SLK350 - not the hairdressers car as I was expecting
Discussion
Having sold both my E92 330 manual and Megane RS265 within a couple of days of advertising the hunt was on for a single replacement to join the other halfs Velar and my A110S.
Decided I wanted something at no more than 8k, practicality not important and ideally with at least 6 cylinders.
Did not want Boxster at this price point (been there, done that and never gelled with the car), did not want silly road tax (£430 was max) but a drop top would be nice, we have a history of owning them and not having one for the last 12 months realised we missed it.
Brera Spider - silly road tax and never been a fan of the looks
350Z - was a contender but could not see any that made me want to investigate further
S5 convertible - saw a couple of nice ones that were over budget but still totally affordable but was disciplined enough to stick to my self-imposed budget
R171 SLKs have always seemed a fairly decent buy, maybe not great dynamically but that was not essential - the A110 covers that off.
Did my usual investigations and pre-Mar 2006 350s looked appealing and were sensible tax, then they shot up to £700+ - problem is that these engines have well known issues with the balancer shafts. Reading some more I found out that the later Red Top engine (Red insert on engine cover) had more power 272 up to 305bhp, lower emissions, the engine issues sorted and fell back down to the £430 tax level.
Found the one I bought at a small trader via Ebay - decent bloke who was fairly easy to deal with, even if the MOT showed up low tread on tyres as an advisory so in his helpfulness put four new ones for me within the price, sadly they are cheap ditchfinders so will be coming straight back off.
Only two previous owners, pretty much full history, 74k on the clock, got the Sport Pack fitted which is nice
Collected yesterday and theres a few jobs to do - but I like projects and its essentially a good car that just needs a little TLC:
Front parking bulb blew on the way home - already replaced
Rear centre brake light not working - he did advise on this so ordered a replacement and fitted this morning
Air con not icy cold - fixed with a simple home top up
Left to do:
Wheels need a refurb and decent tyres fitted - decided to go for new wheels and tyre package (similar style) and keep these as spares just in case - only works out a couple of hundred more expensive and gives me a spare set - think that is man maths at play
Deep clean of interior is just grubby but will come up nicely
Paintwork - no dents or scratches but dull and swirled to hell - machine polish will sort it out
Headlights - tired so need a wet sanding and polish
Thorough cleaning of all rubber seals / hard top mechanism
Repaint of trim panels on either side of rear screen as these are badly aged but easy to sort out with decent prep and a rattle can
Oil and filters change - as per every new to me car I ever buy
Drive home (100 miles) was a pleasant surprise, very smooth and composed with gearbox in Comfort, definitely more responsive in Sport and in Manual mode it really comes alive, nicely weighted steering, bordering on heavy (not checked pressures yet though) and realised that this is an engine that likes to rev and has a lovely growl to it - I expected it to be a wafter but whilst it clearly can be in Manual there are almost traces of my old Tuscan in it, feels like a proper little sports car and came as a bit of a shock
Here she is - photos make paintwork look better than it really is:
Decided I wanted something at no more than 8k, practicality not important and ideally with at least 6 cylinders.
Did not want Boxster at this price point (been there, done that and never gelled with the car), did not want silly road tax (£430 was max) but a drop top would be nice, we have a history of owning them and not having one for the last 12 months realised we missed it.
Brera Spider - silly road tax and never been a fan of the looks
350Z - was a contender but could not see any that made me want to investigate further
S5 convertible - saw a couple of nice ones that were over budget but still totally affordable but was disciplined enough to stick to my self-imposed budget
R171 SLKs have always seemed a fairly decent buy, maybe not great dynamically but that was not essential - the A110 covers that off.
Did my usual investigations and pre-Mar 2006 350s looked appealing and were sensible tax, then they shot up to £700+ - problem is that these engines have well known issues with the balancer shafts. Reading some more I found out that the later Red Top engine (Red insert on engine cover) had more power 272 up to 305bhp, lower emissions, the engine issues sorted and fell back down to the £430 tax level.
Found the one I bought at a small trader via Ebay - decent bloke who was fairly easy to deal with, even if the MOT showed up low tread on tyres as an advisory so in his helpfulness put four new ones for me within the price, sadly they are cheap ditchfinders so will be coming straight back off.
Only two previous owners, pretty much full history, 74k on the clock, got the Sport Pack fitted which is nice
Collected yesterday and theres a few jobs to do - but I like projects and its essentially a good car that just needs a little TLC:
Front parking bulb blew on the way home - already replaced
Rear centre brake light not working - he did advise on this so ordered a replacement and fitted this morning
Air con not icy cold - fixed with a simple home top up
Left to do:
Wheels need a refurb and decent tyres fitted - decided to go for new wheels and tyre package (similar style) and keep these as spares just in case - only works out a couple of hundred more expensive and gives me a spare set - think that is man maths at play
Deep clean of interior is just grubby but will come up nicely
Paintwork - no dents or scratches but dull and swirled to hell - machine polish will sort it out
Headlights - tired so need a wet sanding and polish
Thorough cleaning of all rubber seals / hard top mechanism
Repaint of trim panels on either side of rear screen as these are badly aged but easy to sort out with decent prep and a rattle can
Oil and filters change - as per every new to me car I ever buy
Drive home (100 miles) was a pleasant surprise, very smooth and composed with gearbox in Comfort, definitely more responsive in Sport and in Manual mode it really comes alive, nicely weighted steering, bordering on heavy (not checked pressures yet though) and realised that this is an engine that likes to rev and has a lovely growl to it - I expected it to be a wafter but whilst it clearly can be in Manual there are almost traces of my old Tuscan in it, feels like a proper little sports car and came as a bit of a shock
Here she is - photos make paintwork look better than it really is:
Andy665 said:
Wheels need a refurb and decent tyres fitted - decided to go for new wheels and tyre package (similar style) and keep these as spares just in case - only works out a couple of hundred more expensive and gives me a spare set - think that is man maths at play
Nice thing, always fancied one but rear seat for dog is a must so wound up with a CLK.Where are you getting the wheels from?
I've budgeted £400 for a refurb but a new set from Alloywheels direct is coming in at circa £1200 (+ cost of tyres/fitting etc)
Huzzah said:
Andy665 said:
Wheels need a refurb and decent tyres fitted - decided to go for new wheels and tyre package (similar style) and keep these as spares just in case - only works out a couple of hundred more expensive and gives me a spare set - think that is man maths at play
Nice thing, always fancied one but rear seat for dog is a must so wound up with a CLK.Where are you getting the wheels from?
I've budgeted £400 for a refurb but a new set from Alloywheels direct is coming in at circa £1200 (+ cost of tyres/fitting etc)
Edited by Andy665 on Tuesday 6th May 15:46
Andy665 said:
Huzzah said:
Andy665 said:
Wheels need a refurb and decent tyres fitted - decided to go for new wheels and tyre package (similar style) and keep these as spares just in case - only works out a couple of hundred more expensive and gives me a spare set - think that is man maths at play
Nice thing, always fancied one but rear seat for dog is a must so wound up with a CLK.Where are you getting the wheels from?
I've budgeted £400 for a refurb but a new set from Alloywheels direct is coming in at circa £1200 (+ cost of tyres/fitting etc)
Driving home there was an occasional grinding sound from the rear end, nothing too ominous, I suspected it was one of the rear disc backing plates catching.
Having got the car home and rear end up in the air combined with a bit of online research the rear disc backing plates do crumble away but they tend to foul up the rear handbrake shoes, this is clearly what was causing the noise.
As the backing plates need the driveshafts easing out (unless you cut the new plates to fit around (not a fan) then new rear wheel bearings are recommended and sensible to do.
Having recently moved house I have lost my "go to" places but the mobile mechanic who changed the alternator on the 330 was a safe pair of hands as he owns an SLK, or so I thought. After over a week of text exchange all he has come up with is a list of parts prices - business must be good when you have only just started up but can clearly afford to mess customers around - he has now been binned and a replacement sought.
Whilst everything has to be stripped off it makes sense to replace the handbrake shoes, discs, pads, wear sensors etc.
Real trouble in sourcing parts from just one place and no guarantee from the online suppliers when the stuff will actually turn up so thought I would try Mercedes themselves - everything was pretty reasonable from them (about 20% more than online) apart from the rear wheel bearings which I have ordered from GSF (handily next door to the dealership) - at least I know they will be available for collection tomorrow and will be the right parts and always good to have the Mercedes invoice for everything.
Was thinking about going back to the trader I bought from asking for a contribution to at least the brake shields but just putting it down to "its an older car and stuff will need doing" - most of the cost is not essential, just worthwhile stuff that would need doing in due course anyway
Having got the car home and rear end up in the air combined with a bit of online research the rear disc backing plates do crumble away but they tend to foul up the rear handbrake shoes, this is clearly what was causing the noise.
As the backing plates need the driveshafts easing out (unless you cut the new plates to fit around (not a fan) then new rear wheel bearings are recommended and sensible to do.
Having recently moved house I have lost my "go to" places but the mobile mechanic who changed the alternator on the 330 was a safe pair of hands as he owns an SLK, or so I thought. After over a week of text exchange all he has come up with is a list of parts prices - business must be good when you have only just started up but can clearly afford to mess customers around - he has now been binned and a replacement sought.
Whilst everything has to be stripped off it makes sense to replace the handbrake shoes, discs, pads, wear sensors etc.
Real trouble in sourcing parts from just one place and no guarantee from the online suppliers when the stuff will actually turn up so thought I would try Mercedes themselves - everything was pretty reasonable from them (about 20% more than online) apart from the rear wheel bearings which I have ordered from GSF (handily next door to the dealership) - at least I know they will be available for collection tomorrow and will be the right parts and always good to have the Mercedes invoice for everything.
Was thinking about going back to the trader I bought from asking for a contribution to at least the brake shields but just putting it down to "its an older car and stuff will need doing" - most of the cost is not essential, just worthwhile stuff that would need doing in due course anyway
I've had a couple of those late 300bhp ones, that engine is absolutely fabulous and one was a manual which was really brilliant in the way it just tore to the rev limiter. I'm actually half looking out for another one now, they're a lovely mini sports GT.
The aux belt idler pulley at the top can seize and cause belt mayhem, I'd change the belt, tensioner, and idlers if not already done. It's easy enough and decent quality parts aren't expensive.
The aux belt idler pulley at the top can seize and cause belt mayhem, I'd change the belt, tensioner, and idlers if not already done. It's easy enough and decent quality parts aren't expensive.
Edited by GeniusOfLove on Thursday 15th May 12:10
Driving home there was an occasional grinding sound from the rear end, nothing too ominous, I suspected it was one of the rear disc backing plates catching.
Having got the car home and rear end up in the air combined with a bit of online research the rear disc backing plates do crumble away but they tend to foul up the rear handbrake shoes, this is clearly what was causing the noise.
As the backing plates need the driveshafts easing out (unless you cut the new plates to fit around (not a fan) then new rear wheel bearings are recommended and sensible to do.
Having recently moved house I have lost my "go to" places but the mobile mechanic who changed the alternator on the 330 was a safe pair of hands as he owns an SLK, or so I thought. After over a week of text exchange all he has come up with is a list of parts prices - business must be good when you have only just started up but can clearly afford to mess customers around - he has now been binned and a replacement sought.
Whilst everything has to be stripped off it makes sense to replace the handbrake shoes, discs, pads, wear sensors etc.
Real trouble in sourcing parts from just one place and no guarantee from the online suppliers when the stuff will actually turn up so thought I would try Mercedes themselves - everything was pretty reasonable from them (about 20% more than online) apart from the rear wheel bearings which I have ordered from GSF (handily next door to the dealership) - at least I know they will be available for collection tomorrow and will be the right parts and always good to have the Mercedes invoice for everything.
Was thinking about going back to the trader I bought from asking for a contribution to at least the brake shields but just putting it down to "its an older car and stuff will need doing" - most of the cost is not essential, just worthwhile stuff that would need doing in due course anyway
Having got the car home and rear end up in the air combined with a bit of online research the rear disc backing plates do crumble away but they tend to foul up the rear handbrake shoes, this is clearly what was causing the noise.
As the backing plates need the driveshafts easing out (unless you cut the new plates to fit around (not a fan) then new rear wheel bearings are recommended and sensible to do.
Having recently moved house I have lost my "go to" places but the mobile mechanic who changed the alternator on the 330 was a safe pair of hands as he owns an SLK, or so I thought. After over a week of text exchange all he has come up with is a list of parts prices - business must be good when you have only just started up but can clearly afford to mess customers around - he has now been binned and a replacement sought.
Whilst everything has to be stripped off it makes sense to replace the handbrake shoes, discs, pads, wear sensors etc.
Real trouble in sourcing parts from just one place and no guarantee from the online suppliers when the stuff will actually turn up so thought I would try Mercedes themselves - everything was pretty reasonable from them (about 20% more than online) apart from the rear wheel bearings which I have ordered from GSF (handily next door to the dealership) - at least I know they will be available for collection tomorrow and will be the right parts and always good to have the Mercedes invoice for everything.
Was thinking about going back to the trader I bought from asking for a contribution to at least the brake shields but just putting it down to "its an older car and stuff will need doing" - most of the cost is not essential, just worthwhile stuff that would need doing in due course anyway
Nice one. These are fantastic fun cars. The 350 is a good all rounder with plenty of oomph and pretty good on fuel. I've had the 200, 350 and 55.
For Merc parts I usually use Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh main dealers on eBay. If they don't list the price for what you want they'll still sort you out and at a good price. My local Merc dealer won't offer much in the way of discount so eBay it usually is.
If you haven't already it's worth checking the drainage holes are clear. Centre brake lights are cheap enough to replace and easy to do. Worth checking when the gearbox was last serviced as well as that can make a big difference.
The wheel style looks good. Worth getting a wind deflector even if it's the net mesh one. The difference is night and day.
Lastly, enjoy!
For Merc parts I usually use Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh main dealers on eBay. If they don't list the price for what you want they'll still sort you out and at a good price. My local Merc dealer won't offer much in the way of discount so eBay it usually is.
If you haven't already it's worth checking the drainage holes are clear. Centre brake lights are cheap enough to replace and easy to do. Worth checking when the gearbox was last serviced as well as that can make a big difference.
The wheel style looks good. Worth getting a wind deflector even if it's the net mesh one. The difference is night and day.
Lastly, enjoy!
Edited by Nath911t on Friday 16th May 09:20
Mr Tidy said:
Interesting to read that you thought it felt like a sports car, and even more interesting that someone had owned a manual one as that would be my preference although it is pretty rare to find any manual Mercedes.
Right time of year for a convertible too!
Manual SLK350s are rare and manual late 300bhp ones are rocking horse poo, sadly. It wasn't even a bad box.Right time of year for a convertible too!
If I saw another at sensible money I'd snap it up, there is one on eBay now but the bloke wants £8k for it.. LOL, no.
FWIW they ride and handle MILES better on 17" wheels especially with the sports suspension. Best package is non sports suspension and 17s for fast use on our crap roads but it doesn't have the "positive" feel, it's more of a classic roadster feel then.
If you're looking at new wheels as gorgeous as those 18s are I'd really consider a set of 17s.
I think these are a killer bargain, the last one I picked up for a friend was a 2010 on 113k,FMDSH, killer spec with a designo interior, and the sports pack, and hammer price at BCA was £2.5k+fees back in September (best time to buy convertibles). By the time it was delivered to my door, had a battery and an aux belt and kit to go with it I think it owed £3,100. She was mid way through chemo and wanted something to go with her headscarf
She absolutely loves it. Watch out for 2008 early facelift 300bhp manual cars, they're in the megatax bracket, they tweaked the emissions down for the 09MY I think. My manual one fell into this category.
I'd second the wind deflector recommendation but I'd get a transparent one, the mesh ones are really irritating in the rear view mirror.
Edited by GeniusOfLove on Friday 16th May 21:58
Exboxster1 said:
Interesting to read that you picked up a replacement 3rd brake light, and that its easy to fit..
I've only seen folk on the net saying its a real pain and you have strip the whole boot assembly and the get the soldering irons outs which I'm loath to do
It was a 10 minute job I've only seen folk on the net saying its a real pain and you have strip the whole boot assembly and the get the soldering irons outs which I'm loath to do
Few jobs done:
Local mobile mechanic came out and replaced both rear brake disc backing plates, new handbrake shoes, discs, pads and sensors, 4 hours labour at £45 per hour - was not worth doing it myself, all parts sourced from Mercedes, not much more expensive than aftermarket and good to have the Mercedes invoice
Full machine polish has brought back the metallic sparkle - only done first pass with heavy cut so still more to do
Lubricated all rubbers with GPL 105 lubricant - much softer now
Headlights restored with 800 - 7000 wet and dry followed by a machine polish
Orange indicator bulbs replaced with silver
Deep clean of leather
Engine bay clean
Pollen filter changed
Still to do:
Fit new wheels / tyres when they arrive - Wheelbase Alloys are crap
Oil change - still looks fine but daft not to - along with new oil and air filter obviously
New headunit - the Command system is clunky and screen is scratched to hell, will be nice to have DAB as well
Edited by Andy665 on Friday 23 May 11:51
I had a 2005 350 in silver.
Great in a straight line but the handling when being pushed was a bit scary.
Make sure your subframe is good, if not MB will replace for free if its gone.
Also check when gearbox was last serviced, needs to be done every 60k or so
Great in a straight line but the handling when being pushed was a bit scary.
Make sure your subframe is good, if not MB will replace for free if its gone.
Also check when gearbox was last serviced, needs to be done every 60k or so
Edited by pigface1001 on Friday 23 May 14:51
pigface1001 said:
I had a 2005 350 in silver.
Great in a straight line but the handling when being pushed was a bit scary.
Make sure your subframe is good, if not MB will replace for free if its gone.
Also check when gearbox was last serviced, needs to be done every 60k or so
Subframe is good, light surface rust only and will be getting treated with Bilt Hamber UC - Mercedes are now turning their backs on replacing subframes which is not good news>Great in a straight line but the handling when being pushed was a bit scary.
Make sure your subframe is good, if not MB will replace for free if its gone.
Also check when gearbox was last serviced, needs to be done every 60k or so
Edited by pigface1001 on Friday 23 May 14:51
Fortunately did not buy it for dynamic abilities, got the A110 to cover that, this is very much a 6/10's cruiser
Couple more jobs completed today.
The new headunit was in and working fine with the exception of zero FM reception, not the end of the world as I now have DAB, more of an irritation.
Bought another Fakra adaptor but with a blue amplifier cable attached. Even though my car does not have a separate amp thought it may be worth a try as cables from rear of new headunit had a blue and unused cable labelled P Cont, New adaptor arrived, spliced the two blue cables together and still no FM reception, went in to headunit settings and saw there was an option ton turn AV Out to "On", tried it and how have brilliant FM reception.
Also discovered that my wipers only seemed to work when car was moving and that there were no windscreen washers. When pressed there was no noise from the pump, new pump ordered but then I read that there was an electrical connection to the nearside bonnet catch - cleaning up the bonnet catches and unplugging the small plug, spraying some contact cleaner and reconnecting means that I now have wipers working when car is stationary and working washers.
The new headunit was in and working fine with the exception of zero FM reception, not the end of the world as I now have DAB, more of an irritation.
Bought another Fakra adaptor but with a blue amplifier cable attached. Even though my car does not have a separate amp thought it may be worth a try as cables from rear of new headunit had a blue and unused cable labelled P Cont, New adaptor arrived, spliced the two blue cables together and still no FM reception, went in to headunit settings and saw there was an option ton turn AV Out to "On", tried it and how have brilliant FM reception.
Also discovered that my wipers only seemed to work when car was moving and that there were no windscreen washers. When pressed there was no noise from the pump, new pump ordered but then I read that there was an electrical connection to the nearside bonnet catch - cleaning up the bonnet catches and unplugging the small plug, spraying some contact cleaner and reconnecting means that I now have wipers working when car is stationary and working washers.
Starting to look presentable now.
New rear brakes had not bedded in as I liked with an occasional clicking noise from nearside, mechanic who fitted them was due to pop round today but over the weekend I took the pads out, cleaned up the pad retaining pin a bit more, re-inserted and all good.
Decided on a bit of preventative maintenance and also fitted a new coolant level sensor, windscreen washer pump and washer fluid sensor
Being Obsidian Black I know this colour has a lovely metallic fleck to it but the paint was so dull it looked almost solid black.
Decided that if it was going to be done it was going to be done properly.
Full clay session and decontamination.
Decided on the Cartec 4 stage kit, 4 polishes with matching pads and microfibre cloths. Graded as 3000, 5000, 9000 and 12000 its been a long old slog and now had PB Black Hole applied - always loved this as its so easy to apply and remove, did try the Angelwax Turbo6 and took an instant dislike to it, very oily and too hard to work when compared to Black Hole.
This is where we are currently at - just got the new wheels and tyres to fit, currently awaiting their second coat of sealant and then a wax to top it all off.
New rear brakes had not bedded in as I liked with an occasional clicking noise from nearside, mechanic who fitted them was due to pop round today but over the weekend I took the pads out, cleaned up the pad retaining pin a bit more, re-inserted and all good.
Decided on a bit of preventative maintenance and also fitted a new coolant level sensor, windscreen washer pump and washer fluid sensor
Being Obsidian Black I know this colour has a lovely metallic fleck to it but the paint was so dull it looked almost solid black.
Decided that if it was going to be done it was going to be done properly.
Full clay session and decontamination.
Decided on the Cartec 4 stage kit, 4 polishes with matching pads and microfibre cloths. Graded as 3000, 5000, 9000 and 12000 its been a long old slog and now had PB Black Hole applied - always loved this as its so easy to apply and remove, did try the Angelwax Turbo6 and took an instant dislike to it, very oily and too hard to work when compared to Black Hole.
This is where we are currently at - just got the new wheels and tyres to fit, currently awaiting their second coat of sealant and then a wax to top it all off.
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