SLK55 - Just bought one
Discussion
Well, been searching for a V8 everyday car for a while.
Test drove an Aston vantage V8 manual and a SLK AMG 55 (58 plate).
The Merc won it.
Looking forward to the few small issues being sorted out before delivery. Also looking forward to top down motoring and hearing that V8 sound every day.
What do you love about your SLK AMG and any issues to look out for?
Anyone modified the exhaust for a bit more noise ?
Test drove an Aston vantage V8 manual and a SLK AMG 55 (58 plate).
The Merc won it.
Looking forward to the few small issues being sorted out before delivery. Also looking forward to top down motoring and hearing that V8 sound every day.
What do you love about your SLK AMG and any issues to look out for?
Anyone modified the exhaust for a bit more noise ?
DJRC said:
Keeping your frigging finger on the roof button irritates me.
Apart from that - its awesome
Yes - I thought that when I saw the car.Apart from that - its awesome
I see there is a roof module you can buy and have fitted that has an auto / remote one push button for this. That might me cool to have fitted.
Fantastic car - worth having a look at SLK55 threads around here that have lots of info in them. Generally a solid car - oil leaking from breathers is very common and cheap to fix. Check that all service requirements have been met, especially transmission fluid change.
Biggest advantage of the roof module imo is ability to open/close while driving...one of the few things I haven't done to my car.
Biggest advantage of the roof module imo is ability to open/close while driving...one of the few things I haven't done to my car.
Edited by CaptainRAVE on Saturday 30th May 20:14
Lovely luxurious cars that you could drive for miles. Nice thing is that they whisper on tickover but sound better and better as you increase the revs so something you can live with all the time. Average of 28mpg is nice as well.
Try not to spill any drinks over the gear stick cover as that'll send the module up the creek. Expensive if you buy a new one from MB but I managed to pick one up for £99. The car was sadly sold to me in this condition.
Check your tyre widths are correct. I've just discovered it was sold to me with 225s on the rear when they should be 245s so it's off to my local MB dealership to get some new 245s fitted next weekend.
When you're used to the car - try using manual mode with stick shift to really be in control of the engine.
Another good point is that it's really great having so many different drive modes to choose from for different conditions.
I'd be interested to know what the cheap fix is for the oil weep from the breather as I do have this issue and was provided with a piece of cardboard on arrival at a pals house the other day, as previously the car had left a stain on his block paved driveway :-\
Try not to spill any drinks over the gear stick cover as that'll send the module up the creek. Expensive if you buy a new one from MB but I managed to pick one up for £99. The car was sadly sold to me in this condition.
Check your tyre widths are correct. I've just discovered it was sold to me with 225s on the rear when they should be 245s so it's off to my local MB dealership to get some new 245s fitted next weekend.
When you're used to the car - try using manual mode with stick shift to really be in control of the engine.
Another good point is that it's really great having so many different drive modes to choose from for different conditions.
I'd be interested to know what the cheap fix is for the oil weep from the breather as I do have this issue and was provided with a piece of cardboard on arrival at a pals house the other day, as previously the car had left a stain on his block paved driveway :-\
rev-erend said:
I think I read it's new rocker cover gaskets plus a couple of carbon canisters. Couple of hundred quid tops.
Yeah, mine was done by the previous owner, think it was only £150.Echo the comments here. Also make sure gearbox oil is changed at 40k/80k. Mine was, but despite this the gearbox decided to start sticking in gear anyway. New torque converter, clutch pack, mechatronic unit plus other bits = expensive
I'm obviously the strange one because I prefer "Comfort" mode on he gearbox. Starts out in 2nd rather than 1st, and it's less likely to kick down in comfort - it's got nearly 400lb/ft, I don't need it to kick down all the time to accelerate, that's the point of having a V8. Sport is too 'change happy' for my liking.
But try all the modes and see
Rarely use manual. Mr M said:
I'd be interested to know what the cheap fix is for the oil weep from the breather as I do have this issue and was provided with a piece of cardboard on arrival at a pals house the other day, as previously the car had left a stain on his block paved driveway :-\
£70 for me, all labour, no new parts needed. Take it to a specialist who knows what they are doing. Did both sides of the engine, problem solved, burning oil smell and visible oil gone I recently did by auto box at 30k, well worth doing and I can feel the difference. These 7 speed autos can be a little problematic and many have had £1500-2000s worth of work done on them, so worth keeping up the regular maintenance on them.
Edited by CaptainRAVE on Sunday 31st May 12:12
Welcome to the SLK 55 fold!
As others have mentioned transmission fluid at 40k, otherwise they are pretty bulletproof.
I've got a late 2005 55 plate which is great for lower tax and also larger 6 pot brakes which became optional.I bought this in june 2012 with 23k on the clock.I did get the gearbox software upgraded for £20 when it was at mercedes benz having a service.. This made it noticeably smoother
Regarding weeping gasket this is a common fault. .There is no gasket per se as I understand but just a squint of silicon sealant..This tends to only last 6-8 years before it degrades. Mine was quite bad last time I took it in to MB for a service and they wanted £450 to fix. I took it to my local merc specialist TM motors in West Molesey (near Hampton court)-they look after my slk32 now and did it for £200. I see you are in Surrey..I would highly recommend them.. Anton knows his mercs.
Final point on the silicon gasket..Make sure that you leave it long enough to cure.. that was the mistake I made when I had my kleemann cams installed.. I didn't wait long enough and the oil leaked out necessitating the trip to TM.
If you do want to still use main dealers for servicing it could well be worth seeking out a service plan. Initially I was not interested, thinking it was just a way of getting you to commit to a direct debit. How wrong I was! At my last major B service which also included plugs and transmission fluid change I was quoted £1200 but told if I did it on the service plan it would only be £980 plus that would also include the next A service. I could also pay in one go rather than have another direct debit added to my account. When I asked shy they were potentially doing themselves out of money they explained that it's a way of keeping business.. They then by keeping your car at the main dealer hope to make money when it does need additional things outside the standard consumables.. However for a 200 quid saving and essentially a free service I'm happy!
Regarding the exhaust I would recommend infinity exhausts near Bristol to do a secondary decat and x pipe to give you more v 8 burble..cost circa £300 and a couple of hours work
As others have mentioned transmission fluid at 40k, otherwise they are pretty bulletproof.
I've got a late 2005 55 plate which is great for lower tax and also larger 6 pot brakes which became optional.I bought this in june 2012 with 23k on the clock.I did get the gearbox software upgraded for £20 when it was at mercedes benz having a service.. This made it noticeably smoother
Regarding weeping gasket this is a common fault. .There is no gasket per se as I understand but just a squint of silicon sealant..This tends to only last 6-8 years before it degrades. Mine was quite bad last time I took it in to MB for a service and they wanted £450 to fix. I took it to my local merc specialist TM motors in West Molesey (near Hampton court)-they look after my slk32 now and did it for £200. I see you are in Surrey..I would highly recommend them.. Anton knows his mercs.
Final point on the silicon gasket..Make sure that you leave it long enough to cure.. that was the mistake I made when I had my kleemann cams installed.. I didn't wait long enough and the oil leaked out necessitating the trip to TM.
If you do want to still use main dealers for servicing it could well be worth seeking out a service plan. Initially I was not interested, thinking it was just a way of getting you to commit to a direct debit. How wrong I was! At my last major B service which also included plugs and transmission fluid change I was quoted £1200 but told if I did it on the service plan it would only be £980 plus that would also include the next A service. I could also pay in one go rather than have another direct debit added to my account. When I asked shy they were potentially doing themselves out of money they explained that it's a way of keeping business.. They then by keeping your car at the main dealer hope to make money when it does need additional things outside the standard consumables.. However for a 200 quid saving and essentially a free service I'm happy!
Regarding the exhaust I would recommend infinity exhausts near Bristol to do a secondary decat and x pipe to give you more v 8 burble..cost circa £300 and a couple of hours work
Edited by slk 32 on Sunday 31st May 23:37
Edited by slk 32 on Sunday 31st May 23:40
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