Trying to find an R171 - what a load of dross out there

[Dog Star]

Mrs DS has a 2004 SLK 200 - we have had this since 2018 and it's a fantastic car, when we first got it I spent a lot of time on it replaced all the brakes, new calipers, discs, shocks, mountings, arms, full alignment and have kept it fastidiously clean and claybarred/waxed etc and it really does drive like new in terms of smoothness etc. Great car to work on. Everything is sparkling, even the engine. No squeaks or rattles. I also replaced the front wings as these suffered the bubbling on the front where they join the bumper, as well as the bumper support brackets which always rust.

However when we got it I had urged her to go for the bigger engined model, but she's from Yorkshire and insisted on the tiddler because of fuel consumption. She does about 5k. a year and this thing has averaged around 29mpg and I'm not convinced that the fuel costs of a V6 would have actually been noticeable over this mileage.

It's also not the fastest at 163bhp.

Anyway - we decided we would like to get a newer car but still an R171 with a V6 - I've had two R172s and I actually think the R171s look nicer and have a nicer interior - the aim being to keep this next one for a good few years til we are into EV territory.

I've gone out looking at loads of R171s, obviously these are now down in your "portakabin" type car dealers, they are far too old to be in the main dealer network (not that I'd buy from them anyway).

And here we get to the point of my post - what a load of absolute crap is out there! Most filthy, kerbed wheels, missing aerials etc. EVERY ONE has had rust on the wings (despite asking before coming as it's a deal breaker - they cost a fortune to replace). Every one has had knackered AC. Every one has had a boot full of water. I looked at 8 of them yesterday and wasn't impressed.

Absolute dross. I'm not in a hurry, and the right car will turn up at some point. But it's made me really feel quite appreciative of the 200 she has now and realise just what an excellent example it is.

[swisstoni]

My only solution to these situations, unless you like hunting unicorns, is to pay (what you may initially consider) over the top for a really good one.

We all like to have a laugh at the overpriced cars threads, but you have to factor in the cost of time and effort to find another one, and the cost of putting a crappy one right.

[Dog Star]

swisstoni said:

My only solution to these situations, unless you like hunting unicorns, is to pay (what you may initially consider) over the top for a really good one.

We all like to have a laugh at the overpriced cars threads, but you have to factor in the cost of time and effort to find another one, and the cost of putting a crappy one right.

Well exactly. I'm simply going to wait and snap up a good one.

Oh - and another thing - "Goodride" and "Landsail" tyres on a 3.5 litre engined car the size of a rollerskate?!!?!

[maz8062]

If sticking to R171’s, post 2008 refresh is the way to go, although you’ll find prices similar to R172’s at the lower price point.

[Holgate86]

Have you thought about a R171 SLK55, wouldn't have thought running costs (except spark plugs) would be too prohibitive, but you might find a better example than a V6... a few decent used car dealers seem to specialise in them too.

[Dog Star]

Holgate86 said:

Have you thought about a R171 SLK55, wouldn't have thought running costs (except spark plugs) would be too prohibitive, but you might find a better example than a V6... a few decent used car dealers seem to specialise in them too.

They're a bit (actually a lot!) too expensive. Also at the sort of price point we are looking at we need to go as new as possible because of the rusty wing issue - the wings are over £400 each just for the parts, they are the absolute deal breaker on an R171 for me. No point repairing rust as it will always come back. I'll take a high mileage car with aircon not working over one with low mileage and rust bubbles on the wing.

[Dog Star]

After a good deal of thinking we are just going to keep the car we have - it's got almost every option, every single thing works, it's very very clean, no leaks, all the running gear is new - and the wings are new. Only downside is the engine.

The issue is that if the 08 and 09 plate cars are starting to show bubbling on the wings then how long before this inevitable rust shows through on the lot? They don't come newer than 60 plate. Love the cars but 2k to replace and paint the wings..... nope.

[ALawson]

Dog Star said:

After a good deal of thinking we are just going to keep the car we have - it's got almost every option, every single thing works, it's very very clean, no leaks, all the running gear is new - and the wings are new. Only downside is the engine.

The issue is that if the 08 and 09 plate cars are starting to show bubbling on the wings then how long before this inevitable rust shows through on the lot? They don't come newer than 60 plate. Love the cars but 2k to replace and paint the wings..... nope.

Can you not supercharge it or swap engines? (who doesn't like a project).

[juice]

Dog Star said:

They're a bit (actually a lot!) too expensive. Also at the sort of price point we are looking at we need to go as new as possible because of the rusty wing issue - the wings are over £400 each just for the parts, they are the absolute deal breaker on an R171 for me. No point repairing rust as it will always come back. I'll take a high mileage car with aircon not working over one with low mileage and rust bubbles on the wing.

Wouldn't worry about the wings, worry about the rear subframe....

[loquacious]

I have a 350 and love it, bought lucky I guess as it is rust free in the wings and wheel arches etc, it's a high spec one (air scarf, heated leather, nav, cruise etc) and it goes very well. I took it for new discs and pads and service/MOT and was dismayed to find... it needed a new rear subframe!

Argh...

So £2064 later it was back (this included the brakes/service etc) but the subframe was about £1500 all in with new bolts, bushes everywhere and the odd link for good measure. Apparently, it's really common and MB are aware and if the car is serviced with them, they 'might' do it free of charge... mine wasn't sadly.

I was also going to get a bigger engined version ( a 55 for me ) but now, I just feel I'm better sticking with the one I've got as at least I know it's got a new subframe and it's not rusty... yet.

There certainly is a lot of 171s that are misused/abused but I'm still glad I bought the V6 over the much more common 200s. If the car you currently have is a good one, hang on to it, I don't think the 200s are slow, are they?

Also, best buy gallons of Waxoyl/Dinitrol/ whatever your choice is and slather it on liberally. I do my wheel arches twice a year and prise the arch liners away and spray it into the areas behind. I hate rust...

[psi310398]

juice said:

Wouldn't worry about the wings, worry about the rear subframe....

^This and the next post.

I had the rotten rear subframe give out and lose the rear in a snowstorm exiting the Gotthard Tunnel. Clenched buttocks and very ginger driving all the way down to Italy. There was an eye watering bill for the replacement, although not as fruity as the Porsche PDK replacement gearbox earlier that year.

[juice]

There's been a few lately, but surprisingly getting sorted without quibble by the MB Dealers...

MB Warrington was the latest one to replace a subframe on an 05 SLK55

[GTRene]

The R171 facelift is more rare then the pre facelift, I like the facelift (slk 55 amg) because of better shiftings, better lights, better looking mirrors etc and more rare.

you say you like the interior of the R171 more then that of the R172?
hm, I must say that I like that R172 interior more, but the looks (outside) of the R172...

but, ofcourse (for me) not the silver console in the R172, but say those with carbon, I like those, a bit mercedes from 2015 with the flow in the console to the dash.

like say such sort>



ofcourse you can go crazy on the R172 with the full Carlsson interior... looks expensive.

[Dog Star]

juice said:

There's been a few lately, but surprisingly getting sorted without quibble by the MB Dealers...

MB Warrington was the latest one to replace a subframe on an 05 SLK55

Mrs DS's sister (SLK350 since new (2006)) had hers done under warranty a few weeks ago.

When we go ours I just covered it in Waxoyl, which is also squirted into every oriface.

[W201_190e]

psi310398 said:

juice said:

Wouldn't worry about the wings, worry about the rear subframe....

^This and the next post.

I had the rotten rear subframe give out and lose the rear in a snowstorm exiting the Gotthard Tunnel. Clenched buttocks and very ginger driving all the way down to Italy. There was an eye watering bill for the replacement, although not as fruity as the Porsche PDK replacement gearbox earlier that year.

Sorry to hear you paid for it, MB would have probably footed the bill.

[Sheepshanks]

W201_190e said:

Sorry to hear you paid for it, MB would have probably footed the bill.

I've seen this discussed on MB forums and MB paying for it, regardless of the car's history, seems to be a recent thing. It's happening a lot of W204's (2007 on C Class).

[psi310398]

W201_190e said:

Sorry to hear you paid for it, MB would have probably footed the bill.

It was repaired at an (excellent) official dealership in Italy in early 2018 but maybe there’s a different approach there.

[Mr M]

Good to hear you're keeping your 200. They all look smashing from the 200 to the 55 but I'm biased. I bought an absolute stinker first time around from a bunch of crooks posing as a car dealership and paid the price. There are nice ones out there but as has been mentioned, you have to pay top money, which I did on my second one through an MB dealership.

[GTRene]

Mr M said:

Good to hear you're keeping your 200. They all look smashing from the 200 to the 55 but I'm biased. I bought an absolute stinker first time around from a bunch of crooks posing as a car dealership and paid the price. There are nice ones out there but as has been mentioned, you have to pay top money, which I did on my second one through an MB dealership.

is that the one in your profile?
ifso nice a facelift R171 with performance pack, so the big brakes, nice.

[Mr M]

GTRene said:

is that the one in your profile?
ifso nice a facelift R171 with performance pack, so the big brakes, nice.

GTRene - Yes the one in the profile pic. Thanks, glad you like it :-) It's had it's gear box oil change in October. I've thought about selling but I stop doing that when I look at it and drive it :-\.