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Help with buying my first SLK - Is it worth it? [Final 2 options]

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554 views 57 replies 12 participants last post by  RobbieG  
R
#1 · (Edited)
Hi everyone. can somebody please help me verify this is a good car/spec to buy for that price?


How about the mileage, is it a bit high?

ANY help is appreciated as this is my first SLK, or any Mercedes at all.

Update: The above didn't work out in the end as it was not ULEZ complaint

TLDR; final 2 I'm deciding between: (please insert your two cents!!)

Option 1: 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK 1.8 SLK200 BlueEfficiency AMG Sport G-Tronic+ Euro 5 (s/s) 2dr
Option 2: Used 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK SLK200 BLUEEFFICIENCY AMG SPORT for sale | Canterbury Motoring World
 
#2 ·
Only you will know if it is worth it to you.
That being said, if you view the car check that all the features listed are present. For instance tail lights are clearly not dark tinted and I can’t make out dark surround headlight but that may just be the photos.
The Tirefit puncture gunge will likely be the original cartridge and well out of date.
Presumably you realise that this is ‘AMG styling’ and not a full fat AMG.
77k on a diesel is not to be feared.

EDIT - some find the 10mm lowered sports suspension a bit firm - almost like a sports car😉
 
R
#4 ·
Thanks so much!!

yeah, I’m aware it’s just AMG styling 😂

I’m viewing it on Wednesday and hoping to find a mechanic to come with as I’m new to cars and driving in general. I do love everything about it visually, it’s a really clean mod imo.

Only concerning thing is 6 previous owners, unless that’s normal for a 2014 car?
 
#6 ·
Does seem a lot of owners but it is a twelve year old car. Possibly a company car initially. Make sure everything works, especially the roof mechanism and look for any evidence of roof leaks.
 
#8 ·
rildn said:
Hi everyone. can somebody please help me verify this is a good car/spec to buy for that price?


How about the mileage, is it a bit high?

ANY help is appreciated as this is my first SLK, or any Mercedes at all.
Click to expand...
Make sure you get to see the full service history. (either from the digital print out or the log book). These cars need to be serviced properly and on time to avoid future problems.
 
#10 ·
The diesel was a popular company car.
Often lower spec and higher mileage but with a good service history.

Mot history check is worth doing.

Also a deep dive on the seller.
 
#16 ·
R
#17 ·
Just thought I’d update you all..

I did not go ahead with it due to my proximity to London and the ULEZ situation.

I’m going to view this one instead:

www.dakcars.co.uk

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK 1.8 SLK200 BlueEfficiency AMG Sport G-Tronic+ Euro 5 (s/s) 2dr

Check out this used 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK 1.8 SLK200 BlueEfficiency AMG Sport G-Tronic+ Euro 5 (s/s) 2dr for sale in Croydon, Surrey at D A K Cars Ltd now
www.dakcars.co.uk www.dakcars.co.uk

It’s a petrol version with a new timing chain allegedly. Please let me know your thoughts!
 
R
#31 ·
Cheers for that. It doesn't look too bad at all. However, in the UK you need to pay close attention to the underside. I've seen how they rust! Check the service history carefully (it doesn't have to be done at a dealer, but it does need to be regular.) Ask if there's a current scan for the car (ODBII). If they get cagey, run!
 
R
#33 · (Edited)
He said the older SLK models and the newer ones were even worse. To be honest it sounded like he just hates SLKs lol

I called the dealership about the timing chain and he was honest about it having to be done because the oil changes weren’t very frequent on this particular model. Now that it's updated and if I myself keep up with the oil changes and regular servicing, am I good to go?
 
R
#36 ·
Agreed. When in doubt, walk away. Plenty more fish in the sea. Curiously, just watching an old episode of Bangers and Cash on TT. Lovely Morgan plus 8. Well, it looked lovely, but lack of servicing and long storage left a long list of problems...
 
R
#38 ·
I'll dig it out. I normally only watch if the subject matter is interesting to me. I wasn't in UK when the "hot hatch" thing was at its peak, so Metros weren't really on my radar.

However, on your recommendation, I'll look for it. I'm not going to be upset now, am I?? 😭
 
#39 ·
It was a Rally car (class N?) & circa 60k to buy.
When they dropped the class, you could buy new for 14k. Was sooo tempted.

Other than the shell outline, pretty much no MG metro parts.

3.0 V6 engine in a paperweight.
 
R
#43 · (Edited)
Yeah I'm waiting for more feedback.

Alternatively, I'm looking at this option as my second and final: Used 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK SLK200 BLUEEFFICIENCY AMG SPORT for sale | Canterbury Motoring World

It has a good service history, good MOT pass rate (85% pass), and in a great condition physically. No pan roof (I'm a sucker for these) and the absence of sensors made me eye the black first as opposed to this one.

Exact amount of miles, but running on original timing chain. R172 petrol
 
#44 ·
You really should add your Location to your profile (in "Location") now and your SLK in the "Vehicle Details" once you get it.

It's to your benefit and is much easier for members to see your car (YEAR SLK "MODEL" and nothing else) details in Vehicle Details

so the best method to update is:

click and follow the instructions FOUND HERE to update your profile.

If you have problems figuring out how to update your profile, just click

"REPORT" (3 buttons top right in this post)

and we'll help you out.
 
#45 ·
LeonardoDaBenz said:
Here's one of those "timing chain" issue threads

www.slkworld.com/threads/r172-timing-chain-problems.612867/
Click to expand...
I knew it had posted the details somewhere.

rildn said:
For full transparency, here’s the document from that service. Any insight?
Click to expand...
@rildn Have a look at post #10 in the thread above. I added a copy of the invoice which shows the parts MB replaced when fixing the timing chain issue on my car when it was 9 years old. It had a full MB service history, so the need to replace is not necessarily due to the car being neglected.

Ive not heard of In Autos, but I suspect they know what they are doing. Looking at a pic of their workshop. There's 6 lifts, 2 x R170, 2 x R129, 1 x R107, 1 x R172 and what looks to be an E Class, 2 MGBs, a Golf, a Caterham and a car under a cover. They don't look like a back street garage in a tin shed.

Also here's the data card for the car.
 

Attachments

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#46 ·
RobbieG said:
I knew it had posted the details somewhere.



@rildn Have a look at post #10 in the thread above. I added a copy of the invoice which shows the parts MB replaced when fixing the timing chain issue on my car when it was 9 years old. It had a full MB service history, so the need to replace is not necessarily due to the car being neglected.

Ive not heard of In Autos, but I suspect they know what they are doing. Looking at a pic of their workshop. There's 6 lifts, 2 x R170, 2 x R129, 1 x R107, 1 x R172 and what looks to be an E Class, 2 MGBs, a Golf, a Caterham and a car under a cover. They don't look like a back street garage in a tin shed.

Also here's the data card for the car.
Click to expand...
Thank you!! I very very much appreciate your insight on this. You've been very helpful.

Having all this information at hand, what would you feel is the better choice out of the two options I have? Between that car with the chain done, and this model I'm looking at as an alternative? Thank you again in advance!
 
R
#47 ·
FWIW, I think the black one is the one I 'd take a closer look at. The invoice you posted looks as though it was seen to by professionals and also looks like money no object for this "service". Tbh, it looks a little more than a service. I like the way they have confirmed the compliance of the oil and coolant. It's got relatively low mileage. As I said, it looks pretty good.
Word of warning. I love a black Mercedes-Benz BUT!!!! If your a bit OCD, Black is a hell of a colour to live with. If you don't keep it clean, and I mean properly clean, it looks simply awful. If you do keep it clean it shows up every spot of dirt, every streak and smear. You spend a lot of time cleaning! I keep the wife's black A-Class under a soft cover in the garage! It's clean...and still shows the brake dust on the front wheels. Grrrr! You have been warned!!!
 
R
#52 ·
Thank you! I’m leaning towards the black car too.
However these are on its latest MOT

Advisory notice item (s): 4
• Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge both sides (inner edges) (5.2.3 (e))
• Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened both sides. (1.1.14 (a) (ii))
• MINOR - Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated both sides. (5.3.4 (b) (i))
• Nearside Rear coil spring location (at wishbone)
 
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