SLK55 - advice needed

1247 Views 21 Replies 14 Participants Last post by wraith, Jan 16, 2016

wraith

Discussion Starter · Jan 15, 2016

Hi all,
first time post and hopefully a SLK55 owner very soon.>

Ive been looking for a while now and having test drove the linked car am hopeful that my search is finally over.

Mercedes-Benz SLK 5.4 SLK55 AMG 7G-Tronic 2dr

Any thoughts on the vehicle?
Faults when driving where, TPMS error, ESP error on dash, door seal whistling from drivers side, replacement battery required. All of which the dealership advises will be sorted prior to sale. Brakes last changed 5,000 miles ago, HPI clear. Low annual mileage by last owner resulting in the last recorded service Nov 2012, only 4,000 miles done since then backed up by Annual MOT history with recorded mileage. All tyres good.

Anything I should be wary of, any advice appreciated prior to me commiting...

Thanks

Reactions: 2

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1 - 20 of 22 Posts

jbanks15

· #2 · Jan 15, 2016

what year r u looking for? R171 or R172?

Welcome to SLKWorld.com: The #1 Mercedes-Benz SLK Forum from Valrico, Florida!

owner's and maintenance manuals great R171 info:

later year owner's/maintenance/comand manuals, top right in the link below:
Bill's Den: Documents

Lube those seals:
http://www.slkworld.com/226839-post1.html

your brochure:
http://www.slkworld.com/general-discussion/167265-mercedes-brochure-archive.html#post1511249

mods you should do:
smarttop

http://www.slkworld.com/general-discussion/121481-what-smarttop-all-members-keep-talking-about.html

clear or tinted side markers
shorty antenna
led license plate bulbs
led parking lights
carbon fiber on the C pillars http://www.slkworld.com/general-modifications-r171/50849-ive-taken-cf-plunge.html
carbon fiber center caps
oem windscreen or lighted/etched windscreen
See my mod albums for more ideas

Post your vin in the Vehicle Datacard Request section to get a free datacard (options on your car). If looking for a car, get the options before you buy!

http://www.slkworld.com/vehicle-data-card/67706-free-how-get-free-datacard.html

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jbanks15

· #3 · Jan 15, 2016

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

jbanks15

· #4 · Jan 15, 2016

Get the vin and we get you the datacard!

Delucas

· #5 · Jan 15, 2016

Well just going by the photos which is always hard to tell check out the bonnet / n/s front wing .

Seems to be a little out of align as in high ??

Could not be just not shut properly?

And head unit a little scratched .
Get someone who knows mercs to check and road test it out before making the deal .

As once its yours can be hard to get things done after and warranty well .
:surprise:

Col

· #6 · Jan 15, 2016

It's the right colour and the right age to be in the lower road tax bracket. Early 171 55's were more likely to have the dreaded conductor plate issue (rough shifts even warm are a indicator of this) and you should check for evidence of oil leaking from the cam covers at the rear of the engine another common thing but easy to fix. Check for roof function and leaks etc too.

Dave54

· #7 · Jan 15, 2016

Welcome from Portland, Oregon. Enjoy the forum and the top down driving.

LIL DON SLK

· #8 · Jan 15, 2016

Welcome from the Sacramento Valley SLK Enthusiasts!

curro101

· #9 · Jan 15, 2016

Welcome from Madrid...

etyu

· #10 · Jan 15, 2016

When all the errors and the door seals are sorted, test drive it again and also get a final reading from STAR/DAS to make sure there are no more error codes. Will the dealer/seller give you a one year warranty on all the things they fixed and on future niggles within the same one year period?

Make sure the roof seals and roof operation are in good order. Has the vehicle been parked out in the rain, and the cabin and boot/trunk area bone dry?

TPMS error and ESP error are most likely related to speed sensor failing as the earlier R171 uses the tire rotation calculation to detect changes in the tyre's air pressure.

Terminal

· #11 · Jan 15, 2016

It's not exactly cheap, so you can afford to be a bit aggressive with the seller.

Brakes 5000 miles ago. Just pads, or rotors too? Rotors are about £1000.... Service thickness is 30mm, from an original 32mm. So a 1mm lip on either side and the discs are just about 'toast'. Check that the seats heat evenly. Prone to failure and expensive/PITA to repair. If they won't budge on price, at least get them to increase the warranty to 24 months.

If the front is heavily stone chipped, discuss a visit to a paint shop...

hugy

· #12 · Jan 15, 2016

It may be a good idea to check the condition of the battery.

Livefreeordie

· #13 · Jan 15, 2016

Welcome from New Hampshire

Terminal

· #14 · Jan 15, 2016

hugy said:
It may be a good idea to check the condition of the battery.

OP says dealer will replace the battery - but yes, it should be replaced with a good quality item.

dbgrn

· #15 · Jan 15, 2016

Hi and welcome from the UK Midlands!

I agree with the comments already made, and have a couple more of my own...

The ESP error can be caused by low battery (happened to my car, just once), although it can also be due to other things already mentioned above.

Also, be aware that some service items are time based, rather than mileage. Brake fluid change is every 2 years, so sounds like that will be due. Spark plugs are due for change every 5 years, so it's likely/possible that they will also be due too.

Otherwise, good luck, and let us know the outcome! :tu:

hugy

· #16 · Jan 15, 2016

Terminal said:
OP says dealer will replace the battery - but yes, it should be replaced with a good quality item.

Make sure the Ah of the battery is the correct number recommended by Mercedes.

Seanhump

· #17 · Jan 15, 2016

Ditto to the above, plus the headunit looks badly scratched ...

I'd also use that as a bargaining point ... and it looks like it's in need of a good valet and paint detail too

hugy

· #18 · Jan 15, 2016

Just noticed the wheels look re painted but not Diamond cut,might be a good idea to ask about this.

Col

· #19 · Jan 15, 2016

Front bumper damage is very common on these cars too, have a very good look underneath to check for splits/cracks and botched repairs.

hugy

· #20 · Jan 16, 2016

Col said:
Front bumper damage is very common on these cars too, have a very good look underneath to check for splits/cracks and botched repairs.

You're right there Col.
I had to have my front bumper resprayed along with a small crack under the offside front spoiler.

1 - 20 of 22 Posts

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