, nope.

 

[55russamg]

Ask the dealer if it would be OK to contact the previous owner.
You can ask him about its history, he will/should have nothing to hide as the car is now of no interest to him/her.
Check online, DVLA or something like that and check the MOT history, it should point out worn brakes etc.
Go back with something like the list below, search the net for one if that does not cover everything. The service can be done and ticked off but there may be advisory notice on the service data sheet.
For example mine has full MB dealer history but I did not have the Plugs done even though they were scheduled. Book still stamped.
There is a Black one also with Sports Pack, can you compare? That one does have Full MB history.

 

[etyu]

Transmission or gear box oil should be serviced at around 40K miles, and every 40K miles thereafter.
Brake fluid needs to be renewed(drain, flush and replaced) every 2 years.
Make sure the tires have enough tread left.

 

[jbanks15]

http://www.slkworld.com/general-discussion/68666-new-used-vehicle-pickup-checklist.html

 

[55russamg]

Just noticed the Black one has no Parktronic.:frown:

 

[dbgrn]

If the heated seat isn't just a blown fuse, then MB's way of fixing a failed heated seat base is to replace the entire base (so, very expensive!)... there are much cheaper ways to effect a repair, described in a number of threads on this forum, but the official MB fix could perhaps help you to negotiate a little!

Plugs should be replaced every 5 years (according to MB), regardless of mileage. As has already been stated, auto transmission service is every 40,000 miles, so that will need to be done if you have no evidence of it having been done recently. I don't know the dealer cost of either of these jobs, but remember there are 16 plugs to be replaced, and I've heard it's quite time-consuming to complete too!

From your description, it sounds like the previous owner may have done some maintenance him/herself, or just using a local garage, so if you don't have a stamped service book, then you're unlikely to get much from MB. Unless you're planning to keep the car yourself forever, consider the impact this might also have on potential resale value in future too... and use that to help negotiate.

 

[i860]

LG59WOC is showing with no road tax and no mot history.

 

[Paulwirral]

I was aware of all the potential problems , just after a budget from a main dealer so I could maybe get the car cheap , self servicing isn't a problem to me ,however , the plot thickens !
I looked at the car and it has mis matching tyres , then checked the service history and it was merc the first couple then given to the local grease monkey who only changed oil and filters , using cheap oil .
I then tracked the mot history and it's failed 2 mots in it's life on tyres , once worn to the cord almost and once having different profile tyres on the same axles ! If the previous owner and garage missed those I'm guessing it's not been looked after and ran on a budget , there may be problems later in life as I was planning on keeping this car .
I'll keep looking as I'm sure I'll find a better example or maybe put a little more money in and get a 172 example
Cheers

 

[Mark999]

Your thinking seems spot on, I use a local mechanic for general servicing but use the correct spec oils and filters. The mis-matched tyres and failed MOT point to it being very poorly maintained.
Good luck with your search.
Mark

 

[55russamg]

Walk away.
why would you not put the correct tyres on an AMG?
They are only £130 each for Good branded tyres.
my last service cost around £700 including gear box, engine, brake fluid and all filters.
The plugs are £350 to change.
all MB dealer price.
You can go online at MB and get a service quote.
good luck

 

[MattyB]

I've purchased alot of older performance cars in my life, but I was genuinely suprised after looking at a number of SLK55's at how many aren't looked after properly at all.

Sure, no matter what car you buy you'll get dogs, but usually the niche/performance models tend to attract the enthusiasts; with the SLK55's I was suprised at just how many were bought by non-enthusiasts. Asking basic (but essential) questions about spark plugs, gearbox oil changes, servicing etc, and getting blank looks.

Either way, I think you've made the right decision. I had a (long) slog trying to find a good one. They are there, just don't judge on mileage or price, both can be deceptive of condition!

 

[55russamg]

I've purchased alot of older performance cars in my life, but I was genuinely suprised after looking at a number of SLK55's at how many aren't looked after properly at all.

Sure, no matter what car you buy you'll get dogs, but usually the niche/performance models tend to attract the enthusiasts; with the SLK55's I was suprised at just how many were bought by non-enthusiasts. Asking basic (but essential) questions about spark plugs, gearbox oil changes, servicing etc, and getting blank looks.

Either way, I think you've made the right decision. I had a (long) slog trying to find a good one. They are there, just don't judge on mileage or price, both can be deceptive of condition!

Too right, it took me 6 months to find a good one. I did find a lot of cars described as perfect, pristine etc. Not!
I met up with a few local SLK World folk to ask questions and to see what they had before buying. I had to re-set myself after 5 months because I was becoming dissolutioned.
take your time.

 

[Paulwirral]

I'm in no real hurry , I used to buy and sell in my youth so I know how the trade works .
I have a theory that some of the original first owners of 55s walk into the show room and ask what's the most expensive car in the range then say "I'll have it "
I'll hang on for a decent car to come along , I'm even looking towards newer models and 350s , and considering 135i bmw .
Worst thing is I've just bought a 340i touring with the m sport plus pack , so it's difficult to get anything as quick as it is around the 20k price point ! It's a bugger when the estate car is faster than the sports car !

 

[davest4s]

Paul don't give up on getting that SLK55!!

About the same time I bought the SLK55, my wife bought a 335i convertible, which although a great car, for me and my wife, didn't come close to the SLK55 in many ways, the biggest being character, a big chunk of which is the V8. We had many expensive problems with the 335i, including 2 new turbos (which I hope would have been sorted by now on your touring).

The SLK55 also felt much faster in every way.

I know it's each to their own views on such things but wanted to share our experience.

Good luck with finding a good example of what you eventually decide on.

 

[spook]

LG59WOC is showing with no road tax and no mot history.

... which means the dealer has picked the car up from the auctions - most likely put in there by a M-B dealer as it was a trade-in without FSH.