Bodyworkers in West Yorks for SLK: Rusty wheelarches!

[RustingSLK]

Hi All,

I have a Jan 2004 SLK (old style)with c40,000 miles, designo interior and which has got what I have discovered to be a 'common' problem of rusting wheelarches. I have been told by MB dealer that it won't be repaired under warranty.

I could really do with finding a reasonably priced, good quality bodywork outfit. I think all four wheelarches are going to need doing. My service garage even suggested that I buy another SLK and put my lovely designo soft sport seats into the replacement!

Recommendations of a good quality, reasonably priced bodywork outfit in Leeds/Bradford-ish area would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Martyn

[mickyveloce]

Hello Martyn,

Only 30 minutes from Leeds are this company.

http://www.rwsbodywork.co.uk/

Richard has painted my C36, which after four years still looks great.

I can't see any bodyshop repairing the front arches, new wings are the best way forward, but rear arches shouldn't be a massive job.

It's worth preserving..

[RustingSLK]

Hello Micky,

Thanks very much for your recommendation, really appreciate it.

Yes, really think it's worth preserving my SLK because the engine is sweet and the interior is stunning. Wish I'd taken more notice of the wheelarches. By the way, your C36 looks great!

[mickyveloce]

Thanks.

Don't know whether you're in the Mercedes club, but the recent Mercedes Classic magazine has a great article about the 171 SLK, comparing it with the early 190SL.

We've had a 200 manual, 320 auto and 32AMG SLK's in the family in the past; all super little cars.

[RustingSLK]

Thanks.

I'm not - but I'll hunt that out because I'd like to see that.
I'm going to change my username too if I can; I only used it because my preferred options weren't available and it's not fair on what is a cracking little motor and a pleasure to drive!

[rgv250ads]

mickyveloce said:

Thanks.

Don't know whether you're in the Mercedes club, but the recent Mercedes Classic magazine has a great article about the 171 SLK, comparing it with the early 190SL.

We've had a 200 manual, 320 auto and 32AMG SLK's in the family in the past; all super little cars.

Sorry to thread hijack but got a link to that article?

[mickyveloce]

https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/mercedes-benz/lif...

Here's the link.

The quarterly magazine is free to subscribers to the Mercedes club.

[CaptainRAVE]

I loved my SLK230, but the bodywork on the mercedes of that era was terrible. The arches, mainly the rear, were in terrible shape when I sold it. Plenty of other edges were showing signs of rust under the paint too. I always figured the engine would outlast the bodywork by some margin. Great car to drive though.

[idiotgap]

mickyveloce said:

https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/mercedes-benz/lif...

Here's the link.

The quarterly magazine is free to subscribers to the Mercedes club.

Sadly it's tertiarly nowadays... still good though!