Hopefully buying an SLK 350

[TonyRec]

Hi,
Iam hopefully buying an SLK 350 in the next few weeks. I will be looking for a 2004/05 model for around the 16k mark.
What should I be looking for, any pitfalls and things to avoid?

Venturing over from the TVR side so any advice will be gratefully received.

[paoloh]

The 7 speed auto box can be a nightmare.

Pull slowly up to a junction and see if it pushes you forward just as you stop.

[eldar]

350 is the best one, 280 is just not quite fun enough, the 55 costs a fortune to run and service!

Airscarf is a must have, end of. A) it works brilliantly, and B) most seem to know it, so a car without will be harder to sell.

The auto is an excellent box, but you need to make sure it has the extra paddle shifts on the steering wheel, you get better software controlling the autobox Thus faster and smoother than the manual.

Check the roof works flawlessly, it must close cleanly and in 22 - 24 seconds.

COMAND is a nice to have, but a lot to pay for a not-very-good satnav.

Avoid cupholders, they are perfectly placed to allow any spillage straight into the audio/comand, with expensive results.

22 to 25 MPG is normal, though 15 having real fun or heavy traffic.

[TonyRec]

Thanks for the replies....airscarf sounds great. I would also like to have the comand system along with heated seats. I will start looking seriously next week but in the meantime im trying to play catch up and reading everything that i can about the SLK.

[eldar]

TonyRec said:

Thanks for the replies....airscarf sounds great. I would also like to have the comand system along with heated seats. I will start looking seriously next week but in the meantime im trying to play catch up and reading everything that i can about the SLK.

Heated seats are standard on the 350. With airscarf means top down all year round, unless its pissing down.

You really need a decent drive in one, the usual 5 mile drive isn't enough.

Personally, I'd go for standard suspension, that copes with speed bumps well, without losing any drivability. The sports springing will have your fillings out for no great benefit. Try www,mbclub.co.uk or slkworld.com for more opinions.

[white90]

We have had one for just over a Year
and it has been perfect!
We took it to Monaco/San Remo/Italy/Switzerland and returned approx 25-27mpg
No airscarf or Command, the CD auto changer make the Glovebox useless
but can not fault it in any way.
Dealer service has been fine From Mercedes Exeter.

[TonyRec]

Can anyone please tell me if an 04/05 model 350 has folding mirrors and xenons as standard. Also if there is only one auto version ( 7 speed with paddle control)......or is this an option?

Edited by TonyRec on Friday 12th June 17:55

[eldar]

TonyRec said:

Can anyone please tell me if an 04/05 model 350 has folding mirrors and xenons as standard. Also if there is only one auto version ( 7 speed with paddle control)......or is this an option?

Edited by TonyRec on Friday 12th June 17:55

HID lights were an option, as were folding mirrors (I think). Auto deffo option. 200 has an older 5 speed box.

The wheel paddles are also extra, but worth having, as they have better software for the auto box....

[Mikey_W]

TonyRec said:

Can anyone please tell me if an 04/05 model 350 has folding mirrors and xenons as standard. Also if there is only one auto version ( 7 speed with paddle control)......or is this an option?

Edited by TonyRec on Friday 12th June 17:55

Tony,

If you want to email me the registation numbers of any cars your interested in i'll look up the exact factory specification for you

[TonyRec]

Mikey_W said:

TonyRec said:

Can anyone please tell me if an 04/05 model 350 has folding mirrors and xenons as standard. Also if there is only one auto version ( 7 speed with paddle control)......or is this an option?

Edited by TonyRec on Friday 12th June 17:55

Tony,

If you want to email me the registation numbers of any cars your interested in i'll look up the exact factory specification for you

Many thanks Mikey, I will hopefully have some next weekend.........

[edo]

<cough>

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1089049.htm

[anonymous-user]

eldar said:

TonyRec said:

Thanks for the replies....airscarf sounds great. I would also like to have the comand system along with heated seats. I will start looking seriously next week but in the meantime im trying to play catch up and reading everything that i can about the SLK.

Heated seats are standard on the 350. With airscarf means top down all year round, unless its pissing down.

You really need a decent drive in one, the usual 5 mile drive isn't enough.

Personally, I'd go for standard suspension, that copes with speed bumps well, without losing any drivability. The sports springing will have your fillings out for no great benefit. Try www,mbclub.co.uk or slkworld.com for more opinions.

Disagree about suspension. I had the sports susp and it was superb. I also had a manual gearbox which was a pure delight to use.

[edo]

edo said:

<cough>

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1089049.htm

Sorry. SOLD. (To Mercedes, so expect it on a forecourt soon....)

[eldar]

garyhun said:

eldar said:

TonyRec said:

Thanks for the replies....airscarf sounds great. I would also like to have the comand system along with heated seats. I will start looking seriously next week but in the meantime im trying to play catch up and reading everything that i can about the SLK.

Heated seats are standard on the 350. With airscarf means top down all year round, unless its pissing down.

You really need a decent drive in one, the usual 5 mile drive isn't enough.

Personally, I'd go for standard suspension, that copes with speed bumps well, without losing any drivability. The sports springing will have your fillings out for no great benefit. Try www,mbclub.co.uk or slkworld.com for more opinions.

Disagree about suspension. I had the sports susp and it was superb. I also had a manual gearbox which was a pure delight to use.

Fair enough I had a 280 manual with sports suspension for a while. The manual box was fine (but I prefer auto). The sports susp was just too firm for the sort or roads I tend to use (lots of B roads and ill maintained A roads).

The OP needs to try both and see which is best for them...

[TonyRec]

edo said:

<cough>

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1089049.htm

Sadly Ed i missed out there.......still, onwards and upwards

[TonyRec]

On a 4 year old car with say 30k miles....how many services should have been done. Also, are all Autos the 7 speed type. Ive seen one advertised with a 6 speed auto box.

Still looking but cant find a low mileage one in my range...oh, and it must have the Comand system.

[Mikey_W]

TonyRec said:

On a 4 year old car with say 30k miles....how many services should have been done. Also, are all Autos the 7 speed type. Ive seen one advertised with a 6 speed auto box.

Still looking but cant find a low mileage one in my range...oh, and it must have the Comand system.

I'm pretty sure they are on yearly service intervals, so it should of had 4 services (brake fluid change every other year). All SLK350's (starting chassis number WDB171) have the 7 speed box.

You must also have the Airscarf

[TonyRec]

Cheers Mikey,
A quite well known ' upmarket' dealer has an 04 that has only had 2 services with nearly 30k on the clock.

As soon as I find something I will let you know.

[TonyRec]

Almost forgot......the prefix chassis no that you give, do you know what year that appeared on? Im looking for an 05 ideally but it could be an 04/54 or even a 55 (fingers crossed but they all seem to have dried up at the mo or am I just being impatient?)

[Mikey_W]

TonyRec said:

Cheers Mikey,
A quite well known ' upmarket' dealer has an 04 that has only had 2 services with nearly 30k on the clock.

As soon as I find something I will let you know.

I will double check the service intervals tomorrow. If you want to send me a link to the advert or registration number i'll have a look into it for you. Send me a PM if you don't want to post it on here