SLK 32 AMG

[Lissa]

We currently have an SLK 280, but now have the chance to buy a low mileage 32 AMG for a very good price.

We couldn't justify keeping both, so the 280 would have to go.

Good move, or bad move?

 

[Ibonibo]

If the price and the car is good, it should keep more value than the 280 if the price is right. Mantaince cost on the AMG models need to be taken into consideration though.

Any pics of the AMG?

 

[Lissa]

If the price and the car is good, it should keep more value than the 280 if the price is right. Mantaince cost on the AMG models need to be taken into consideration though.

Any pics of the AMG?

It does look in pretty good condition from the photos, but it is a 14 year old car, so you expect a few cosmetic issues. We are getting the chance to buy it at not far off half what we've seen others go for though, and I can't see it ever being worth less than we could buy it for. We're not buying it to make money though, we've always wanted one. From the research I've done there were only 222 licensed and on the road in the whole of Great Britain at the end of last year. so no wonder really that it's taken us a while to find one.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

I can't think of any reason not to buy it. If you want one and have an opportunity to buy it at a good price then I think you should do it.

 

[ildd]

@ildd

I can tell it's a 2002 model, do you know how many miles/km are on the car? I can see there's a few marks on it, as there would be on nearly any 14 year old car. The M112 engine is fantastic and the C32/SLK32 engine is one of the more reliable AMG engines ever used, even past 150k miles... Make sure there's service records and check to see if the intercooler pump has been replaced. If you test drive it and the supercharger doesn't engage nearly instantly when you press the gas at higher speeds, it probably hasn't been replaced. If it has, and it's doing that, well then the bill will be a lot more...

It's a great car if you haven't looked at it. But I'm going to warn you... if someone is selling it for "half" of what others are selling for, you will run into problems. If it were up to me I'd happily trade my slk280 for an slk32, but that's because I just don't like the r171. The car is very comfy and obviously well put together, and handles very nicely. And of course it's beautiful, too...

 

[Danny]

Good move, or bad move?

Best move!

I believe the kids say 'yolo'. If it's taken you a long time to find one and it's low mileage and it turns out to indeed be in good nick, it makes sense to go for it.

 

[ildd]

Yep. The problem I had was finding a low mileage one for sale that wasn't 1500 miles away. I found three in Houston that I checked out, the one I wanted the most (Linarite blue) was in piss-poor condition and the IC pump (or worse) was done for so I scratched that idea. I looked at a black one before that, which was honestly in perfect condition except for the slightly peeling center console and had... 62k? miles. I just wasn't able to buy it at the time.

 

[Lissa]

Thanks for your input

The guy selling it seems genuine, and as far as we can tell has been brutally honest about the car. Having owned a 230 before we bought the 280, we are fully aware of the rust issues that can plague them, and the other cosmetic issues they have, all of which can be sorted out. Selling the 280 should leave me with at least 4k to put aside for future expenses, even after I've bought the 32. The common consensus seems to be that the engines are fantastic, and as mentioned good for at least 150k miles, and this has 66k on the clock, which is lower than any of the ones we looked at a couple of years ago, but just couldn't afford then.

 

[ildd]

66k is a great number... You still have, oh idk... 25k miles before really worrying about anything. Although the spark plugs should be going soon if they haven't already. I had a C240 and the original spark plugs went at about 65k miles and 12 years. I'm guessing you already know those are twin spark as well, so the bill is going to be pretty high if you don't do it yourself.

Like I said... I'd trade the slk280 for an slk32 any day of the week but I'm incredibly biased.

 

[Ibonibo]

Go for it 👍

 

[townha99]

I think its a great choice. Its not got a Salvage or rebuilt title does it?

 

[Lissa]

I think its a great choice. Its not got a Salvage or rebuilt title does it?

No, we've done a vehicle check, and it's fine.

So, in a few short hours it could be ours! We're seeing it today!

 

[Lissa]

She's ours!!!!!

 

[ildd]

Congrats, should be a lot of fun.

 

[Crash]

Congrats, you'll have to keep this thread updated on how the new SLK is treating you!

 

[Mike Rotch]

@ilddthe C32/SLK32 engine is one of the more reliable AMG engines ever used

dudewat.

My 02 C32 ownership experience disproved this comprehensively.

I hope you got a straight one Lissa - hopefully late '02 not early 02 or 01. Why? Type "C32/Slk32 glycol test" test into google. To be sure, check what manufacturer your radiator is. If you see a Valeo sticker somewhere, you'll be wanting to get a glycol test regularly. If you are lucky and its a late 02 or the previous owner did their homework for you, you'll see a "behr" sticker somewhere.

 

[Lissa]

dudewat.

My 02 C32 ownership experience disproved this comprehensively.

I hope you got a straight one Lissa - hopefully late '02 not early 02 or 01. Why? Type "C32/Slk32 glycol test" test into google. To be sure, check what manufacturer your radiator is. If you see a Valeo sticker somewhere, you'll be wanting to get a glycol test regularly. If you are lucky and its a late 02 or the previous owner did their homework for you, you'll see a "behr" sticker somewhere.

Apologies, been a while since I've had a chance to post.

There is indeed a 'Behr' sticker on the radiator, so that's good news.

So, how are we getting on with the car? We absolutely love it. Needs a bit of TLC and a few quid spent getting it to how it should be, but in our opinion it's worth the effort. There ARE very few of them around, and it's worth preserving.


And boy, does it go!